This episode of Notable New England shares calming things to do across New England to reduce stress, support mental health, and reset your nervous system during overwhelming times. Discover peaceful outdoor experiences, scenic road trips, libraries, lighthouses, gardens, and community-centered activities in Massachusetts, Maine, Vermont, New Hampshire, Connecticut, and Rhode Island. These simple pauses can help you recharge, reconnect with nature, and return to daily life feeling more grounded and resilient.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links 🔹 Music licensing & credits

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland You'll get an on-air shout out of thanks for your donation.

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon 🔹 BuyMeaCoffee 🔹 Substack 🔹 Facebook 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Threads 🔹 Bluesky 🔹 YouTube 🔹 TikTok 🔹 Reddit

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 📩 Contact: gbossmusicco@gmail.com

In this episode of Notable New England, I reflect on highlights from the podcast’s first full year, share what listeners loved most in 2025, and talk about where the show is headed in 2026. I also share a few New England–inspired New Year’s resolutions—from being a tourist in your own backyard to supporting public libraries and showing up for local community life. A cozy, community-focused conversation about New England, connection, and what’s next.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links 🔹 Music licensing & credits

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland You'll get an on-air shout out of thanks for your donation.

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon 🔹 BuyMeaCoffee 🔹 Substack 🔹 Facebook 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Threads 🔹 Bluesky 🔹 YouTube 🔹 TikTok 🔹 Reddit

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 📩 Contact: gbossmusicco@gmail.com

Content warning: This episode begins with a message of condolences related to the Brown University & Brookline, MA shootings. While details are not discussed, the mention of the events could be triggering for some listeners. There are also brief references to adult themes when discussing historical Christmas traditions, so listener discretion is advised, particularly if young ears are present.

What did Christmas look like generations ago and how did those traditions shape the holidays we celebrate today?

In this festive episode, I’m joined by Brian Earl, host of the beloved podcast Christmas Past and author of the new book Of Christmases Long, Long Ago: Surprising Traditions from Christmas Past. Brian grew up in Stoughton, Massachusetts, and shares both fascinating historical insights and personal New England Christmas memories from his childhood.

We dive into the origins of holiday traditions, surprising facts about Christmas you may not know, and the stories behind how Christmas celebrations have evolved over time. Brian also talks about the inspiration behind his podcast and his new book.

Whether you love Christmas history, enjoy learning about holiday traditions, or feel nostalgic for New England winters, this episode is full of warmth, history, and seasonal charm.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links 🔹 Music licensing & credits

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland You'll get an on-air shout out of thanks for your donation.

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon 🔹 BuyMeaCoffee 🔹 Substack 🔹 Facebook 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Threads 🔹 Bluesky 🔹 YouTube 🔹 TikTok 🔹 Reddit

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 📩 Contact: gbossmusicco@gmail.com

Looking for meaningful holiday gifts with real New England charm? In this episode, I share a curated, unsponsored list of my favorite New England-made gifts and local experiences—from L.A. Burdick Chocolate and the Vermont Country Store to King Arthur Baking classes, Maine lobster deliveries, New Haven pizza tours, the Connecticut Christmas Movie Trail, Newport Mansions memberships, Del’s Lemonade goodies, and more.

Perfect for anyone wanting to shop local, support small businesses, and find unique gifts across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

Tune in for a cozy, thoughtful New England holiday gift guide that makes shopping easier and a whole lot more fun.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links 🔹 Music licensing & credits

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland You'll get an on-air shout out of thanks for your donation.

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon 🔹 BuyMeaCoffee 🔹 Substack 🔹 Facebook 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Threads 🔹 Bluesky 🔹 YouTube 🔹 TikTok 🔹 Reddit

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 📩 Contact: gbossmusicco@gmail.com

I’d really love to hear your thoughts on the podcast. This little show feels like a community we’re building together, and your perspective helps me understand what feels meaningful, what you connect with, and what you’d like to hear more of. If you have a moment to share, I’d be so grateful. I put together a very short, two-minute survey—just 10 simple questions—so I can listen to your thoughts and learn from you. You can find it at bit.ly/nnpodsurvey

On today’s episode of Notable New England, I sit down with Rev. Kate Layzer, the compassionate force behind the Friday Café at First Church in Cambridge, Massachusetts. Together, we explore how this weekly community gathering supports neighbors facing homelessness, food insecurity, and social isolation—and why creating spaces of dignity and connection is so essential. Rev. Layzer shares what she’s learned from years of building relationships at the Café, dispels common misconceptions about people seeking support, and offers simple, meaningful ways listeners can get involved in their own communities. It’s an eye-opening, heart-opening conversation that feels especially resonant as we head into Thanksgiving. My hope is that it inspires you to look for small ways to show up for others in New England and beyond.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links 🔹 Music licensing & credits

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland You'll get an on-air shout out of thanks for your donation.

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon 🔹 BuyMeaCoffee 🔹 Facebook 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Threads 🔹 Bluesky 🔹 YouTube 🔹 TikTok 🔹 Reddit

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 📩 Contact: gbossmusicco@gmail.com

Dearest lovely listeners,

I’d love to get your thoughts on the podcast. Are you enjoying it? Is it fun, interesting, and worth your time each week? I really want to make sure it’s something you look forward to—and your feedback helps me do that.

I’ve put together a super short, two-minute survey—just 10 quick questions—to hear what you like, what you’d tweak, and even how you first found us. You can find it at bit.ly/nnpodsurvey

Bundle up and get ready to explore! In this special seasonal episode of Notable New England, I take you on a month-by-month journey through the best winter happenings across Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Vermont, Maine, Rhode Island, and Connecticut.

From dazzling light displays in Boston and Norman Rockwell-style celebrations in the Berkshires to full-moon hikes in Vermont, ice fishing festivals, pond hockey tournaments, and cozy jazz nights, you’ll discover dozens of ways to make the most of winter in New England — many of them free or low cost!

Whether you’re planning weekend getaways, family activities, or festive date nights, this episode is your go-to guide for seasonal fun that will get you out of the house and into the community.

✨ Topics Include:

• Holiday light strolls, concerts, and winter markets

• Outdoor adventures like hikes, ice fishing, and skiing

• Cultural festivals and arts events in every New England state

• Budget-friendly and family-friendly winter ideas

🎧 Listen now to find your next winter adventure — and check the show notes for direct links to every event and attraction mentioned.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links 🔹 Music licensing & credits

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland You'll get an on-air shout out of thanks for your donation.

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon 🔹 BuyMeaCoffee 🔹 Facebook 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Threads 🔹 Bluesky 🔹 YouTube 🔹 TikTok 🔹 Reddit

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 📩 Contact: gbossmusicco@gmail.com

CONTENT WARNING: This episode of Notable New England does have some mentions of death and content that might be a bit scary for young ears or those sensitive to subjects involving death, causes of death, or paranormal activity. Listener discretion is advised.

With Halloween just around the corner, I’m exploring some of New England's haunted places — where history meets the supernatural. From Rhode Island’s Providence Athenaeum, where Edgar Allan Poe’s spirit may still linger beside his lost love, to Vermont’s Equinox Hotel haunted by Mary Todd Lincoln, each stop reveals a ghostly tale rooted in New England’s rich and mysterious past.

Journey with me to Connecticut’s Mark Twain House, where echoes of laughter and cigar smoke still drift through the halls; Maine’s eerie Maiden’s Cliff and haunted Strand Cinema; New Hampshire’s infamous Blood Cemetery; and Massachusetts’ Cutler Majestic Theatre — one of Boston’s most haunted landmarks, as well as a few other eerie spots.

Whether you’re a believer, a skeptic, or just love a good ghost story, this episode is your guided tour through Haunted New England — its restless spirits, tragic legends, and the whispers that still echo through its historic towns.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links 🔹 Music licensing & credits

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland You'll get an on-air shout out of thanks for your donation.

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon 🔹 BuyMeaCoffee 🔹 Facebook 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Threads 🔹 Bluesky 🔹 YouTube 🔹 TikTok 🔹 Reddit

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 📩 Contact: gbossmusicco@gmail.com

From lighthouses and lobsters to libraries and lingo, this episode dives into the little-known stories behind the six New England states. Join us as we uncover quirky, surprising, and historic facts about Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Rhode Island — the kind of trivia that makes you say, “Huh, I never knew that!”

You’ll learn:

• Which U.S. state has just one syllable and borders only one other state

• Where you can find the easternmost point in the United States

• The birthplace of the American public library

• How Vermont banned billboards to preserve its scenery

• The story behind the first ZIP code in America

• And why Rhode Island’s coastline earns it the nickname “The Ocean State”

It’s a journey through fascinating tidbits, unexpected origins, and the proud traditions that make New England truly one of a kind. Perfect for trivia lovers, history buffs, and anyone who calls this corner of the country home.

📌 Show Notes & Resources:

🔹 Episode Sources, References & Featured Links 🔹 Music licensing & credits

💙 Support Notable New England:

Join our Notable New England Patreon community for a dedicated space to connect, explore New England history, hidden gems, and local stories without the distractions of traditional social media! Get early, ad-free episodes and exclusive perks starting at just $2 a month. Your support helps cover production costs and keeps engaging episodes coming! Or, sign up for free and connect with other lovely listeners. 👉 Join here

To make a one-time donation to Notable New England, head over to buymeacoffee.com/notablenewengland You'll get an on-air shout out of thanks for your donation.

📢 Follow Notable New England:

🔹 Patreon 🔹 BuyMeaCoffee 🔹 Facebook 🔹 Instagram 🔹 Threads 🔹 Bluesky 🔹 YouTube 🔹 TikTok 🔹 Reddit

🎙️ Podcast Website: https://notablene.podbean.com/ 📩 Contact: gbossmusicco@gmail.com