Author Archive

Boarding School Blues: Chapter 40

Boarding School Blues: Chapter 40 By Louise Peloquin “Wistful and admiring” Straw-colored twine secured the last box of Monsieur Dubé’s books. As soon as Blanche pulled on its lopsided bow, the top eased open and dust bunnies took flight like little genies happy to be released from confinement. Blanche watched…

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Time Tales by David Daniel

Time Tales By David Daniel   Past: 7 P.M. Sharp At 6:00 P.M. the ship is waiting at the pier, music rising over the burble of diesel engines. The college is holding a sunset harbor cruise for its adult education grads, a last big hurrah on a fine spring evening.…

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July 4, 1922 in Lowell

Here’s a sampling of what the Fourth of July was like in Lowell 100 years ago: Fireworks display by Antonelli Fireworks Co of Rochester NY for $1200. They will also supply “bombs” to be fired from the summit of Fort Hill at sunrise, noon and sunset. Fireworks display begins at 9…

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Dorothy Estes: LHS class of 1911

The above plaque was recently found while preparing for this summer’s renovation work at Lowell High School. The plaque reads: In Memory of Dorothy Estes 1896-1916 “Greater love hath no ma than this. That a man lay down his life for his friends.” Erected by the Class of 1911 Dorothy…

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Boarding School Blues: Chapter 39

Boarding School Blues: Chapter 39 By Louise Peloquin “I’m into something good.” It was day three of her sentence and Blanche had already spent nine recreation periods in the library. Sister Claudette had acknowledged her cleaning skills and decided supervision was not required. Blanche handled the old books with the…

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Local Government in Lowell: 1826 to 2022

Lowell’s political history begins with the grant of its town charter by the Massachusetts State Legislature in 1826. The charter brought a standard town-type government with selectmen and town meetings. But the city’s explosive growth as a center of textile manufacturing demanded a more activist system of government and so…

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Brad Buitenhuys on Lowell Litter Krewe

Tomorrow there will be more of us An interview with Brad Buitenhuys about the Lowell Litter Krewe By Babz Clough Tell me about yourself. I grew up not far from Lowell, and realized I could graduate high school a semester early, but I needed to have a plan. I applied…

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The “Friday Night Lights of Hockey”

The “Friday Night Lights of Hockey”: Jay Atkinson’s Tale at Twenty By David Daniel “Hockey gets in the blood—you develop an intense passion for the game, and either you leave it—too many early mornings, bus rides, urine-smelling rinks—or you just love it.” Jay Atkinson is author of eight books, including…

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