‘Pinky’s Gospel’

My uncle Frank died this week. Francis “Pinky” Roy was my late mother’s youngest brother. He lived for years in New Hampshire after an adventurous life that took him from the Centralville neighborhood of Lowell to Europe in World War II to California, Florida, and other states. He was a meat-cutter by trade,…

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Catching up on the news

It’s Friday night and I have a few minutes to catch up on the news. Here are some things that caught my eye: A year or so ago the New York Times launched a hyperlocal blog covering the Fort Green neighborhood in Brooklyn. I glance at it occasionally to see…

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Katy Perry Inspired by Kerouac

The Kerouac House (writer in residence program in Orlando, Fla.) posted a link on Facebook to a video of singer Katy Perry talking about her new song “Firework,”  which she says was inspired by the writing of Jack Kerouac in “On the Road.” The source link is at fabulousbuzz.com. Katy Perry performed at the…

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Triangle Shirtwaist Fire: March 25, 1911

One hundred years ago today one of the deadliest fires in American history occurred at the Triangle Shirtwaist Factory in New York City. The company occupied the upper floors of the Asch Building (shown below) which is just east of Washington Square Park and Greenwich Village. Despite the heavy loss…

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Coming in April: Lowell Film Festival

Its still a month off, but you want to mark your calendar for this great event coming up at the Lowell Film Festival. Beginning April 28 through April 30 the festival presents Lowell on the Churn: The American Civil War, 1861-Present. In their own words… To commemorate the 150th anniversary…

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