Author Archive

The Mystery of Swallow by Linda Hoffman

The following by Linda Hoffman was originally posted on her own blog, Welcome to Apples, Art, and Spirit!, and is reposted here with Linda’s permission. The Mystery of Swallow By Linda Hoffman While in our individual quarantines we hear of mysteries revealed across the globe: In India, people can see…

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Covid-19: May 3, 2020 edition

In mid-March I made some observations about the pandemic and how it was affecting life around us. Back then – on March 12 – school was a day away from being cancelled and no restrictions had been imposed on businesses (they came that Sunday, March 15, when Governor Baker closed…

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Trasna: A Few Words about Our New Feature

IN THE FALL OF 2014, I had the good fortune to attend a conference called “The Irish in Massachusetts: Historical Significance, Lasting Legacy” that was co-hosted by UMass Lowell and Queen’s University Belfast. The keynote speaker, Dr. Timothy Meagher of Catholic University of America, gave a sweeping talk that traced…

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Voices from Lowell & Beyond

Perceptive visitors may have noticed the subtitle of this site recently changed to “Voices from Lowell & Beyond” from its longtime predecessor, “Lowell Politics & History.” Here’s how I explain this evolution on our updated About page: The new tagline marks a shift in focus. Instead of a publication primarily…

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Butler Saves the Union

As part of my ongoing Virtual Lowell Walks series, I have created three videos on Civil War Lowell. The first, called Lords of the Loom, covers the conflict in Lowell between the city’s cotton-based economy and a strong movement to abolish slavery.  The second episode, The Minutemen of 1861, tells…

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Simple Pleasures by Linda Hoffman

The following by Linda Hoffman was originally posted on her own blog, Welcome to Apples, Art, and Spirit!, and is reposted here with Linda’s permission. Simple Pleasures By Linda Hoffman “I nurture simplicity among the gardens and fields” —Chinese farmer and poet, T’ao Chien, 365-427 C.E. These days, many of…

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A Review of New Steve O’Connor Novel

This is No Time To Quit Drinking A novel by Stephen O’Connor A review by Jerry Bisantz. Along with Ann Garvin, Jerry is Artistic Director of Lowell’s Image Theater. A published playwright, he is the author of “Boys at Play”, “Romance 101” and “Memories For Sale” I’ll never forget my…

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