The 495

The 495

By Merrimack Valley Magazine
The 495 is a community and culture podcast centered on the Merrimack Valley. Every week starting in January 2020, The 495 podcast brings you whatever is best about our region. That means leaders, writers, teachers, thinkers, artists and doers.
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Episode 8 - With Mystery Author Edith Maxwell
Host Doug Sparks talks with Merrimack Valley-based mystery author Edith Maxwell about her unique brand of storytelling that often includes murders with recipes!
45:03
February 26, 2020
Episode 7 - With Ken Taylor of Plum Island Kayak
Doug Sparks talks with Ken Taylor of Plum Island Kayak about kayak adventures on the Merrimack River and beyond. (Of course he asked about sharks!)
55:23
February 19, 2020
Episode 6 - With Rachel Chandler and Rick Stec from Red Antler Apothecary
Doug talks natural remedies, cleaning, CBD, homesteading and more with Rachel Chandler and Rick Stec from Red Antler Apothecary on this week's episode of The 495.
1:01:37
February 12, 2020
Episode 5 - With Jamie Berard from LEGO Masters on Fox
Doug Sparks talks with Jamie Berard, a Central Catholic alum who now works as a LEGO architect. Jamie will be a judge in the new series LEGO Masters on FOX.
52:25
February 5, 2020
Episode 4 - With Dan Graovac of the Merrimack River Watershed Council
Host Doug Sparks talk with Dan Graovac of the Merrimack River Watershed Council about sewage overflows, PFAS pollution, microplastics and climate change and how they affect the Merrimack River and it's communities. More importantly, they discuss what is being done and what needs to be done.
48:15
January 29, 2020
Episode 3 - With Lane Glenn, the President of Northern Essex Community College
Guest host Glenn Prezzano welcomes Lane Glenn, the President of Northern Essex Community College. He’s just returned from a trip hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro!
1:02:51
January 22, 2020
Episode 2 - With Photographer Kevin Harkins
He's photographed almost everyone and everything in the Merrimack Valley, plus a who's who of celebrities. Doug chats with renowned photographer Kevin Harkins - today's guest on the 495 Podcast.
40:48
January 15, 2020
Episode 1 - With Dean Johnson from Merrimack Valley Magazine
Doug Sparks talks with our own Dean Johnson about his illustrious career in New England media. Starting with his days reviewing concerts for The Herald, Dean talks about his time with WBZ and his freelance writing, including reviewing food and restaurants for Merrimack Valley Magazine. Doug tells us Eight Great Things To Do This Weekend and leads us to the best cup of coffee in the Valley.
45:15
January 8, 2020
Episode 0.4 - Ask me Anything - Tea and Coffee
There a lot of trails to explore in Doug's background. In this episode of "Ask Me Any Thing" answers questions about caffeine and coffee and tells you things about tea that you didn't even know you wanted to know! 
31:21
December 17, 2019
Episode 0.3 - Ask Me Anything - Magazine Editing
In this edition of "Ask Me Anything" Dougs answers questions about editing a magazine. Styles and practices may evolve but and editor must decide when to hold the line. 
28:54
December 17, 2019
Episode 0.2 - Ask Me Anything - Host Doug Sparks
We are warming up for our podcast debut. In this episode we debut "Ask Me Anything" and this time the subject is our host Doug Sparks.
15:44
December 17, 2019
Episode 0.1 - Introduction
Have you just found The 495 Pod? Start here and meet your host Doug Sparks and see what's down the road on The 495.
09:09
December 17, 2019