Ep 1. Back to our Roots

Weekends with Yankee season 5 episode 1, "Back to our Roots," takes viewers on a journey through New England's rich cultural history. Hosts Richard Wiese and Amy Traverso travel across the region to explore how its past has influenced the present.

The episode begins in Newport, Rhode Island, where Richard and Amy visit the historic Breakers mansion. They learn about the Gilded Age and the Vanderbilt family's impact on the region during that time. Next, they travel to Portsmouth, New Hampshire, to visit a local school that teaches traditional boatbuilding skills. They meet with two experienced boatbuilders who demonstrate how they construct wooden boats using techniques passed down through generations.

The hosts then travel to Boston, Massachusetts, to explore the city's vibrant food scene. They visit a local farmers market and meet with chef Karen Akunowicz, who shares her experience growing up in an Italian-American family in New Jersey and how it has influenced her cooking. They also visit a local bakery that specializes in making traditional Jewish delicacies, such as bagels and rugelach.

Next, Richard and Amy travel to Vermont to learn about the state's maple sugaring tradition. They meet with a local family who has been producing maple syrup for generations and get an inside look at how they collect sap and boil it down to make syrup.

The episode concludes in Maine, where Richard and Amy visit historic sites along the coast. They talk with a lobster fisherman who explains how the industry has evolved over time and what it takes to catch these delicious crustaceans. They also visit a traditional boatshop that specializes in building wooden lobster boats.

Throughout the episode, Richard and Amy meet with locals who share their experiences and perspectives on the region's history and traditions. From boatbuilding to food and maple sugaring, "Back to our Roots" highlights New England's strong connection to its past and how it continues to shape the region's identity today.