Hammond Castle Museum in Gloucester draws about 35,000 visitors a year. Photo/Carin MacNamara

One of world’s best-known castles is found in Gloucester

By David Wilkening, Contributing Writer GLOUCESTER - Yearn to visit a castle? Go to Europe. Or stay in the United States. California has the famous...
Inside the Oracle Chamber are an ancient carving of an antlered deer, secret niches, and stone seating. Photo/Sandi Barrett

Visiting America’s Stonehenge in southern New Hampshire

By Sandi Barrett, Contributing Writer SALEM, N.H. - America’s Stonehenge in Salem, New Hampshire, is an ancient stone village filled with precisely placed boulders reminiscent...
New Bedford was once the wealthiest city on the planet, per capita, during its whaling heyday. Now scallops are the catch that its fishing industry focuses on. Photo/Courtesy of New Bedford Whaling Museum

New Bedford tells a whale of a tale

By David Wilkening, Contributing Writer NEW BEDFORD - Soon after his latest book was published in 1851, former mariner Herman Melville must have felt like...
The Forest Hills Cemetery offers a mixture of history, art, and beautiful landscapes. Photo/Billie-Jo Gauley

Boston’s Forest Hills Cemetery a fascinating destination for history, landscape, and art

By Peg Lopata, Contributing Writer BOSTON - It certainly can’t be denied that the mountains might be the place to go on a fall day...
Malden native Norman Greenbaum, who in 1969 released “Spirit in the Sky,” one of the most enduring hits of classic rock radio, is still performing. Photo/Shutterstock

Malden native Norman Greenbaum is still singing about that ‘Spirit in the Sky’

By Brett Peruzzi, Managing Editor MALDEN - In late 1969, singer-songwriter Norman Greenbaum’s record company released his song “Spirit in the Sky.” More than half...

Massachusetts is the perfect home for Gregory Maguire, author of “Wicked”

By Jane Keller Gordon, Assistant Editor Twenty-five years ago, "Wicked" exploded into our consciousness. Gregory Maguire's bestselling book—and its spinoff blockbuster musical—helped us see the...
The house’s sunroom has paper chairs, lamps and curtains. Photo/Submitted

Rockport’s ‘Paper House’ has endured for a century

By Sharon Longo, Contributing Writer ROCKPORT – In 1922, Elis F. Stenman decided to build a summer home in Rockport, just minutes from the Atlantic...
Andrea Driscoll, president of the Sterling Arts Collaborative, at right in blue blouse, with some of her acrylic painting students. Photo/Submitted

Sterling artist gives back to the community through arts collaborative

By Sharon Longo Contributing Writer STERLING - As a little girl, Andrea Driscoll developed a love of the arts. Today, as president of the Sterling Arts...
Steve Bjork (center) with his children (l to r) 12-year-old twins Blake and Isaiah; Kari, 10; and Cheyenne, 14 Photo/Jeff Page

Comic, actor and dad is self-described as ‘almost domesticated’

By Ed Karvoski Jr., Culture Editor WILMINGTON – Steve Bjork of Wilmington decided as a child to become a comedian. He achieved his career goal...
After you cross the Charles River, Moody Street offers a wide diversity of eateries on the city’s “Restaurant Row.”

Find time to enjoy the charms of the ‘Watch City’

By David Wilkening, Contributing Writer Waltham - “Watch City” is a common nickname for Waltham. It can be traced to the industry that started here...