July 29th, 2011
by DickH
A new homeowner called me today. She, her husband and their son moved into a very nice Lowell home a short time ago. One item that needed attention was the granite front stairs. The mortar holding them in place had eroded and had to be replaced. But when the homeowners started to pull back the granite stairs, they found that they were grave markers of deceased veterans. I stopped by the house on my way home from work tonight. The homeowner turned over two of the markers. I could make out the following:
William Blatz
New York
PVT, Co. B, 27 Regt Vol Inf
June 12, 1870 – Feb 7, 1955
Wilfred D. Schnitzen
Pennsylvania
PVT, 30 RCT Co, Gen Svc Inf
World War I
March 29, 1888 – April 18, 1955
Presumably, at least two more of these types of stones are built into the steps. The homeowner is anxious to fix his steps, but he also is hesitant to embed these Veterans’ grave markers into cement. He would willingly trade these markers for some comparable construction material so he could finally fix his front stairs. I told him I’d check into it and get back to him on Monday.
A couple of observations: Neither of these decedents is local (one was from New York; the other from Pennsylvania) and they both died in 1955. I have no idea how they got to Lowell or why they ended up as someone’s front stairs. Does anyone have any ideas? Any suggestions as to what to do?
History, Lowell | 
8 Comments »
July 29th, 2011
by Marie
Just back from the colorfully ethnic festival parade, opening ceremonies and the first act – The Quebe Sisters Band – at the 2011 Lowell Folk Festival! The band’s guitar and fiddle sounds along with the sweet voices of the “sisters” played well at Boardinghouse Park. I first heard these very young sisters a few years ago – on the John Street Stage. I “worked” the UMass Lowell booth at Boardinghouse Park and had a great time. We had lots of give-aways touting the UMass brand – talked to lots of people including alums, recent grads, young people, seniors and parents interested in what UML had to offer. I might do another turn at the UML booth on Sunday afternoon – maybe when WCAP’s Kim Saltmarsh plans to volunteers her services at the UML booth! The weather was not bad tonight- scattered very light showers, a bit of a breeze – crowds were still coming in as we were leaving the Downes Garage. Caught the first part of Dervish – a very classy traditional Irish group. The crowd was very local and enthusiastic but at the same time laid back and really enjoying the food and ambience. So glad I was able to participate tonight – last year I just couldn’t do it! It was great to be back. Saturday and Sunday are forecast as sunny and warm – real Lowell Folk Festival weather. Come on down… check out the schedule of performers, the dance stage, food offerings, kids area, craft and food demonstrations here at the 2011 Lowell Folk Festival website.
Culture, Current Events, History, Lowell | No Comments »
July 29th, 2011
by PaulM
1. A success from the beginning, starting with National Folk Festivals as the model in the first three years. The content was high quality, the audiences were large, and the event production was first-rate. It’s always been a work-in-progress with improvements being made as seen and needed. Changes will continue based on feedback and observations.
2. The Lowell partnership ethic.
3. Wayne Toups and Zydecajun.
4. George Price and the flashy umbrella at the head of parades.
5. A long line at the Filipino food booth.
6. Rain, occasionally.
7. The South Common concerts in the early years.
8. The growth of the “fringe festival” in downtown and uptown with local bands on alternative stages.
9. Making Merrimack Street downtown a pedestrian way.
10. People who bring their dogs to the extravaganza. And the guy with the big parrot on his shoulder.
History, Lowell | 10 Comments »
July 29th, 2011
by PaulM
Marie posted on the Globe article today about folk festivals in Lowell and Newport, R.I. Here are a couple of more soundbites from the James Reed article:
Last year the Steep Canyon Rangers, a bluegrass band that has recorded and been on the road lately with Steve Martin, did double duty. They played a solo gig at Lowell, and then a week later they kicked off Newport with a concert backing Martin. Lead singer Woody Platt says performing at Newport was obviously an honor, but Lowell was another kind of experience.
“Being a bluegrass band, we’re often playing festivals that focus mainly on bluegrass,’’ Platt says. “I just loved the diversity in Lowell. We followed a reggae band, and it was great. The diversity of that festival and all of the genres that fall under the word folk, it’s really refreshing. I think it gives the festival attendee a lot more to look forward to. And when you have a diverse lineup, you have a diverse audience.’’ . . .
“I think the two festivals really represent the roots and branches of folk music, with Lowell representing the roots and Newport the branches,’’ says Posner. “But one generation’s branches are the next generation’s roots, and it shouldn’t be too long until we hear a bluegrass band at Lowell covering the Decemberists or Elvis Costello.’’
Culture, History, Lowell | No Comments »
July 29th, 2011
by Marie
The Quebe Sisters Band opens the Lowell Folk Festival tonight at Boardinghouse Park in historic downtown Lowell at 7 pm.
The Lowell Folk Festival and the Newport Folk Festival both happen to fall on the same weekend this year – this weekend. James Reed’s article in today’s Globe notes that that’s not a problem and is certainly no rivalry or folk showdown.
“…because they’re so clearly geared for their own crowds… The reality is that when the Newport and Lowell folk festivals take place this weekend, few music fans will be torn over which one to attend. From their lineups to their settings to their price points, they have little in common aside from that four-letter word in their titles… For the Newport festival… folk has always been synonymous with tradition. But Newport has also stretched traditional boundaries to showcase other strains of music (bluegrass, gospel, blues, country, and, lately, indie rock)… The Lowell Folk Festival tends to be more community-minded while putting a premium on discovering lesser-known roots artists from around the world. This year’s fest, which celebrates its 25th anniversary and runs tonight through Sunday, spans bluegrass (Michael Cleveland & Flamekeeper), blues (Shemekia Copeland), Quebecois folk (Le Vent du Nord), Ethiopian pop (Debo Band and Fendika), and Afro-Colombian dance music (Grupo Rebolú).
Read the entire Reed article here at boston.com.
Learn more about the Lowell Folk Festival here
Culture, Current Events, History, Lowell | No Comments »
July 29th, 2011
by DickH
The local newspaper today erroneously reports that the remains of Martin Murray, a World War Two aviator from Lowell who was lost when his B-24 crashed in New Guinea in 1943, will be buried this coming Monday at Arlington National Cemetery. As we reported HERE back in April, Lieutenant Murray’s remains were buried in Lowell at St Patrick’s Cemetery on April 15, 2011 following a ceremony held at McDonough Funeral Home.
History, Lowell | 4 Comments »
July 29th, 2011
by DickH
Last evening I joined nearly forty others at the Lowell Senior Center for this week’s “visioning session” which was “Community Character and Civic Engagement.” The format was the same as the last session I attended. After a brief review of the city’s Master Plan of 2000, we broke up into four working groups. Each group stayed put while four teams of DPD facilitators rotated to each group, prompting conversation and comment and recording it all on large charts. At the end, the charts were consolidated and attendees voted for their favorite ideas. The results eventually will be posted on the city’s website.
The four questions posed were as follows:
1. What are the sources of Lowell’s community pride?
2. What would improve the quality of life in your neighborhood?
3. How can the city (or any of us) get more residents involved in the community life of the city?
4. Assess the arts and cultural resources in the city? What else is needed? How could it all be improved?
If you weren’t able to attend last night’s session but have an opinion on any of the above, please post your responses in our comments section and we’ll be sure to pass them along to the event organizers.
Lowell | 1 Comment »
July 29th, 2011
by DickH
Do you plan to attend the Lowell Folk Festival? If yes, why not share your photos or videos with us. Either post them to Flickr or YouTube (or just email individual photos to me – DickHoweJr[at]gmail.com) and we’ll post them here. Same goes for your experiences – look for our “Folk Festival Open Threads” and use the comment feature to share your observations, good and bad, about this weekend’s festival.
Current Events, Lowell | No Comments »
July 29th, 2011
by DickH
In preparation for the Lowell Folk Festival, Tony Sampas provides a photo of some of the tents in the vicinity of Boarding House Park
Lowell | No Comments »
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