Boarding School Blues: Chapter 51 By Louise Peloquin Ch. 51: We all fall down The next couple of days slipped by without any holiday fuss. Papa’s convalescence deterred most family members from dropping by at Christmas, despite the invitation to sample home-made egg nog. Ready for holiday-treat-craving tummies, gallons of…
When Lowell received its town charter in 1826, the “domestic” water needs of most people – water for drinking, cooking, and washing – were met by wells that were scattered throughout the area. Also, anyone living near a river, a stream, or even a canal, could and did draw water…
Dry January By David Daniel A few sips into the second martini Alan wonders if this has been a good idea. “We don’t have enough money saved,” his wife says out of the blue, but not a total surprise. It has become a theme lately. “We’re losers.” “Come on, we’re…
Dancing at Holy Ghost Park By Susan April Can’t dance. Never could. First school dance, September, 1969, I tried. Thank God, the lights in the gym were dim. Every boy who asked me ended up shuffling over to a different dance partner, leaving me alone. What was wrong? Were my…
Each month I write an article for the Merrimack Valley Housing Report which is a monthly e-publication from the UMass Lowell Institute of Housing Sustainability. This month I reviewed Greater Lowell real estate trends in 2022. Because the topic may be of interest to readers of this site, I’ve reproduced…
Living Madly: Great Brook By Emilie-Noelle Provost The first time I visited Great Brook Farm State Park in Carlisle was nearly twenty years ago. We had recently returned from a vacation at Acadia National Park in Maine. While we were there, we hiked almost every day. We mostly stuck to…
Boarding School Blues: Chapter 50 By Louise Peloquin Ch. 50: “Naughty or nice” Papa left the kitchen to supervise the tree decorating while the ladies did the dishes. Working in sync, Maman scrubbed and rinsed while Blanche wiped with their favorite cotton towels, made in Lowell. In no time, the…
The following article by Fred Faust was first posted here on January 17, 2016. It is being reposted this weekend in recognition of Martin Luther King Jr. Day. By Fred Faust: Monday, January 18, 2016 at noon is the annual celebration at the Tsongas Center of the life and lessons…
Rare Birds By Charlie Gargiulo Jimmy and Sue were unusual for ten year olds compared to their friends that age. They got along well with other kids but both liked different things than their friends did. Jimmy and Sue often got teased for being old fashioned because they weren’t always…
Two weeks ago Friday I found myself at Logan Airport’s Terminal C at 8:30 at night awaiting the arrival of a family member in bound for a Christmas visit. Despite having had two earlier flights cancelled by the mammoth storm that had engulfed much of the country that day and…