Public-Access Show Gives Children Chance to Shine
NORTH ADAMS, Mass. — Stuffed animals can be a child's "friend for life," says 7-year-old to Brian Cannavan of Readsboro, Vt.Brian is happy to hold forth on the joys of stuffed animals and how he created his bear Giggles. To make a stuffed animal, Brian said, "you have to pick out the skin, pick out a heart, and make a wish for the bear on the heart, then they (Vermont Teddy Bear factory in Burlington) sew him up for you."
They make them tough in Vermont. Giggles has been with Brian a year and has "gotten beaten up, his ear got ripped and it had to get fixed and his fur had to be fluffed and his nose got fixed." No matter, he is still very special to Brian.
The youngster's also eager to talk about his live pets: three dogs, three cats, a betta fish and Shelly the Greek land tortoise.
His mother, Melody Cannavan, encourages Brian in all his interests — ranging from trains to needlepoint to monster trucks and more.
"Brian names all the animals himself, such as 'love and stuffing,'" said Cannavan. "He learns so much through collecting and caring for the animals.”
  Brian Cannavan, 7, loves stuffed animals; Matthew McKinney, 11, is a winner in karate. Both will talk about their hobbies in a new public-access kids' show. Top: Choir members from the East Greenbush School District. |
Photography, model cars, monster trucks, stuffed animals, playing instruments, tae kwon do and singing are among the many talents and interests of the children who will be showcased on the premiere.
Created, directed and produced by North Adams resident Brian Isaac, the show's designed to let youngsters shine.
"Children don't have many chances to share their hobbies and interests without competition and without being judged," said Isaac. "This show is about children sharing — not about making them into celebrities."
The show is open to children ages 12 and younger. No team sports or video games, please. Isaac said idea is to get away from competitive activities and allow the kids to just share their interests.
The first hour segment will feature clips of different children, he said.
Among those featured is Matthew McKinney, 11, who likes karate, beat boxing and performing. Matthew says he likes karate "because it helps him stay in shape and I like to earn new belts." His mother, Peggy Hope, said karate "is good for focus and discipline." Matthew likes performing "because I like to make people smile."
The first segment will also include the Bell Top Boy Choir, a group of singers in the fourth-through-sixth grades from the East Greenbush Central School District in Troy NY.
As they sing, the choir members add their own creative accompaniment through body percussion and instruments such as drums, woodblock, ratchet, bells, bike horn and siren whistle.
Director Margaret Cornman Glennie and other adults accompanied the boys to their "Berkshire Sky 9" taping, which showcased each individual member: Alex Gaudino, 10, Soren Correia, 10, Peter Horvath, 10, Austin Baggetta, 11, Nick Nadareski, 10, Isaiah Galvan, 9, Jeremy Ciprioni, 10, Sal Galarza, 10, Zach Myron, 10, Joe Blackburn, 10, Duncan Harris, 9, Kevin Lawton, 9, Collin Greenway, 10, Ben Greenway, 12, Tom Gorton, 11, Matthew Dzembo, 10, and Andrew Harris, 11.
May and June "Berkshire Sky 9" shows will focus on individuals or groups of children wishing their parents a Happy Mother's or Father’s Day, through songs, reading of poems, drawings or anything else children think up to make their parents smile.
To be part of future taping on Fridays or Saturdays in April for these special Mother's and Fathers Day shows, contact Isaac at 413-663-0503 or at berkshiresky9@yahool.com.
