Monte Belmonte

Monte Belmonte

Monte Belmonte 6am - 10am

Having grown up in the suburbs of Boston, I always thought Western Mass was a desolate wasteland. Now I can’t imagine living anywhere else. Well, I guess I can imagine it but I don’t WANT to live anywhere else. On this page you’ll find conversations with some of the people I find most interesting in our Valley. Authors, astronomers, astronauts and other people that start with letters other than “a.”

I got my start in radio impersonating Al Gore while off the air on Election Day 2000, and since that election dragged on and on, so has my radio career. I love bringing music and my “low minded humor for high minded people” (Wine Squirrel copyright 2017) to people of the Valley every weekday morning.

Monday, October 11, 202110/11/2021

On Shatner and Hampshire: Mr. Universe

In Podcasts

We have been critical of billionaires in space. But what about former Starfleet commanders? And Hampshire College Astronomer Dr. Salman…

Monday, October 11, 202110/11/2021

Rhonda Anderson on Indigenous People’s Day

In Podcasts

The Western Mass Commissioner on Indian Affairs and one of the directors of Ohketeau Cultural Center, Rhonda Anderson, on the…

Friday, October 8, 202110/08/2021

Finding Their Thrill, Reclaiming Blueberry Hill

In Podcasts

Meredith Wecker from The Benson Place on Burnt Hill in Heath on their real-life “Blueberries for Sal” experience and reclaiming…

Wednesday, October 6, 202110/06/2021

The Word Nerd’s last batch of Scrabble-winning words

In Podcasts

Randkluft, yclept, diphthong, squdgy: they don’t look like real words. But Emily Brewster, resident wordster, from Merriam-Webster assures us they…

Wednesday, October 6, 202110/06/2021

The Secret of Sinchanee

In Podcasts

Come to a red-carpet movie premier at The Shea Theater, in the midst of where the movie The Secret of…

Tuesday, October 5, 202110/05/2021

Dear Mister Ward…

In Podcasts

Evan Gregg wants to publish his grandmother, Verna’s, collected letters from her time as correspondent for the catalogue company, Montgomery…

Monday, October 4, 202110/04/2021

The Importance of Sputnik-Mr. Universe

In Podcasts

Hampshire College astronomer Dr. Salman Hameed on the enduring legacy of the first satellite. https://soundcloud.com/939theriver-1/the-anniversary-of-sputnik-mr-universe?si=99eef672d61045af9dc7c3f244ee7c17

Friday, October 1, 202110/01/2021

Italian Imposter? WINE SNOBS

In Podcasts

What business do Italian have in making Merlot? Turns out the know what they’re doing. Monte and the Wine Snobs…

Friday, October 1, 202110/01/2021

The magical disaster that is “THE ROOM”

In Podcasts

Monte talks with Greg Sestero, the second lead in the amazingly bad movie The Room and the author of the Golden…

Thursday, September 30, 202109/30/2021

The Clock is Ticking for the Dems: McGoverning with McGovern

In Podcasts

The Democrats keep standing in their own way. Why is Democratic Congressman Jim McGovern so Zen about it? https://soundcloud.com/939theriver-1/the-clock-is-ticking-for-the-dems-mcgoverning-with-mcgovern?si=6da4d4b6dc6e455c871b1b3ad993d81a

Recent Headlines

20 hours ago in Sports, Trending

NFL division races tighten after a weekend full of surprises and upsets

The race for division titles in the NFL got tighter in Week 13. The Rams, Colts and Steelers became the latest first-place teams to lose Sunday. The Eagles and Ravens lost Thursday. The Patriots play Monday night. Five of the eight divisions have two teams tied for the top spot or separated by less than a game.

20 hours ago in Lifestyle, Trending

Why Cyber Monday could break spending records despite economic uncertainty

Deals promoted as some of the best of the holiday season are expected to keep people across the United States glued to their computers and smartphones as the post-Thanksgiving shopping marathon wraps up on Cyber Monday.

6 days ago in National, Trending

Trump spares turkeys — but not his political opponents — at annual pardoning ceremony

President Donald Trump didn't bring much holiday cheer Tuesday when bestowing ceremonial pardons on two Thanksgiving turkeys, dispensing more insults than goodwill at the traditional White House ritual.

6 days ago in Lifestyle, Trending

What’s open on Thanksgiving? Not much, as many stores rest — or prepare — ahead of Black Friday

With Thanksgiving and the formal launch of the holiday shopping season this week, Americans will again gather for Turkey Day meals before knocking off items on their Christmas gift lists.

6 days ago in Sports, Trending

Under a cloud, the Olympic flame begins its journey to the Milan Cortina Winter Olympics

The Olympic flame began its journey Wednesday to the Milan Cortina Winter Games — missing a little of its usual magic. Bad weather lashing western Greece forced organizers to move the torch-lighting ceremony indoors, from Olympia's ancient stadium and temples to a nearby museum.