Patience and faith--in radio that is-- are essential in order for you to fully appreciate this piece as it betrays the conventional expectations of a hard feature. This piece is almost impressionistic as the interviewee becomes the narrator. As your guide, the matriarch Ruth Marchellatta walks you through the family business, the decay of Maine's economy AND she offers you a cup of coffee! ( What more could you want out of a radio piece?)

Listener beware: you'll have to monitor your glycemic index as this piece is full of ear candy: wonderful voices, the intoxicating sound of percolating coffee and the noirish appeal of Ruth lighting a cigarette.

When to air this? During "All Things Considered" or "Morning Edition" or wherever you can spare seven minutes and one second. Given the presidential election's nonstop discussions about jobs, the economy and NAFTA , this is a supremely relevant piece.--Chelsea Merz