- [Stephon] Tonight on WPBS Weekly, Inside The Stories, part two of our four part addiction treatment and prevention series.

We'll tell you what experts are saying and also talk options and the homeless population in Kingston is growing.

But efforts to keep them safe and warm are underway.

Also WPBS remembers teacher Wilson Bickford.

Join us for this heartwarming homage to him, your stories your region coming up right now on WPBS Weekly, Inside The Stories.

(cheerful music) - [Narrator] WPBS Weekly, Inside The Stories, is brought to you by the Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, The Water Town Goosegog Small Business Development Center CSX, The Oswego County Community Foundation at the Central New York Foundation.

And by the Richard S Shineman Foundation.

- Good Tuesday evening, everyone.

And, and welcome to this edition of WPBS Weekly, Inside The Stories, I'm Stephfond Brunson tonight, we delve into part two of our four part series on treating addiction and prevention.

Some may not realize that drug use and teens can cause anxiety, depression, even violence.

Talking to your teen about healthy choices can do any potential issues.

Here are some tips on how to reduce any risky choices they may take.

(cheerful music) - Did you know that not nine out of a 10 addiction start in a person's teen years?

The average age of the youth starts using substances or alcohol is 13 years old.

Now keep in mind that a young person's brains are not fully developed until age 25.

During those developmental years, the use of non-prescribed drugs or alcohol can be very destructive to young brains and can interrupt the brain's development.

- Drugs don't do all the same things to brains in general and they affect adult's brains differently than they affect youth brains.

But we know in youth, for sure, that it causes increased anxiety.

We know that it can cause depression and that's because the brain's not fully developed the type of drugs that somebody consumes, maybe have a different effect on you.

It may make you calm.

It may make you happy.

It may make you sad.

Those things all have to be taken into consideration along with the fact that we're all individuals.

And at the end of the day, we all react differently to things.

And we react differently to drugs and alcohol.

The difference between an adult brain and a youth brain is a youth brain reacts emotionally.

It feels emotions first.

The adult brain uses consequences to make decisions.

And it's an irrational thought.

If you have a teenager or ever dealt with a teenager, they will react very emotionally first, but then can come back and tell you after they've had time to think maybe a day or so, what their reaction was about.

- Adult and youth brains produce a hormone called dopamine which is responsible for that feel good feeling we get when we do something we enjoy - When you're a youth, before you try anything, you'll get that feel good from riding your bicycle or going on a hike, going for a swim maybe doing art or listening to music.

Those are your natural highs.

Drugs actually key into that reward center.

And what they do is they create a total difference in the dopamine that's being made naturally They may cause your brain to not make enough dopamine.

They may cause your brain to misread the dopamine and very dangerous as well is they may cause your brain to make too much dopamine.

The cool thing about dopamine is it's made naturally you can't buy anything that's gonna make dopamine, right?

And so what is really neat about that is the things that we grow up with the riding, a bike, the hiking if you've ever hiked and reached a high peak you know how gratifying that is simple things like making somebody happy, smiling at somebody and seeing them smile back at you.

Research tells us that all increases dopamine in the body, art, creativity, music those are all healthy highs.

And the more healthy highs you do, the more likely you are to feel that continual effect of dopamine.

- The most important thing parents, family members and teachers can do is talk to our young people about substance use and addiction.

But for some that's easier said than done.

- [Tammie] Talking to our young people can be very challenging.

Focus groups and surveys, And just having conversations with them have told us that they just want to be appreciated for their point of view and for the things that they're going through in their own lives, they wanna be heard.

But they want somebody who will speak to them and give them honest answers.

They don't like to be shamed into making good decisions, that doesn't work.

But what they do need is somebody that sometimes will give them information ahead of time.

Maybe talk to 'em when it's not an issue maybe before or after something, because if an adult's brain is one that processes and looks through consequences as we're moving forward, a choice, a youth brain does not.

It just reacts and makes a choice.

But if we can equip them ahead of time, we know that they may be more likely to reflect on that and make a good choice for themselves.

Not one that was made for them.

- It's vitally important to get help for a young person early don't wait, or an addiction may develop over time.

If you suspect that your child might be using help is available, no judgments, no guilt trips, just help and happy to provide it.

Contact one of the numbers or websites on your screen for information referral services and short term counseling.

- The homeless situation in Kingston, Ontario has grown.

But thanks to the efforts of one nonprofit, those unable to afford housing now have a place to call their own.

Kingston producer Gail Paquette has the story.

- [Gail] With the increase of homelessness in the city of Kingston, one local group has been working tirelessly for a solution.

Sleeping cabins.

These cabins will provide warmth, comfort and support to those who are in dire situations.

The pandemic not only increased incidents of homelessness but also increased challenges for Crystal Wilson, it all started last year, with the forming of our Livable Solutions.

- [Crystal] Our Livable Solutions, started as a consulting company.

We operate now as a mixed, it's a kind of mixed organization where we have a steering committee of people without homes.

And then we have a steering committee of people with homes.

And the only reason there's two different ones is cuz the communication styles are so different.

So the people without homes we need to have more hands-on conversations and in-person conversations and the people most of the people with homes, we do email and online stuff.

- [Gail] Other groups have tried to achieve this concept but weren't given the green light.

Our livable solutions was, and with future financial and volunteer backing from various nonprofit and religious organizations, they moved forward with what they believe is a significant change to the way vulnerable populations are protected.

- We're looking for a different way to fulfill people's needs to keep them safe, keep them comfortable help enable them to find permanent housing and to address the barriers that are keeping them without homes.

- [Gail] Barry Badour has been living on the street for over three years.

When he heard about the project, he wanted to help make it a reality.

Barry is not only part of the planning committee but he will be one of the first residents in the cabins.

- I felt very good.

It was a dream that came true.

We worked hard, I'm proud to be on team.

The most important thing is being able to have that security - People say it's so complex, it's hard to tackle, but it's like, that's a how do you eat elephant one bite at a time, right?

(laughs) So what we're doing through the sleeping cabin community is trying to tackle it you know, a little bit at a time.

And if everybody works together and does a little bit I think we can tackle it.

But what's causing it is not enough income.

And we're seeing increasing numbers of seniors who don't have the income levels to support their rents needed.

- [Gail] The cabins were manufactured by Net Zero Renewable Energy Inc in Niagara falls, Ontario For the past seven years, that the company has been in existence.

They have been making great strides with their innovative technology and unique designs.

- These cabins will work because number one the way they're made, they're very well insulated.

They're R 25.

Basically your own body heat will keep the warm in the wind you need, you know, or a very, a very very small heater to to keep them warm.

- [Gail] The company has been contacted by several communities in Ontario who would like to see similar projects happen.

CEO, John Gamble hopes that this project will be the catalyst for other city councils, to consider similar action.

- You always want to try and give back to the community and this is where we can give back.

And you know, we just hope that other communities can see the foresight.

That Kingston has to be able to help these people.

Because the people, these people need that little just a little push.

And right now they're not getting the push.

They don't, they can't go anywhere.

They're living in, you know, in a forest, they're living on, you know, on the side of a street they're living on top of greats in Toronto.

I mean, it's terrible.

- [Gail] Portmouth Olympic Harbor was one of two locations shortlisted for the sleeping cabin project.

The cabins are located on the east side of the ports with harbor building which is to provide washrooms, shower facilities and meeting spaces where the residents can meet with service agencies.

The location was chosen because of the existing indoor facilities.

- I actually like the location cuz it's nice and quiet.

It's peaceful, it has lots of of traffic which means people could engage if they choose to.

And we can, you know people can still feel like a community.

You know, if we put them where in the country then they don't have people in the community to interact with.

So this is, this has been really nice.

So they, the amenities are people have an eight by 12 cabin.

The cabin has electricity and it's heated.

Inside the building, we have a kitchen set up so people can cook their own food.

We have laundry facilities, they can do their own laundry.

We have bathrooms and showers and the, the showers I was in them yesterday.

They're fully accessible.

You could wheel a wheelchair right in and have a full shower with support from PSW.

It's great.

I'm really happy with that part.

- The city of Kingston was one of the beneficiaries to the (indistinct) Estate and funds used to purchase the cabins, represent money received as a donation from that estate.

Money from the Ontario social services relief fund three will provide operational costs of 115,000.

- [Crystal] The city has been instrumental in making sure the facilities are ready.

And then once we're operational, we'll have reporting requirements to give to the city, but their role should be pretty minimal.

And hopefully, hopefully enabling conversations if we need them with different service providers that would, I expect it to be limited to that.

- [Gail] The sleeping cabin project.

symbolizes second chances in the city.

These miniature abodes offer a mixture of independence, stability, and compassion.

Supporters are many and help is pouring in from around the community.

- We have been overwhelms by offers of help, overwhelmed.

And I spend every day trying to keep up to the emails and phone calls of people offering to help.

Which I like, makes me teary, it's so nice to have people stepping up saying, I think that like one of the really nice things about this project is people can see themselves in it and they can see themselves it's not institutional, so they can actually see themselves helping within it and, and be a part of it - [Gail] For WPBS Weekly, I'm Gail Paquette.

- Before the turn of 2022, the creative community at large lost the true icon and teacher.

Wilson Bickford has been teaching art both online and in person for WPBS for years.

And December, He lost his battle with COVID.

Tonight, we remember him with this heartfelt tribute put together by his friend and WPBS director of production, Tracy DuFlo.

- [Tracy] On December 18th, 2021 art teacher and nationally famous television host Wilson Bickford lost his battle with COVID.

Wilson Bickford was a household name for many.

Wilson Bickford's show, Painting With Wilson Bickford, is produced locally by WPBS TV and seen on PBS stations across the United States.

He has an international following too, with fans as far away as Australia Fans in Northern New York and Ontario, might be surprised to know that this world famous artist grew up right here in governor New York and called the north country home.

Wilson was multi talented.

In addition to teaching himself how to paint, he also taught himself how to play guitar harmonica and even the saxophone.

On Saturday nights, he could often be found playing with his band in local venues.

He was an avid animal lover and had a huge soft spot for two his cats.

A generous man, he often fundraised for friends for Pound Pause, Toys for Tots and many other organizations.

Over the years, Wilson built a reputation as an art instructor.

And it became a lucrative career for him.

In 2012, he teamed up with WPBS TV to produce Painting With Wilson Bickford, 104 episodes, six paint smart net hard DVDs, and a couple of specials later.

the very successful program airs nationally on PBS stations and the Create Network and is seen in nearly every market in the United States.

His goal was simple, to get everyone to recognize their creative side.

- [Wilson] I think what stops most people from attempting art or a lot of things in life is just the fear.

Fear stops people from doing many, many things.

So I think it's very important to just get in and try.

So I try to instill that in people let 'em know that they can do it.

You can do this, it's a learning process.

You don't have to be born with a skill, you learn it.

And that goes for art, music and just about anything else.

- Wilson's television program showcased his talent and often his sense of humor.

- Well, I try to inject a little humor into it because I've seen a lot of art instruction that is kind of very serious and they tend to talk over the people's heads and, you know, describing art techniques.

I like to keep it fun and light and everything.

Very, very fun and not (laughs) not too, too nerve wracking.

You know, did you hear about the two balloons that were floating through the desert?

One balloon says the other look out for the cactus and the other balloon says what cac- (laighs) thanks for tuning in today.

For some reason, I have such a headache.

I had a dream last night, I was dreaming about this big brush and I just can't get it outta my head this morning.

(laughs) It's gonna give me something to blend into when I bring my sky color down, the fog and that mist I got lost in the mist one time.

And I didn't have the foggiest idea where I was, will figure You know why the palm tree was so lonely?

He didn't have many frans.

Do you know what Mr Swan said?

When Mrs. Swan told him she was expecting He said, well that's just Swan more mouth to feed.

Hey, a weasel walked into a bar.

The bartender says, you know I don't think I've ever had an weasel in here before.

What do you have?

Pop goes the weasel.

(laughs) Hi, thanks for joining me today.

I'm just sitting here reading the paper.

I was reading some of these stories in the news.

They say that a butcher accidentally backed into a meat grinder, which resulted in him getting a little behind in his work.

Can you imagine?

And a cross side teacher lost her job because she couldn't control her pupils.

I'm telling you it's a crazy world we live in, isn't it?

Even though I try to be funny and put some humor into it, I'm still getting my point across as far as the lessons.

So people learn about perspective and contrast and all those art principles.

Art can be very intimidating.

A lot of people are afraid of it because they don't understand it.

So I try to just do it in a lighter mood.

And it's easier for everybody to relax and enjoy themselves Go right over the swans.

Like they're not even there.

That's why I tape them out.

I'm not gonna paint around them.

Life's too short to paint around swans, as well as other things.

I need to put some of that on this side but I really don't have any paint left.

So I gotta mix up a little more.

Don't you hate when you're on out?

No I know, I do too.

That's a little darker.

I'll throw some of it in there and pretend I'm in it.

That's like if you're in a band and you play music, you hit a wrong note.

You hit it again just to make everybody think you meant it the first time and you call it jazz.

So I'm gonna start with the red rose deep.

This is a really nice future color.

Look into the future, I'm a psychic.

I don't know.

I don't know where this stuff comes from folks.

I really don't.

- [Gail] Wilson was a joy to work with.

Always upbeat, always positive and always prepared.

Shooting his show was one of the highlights of the year.

Wilson, We will miss you stay creative and keep painting.

- The new and last season of painting with Wilson Bickford will premiere on WPBS TV Monday, March 21st at 1:30 PM.

Also premiering this March on WPBS TV.

If you were a die hard Sanditon fan, we're here to tell you that Masterpiece has answered the call to create a new season.

Here's a sneak peek of what to expect from season two of Sanditon, a Masterpiece original series from Jane Austin's unfinished novel of the same name.

- I just want to see you happy again, Charlotte, is that so wrong?

- I'm trying to forge a new life, a new path - All who set foot and Sanditon fall in love on the spot.

- Was that your experience miss Hayward?

- May introduced my dear friend (indistinct)?

- Hundred soldiers.

Charlotte.

- I have a plan, for his boat to find husbands here in Sanditon.

- You remain stubbornly unwed I see?

- I believe independence is something to be encouraged.

- Oh, don't be absurd.

- Mr. Lockard, what do you want for me?

- Isn't it obvious.

- I will not let you destroy my reputation.

- I shall be watching you like a horn.

- I am besieged by fortune hunters.

- Just feel my heartbeat when I am with him.

- Who were you dreaming of?

- Love is not as simple as you seem to think.

- Why should it not be?

- Sanditon Sunday, March 20th on PBS and the PBS app.

- Tonight, we share the vocal and instrumental talents of local musician, JayP.

A soldier at Fort Drum, this talented singer and songwriter offered WPBS a session in our studios.

Here he is tonight with one of his original tunes, Prisoner.

- My name is JayP, I'm a singer, songwriter.

(plays guitar) I decided that I wanted to be a musician.

When I was elementary school, I was eight and they had a music day of pick your instrument and go from there.

And it was just like I wanna pick the biggest instrument I could find I was eight and I had chose the standup bass.

So that went well.

(laughs) And then later when I was 12, I got my first guitar or when I was 11, I got my first guitar.

And I did that because my brother at the time his name is Johnny picked up all the girls with his guitar.

So it was just like as a 11 year old, I was like, I wanna do that.

So I started playing and I realized that's not what that that's not what happens, but I loved it.

So I kept doing it.

The concept of Prisoner was based off of a song by Justin King.

It's called Knock on wood.

And I saw it on YouTube one day, and it was the first time I ever saw any type of percussion put into music.

So I was like, I wanted to do that.

And at the time I was also watching a lot of old Western movies.

So the original song name, when I first wrote it was the Prisoner from cell block D and then I realized that was a very long title to put on a screen.

So I just shortened it to Prisoner.

But I decided that I wanted to be my flagship unique song.

My name is JayP, and this is my song prisoner.

♪ (guitar plays) ♪ ♪ Have I thrown away, ♪ ♪ my chance for freedom?

♪ ♪ Will you be my savior, my death , ♪ ♪ tonight?

♪ ♪ Show me who I am yeah, ♪ ♪ before (indistinct) for me.

♪ ♪ Can I confess that I am, ♪ ♪ to set me free, tonight.

♪ ♪ Although his bows lost, he paid the prize for his thought, ♪ ♪ run away.

♪ ♪ The beaten and damned have paid the prize for him.

♪ ♪ Big friend, they sing oh oh, ♪ ♪ they sing oh oh, ♪ ♪ they sing oh oh.

♪ ♪ They sing ♪ - That does it for us this Tuesday evening.

Join us next week for a fresh look inside the stories.

Teaching preventative measures early on can greatly reduce a teen's risk of using drugs or alcohol.

We'll talk prevention and solution.

And meet River.

This beloved golden retriever is changing lives in the halls of Lura M sharp Elementary in Pulaski.

Also make pork chops, the Gusto TV way.

We'll share a unique recipe that you'll want for your own.

Meantime, if you have a story idea, you'd like to see us explore, or you're a poet or musician and would like to be featured email us@wpbsweeklyatwpbstv.org, until then goodnight my friends.

- WPBS Weekly inside the stories is brought to you by The Daisy Marquis Jones Foundation, dedicated to improving the wellbeing of communities by helping disadvantage children and families online@dmjf.org.

The Water Town Oswego,small business development center a free resource offering confidential business advice for those interested in starting or expanding their small business.

Serving Jefferson Lewis and Oswego counties since 1986, online@watertowndotnysbdc.org.

Additional funding provided by CSX, The Goosegog County Community Foundation at the central New York Community Foundation.

And by the Richard S Shineman Foundation.

♪ They sing oh oh, ♪ ♪ they sing oh oh, ♪ ♪ they sing.

♪