The Somerville Times- Beacon Hill Roll Call

1 week ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #328 – A Sporting ChanceBy Bob (Monty) DohertySomerville has always had a deep-seated history in sports, far deeper than most.  Settled before Boston as part of Charlestown in 1628, the colony was subject to Puritan rule.  By 1659, strict rules had outlawed card playing and dice. This was for fear of betting.  Football, oddly enough, was allowed, unless played on forbidden streets or lanes.

3 weeks ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #327 – Patriots’ DayBy Bob (Monty) DohertyThis past week, historic-minded citizens celebrated Patriots Day at Foss Park. It was a beautiful day, and a larger than normal crowd attended. They came to observe the reenactment of Paul Revere’s historic ride.  Period children’s games were played and samples of food from the era went fast.

1 month ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #326 – One If By Land, Two If By SeaBy Bob (Monty) DohertySomerville statesman Edward Everett first brought Paul Revere’s ride to light in his 1825 speech at Concord. Thirty five-years later, Henry Wadsworth Longfellow solidified Revere’s fame with his legendary 1860 poem, Paul Revere’s Ride. Longfellow wrote it with the hope of avoiding the bloodshed of a civil war.  It inspired the whole nation but didn’t prevent hostilities.

1 month ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Sean Fitzgerald

By Sean FitzgeraldThis week mark’s the passing of a Somerville icon, who died in office 20 years ago last Saturday, April 5, 2005. Not many people know this, but Senator Shannon was actually born in Somerville, and served for 20 years as a Lexington Police Officer. The next time you are at Dilboy Stadium, go take a look at the plaque honoring his commitment to the youth of Somerville, as he was largely responsible for developing that project.

1 month ago | thesomervilletimes.com | Bob Doherty

Eagle Feathers #325 – The ReunionBy Bob (Monty) DohertyA reunion has been described as a gathering of friends, relatives, or associates on a special date or interval who honor the act of uniting again after a long separation. In our grand country, the historic time to remember should be the year 1775 and its following day of January 1, 1776.