Author Archive

How much? – (PIP #88) By Louise Peloquin      How much would a Thanksgiving dinner have cost the American manufacturing industry worker earning a weekly average of $24.41 in November 1926? (1)      “Peeks into the past” #7 and #49 have also provided examples of early 20th-century (1917) grocery prices as well as…

The Lowell City Council met on Tuesday, November 18, 2025. The agenda was relatively light considering there had been no meeting the previous week due to Veterans Day and the meeting before that had only lasted seven minutes because it coincided with the city election. On Tuesday, the Council did…

Living Madly: Quiet Blessings By Emilie-Noelle Provost Thanksgiving is my favorite holiday. There’s always been something special about waking up on Thanksgiving morning: the low-slung angle of the sun as it lights up the bare trees, multicolored leaves scattered along the ground, the quiet street, the delicious smell of sage…

“Fait divers” – (PIP #87) By Louise Peloquin Daily news coverage has always included briefs about accidents, crimes and unexpected events. These human interest stories fed reader curiosity much like social media does today. Here are examples of L’Etoile’s “faits divers.” L’Etoile – December 24, 1924 TWO LOWELL WOMEN  ARRESTED YESTERDAY IN…

There was no city council meeting this week due to Veterans Day falling on Tuesday, so I’ll do another dive into Lowell history. In two recent city council meetings, City Manager Tom Golden has talked optimistically about redevelopment plans for the former Lowell District Court and its neighbor, the UMass…

Young Stomachs By Leo Racicot Some days, when the walk from the bus stop to home feels too long, I stop in at Tasty Dumplings for an order of their pan-friend wonders, as I did today. I like waiting at the table that looks out onto their outdoor cafe. Beyond…

Lowell born and based author Pierre Comtois is out with a new book. The Boy Who Invented Himself is a ‘Tween novel about growing up in Lowell in the 1960s and serves as a prequel to another of Pierre’s books, Sometimes a Warm Rain Falls. More information about Pierre and…

Remembering a veteran – (PIP #86) By Louise Peloquin Veterans Day originated as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate the end of World War I and became a national holiday in 1938. The following Lowellian served before that time but his story commands interest on this November 11th when we…

The Lowell City Council met last Tuesday night but since it was also election day the meeting lasted just 7 minutes and 40 seconds with little to report. However, there is plenty to report on the election. The big story is that the voters of Lowell replaced three of eleven…