Author Archive

Top Secret/SCI

History has always been my favorite subject. At a young age, I was especially interested in the history of World War II. Perhaps it was because in the early 1960s, so many of those around me had served in the military – someone who was 20 years old when Pearl…

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Back to School

With Lowell Public School teachers returning to work tomorrow and the students joining them on Wednesday, the rhythm of the city will change this week when we’re once again reminded how much the life of our community is centered on schools and education. With that in mind, here are the…

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Boarding School Blues: Chapter 43

Boarding School Blues: Chapter 43 By Louise Peloquin Ch. 43 “Why don’t they go and create something” Blanche was used to taking on responsibility. Whenever tension threatened the home front, Maman trumpeted “tu dois montrer l’exemple à tes frères et à ta soeur” (you must show the example to your…

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Chippy the First

Chippy the First By Charles Gargiulo Where did Chippy go? The little boy couldn’t understand. When he turned 4 years old last December, the best present he ever got was his pretty parakeet. He kept making noises like “chip, chip, chip,” so he named him Chippy. He didn’t have any…

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Living Madly: Chinese Checkers

Living Madly: Chinese Checkers By Emilie-Noelle Provost I’m not a fan of board games. I’ve always hated them, even when I was a kid. When I was about seven years old, my sister Nathalie and I received a Parcheesi game for Christmas. If you’re not familiar with it, Parcheesi is…

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Founding of Lowell Walk, part I

Yesterday morning I led a Lowell Walk from the National Park Visitor Center. The topic was The Founding of Lowell. We talked about what was here before Lowell received its town charter in 1826 and how that charter came about. I’ve typed my notes into a “script” and will share…

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Man at Bar with Notebook

Man at Bar with Notebook By David Daniel She watched him walk in. Medium height, ruddy skin. Suit coat, tie loose. She angled herself slightly on the barstool. She knew before he did. He saw her. Tawny hair, like the pale wine in her glass. Nice curve of lower leg…

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Boarding School Blues: Chapter 42

Boarding School Blues: Chapter 42 By Louse Peloquin Ch. 42 “If you really want to hear about it” After a fitful night haunted by visions of rectangular-shaped birds flapping their ivory wings and swooping into the hands of ponytailed teenagers in navy blue uniforms, squinty-eyed Blanche stoically executed her morning…

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Lowell Walks: The Founding of Lowell

Next Saturday, August 13, 2022, at 10 am from Lowell National Park Visitor Center at 246 Market Street, I’ll lead a Lowell Walk on the founding of Lowell. Here’s a preview: Rivers have always been central to human activity and with the Merrimack and Concord Rivers meeting here, people have…

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