Author Archive

Smith Baker Center

The dreaded red “X” recently was posted on the Smith Baker Center. That signals to first responders that the building is unsafe to enter but it also is an indicator that it’s unlikely the building will remain standing for much longer. Given that development, here is some background on the…

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Boarding School Blues: Chapter 20

Boarding School Blues: Chapter 20 By Louise Peloquin Ch. 20: Orderliness That Friday evening in study hall, Sister Roger had special instructions. “A week from today, you will be home eating leftover turkey sandwiches and telling tales of your first weeks here – the friends you have made, the academics,…

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9/11 on richardhowe.com

In recognition of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, here are some items on those events that have appeared on this website: Notes from September 11, 2001 By Richard Howe (on Sept 11, 2011) Within days of the September 11, 2001, terrorist attacks, I sat down with a pencil…

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“The Names” by Billy Collins

In honor of the 20th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks, here’s a poem (with some Lowell connections) by Billy Collins that we originally posted ten years ago on Sept 11, 2011.  The Names by Billy Collins Yesterday, I lay awake in the palm of the night. A soft rain stole…

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1955 Lowell Polling Places

There has been some controversy about the number and location of polling places for the upcoming city election. Here’s a look at the polling places used by the city 76 years ago in the 1955 city election. The places are organized by ward with the number preceding the name of…

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The Mills Weren’t Made of Marble

In recognition of Labor Day, here is the lead editorial from the September 7, 1992 edition of The New York Times – A Labor Day piece about the then-recently opened Boott Cotton Mills Museum. The Boott Cotton Mills Museum is open daily from 10am until 5pm, especially on Labor Day. …

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The House That Stavros Built

The House That Stavros Built By Steve O’Connor Stavros Panagiotopoulos is at his customary table at the rear of the Athenian Corner on Market Street. At the age of 87, he still drives to his restaurant every morning, unlocking the door at 6:00 AM. He puts on the coffee, and…

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Image Theater Seeks Literary Content

Jerry Bisantz of Image Theater shared the following: GIVE US YOUR BEST 5 !!! Minutes, that is… Our popular “City Stories” upstairs at The Old Court will live again! Calling all playwrights, Authors, poets and musicians, we want to feature your “Best five minutes” on our stage. Monologues, poems, short…

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Spangeldorff’s Got It

Spangeldorff’s Got It By David Daniel My niece is going off to college in a few days and was telling me she was approved for a new credit card. She already has two. “Is that a good idea?” I asked. She shrugged. “Sure, I guess.” It got me remembering a…

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