EASTHAMPTON — Local filmmaker Thomas Draudt and Easthampton Media have won a national award for the docuseries “EQUAL=STREETS, Pioneer Valley: Conversations On Strong,” diving into Northampton’s Picture Main Street project.
“The fact that it’s national means a lot because what I did in my local region applies to the whole country,” Draudt said about the project in an interview with the Gazette. “The meaning of the work has import all across the country.”
The award comes from the Alliance for Community Media foundation, a national organization that aims to support local media projects. Each year the group hands out awards, and this year, Draudt received first place for the Best of Transportation category by an independent filmmaker.
The docuseries aired last year and features interviews with multiple residents on Strong Avenue in downtown Northampton about their thoughts on Picture Main Street, specifically pedestrians that do not have a vehicle or use other modes of transportation.
“The sole purpose of these kinds of projects like Picture Main Street is to make our downtowns a human experience rather than a car experience,” Draudt said.
Draudt spoke with multiple experts finding that a lot of transportation infrastructure in cities and towns was developed in the 1950s and 1960s, specifically for vehicle use. But cars are not cheap, Draudt said, especially these days, adding that many people rely on other means of transportation like biking and sidewalks.
Jaffrey Mastroianni, executive director for Easthampton Media, said the award marks the organization’s first national recognition. He said it celebrates both Draudt’s achievement and the power of community media.
“We’re trying to empower our community through local media, whether it’s amateurs or professionals like Tom [Draudt],” Mastroianni said. “We’re here for everybody.”
Draudt hoped to harness positivity around Picture Main Street through the film, attempting to curb many misconceptions about the project. Draudt, who studied at the University of Massachusetts Amherst in the 1980s, has more than 45 years of experience in filmmaking.
Now he plans to continue the series, turning his attention to main street redesigns in Easthampton and Greenfield. Draudt hopes to show that street redesigns are happening across the country and in Massachusetts, and have helped revitalize the community.
“There’s been a lot of rethinking and reimaging around our infrastructure and this particular series is a very broad base series to bring attention to that,” Draudt said.
Westhampton Fall Festival
WESTHAMPTON — The town’s 19th annual Fall Festival will be coming to life the first weekend in October, bringing a full array of activities for all ages to enjoy.
The festival will take place from noon to 4 p.m. on Sunday, Oct. 4, at the field behind the Westhampton Public Library at 1 North Road. There will be a variety of events including axe throwing and lumberjack showings, cider making, corn husking and more. There will also be food and drinks.
Children will relish in plenty of activities like games and crafts, the scavenger hunt, therapy dogs and more. Prior to the festival at 10 a.m. there will be an interfaith church service and the festival will close with a pumpkin roll at 4:15 p.m.
Southampton garden event
SOUTHAMPTON — Gardeners and nature lovers are invited to a biodiversity lecture and plant sale this Saturday, discussing native species to Southampton and how they have provided for pollinators, birds and essential wildlife.
The talk, hosted by Amy Meltzer, co-chair of the Massachusetts Pollinator Network Steering Committee, will be hosted at the Edwards Public Library from 11:30 a.m. to noon this Saturday, Sept. 26. However, the entire plant sale will last from 9 a.m. to noon, selling native perennials, garden favorites and house plants.
The event is hosted by the Southampton Good Earth Gardeners (GEG) which formed four years ago, with the mission of promoting gardening throughout the town.
Blood drive
EASTHAMPTON — The Fire Department is partnering for a blood drive with the Baystate Health Blood Donor Program on Monday, Oct. 5., lasting from 9:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Public Safety Complex.
Community members are encouraged to help support local patients and families by donating blood in the midst of a shortage in Massachusetts.
“The Easthampton Fire Department encourages residents, city employees, businesses and community organizations to join us in supporting this important lifesaving effort,” a statement from the department reads, adding that a single donation can help multiple patients in need.
Appointments are encouraged but walk-ins are also welcome as availability permits. For appointments, call 413-794-4600.
