Mark;s Holiday Memories

Mark’s Holiday Memories My 2023 Year in Review. Chapter 1. I could recap the year with the health challenges I dealt with, simultaneous kidney failure and a heart attack. It was rock bottom. But, I choose to concentrate on the good things that happened. Despite health challenges, I produced some of my best radio and TV in years. Thanks to my producer, Peter Cowles, for making that happen. I got to interview some of the most incredible people for ArtsBeat and on The Mark for Westfield Community Programming, 89.5fm/WSKB, Southwick Community Television, and Agawam Media. Some of the most memorable: from the theatree world, James Barry and Tara Franklin, Alan Paul, Jay Sefton and Mark H. Dold (pictured). From the community: Stefan Czaporowski, Westfield School superintendent, Diane Pearlman from Berkshire Film and Media, the students at Westfield Technical Academy’s aviation program, and Hope Tremblay’s students at St. Mary’s High School and Brenda Garton’s students from Western New England University. https://www.youtube.com/@WSKBCommunityRadio/videos My 2023 Year in Review. Chapter 2. I was supposed to narrate Craig Hella Johnson’s Considering Matthew Shepard. https://www.conspirare.org/considering-matthew-shepard/ But illness eventually got in the way. Nonetheless I travelled to Wyoming to visit the sites in Shepard’s life. It was an opportunity to visit my good pal, Ben Jacek, who lives and works there. Ben was my tour guide. I’d mentored Ben when he was a teen, became friends after he worked for my company, and close friends after a mutual friend committed suicide. This year, while working full time, he got his paramedic certification, which involved over 500 hours of clinicals. I am so proud to see him accomplish his dreams and become a compassionate first responder. Invest in the young. Their successes will reap rewards. My 2023 Year in Review. Chapter 3. Old friends make a difference. I’ve remained close with my classmates at Northfield Mount Hermon since my graduation. I’ve known these people for over a half century. One, Nancy Stevens, and I had the chance to converse in depth at our Reunion in June., We discussed my end of life thoughts, as I waited for a kidney donor. As a clergy member, she helped me prioritize my thoughts. That dinner conversation got me through an eventual six weeks of hell. I’ve known Peter Weis since his dad was my math teacher. Peter, his wife Lydia, and I are close as siblings. My other classmates have rallied around me. I am blessed. My 2023 Year in Review. Chapter 4. A good friend becomes a best friend. Patrick Berry and I have known each other for over a dozen years. We’ve collaborated on projects, partnered on some extraordinary radio work, and served on boards together. When I was in the ICU, and about to sign my care off to hospice, Patrick turned my incredible low around. He got me to see that life was worth living, and he committed himself to getting me back on my feet. I rediscovered my optimism because of him. He’s been with me every step of the way. Without Patrick, I wouldn’t be here now. Other friends came through as well. They all have my gratitude and appreciation, but Patrick recalibrated my will to live. My 2023 Year in Review. Chapter 5. Love what you do. In 2021, when the musicians of the Springfield Symphony Orchestra were at odds with the orchestra management, they formed their own non-profit and began to produce concerts. My first professional gig in Springfield was as Marketing Director of the SSO, and some of these musicians were friends of mine for over 40 years. I’ve worked hard for MOSSO ever since, and some of my old friends and new friends from the orchestra have brought me joy, professionally and personally. Steve Perry, Miho Matsuno, Bob Lawrence, and Sarah Sutherland have been good friends at work and otherwise. I love my colleagues. www.springfieldsymhonymjusicians.com. My 2023 Year in Review. Chapter 6. People who need people are the luckiest people in the world. OK, Beanie wasn't the greatest, but theatre trips with Martin Miller and Topher Morey were, as well as rendezvous with Maureen Sullivan, Diane Pearlman, Cassie Newman, Chris Daly, Joel Morse (my caffeination partner), Amy Barden, Stefan Czaporowski, and Brenda Garton were. I got through the year with the help of my friends. My NMH classmates kept me standing and smiling. My colleagues, Peter Cowles, Jason Martins, Addie Patterson, and Dylan Hegarty are the best. My poolside Table One neighbors are the best. It is these people who make my life a joy. My 2023 Year in Review. Chapter 7. If Patrick hadn’t saved me, my legacy might have been thousands of hours of radio and TV programs on YouTube, plus my conviction that white shoes can only be worn between Memorial Day and Labor Day. On those two holidays, people might chuckle. My annual countdowns to White Shoe Season would become folklore. But, I will carry on, surrounded by the love of friends. And, this holiday season, who could ask for anything more? Keep those good vibes coming on January 30.