Eagle Feathers #293 –Four Score and Two

By Bob (Monty) Doherty

Eighty- two years ago, on December 7, 1941, America was suddenly launched into a two-front war with Japan and Germany that would change our country and the world forever.

The City of Somerville is certainly one classic example of strong, good-hearted people having the capacity to set aside fundamental ideological differences for the sake of securing the community and celebrating all that it has to offer in style.

With the holiday season soon upon us, events such as the city’s Holiday lighting and Menorah Lighting in celebration of Hanukkah – on December 7 and 10 respectively on the City Hall Concourse – symbolically serve as a reminder that we are indeed a cohesive community, with our common hopes, fears, ambitions and objectives.

Runners take part in the 27th Annual Gobble Gobble Gobble Road Race in Somerville Thanksgiving morning. — Photos by Bobbie Toner

Presented by the Somerville Road Runners, the Gobble Gobble Gobble road race starts and ends in Davis Square (at the heart of Somerville), features a unique 4 mile course, and offers a fun opportunity to start Thanksgiving on a high and healthy note! Proceeds benefit Somerville Homeless Coalition, Somerville Track PAC, Stride for Stride and Dilboy VFW Veterans Relief Fund. For race details, visit https://srr.org/gobble.

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Review by Lee Varon

Der Hohannesian’s latest book, published by Cervena Barva Press, is a tribute to the human spirit.

Many of the poems in this moving collection refer to the Armenian genocide. The poet reminds us, “the ‘Armenian Question,’ is more than a question. Der Hohannesian, himself an Armenian American, calls it what it is – “hatred’s euphemism.” The poet makes it clear that those who suffered through this terrible time are still with us: “it is their blood/ that courses the deltas of our veins,” and “…blood carries memories downstream.”

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Laurie Kuntz’s books are: That Infinite Roar, Gyroscope Press, Talking Me Off The Roof, Kelsay Books, The Moon Over My Mother’s House, Finishing Line Press, Simple Gestures, Texas Review Press, Women at the Onsen, Blue Light Press, and Somewhere in the Telling, Mellen Press. Simple Gestures, won Texas Review’s Chapbook Contest, and Women at the Onsen won Blue Light Press’s Chapbook Contest. She’s been nominated for three Pushcart Prizes and two Best of the Net Prizes. Her work has been published in Gyroscope Review, Roanoke Review, Third Wednesday, One Art, Sheila Na Gig, and other journals. More at: https://lauriekuntz.myportfolio.com/home-1

Kennedy grade 2 students learning about Bobby McFerrin in Ms. Ward’s music class. ~Photo by Catherine Ward

Each month, Somerville Public School students learn about a Musician of the Month. Music teachers across the district collaborate to select the musicians for the year, choosing musicians who are musical role models for students of all cultural, ethnic, and gender identities. The goal is to inspire all students to be life-long, active music makers. You can read more about Musician of the Month here.

Regular Meeting of the Somerville City Council on November 21,2023.

In this presentation at The Somerville Museum, Dan Breen, Ph, D. of Brandeis University, speaks about the story of the GI Bill, praising its virtues, even takes account of its failures.