Samantha Power’s recent video profile of Danny Castonguay could’ve been a straightforward story about building maintenance. Instead, it turned out to be something more thoughtful: a window into the kind of work that usually happens out of sight, but keeps things moving.
Power is an intern at Amherst Media, and the short video about Danny that she produced and edited was released a few days ago.
Danny has been maintaining 101 University Drive since its construction in 1998. He also takes care of four adjacent buildings. He knows the buildings inside and out, every hallway, every sound, every quirk. And while their work rarely shows up in headlines, it’s essential to how this community functions day to day.
“I work for Dwight Scott as a maintenance manager,” Danny explains. “We take care of all the necessary things and try to stay on top of how it’s functioning. You get to know it, just by walking through, by the feel of it, the sound of it. It’s like a car; you just know when something’s not right.”
“You learn a lot of humility when you’ve got to go in and clean a toilet,” he says. “We’ve got a lot of toilets here. But it’s okay, it humbles you. You realize no job is beneath you. Actually, I enjoy it.”
When the offices are empty and the day’s buzz fades, Danny is there- vacuuming carpets, shampooing rugs, making sure everything’s in order for the next morning.
But the real highlight for Danny? “Getting to know the tenants. Saying good morning. It makes a big difference. It helps you become a better person.”
Samantha’s piece doesn’t just highlight Danny. It quietly honors all the people who keep things running, who don’t stand at lecterns or get profiled in The Daily Hampshire Gazette, but whose presence and work shape the places we live and work.
Amherst Media is the local public access station serving the Town of Amherst, Massachusetts. Through training, equipment access, and community storytelling, they provide residents, especially students and emerging creators, with the tools to share local voices, document community life, and build media literacy.
Thank you, Danny, and all the people behind the scenes.
And thank you, Samantha.
