Author Archive

October Dreaming

This essay originally appeared in the Boston Globe Ideas section on Sunday, October 23, 2022, and on bostonglobe.com on October 19.     October Dreaming By David Daniel October is a month of mystic meanings. Of marigolds and wild asters and the ripe honey scent of Concord grapes on the…

Read More »

“Evacuations” by Henri Marchand

In 2006 I wrote the following WUML Sunrise essay.  It was inspired by a Cold War relic discovered while browsing through a salvage/antique shop. The nuclear survival guide, “Protection in the Nuclear Age”, struck me as quaint and out-of-date given that we were in a relatively warmer era with no…

Read More »

Joseph R Ouellette Bridge

On Friday, October 21, 2022, the Lowell Waterways Vitality Initiative in partnership with Greater Lowell Community Foundation “lit up” the Joseph R. Ouellette Bridge. The initial bridge lighting was streamed live on the organization’s Facebook page and is archived there for on-demand viewing. In 1881, Lowell residents voted to add…

Read More »

Living Madly: Day of the Dead

Living Madly: Day of the Dead By Emilie-Noelle Provost Traditionally observed on November 1 and 2, the Day of the Dead originated in Mexico, where it is mostly celebrated. Several sources say the holiday, during which families get together to commemorate and honor their deceased relatives, is an amalgamation of…

Read More »

Halloween in the Highlands

Halloween in the Highlands By Louise Peloquin October was an exciting month in the 60’s. Jack o’lanterns, corn stalks and old sheet ghosts set the scene. Prepping was taken very seriously in the run-up to the big day. For us cousins living in a two-family house, getting into the Halloween…

Read More »

Lowell Cemetery tours this weekend

On Saturday, October 15, and on Sunday, October 16, both at 10 am, I’ll lead walking tours of historic Lowell Cemetery. Both tours will begin at the Knapp Avenue entrance and will last about 90 minutes. No need to register in advance, just show up. There’s plenty of parking inside…

Read More »

Cornelius F. Kiernan Judicial Center

As the FY2023 state budget was being finalized a few months ago, State Senator Edward Kennedy inserted the following language: “SECTION 55A. The Lowell Judicial Center in the city of Lowell shall be designated and known as the Cornelius F. Kiernan Judicial Center, in memory of the late honorable Cornelius…

Read More »

Piano Player Wanted

Piano Player Wanted By David Daniel Stu backed my van out of the inspection bay and climbed out. My eyes went to the sticker on the windshield. REJECTED. “Aw, come on,” I cried. “Really?” “It needs rubber, you got air showin’ through. And the horn doesn’t blow.” “Shit. You blow!”…

Read More »

Lowell Monuments to Women

Here’s my list of monuments in Lowell that are dedicated to women. Hopefully there are some that I’ve missed because there are more than 600 monuments or things dedicated to people in the city so there is a definite gender imbalance. Lowell Monuments to Women Mary Bacigalupo Park – Shattuck…

Read More »