By: Marilyn McCarthy Ralph – February 2013 Ronnie Ford’s family and friends are still reeling from the suddenness of his death. Laughing and telling stories one week, then buried the next. We are happy that Ron did not suffer, but the quickness of his death has left us shattered. We have heard on the radio and in […]
February 2013 BOXFORD: Alexander Dzwil, Junior at Bentley, Business major. Margeaux Guercia, Junior at Bentley, Marketing major. Michael Mahalati, Junior at Bentley, Marketing major. Joshua Stavis of Boxford, Junior at Bentley, Economics-Finance major. David Hall of Boxford, Junior at Bentley Economics-Finance major. Lauren Vorwald of Boxford, Wentworth Institute of Technology BRADFORD: Samantha Kelleher, Sophomore at […]
By: Helen Morradkanian – February 2013 TEWKSBURY – When 6,000 Marines were trapped at their base during the 77-day siege of Khe Sanh—a surprise attack by 40,000 heavily armored North Vietnamese and Viet Cong during the infamous 1968 Tet Offensive —it was “the longest and deadliest battle” of the Vietnam War. West Point graduate Lieutenant […]
By: Anne Knowles – January 2013 She was born at Litchfield, Conn. In 1811, into a lively housedhold, of six Sisters and brothers. Her father was a renown Congregationalist and preacher. He was asked to speak at many locations in the area. Sadly her mother died when she was only four years old, but her […]
BOSTON -The Million Veteran Program (MVP) is a trailblazing VA effort to consolidate genetic, military exposure, health, and lifestyle information together in one single database. The database will be used by authorized researchers with VA, other federal health agencies, and academic institutions within the U.S., in a secure manner, to conduct health and wellness studies […]
By: Mark Behan – January 2013 While he could appear as serious as another coach named Bill – as in Belichick – Bill Blood had a lighter side. “He had a deadpan sense of humor,” said Jason Larocque, Blood’s stepson, noting that when Blood went to a restaurant he often studied the menu before […]
Northern Essex Community College is currently recruiting students for the NECC Bridge Program, a two-week summer enrichment program for Latino students who plan to attend NECC in the fall. Running Monday, August 12 through Friday, August 23, the free program is designed to help ease students’ adjustment to college life and build a foundation for […]
The Lawrence Exchange Club held their annual Police, Firefighter and EMT of the Year awards last month honoring first responders in the valley. Police and Fire Chiefs from Lawrence, Andover and North Andover were allowed to present each honoree with a plaque and explain to the public why each officer was being honored. NORTH ANDOVER […]
The Registry of Deeds Building in Lawrence—now owned by the Northern Essex Community College Foundation— will be demolished later this month, making room for green space connecting two of the college’s downtown Lawrence buildings. When completed, the 41,500 sq. ft. site will provide a walkway between the college’s Dr. Ibrahim El Hefni Allied Health […]
By: John Lenotte – American Legion – January 2013 Here we are again, another year has passed. And for the short term, a fiscal crisis has been averted. At least depending upon which news analyst you read or listen to. Congress still has a lot of work to do and I hope you will […]
FROM METHUEN TO TEL AVIV! By Catherine Chang – January 2013 My journey to Jerusalem began many years ago as a child. I was a lonely child and spent a lot of time at church or the library, both were close to my house. I enjoyed studying theology, archeology, medicine and different cultures. I was […]
By: Helen Mooradkanian – January 2013 LAWRENCE – It was early 1961 during the Cold War. The United States had just closed its embassy in Havana, Cuba. The Cuban Missile Crisis would not come to a head until one year later, in October 1962—the closest the U.S. and the Soviet Union ever came to […]
THIS BOOK HAS BEEN PUBLISHED, READ FIGHTING SPIRIT HERE By: Tom Duggan – January 2013 Five-time Golden Glove boxing champion, Bobby Christakos may live in a modest home in a quiet neighborhood in Lowell, but once visitors get a look inside it is clear that this is not the home of any ordinary Lowell […]
Hero war Veteran Ronnie Ford not only served his country in the military but when he came home from battle became a police officer in Methuen to serve his community. Ford also served his community as a city councilor in Methuen, a School Committeeman, and as a member of the Greater Lawrence Vocational School. He […]
VALLEY PATRIOT EDITORIAL January 2013 The North Andover School Committee has decided that grading children in the school system with the time tested letter grades which reflect their achievement on tests and projects, is no longer needed. Instead, they have decided to create a complicated number grading system that parents say do not reflect […]