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The Life From The Roots blog topics have changed several times since I began this blog in 2009. I initially wrote only about the family history I had been working on for 20 years. Years later, I was into visiting gardens, historical homes, churches, libraries that had genealogical collections, historical societies, war memorials, and travel/tourism places. I also enjoy posting autographs and photos of famous people I've met or have seen.

Along with my New England roots, other areas include New York, New Jersey, Michigan, Illinois, Wisconsin, and the Eastern Townships of Quebec, Canada.

Please check out the labels on the right side for topics (please note, they need work). Below the labels and pageviews is a listing of my top nine posts, according to Google. Four of them pertain to Lowell, MA. These posts change often because they are based on what people are reading.

Wednesday, September 10, 2014

There Is A Lot to Like About Lowell -- Memorials around the City Hall

"There is A Lot to Like About Lowell" is the city slogan.
(See tab on right side called "Lowell Series" for many more articles about Lowell.)


Memorials around the City Hall
City Hall to the right. See below for inscription.
CITY OF LOWELL, MASSACHUSETTS
NORTHERN CANAL RENEWAL AREA
ARCAND DRIVE
Dedicated on November 11 to the Memory of
PFC. Donald Leonard Arcand
Born in Lowell, February 13, 1946
Killed in Action, Vietnam, September 1, 1965
City Manager  Charles A. Callagher
Mayer  Robert C. Maquire
Commissioner of Public Works  George P. Legrand, JR.
Councillors:
John E. Cox
Thomas L. Crowley
Edward J. Early
Raymond J. Gilbridge
Richard P. Howe
Armand W. Lemay
Samuel S. Pollard
Ellen A. Sampson
Dedicated to the Early
Greek Immigrants by Their
Grateful Progeny
1983
AI_NIA   AYT_N   H  MNHMH
(Memory Eternal)
DEDICATED
IN HONOR OF
THE POLISH
AMERICANS OF
LOWELL
MAY 3, 1977
CZESC POLONII
DEDICATED TO THE
IRISH-AMERICANS
OF LOWELL
1822  --  1977
IN MEMORY OF
1915  --  1923
THE VICTIMS OF THE ARMENIAN GENOCIDE
A MOTHER'S HANDS

Knot by knot, her hands weave the history of her people.
The delicacy of the crochet integrated into this cross stone
is symbolic of the beauty and strength of the Armenian heritage.
This ancient culture lives forever, just as the imprint of
the first genocide of the 20th century
lives in the collective memory of the Armenians.
The blooming cross stone is the permanent reminder that
the massacre of more than 1.5 million Armenians
within the Ottoman Empire will never be forgotten
that in spite of the pain and horror of the genocide,
knot by knot, the Armenian People everywhere
weave their hopes and dreams, as they bloom and prosper.

IN HONOR OF THE
HERITAGE AND
CONTRIBUTIONS OF THE
PORTUGUESE COMMUNITY TO
THE CITY OF LOWELL
JUNE 10, 2009

IN HONOR OF THE FRANCO - AMERICANS
OF LOWELL, MASS
JUNE 24, 1974
IN HONOR OF THE FRANCO - AMERICANS
OF LOWELL, MASS
JUNE 24, 1974

I am so proud that Lowell recognizes the various ethnic groups in this city. The ones represented above came to the city many years ago, but there are others who have come more recently, came for a better life. They left war and poverty of their home land, and are very peaceful.

A quick look at the Wikipedia report on Lowell, provided the following statistics about the nationalities of the citizens here. "According to the 2010 Census, there were 106,519 people residing in the city. The population density was 7,842.1 people per square mile (2,948.8/km²). There were 41,431 housing units at an average density of 2,865.5 per square mile (1,106.7/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 60.3% White, 20.2% Asian American (12.5% Cambodian, 2.0% Indian, 1.7% Vietnamese, 1.4% Laotian, 0.6% Chinese, 0.2% Filipino, 0.1% Korean, 0.1% Thai, 0.1% Burmese), 6.8%African American, 0.3% Native American, 8.8% from other races, 3.6% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 17.3% of the population (11.3% of the population is Puerto Rican, 1.9% Dominican, 1.5% Colombian, 0.5% Mexican, 0.2% Salvadoran, 0.2% Guatemalan). Non-Hispanic Whiteswere 52.8% of the population in 2010, compared to 92.5% in 1980.[29]

In 2010, Lowell had the highest proportion of residents of Cambodian origin of any place in the United States, at 12.5% of the population. Estimates of the total number of Cambodians living in the city of Lowell range from 11,000 to 25,000-35,000. The Government of Cambodia had opened up its third U.S.Consular Office in Lowell, on April 27, 2009, with Sovann Ou as current advisor to the Cambodian Embassy. The other two are in Long Beach and Seattle,Washington, which also have a large community."

This is a city of many restaurants, each nationality seems to have several. Just today, we ate at a Greek restaurant, established 63 years ago, and it was packed. Olympia, a good solid Greek name.

Do we get along, I think so, do we all understand each other, I doubt it. My hairdresser of 10 years came from Vietnam 20 years ago, not speaking a word of English. We have some funny conversations, but I wouldn't change her for the world.


Massachusetts Remembers 9/ll With Memorial and Names









When I came across the Massachusetts memorial to the 206 Massachusetts victims of September 11, 2001, in the Boston Public Gardens, I knew I had to share my photos. And, more importantly, the names of all those from Massachusetts who died on that horrible day. We will never forget.

This photo taken on Sept. 11, 2012.
The list of names came from 9/11 Victims With Massachusetts Ties (CBS Boston, September 11, 2011). Click on names to read their profiles.  The Massachusetts 9/11 Fund (see below) has a few activities for tomorrow, September 11, 2014. 

THIRTEENTH ANNIVERSARY COMMEMORATION – SEPTEMBER 11, 2014

The Board of Directors and the Family Advisory Committee of the Massachusetts 9/11 Fund invite you to participate, as noted below, in our Twelfth Anniversary Commemoration activities.

7:30 am – Wreath Laying Ceremony

                      Boston Public Garden, 9/11 Contemplative Garden

8:30 am – Flag Lowering, Moment of Silence, and Reading of Names

                      Massachusetts State House Lawn

9:30 am – Commemoration Observation & Sweeney Award for Civilian Bravery Presentation

                      House Chambers, Massachusetts State House

11:00 am – Family Reception (by private invitation only)

                      The Taj Hotel, Boston Common