The Sidecar Podcast from The Cricket

SIDECAR - Alprilla Farm, Working Beautifully

The Cricket Editor Erika Brown talks with Lifestyle Editor Kris McGinn about this local Essex farm Alprilla and its farmers Sophie and Noah Courser-Kellerman. A working farm since the 17th century and a family farm since Noah’s grandfather purchased it in 1978 to raise black Angus beef, the farm is a cherished local gem. Erika and Kris talk about how the farm cares for its food and the land, and also how special it feels to visit and to get to know Noah, Sophie, and the community surrounding this remarkable farm.

SIDECAR - Goodbye David Andrews

The Cricket Editor Erika Brown talks with Lifestyle Editor Kris McGinn about the touching and unique friendship between two eccentric Essex residents - Bruce Fortier and David Andrews. Bruce Fortier was known as a rabble-rouser, townie, and enormously talented engineer and craftsman. David Andrews was an autistic man who had been neglected by his caretakers. When the two men met, what followed was an unlikely but unique and beautiful symbiotic friendship. The depth of which was indelibly marked by, after the sudden death of Bruce, David passed away just weeks later. Theirs is a story of love and acceptance. 

SIDECAR - The Mill

The Cricket Editor Erika Brown talks with Lifestyle Editor Kris McGinn about The Mill, a new sandwich shop in Essex, MA, and how owners Josh and Caitlin Silverstein managed to survive opening one month before the Covid lockdown. Pivoting into prepared meals with a delivery option, The Mill became a meal mainstay for many Essex and Manchester residents who did not want to go to the grocery store in the first weeks and months of Covid. Quickly reacting to the needs of the community has made The Mill not only a fantastic new place to eat (Erika recommends the Banh Mi) but a thoughtful and supportive new addition to the small town of Essex as well. 

SIDECAR - For the Love of Poetry

Lifestyle Reporter Kris McGinn talks with Manchester by the Book owner Mark Stolle about popular American poets Billy Collins and Mary Oliver. Mark then takes us on a grand adventure featuring American actor Michelle Williams and her love of a mysterious Irish poet, and Casey Affleck's search for the perfect gift, which brings us all the way back around to exalting in love for poetry. A hilarious conversation not to be missed! 

SIDECAR - Helen's Bottle Shop

The Cricket Editor Erika Brown talks with Lifestyle Editor Kris McGinn about discovering natural wines and the good fortune of having Alexis Harwood and Helen’s Bottle Shop arrive in downtown Manchester, MA.  Spending time with Alexis Harwood, Kris McGinn comes to understand not only more about natural wines but the care with which they are created. Alexis and Helen’s Bottle Shop want you to enjoy beautiful wines, but wines that come from farmers who care about the land, wine-makers who care about keeping wine pure, and Helen herself, who wants to get to know her customers so that she can help then find their way to wines they love.

SIDECAR - Little Perfections

The Cricket Editor Erika Brown talks with Lifestyle Editor Kris McGinn about spending time with fine-art photographer Dorothy Monnelly and her relationship with her subject and friend, The Great Marsh. For the past fifty years, Dorothy Monnelly has been taking her large-format camera out to the Ipswich Marsh to create breathtaking black and white images. In explaining her process, it becomes clear that she has a very special respect and love of this natural wonder -- a love that gives her images a rare depth and beauty. Her photography has been published in a stunning new book Between Land and Sea, The Great Marsh.

SIDECAR - All Good Things

The Cricket Editor Erika Brown talks with Lifestyle Editor Kris McGinn about the story of a beloved kayaking business, Essex River Basin Adventures (ERBA), in the small Cape Ann town of Essex closing its doors after 25 years.  ERBA put thousands of people on the water every summer to experience the wonder of The Great Marsh, Essex Bay, Choate Island, and Cranes Beach. Local guides would share wonderful stories about the history of Essex shipbuilding, native birds and plants, and current tips about the town of Essex from Woodman's fried clams to the numerous antique shops. ERBA will indeed be sorely missed.

SIDECAR - The Joy of Eating... at Willow Rest

The Cricket Editor Erika Brown talks with Lifestyle Editor Kris McGinn about their shared love of this Gloucester gem. From the extraordinary culinary treats to the warm and familiar vibe, Erika and Kris explain why the Willow Rest is so special. The Gloucester eatery serves up outstanding breakfasts, lunches, and a variety of grab-and-go food at any time. Willow Rest also has incredible baked goods, all made in-house. Owned and run by Melissa Donati and Glen Manfra the small local restaurant offers artisanal groceries, produce, and gifts, and jewelry from local artists. There are simply a million reasons to visit The Willow Rest. Go!

SIDECAR - A Mechanic, An Amazing Car, and What Really Matters

The Cricket Editor Erika Brown talks with Lifestyle Editor Kris McGinn about the story of Kris's ancient and beloved car and the third generation mechanic, Ernie Nieberle of Ernie's Garage in Essex, who helped to take care of it, and her, until the very end.  A third-generation mechanic (his grandfather worked on tanks in WWI and was a POW), Ernie began spending time in the garage with his father and grandfather at age five and worked full-time by 14. A member of the Essex Volunteer Fire Department for 37 years, Ernie is a quiet hero in the community; and certainly was for Kris McGinn and her special car.

SIDECAR - The Gatherer: The Beautiful World of James McLeod

The Cricket Editor Erika Brown talks with Lifestyle Editor Kris McGinn about the sparkling work of glass artist James McLeod and the incredible world he and has created at The Bubble Factory in Essex, MA. Having opened its doors in 2019 The Bubble Factory has become a marvelous addition to the quirky and colorful town of Essex, MA. Now, James has opened Cleod, in the artist community of Bearskin Neck in Rockport, MA to sell his custom handblown glass. Kris and Erika talk about Kris's peek inside the hot shop where James and his community of glassblowers, built not only the structure, but all of the furnaces and equipment necessary to operate; making The Bubble Factory is a remarkable place for glass art, but also for the family of artists Jame's has cultivated.