Brad Shepard Today
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At Large with G. Michael Dobbs
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The Latest

Radio Show #195 – Nicole Bessette
of Marvel Cleaners – Residential and Office Cleaning

Westfield’s Nicole Bessette exited a career in law, insurance, and other pursuits to devote herself to working with her husband, Mike in their own cleaning company here in Western Mass.

Clearly, the husband and wife who clean professionally together, stay together.

Nicole and Mike seem happy and satisfied in their work, as Nicole conveys in this special program.

You can hear how they handle all manner of cleaning jobs, including junk removal, hoarding, and biohazards!

Nicole and Mike describe Marvel Cleaners as, “a two-person, co-ed cleaning team. We are friendly, experienced, detail oriented, thorough and non-judgmental. Let us make your home SPARKLE!”

Radio Show #194 – Mike Zabik and
Mike’s Auto Service

Mike Zabik leads a happy existence in a family business, devoted to keeping the cars of the region in solid repair and on the road!

Born in West Springfield, Mike has been knee-deep in automotive technology from the time he graduated high school to the present.That is more than thirty years of accumulated automotive knowledge and experience.

He can be found every day at Mike’s Auto Service in West Springfield.

In this program, you will also gain some valuable info on what ponding, flooding and related rain issues can do to your vehicle.

Radio Show #193 – Carmine DiCenso, Executive Director, Dakin Humane Society

Dogs, cats, rabbits, mice. ferrets, guinea pigs and hamsters – all are in good hands with Western Mass.’ Carmine DiCenso.

With a background in psychology, Carmine has made his 20-year career, the last two years as Executive Director at Dakin, beneficial to Western Mass. pets and their owners alike.

In this program, you will hear how Carmine and Dakin have also helped the Carolinas and Central Mass. through two disasters by making room here in the shelter to house their displaced pets!

Radio Show #192 – Noreen Tassinari and
The Big E!

For more than 30 years, Westfield’s Noreen Tassinari has been the face and voice of The Big E!

The signature fair for the northeast is underway the weekend of September 14, and Noreen is here on Pioneer Valley Radio for a sneak preview of the events, music, food and excitement this year!

Radio Show #191 – Kendrah Elise and Frankenhair

Kendrah Elise is a highly accomplished Western Mass. business woman, a vegan, and in her own words, a “bonus mom.”

With an educational background in psychology, and career track including MassMutual, she entered a career in cosmetology, culminating in a very unique and original salon of her own known as Frankenhair.

Billed as “vegan and cruelty-free,” Kendrah finds Westfield to be a great location for her original hairstyling concept.

Radio Show #190 – America’s Money Answers Man, Jordan Goodman, with Advice on Increasing Loan Rates

In Jordan Goodman’s latest visit to Pioneer Valley Radio, he cautions that all manner of loans Western Mass. folks may have are destined to go up as the Fed adjusts the interest rates accordingly.  This includes, student loans, auto loans, credit card rates etc.

Jordan offers some advice on ways to reduce and otherwise offset these increases.

Radio Show #189 – Charlie Dupre,
Grounds Keeper Landscaping

Charlie Dupre mows lawns.

This is his talent and his vocation.

And Charlie felt a “calling” to help a young boy in Agawam fighting a tough battle.

9-year-old Ben Manzi has a form of leukemia. Charlie and his crew at Grounds Keeper Landscaping, along with other landscaping firms, decided to spend their entire weekend, from sunup to sundown, mowing lawns and donating the proceeds to the Manzi family.

Here is the story from Charlie himself!

 

Radio Show #188 – Anthony Maloni,
Rice Fruit Farm

Living in Agawam and working in Wilbraham, Anthony Maloni finds working with his family to be a happy experience!

At Rice Fruit Farm in Wilbraham, he and his family made the decision three years ago to bring this iconic Wilbraham business back after it had closed for good.

Since then, the division of chores and the partnership with the town of Wilbraham have made life enjoyable for this Western Mass. native!

 

Radio Show #187 – Danny Eaton Unveils his New Season at the Majestic!

Producer, director, dramatist, Danny Eaton is very exited about his new season!

Already underway, Danny talks about the current production, “Johnny Guitar,” as well as the additional plays and musicals that round out another winning lineup at the theater.

One of the plays, “The War and Walt Whipple,” is a personal memoir Danny has penned, himself!

Radio Show #186 – David Raiche,
Raiche Consultants Inc.

Born and raised in Agawam, David Raiche is content to make Western Mass. his professional home as well!

After decades in retail, David made his jump into the computer universe in the early 80s, and has not looked back.

David’s path at Raiche Consultants Inc. offers highly personal customer service in all areas of computer protection and security.

Even church management, as you will hear in this program!

Radio Show #185 – Fr. Chris Stamas and Glendi

Fr. Chris Stamas has been the priest at the St. George Greek Orthodox Cathedral in Springfield for more than 17 years.

He is proud to preside over the 40th anniversary of the Greek celebration of Glendi!

Music, food, exhibits, games and more abound for the entire family!

In this program, Father Chris discusses his personal background and history – from a career in engineering to the moment when he believes he heard the “calling” to change the course of his life and destiny.

How Fr. Chris finds life in Springfield as compared to his years in Lowell, MA  is also illuminating.

 

Radio Show #184 – Andrea Piatti-Bruno and Westfield’s Blended Vintage Marketplace

In Westfield, Andrea Piatti-Bruno is a mother of six who still finds the time to pursue her most eclectic ambitions.

Her business, Blended Vintage Marketplace in Westfield, is a most unusual shop where Andrea can show you anything from custom pillows to specialty candies, along with the furniture she so lovingly paints with an artistic and unique flair!

In this conversation with Brad Shepard, you can hear more of what a day in her life is like.

Radio Show #183 – Kelli Moriarty Finn Campaigns for Allison Werder at the
Sheriff Cocchi Picnic

A note of clarification: Kelli Moriarty Finn ran a very impressive but ultimately unsuccessful campaign for Springfield City Councilor At-Large last year.

In a conversation with Pioneer Valley Radio’s Brad Shepard, Kelli candidly discusses what she has gained in experience from this fledgling effort in Springfield’s political world.

Kelli is taking an “off year” to keep herself in the public eye, by stumping for Allison Werder, as she prepares to run again for the City Council in 2019.

In our original account, the impression was given that Ms. Moriarty-Finn is a current member of the Springfield city Council.

We regret the error.

Radio Show #182 – Hampden Chief of Police Jeff Farnsworth at the Sheriff Cocchi Picnic

Hampden Chief of Police Jeff Farnsworth dropped by Pioneer Valley Radio and chatted with Brad Shepard about his efforts in public safety for the town.

How does smaller community policing compare to our urban centers?

Jeff outlines the similarities and the fundamental differences.

Radio Show #181 – State Treasurer Deb Goldberg at Sheriff Cocchi’s Picnic

As Deb Goldberg finishes her first term as State Treasurer, she is running for her second.

She sees herself as a political “amalgamation” and also maintains that she not only watches over state spending, but makes money for the state as well.

She expounds on these points in a conversation with PVR’s Brad Shepard, recorded live at the Sheriff Cocchi Picnic.

Radio Show #180 – Daniel Fishman, Candidate for State Auditor, at the Sheriff Cocchi Picnic

Daniel Fishman is running for State Auditor – on the Libertarian ticket.

In a conversation recorded at the Sheriff Cocchi Picnic, Dan talked with Brad Shepard and emphasized what the voters will get in return for their support of his candidacy.

You will also learn – from Dan’s perspective – what the Libertarian party supports and believes in.

Radio Show #179 – Chicopee Police Department Information Officer Mike Wilk at the Sheriff Cocchi Picnic

Chicopee Information Officer Michael Wilk talks with PVR’s Brad Shepard at the Sheriff Cocchi picnic.

Among other topics, Wilk is candid about the crime rate in Chicopee, opioid abuse, and the day of the Chief’s motorcycle accident.

Radio Show #178 – State Representative Brian Ashe at the Sheriff Cocchi Picnic

Our series of programs recorded live at the Sheriff Cocchi Picnic continues with State Representative Brian Ashe.

Brian dropped by the PVR mobile studio at the picnic to talk with Brad Shepard.

Among other things, Rep. Ashe discussed his longevity, the casino, and both medicinal and recreational marijuana.

Radio Show #177 – Sheriff Nick Cocchi’s
Second Annual Picnic!

This is the first in a series of programs featuring conversations recorded live, with an array of Western Mass politicians, law enforcement officials and other community leaders.

In this program, Brad Shepard chats with fellow PVR personality Michael Harrison at the outset of the afternoon.

Join us for “A Day at the Picnic.”

Brad and Richie – Live in Concert!


Pioneer Valley Radio’s Brad Shepard wrapped up his summer concert schedule with a “bang” in West Springfield, at the Morgan Road Pavilion, with a solid 90 minutes of Broadway and Pop favorites.  From Sinatra to Frankie Valli, and “Man of La Mancha” to “Chicago,” Brad performed for a crowd of more than 150.  With venerable musician Richie Mitnick at the keyboard, Brad has been singing in Western Mass. for 15 years. He has also been on the air with two dominant local radio stations, and now the present “hyper-local” Pioneer Valley Radio, for a total of 25 years.