Patrick Murphy

City’s Sierra Leonean Community Celebrated

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:15:53 +0000

On Saturday, April 28, Greater Lowell’s Sierra Leonean-American community came together at City Hall in Lowell to commemorate 51 years of independence for Sierra Leone, a former British colony.

The event was marked by both Muslim and Christian prayers, speeches, and excellent renditions of both the U.S. and Sierra Leonean national anthems. It was followed by a reception at the Mercier Center.

Sierra Leone is located along the west coast of Africa. A former British colony, its official language is English. Sierra Leone was once one of the major world exporters of industrial and gem diamonds. A civil war in the 1990s, however, destroyed much of the nation’s infrastructure.

“We have always been grateful that the City allows us to do the events. It’s a way for us to recognize the independence of our former country. This is dedicated to the Sierra Leonean community so they can rejoice. We want to do anything we can to help the country move forward from the ravages of the rebel war,” said Lowell resident Rosaline Willie-Bonglo, a prominent member of the city’s Sierra Leonean-American community.

Arbor Day Commemoration

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 21:04:03 +0000

On Monday, April 30, members of the Lowell Parks & Conservation Trust (LP & CT) commemorated Arbor Day with an environmentally-minded group of students from the Daley Middle School in the Lowell Highlands.

Together, the students and the staff from LP & CT planted two trees on the grounds in front of the school.

The mission of LP & CT is to improve the quality of life for the people of Lowell through the creation, conservation, and preservation of parks, open spaces and special places. Last year, in support of Lowell’s 15th year as a Tree City USA, LP & CT partnered with the City of Lowell to plant over 113 trees in honor of Arbor Day. In the spring and early summer of 2011, trees were planted in Cupples Square, Armory Park, Clemente Park, and many other public spaces within the City. Jane Calvin, Executive Director of LP & CT, said that, “Arbor Day is a way for Lowell to celebrate its commitment to how trees contribute to the quality of life in our city by providing shade, improving air quality, and enhancing property. Working with youth at the Daley Middle School is the perfect opportunity to share the city’s natural resources with the next generation of stewards.”

The Tree City USA® program, sponsored by the Arbor Day Foundation in cooperation with the USDA Forest Service and the National Association of State Foresters, provides direction, technical assistance, public attention, and national recognition for urban and community forestry programs in thousands of towns and cities across America.

Polish-American Community Celebrates its History

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:54:47 +0000

From the City of Lowell website:

On Sunday, May 6, Greater Lowell’s Polish-American community raised Poland’s national colors over City Hall in Lowell.

This year’s ceremony marked the 221st anniversary of the 1791 signing of the Polish Constitution. This historic document is the first democratic constitution in Europe and second in the world, following the United States Constitution. The Polish Constitution was banned during the Nazi occupation in World War II and later by the Soviet Union during the Cold War. Only after the rise of Lech Walesa’s Solidarity movement did Poland acknowledge and embrace its 18th-century constitution.

Polish-Americans have played a prominent role in Greater Lowell civic life since the late 19th century, when many Poles began to leave Poland due to religious persecution, military conscription, and poor economic prospects. Many Polish families went directly to Lowell after passing through Ellis Island, as they were drawn by work opportunities here. Others also moved to Lowell – particularly to Belvidere, Centralville, and Back Central – from southern New Hampshire and nearby Chicopee and Holyoke, Massachusetts. Today, Polish-Americans are present in all of the city’s neighborhoods, as well as many of the surrounding towacross the Merrimack Valley.

The Polish flag-raising program was run by the Dom Polski with Melissa Olenick, member of the board of directors, as the emcee. Participants this year came from the Holy Trinity Polish Parish on High St., St. Casimir’s Polish Parish on Lakeview Ave, St. Margaret’s Parish on Stevens St., the Polish American Veterans State Department of Massachusetts, the Dom Polski, the Lowell Polish Cultural Committee, and the Polish American Veterans of Lowell.

Armenian Genocide Memorial Planned

admin — Fri, 11 May 2012 20:44:14 +0000

From The Armenian Weekly:

A mother’s hands weaving the history of her people.

Displaying an artist’s rendition of genocide memorial for Lowell (L-R) Mayor Patrick Murphy; Daniel Varoujan-Hejinian, artist/designer; and Armen Jeknavorian, committee chairman.

Such is the theme of an elaborate genocide memorial approved by city officials during a meeting with organizers from the Merrimack Valley Armenian community.

Plans for the structure were announced during the 97^th anniversary commemoration in front of City Hall; the monument will be situated there, to the right of a flagpole that flies the Armenian tricolor every April 24^th.

The estimated cost for the project runs $25,000, which will be collected through an aggressive fundraising campaign.

The announcement followed six months of plenary work by a pan-Armenian committee headed by activist Armen Jeknavorian with members of various church and civic organizations. Middlesex County Sheriff Peter Koutoujian is also lending insight as honorary chairman.

A three-dimensional motif featuring a mother’s hands protruding from thekhatchkar (Armenian cross-stone) serves as an immediate eye-catcher. At the base are the Armenian words “Ee Heeshadag” (or “In Remembrance”). The stone measures six feet in height and three feet in width.

“The delicacy of the crochet integrated into the cross-stone symbolizes the steadfast richness of the Armenian heritage that has sustained our ancient people for centuries,” said Hejinian. “Knot by knot, the Armenian people everywhere weave their hopes and dream as they grow and prosper. This expression of ‘weaving’ echoes the Armenian national anthem.”

The theme of weaving a lace cloth into stone appears connected to Lowell’s history, known for its prominent textile industry.

“Lowell accepted immigrants from throughout the world to work the mills,” added Hejinian. “It is here in which a community of Armenians was established and flourished from the late 19^th century. Just as this genocide is imprinted in the collective memory of every Armenian, this cross-stone is the permanent reminder that the ultimate crime against humanity will never be forgotten or repeated.”

The project was conceived under Mayor James Milinazzo, who lobbied for a piece of prime land abutting City Hall. He has since been replaced by Mayor Patrick Murphy, who remains just as enamored of such an endeavor.

The Armenian memorial will share company with markers from other nationality groups inside an area known as Monument Park, which attracts some 100,000 folks each July during an ethnic folk festival. Its visibility would be profound.

“It’ll certainly create an attractive yet meaningful presence,” said Murphy. “We have a very sizable Armenian presence in the city and this is a tribute to them. Armenians have overcome extreme adversity. Together, we’ll all share in the human experience—that being peace and harmony throughout the world.”

To read more of Tom Vartabedian‘s article, please visit the Armenian Weekly website here.

Lowell Give Back Day (May 12)

admin — Wed, 25 Apr 2012 11:58:27 +0000

LOWELL — Do you like kickball and yoga? How about free coffee and doughnuts? A free lunch for cleaning up University Avenue?

Then clear your schedule for Saturday, May 12 — Lowell’s first Give Back Day.

The daylong event is part of a project for a leadership class Kimberly Jackson is taking at the University of Arkansas, where she is studying English and creative writing. Jackson has been living in Lowell for two and a half years while her husband, Lance, studies at UMass Lowell.

“They asked us to take leadership out into the community and this was the best way I could do it,” she said. “I have fallen in love with Lowell; we will be staying here and this is a great way for me to get to know more people and organizations in the community.”

Jackson met with Mayor Patrick Murphy and contacted “all of the people I know in Lowell. When you ask them, people have great ideas for what the city needs.”

She was able to secure partnerships for the event with the city of Lowell, UMass Lowell, Mill City Grows, Lowell Sprouts, Catie’s Closet and Lowell Parents Network, among others.

The day will kick off at 8 a.m. with a rally at City Hall (with free coffee and doughnuts) where Murphy will address the crowd on the subject of community involvement.

Free activities at Give Back Day May 12 in Lowell include:

All day –

Free bike tune-ups at the UMass Lowell Recreation Center.

Community Gardens Greenhouse plant sale, 9-10 a.m.

Free yoga by Diana Davis at UMass Lowell Recreation Center Lawn, followed by free massages.

9 a.m. to noon — Canalwaters Cleaners canal cleanup.

10:30 a.m. to noon — Lowell Sprouts Community Garden Workday — planting, mulching and cleanup at Butler Middle School.

Noon — Kickball tournament at UMass Lowell fields;

11 a.m. to 1 p.m. — Community street cleanup on University Avenue. Suppa’s will provide lunch to volunteers.

2-3:30 p.m. — Sheehy Park cleanup (UMass Lowell South Campus). Supplies and food will be provided.

3:30-5 p.m. — Community Garden at Rotary (Back Central) with Mill City Grows.

Drop-off new or lightly used clothes for children and teens for Catie’s Closet during the Butler School, University Avenue, Riverside Park and Rotary Park events.

Registration is required for most events so the organizers have a good headcount to provide supplies and food. Sign up at http://lowellgivebackday.wordpress.com.

For information, contact Kimberly Jackson at 479-713-0798 or at lowellgivebackday@gmail.com.

Credit: Jennifer Myers, The Sun twitter.com/juicegirl01854