Posts Tagged ‘Wakefield Daily Item’

A Talk by John Wall Many people know the story of how the town of South Reading, MA came to be renamed after industrialist Cyrus Wakefield. But most people probably don’t realize the extent to which he shaped the town of Wakefield as we know it today. In a talk on Feb. 20, 2013 to […]


Today, Saturday, Feb. 9, marks a significant anniversary for Baby Boomers. On that date in 1964, a British band known at The Beatles made its US debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. For the benefit of those under 50, the Ed Sullivan Show was a TV staple. It was a variety show that families could […]


A Word, Please?

03Jan13

Eliminating a few dozen words from the lexicon will make for a better 2013 It’s the New Year, time for all those obligatory and oh-so-hilarious “Best” and “Worst” lists for the previous year along with predictions for the coming year. I’m taking a different approach. Since nothing good happened in 2012, I’m off the hook […]


When I speak of “end of year observances” I’m not attempting to concoct a new euphemism for “the holidays,” although, now that it’s come up, it seems as good a place as any to begin. I won’t talk about any “War on Christmas,” which is probably about as worthy of serious consideration as the “War […]


For those watching the election returns at Richard Tisei’s election-night party at the Peabody Marriott or with Scott Brown at Boston’s Park Plaza, the message was clear: moderate candidates are not welcome in Massachusetts, at least not if you have an “R” next to your name. Tuesday’s election was a victory for those who believe […]


Call me a homer. Call me provincial. You can even call me a Republican if it makes you happy and you don’t care much about accuracy. But on Tuesday, Nov. 6, I’ll be voting for the two moderate candidates from Wakefield, Massachusetts: Scott Brown and Richard Tisei, over their extremely partisan opponents. Tisei lives in […]


At Oct. 20, 2012 campaign rally in Melrose, MA With Senator Scott Brown and Sixth District Congressional candidate Richard Tisei both locked in heated battles heading into the Nov. 6 election, war hero and Arizona Senator John McCain spoke at a rally for both candidates Saturday morning in Melrose, Massachusetts. Addressing a sign-waving crowd that […]


I admit that I am powerless over the Internet. There, I’ve said it. They say that admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery. I wish it were that easy. I thank my higher power that I don’t have a smartphone. I’d be one of those people at social events with my […]


Things are looking up for two of Wakefield’s most favored political sons, Scott Brown and Richard Tisei. Brown had a good debate Monday night at UMass Lowell. They’ll never admit it, but you could tell that the Elizabeth Warren people thought she lost because they were complaining bitterly about moderator David Gregory. The side that […]


When the Board of Selectmen last week moved to use zoning to nip in the bud any chance of a medical marijuana dispensary opening in Wakefield Massachusetts, they were not alone. Many Massachusetts cities and towns have put in motion measures to stem the possibility of a pot store opening in their communities. This widespread […]