Tony: Movie Review By Leo Racicot I can’t say I ever had much of an interest in author, world traveler, culinary supernova, Anthony Bourdain. His Kitchen Confidential thug demeanor was a turn-off. Though he hit the nail on-the-head with his portrayal of how crude, rude and crass kitchen workers can…

A weekly report on things I’ve read, heard and seen since last Wednesday.  Exhibit: The Great Elephant Migration. This is a temporary public art display on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall from Dartmouth to Fairfield Streets in Boston. It depicts 100 life sized elephants sculpted in India from plant materials. The…

Two years ago, Louise Peloquin began sharing excerpts from L’Etoile, a French-language newspaper published in Lowell from 1886 to 1957. At my urging, she has agreed to compile some of her previous posts with added contextual information into a book manuscript to be called, L’Etoile: A Star on Prince Street.…

Tuesday, September 1, 2026, was the State Primary Election. It was unique in recent Lowell political history because two of the three state representative seats in Lowell were “open” (meaning the incumbents were not running) while the third district had a hotly contested race that challenged the incumbent. Here are…

Time of the End of the Season Part VIII By Bob Hodge Bob Hodge grew up in Lowell and went on to graduate from Lowell High (1973) and University of Lowell (1990). He was (and still is) one the greatest runners to come out of this region. He’s also a…

A Late 1890s Vacation from a Tense Ministry By Bradford MacGowan and Bernie Zelitch In 1895, three years after Rev. George F. Kenngott (1864-1934) arrived at First Congregational Church Lowell, his progressive views became the center of what was surely the city’s most public religious controversy. Photographs of Kenngott and…

From Turntable to Touchscreen By Leo Racicot When I was growing up, the radio was one of the few sources of recreation to be had. Not only did it provide entertainment, it offered us music education; we learned who was popular, who the singers of the day were, what the…

A weekly report on things I’ve read, heard and seen since last Wednesday.  Museum visit: Cape Ann Museum: A recent road trip to Gloucester brought me to the Cape Ann Museum which features a big show called “Avery, Gottlieb & Rothko: By the Sea.” It featured works by Milton Avery,…

Two years ago, Louise Peloquin began sharing excerpts from L’Etoile, a French-language newspaper published in Lowell from 1886 to 1957. At my urging, she has agreed to compile some of her previous posts with added contextual information into a book manuscript to be called, L’Etoile: A Star on Prince Street.…

One of the reasons the history of Lowell is so fascinating is that you can take almost any issue of national importance and see how it played out in this city. Looking at a global issue in a local context makes it easier to relate to what was or is…