Enter Smith College from Elm Street onto College Lane in Northampton and stroll down the hill towards the Mill River on your right. On your left you have arrived: the Botanical Garden of Smith College with outside flower beds, a pond surrounded with diverse wetland plants, and the Victorian style greenhouses of The Lyman Plant Conservatory.

Join Anjali D’Souza, Manager of Engagement for the Gardens and longtime docent, Bill Copeland for a conversation with Christine Copeland about how this Northampton treasure grew, what if offers to Smith College students but also young and old alike in the larger Pioneer Valley community and hear about plans for the future.

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College BackYard Oasis Podcasts, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Photo credit: Will Copeland

Links:

https://garden.smith.edu/

https://garden.smith.edu/news-events/news/angela-dsouza-mat-18-joins-botanic-garden-manager-engagement

Hosted by Christine Copeland

Produced by Will Copeland for Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Western Massachusetts resident Larry McFarland calls himself a travel enthusiast. And indeed, he has traveled to some thirty countries from the age of 54 to his current age of 70.

In this episode, Larry describes his journey, both in mind and miles. He addresses solo vs. group travel, planning a trip, safety and financial considerations, and regales us with a few anecdotes from his jaunts.

Speaking of jaunts, you can find Larry’s travel photos and stories at

https://Jaunticles.blogspot.com

Larry also suggests the YouTube channel “Gathering No Moss” for even more travel info for older adults.

Photo: Larry McFarland

Hosted by Henry Balzarini

Produced by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Pioneer Valley has suffered some demanding changes to climate in the past 20, 25 years. Are public officials prepared to meet our needs as these changes deepen?

Hosted by Chad Fuller with guest Josh Shanley, this conversation explores the concept of resilience centers - community spaces designed to support people during climate-related emergencies or other large scale disruptions - and what it might take, both practically and collectively, to prepare for what’s ahead.

Photocredit: Joel Muniz

Hosted by Chad Fuller

Produced by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

What does it mean to walk the Camino - not just once, but multiple times, in different seasons of life and with different people?

In this conversation, Beth Berry shares what keeps calling her back to the Camino and how each journey has unfolded in its own way. From shifting expectations and comfort levels to the subtle (and not-so-subtle) changes in trail conditions, Beth shares how the same path can offer something new and alive each time.

Photocredit: Beth Berry at the Astorga Cathedral in Spain

Hosted by Denise Schwartz

Produced by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

In "High Bridge", Miller imagines what might happen if two 19th century historical figures with different childhoods and worldviews formed a friendship and combined their skills to vindicate a person accused of murder. Set in upstate New York, "a cauldron bubbling with the lure of fast fortunes... and battles for civil liberties", High Bridge links Matilda Joslyn Gage, a child of freethinking abolitionists, and Grover Cleveland, who grows up to become president of the United States.

“Writers Read Us Stories They Love”, a Backyard Oasis series, introduces listeners to authors in western Massachusetts who read from their books and talk about their work, their ideas, and the stories they wish to tell.

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard OASIS Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Denise Schwartz

Photocredit: Michael Miller

Produced by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Meet the residents of the winter and spring forests, JoJo who is no bigger than his grandfather’s thumb, and Bea the Bolivian Bunny, when Copeland and Rosnick read their children's books and talk about the importance of telling stories to people of all ages.

“Writers Read Us Stories They Love”, a Backyard Oasis series, introduces listeners to authors in western Massachusetts who read from their books and talk about their work, their ideas, and the stories they wish to tell.

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard OASIS Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Denise Schwartz

Photocredit: Christine Copeland and Peter Rosnick

Produced by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Denise Schwartz reads "Bird of Providence", a short story written by her brother, T.P. Schwartz-Barcott. Set in Providence, Rhode Island, in 1989, it introduces us to Joey G. Gagliardi, a young guy trying to find his way out of a neighborhood that "no longer matters because no one who matters lives there. "

T.P. Schwartz-Barcott's book "Let There Be Light", as well as his other books, can be found online.

“Writers Read Us Stories They Love”, a Backyard Oasis series, introduces listeners to authors in western Massachusetts who read from their books and talk about their work, their ideas, and the stories they wish to tell.

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard OASIS Podcast and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Hosted by Denise Schwartz

Photocredit: TP Shwartz-Barcott

Produced by Will Copeland at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA

Judy, Jo An, and Lou are older adults in recovery who come together in this episode to reflect on the challenges and unexpected gifts of growing older while living sober.

Be sure to subscribe to the Greenfield Community College Backyard OASIS Podcast, and check back regularly for new episodes as well as other enriching GCC content!

Photocredit: Ivana Cajina "Sunrise"

Hosted by Judy Raper

Produced by Will Copeland in the Multimedia Studios at Greenfield Community College in Franklin County, MA