A total of nine cast members from the classic film “The Wizard of Oz” had ties to Massachusetts.

Many ‘Wizard of Oz’ cast members had Massachusetts connections

By Sharon Oliver Contributing Writer REGION - Every living generation is familiar with the 1939 film classic “The Wizard of Oz” and how Dorothy and her...
The Bee Gees, pictured here in 1977, are best known for their disco hits on the soundtrack to the movie “Saturday Night Fever,” released that year.

The Bee Gees wrote ‘Massachusetts’ before ever visiting the state

By Sharon Oliver Contributing Writer REGION - English-Australian melody makers the Bee Gees are widely known for their disco chart-topping success. Their singles “How Deep Is...
Senior discounts make an outing to local movie theaters easier on the wallet.

Movie discounts for seniors make the big screen more affordable

By Sharon Oliver Contributing Writer REGION - One of America’s favorite pastimes has always been going to a theater to catch the latest flick and devour...
Al Pacino was presented a cake at a party in his honor at the El Morocco in 1972, when the actor visited Worcester to promote his new movie “The Godfather.” Photo/Courtesy of the Aboody family

Worcester’s El Morocco restaurant and nightclub drew stars from near and far

By Michael Perna Contributing Writer WORCESTER - In 1943, Paul Aboody, who was the son of Lebanese immigrants, purchased a small barbershop in a three-decker house...
Led Zeppelin was one of the many soon-to-be-famous bands that rocked The Boston Tea Party concert venue in the late 1960s.

Boston Tea Party concert venue featured iconic 1960s rock bands

By Sharon Oliver, Contributing Writer BOSTON - During the late 1960s, The Boston Tea Party concert venue was ground zero for the city’s rock and...
Half a century after it was created by Walpole native Ruth Graves Wakefield, the chocolate chip cookie was designated the state cookie of Massachusetts.

The chocolate chip cookie was created in a Whitman inn

By Sharon Oliver, Contributing Writer WHITMAN - Crowned the official state cookie of the Commonwealth in 1997, chocolate chip cookies have been satisfying the sweet...
In 1994, MIT students placed a replica of a campus police car on the roof of the Great Dome. Photo/Michael Bauer - hacks.mit.edu

Massachusetts has a rich history of classic pranks

By Sharon Oliver, Contributing Writer When a Boston TV station reported on April Fool’s Day in 1980 that the nearby Blue Hills were erupting,...
“Boston has the most important history of any American city,” says attorney and author Dan Dain.

Attorney digs deep into Boston history in new book

By Matt Robinson, Contributing Writer BOSTON - Each July, people come from all over the world to visit Boston in order to experience Independence Day...
Spectacular sunsets are just one of the many charms of Block Island. Photo/Sandi Barrett

Block Island is a beautiful and convenient island getaway destination

By Sandi Barrett, Contributing Writer NEW SHOREHAM, RI – It’s the smallest town in the smallest state. New Shoreham doesn’t have perhaps the name recognition...
Boston baked beans, with a side of brown bread, have been a signature Massachusetts dish for four hundred years.

Boston baked beans have stood the test of time

By Sharon Oliver, Contributing Writer BOSTON - Imagine living through the 1775 Siege of Boston, fully aware of the historical accounts of food scarcity. In...