Items
-
Inez Woods Nichols Portrait Frame: The Cliffo -
Helen R. Abbott Portrait Frame: The Majestic -
Helen Alberta Francis Portrait Frame: The Fenwick -
Helen Alberta Francis Portrait Frame: The Fenton -
Harry T. Watkins Portrait Frame: The Truda -
Harry Allen Portrait Frame: The Bogart -
Harold Raymond Johnson Portrait Frame: The Frisby -
Harold Hewes Boardman Portrait Frame: The Fargo -
Grace Maude Eaton Portrait Frame: The Standard Panel -
Grace Isabel Gowing Portrait Frame: The Baltic -
Gladys Sewell Nichols Portrait Frame: The Fargo -
Fred Herbolzheimer Portrait Frame: The Bogart -
Florence M. Lovejoy Portrait Frame: The Barca -
Flora Young Milbury Portrait Frame: The Beta -
Fannie Josephine Ide Portrait Frame: The Frisby -
Emily Grace Hay Portrait Frame: The Standard Panel -
Elva Mrytle Claggett Portrait Frame: The Myrmex -
Deborah Briggs Nash Portrait Frame: The Fenwick -
Deborah Briggs Nash Portrait Frame: The Fenton -
Bertha Gould Buckle Portrait Frame: The Fenwick -
Bertha Gould Buckle Portrait Frame: The Fenton -
Alice Valpey Gould Portrait Frame: The Ipsus -
Agnes Frances Barrett Portrait Frame: The Fenton -
Agnes Church Tucker Portrait Frame: The Fenwick -
Snow Flower All of us have been waiting to get out and be part of Spring, especially with the long year behind us. This touch of snow in April delayed us a bit, but Spring is never delayed. -
Pandemic Haircut With the barber shops closed, our hair got long until I got pretty good with the clippers. Here I am giving my son a cut in the kitchen. -
Senior Class Doors It was hard to be a high school senior during the pandemic and to miss out on many memorable traditions. But some new ones started, like decorating the front doors of members of the senior class and putting up lawn signs at Town Hall to celebrate the graduating class. It was great to drive around and see the doors all over time. Here's the one my family made for me. -
Lettering for Love During the pandemic these beautiful and inspiring messages appeared all over shop windows in Reading thanks to the #LetteringforLoveProject. by Reading artist Antea Amoroso. This message was in the window at Cupcake City. -
Executive Assistant We might have had mixed feelings about setting up temporary work spaces in back rooms but our pets liked having us around. Here's my new Executive Assistant, Mr. Schveezelton, eagerly awaiting a chance to Zoom-bomb my next meeting and, of course, knocking off for lunch. -
The Jab Vaccines brought us all hope. Once people aged 12 and up could receive them, we had hope that the 2021-2022 school year would be pretty much back to normal, after a year of studying over Zoom in our bedrooms. -
Friends with Foxes A neighbor, Valerie DiRocco Ross, had a family of foxes in her yard at the beginning of the pandemic. She would text me when they were out and let me hang out on her deck taking photos while she and her family made cloth masks and surgical caps for first responders. We also got to know each other by having conversations through her shut sliding door. It was wonderful to make a new friend, to see all that she and her daughters did for first responders, and to feel hope in watching the cycles of nature. -
Daily Art Challenge I was challenged to create a piece of art a day. It is hard for me to draw or paint fast, but here are a few of the results. The Tiger, Dog, and Deer are pencil; the apple is watercolor and acrylic, and the reimaged book cover is collage. -
Snowman in April II This Patriot's Fan Snowman was built after an April snowstorm. We couldn't resist a photo-op with him on our walk around Reading. -
Snowman in April I This Patriot's Fan Snowman was built after an April snowstorm. We couldn't resist a photo-op with him on our walk around Reading. -
Summer Evening Sunset in Reading Since the start of the pandemic, I take daily walks or bike rides around Reading. This picture is of a summer evening sunset with incredible clouds and colors that I witnessed on one of my walks. -
All Masked Up for Halloween Reference Librarians Eileen Barrett and Susan Beauregard on Halloween Day in the Library. -
Bird Feeding This is a photo of my 8-year-old daughter on a very cold windy day in April feeding a chickadee in Topsfield at the Ipswich River Wildlife Sanctuary. My 3 children and their friends were all holding out their hands filled with bird seed with such patience in hopes that a bird would land to eat. It was magical to watch countless little birds land in their hands to steal a sunflower seed. This photo captures how important the connection with nature has been for our family during this year. We found such joy taking our new dog on new walks and hikes in ALL kinds of weather, where we discovered wildlife, from turtles to possums; found heart rocks and wishing rocks; collected pinecones or walking sticks; identified trees, including beech trees where there was evidence that black bears had visited them; found waterfalls or beautiful mountain streams; or discovered evidence that humans once lived there in the form of old foundations, walls, or chimneys. It was outside, in nature, where we felt comfortable convening with other masked friends and family, and where we made new friends (yes, we even made new friends!). And it was in nature where we found peace, comfort, and joy, and released some of the anxiety that this year brought. We have always loved the outdoors, but this year has renewed our connection with the natural world in a way that we know will continue after we have returned to a new normal. -
Reading Public Library Fishbowl Reading Public Library service desks were fitted with plexiglass barriers to protect patrons and staff. -
Reading Public Library Big Return As the science and the guidelines changed through the early months of the pandemic, the Reading Public Library first asked folks to hang on to their books, then announced "THE BIG RETURN" in June 2020. We received almost 8,000 items on one day. -
Reading Public Library Curbside Tent The Reading Public Library found a way to help folks keep reading! Staff sat outside under a tent throughout the summer of lockdown. -
Reading Public Library Curbside Pickup Crew The Reading Public Library staff were inventive and engaged in the community throughout 2020 and 2021. During lockdown, we offered curbside pickup of library materials. -
Reunion Every year me and my three best friends from college meet to catch up and relive old times. This year we had to do it virtually. It was still a good time! -
Rays of hope This photo was taken at the beginning of the pandemic on a family hike at Mattera Cabin, a place that we frequented as a family throughout the pandemic. -
Super Bowl LV Our neighborhood is fiercely committed to staying safe and enjoying each other -
Baking cookies on a quarantined afternoon During the pandemic, since my other activities were canceled, I took on a new hobby of baking. I made everything from cakes to pies to pudding. However, my absolute favorite sweet treats to make and enjoy are chocolate chip cookies. They are ooey, gooey and delicious, and always remind me of the comfort of family. Without making cookies every single day, I have no idea how I could have gotten through all of the new and unknown we have faced in the past year. -
Hiking Flume Gorge Mom wanted to hike the Flume for so long but hockey, cheer, figure skating and work always prevailed. The pandemic allowed us the free time to finally get to it! -
Lasagna love This fresh from the oven lasagna is on its way to brighten the day of someone local, courtesy of Lasagna Love. Lasagna Love is a nationwide kindness movement started in the early days of the pandemic. -
Hello Barrows! This is a picture of my three children looking at signs and messages hung by the Barrows teachers & staff. This particular photo shows messages in the library windows left by Ms. Pappa & Ms. Hill. -
The family that learned to ski during Covid Michael Tezak, MJ Warner and Anne Tezak. In this photo they are at the top of killington mountain. This marks the beginning of Covid. The day before we were put into lock down. -
The walk Three friends enjoy a brisk walk on a crisp winter afternoon at Horn Pond. One cannily wonder about the conversation. -
The conversation Two friends share a walk deep in the Reading Town Forest after a brief shower -
Tday light on guests We usually celebrate Thanksgiving with extended family at my cousin's great big house so that all 40+ of us fit. Since it wasn't safe to travel to Pittsburgh this year, we celebrated at home, just the 3 of us. We wanted to get into the spirit, but couldn't justify a whole turkey for so few of us so...we improvised. -
Snowman pitching snowballs Creative Summer Ave. Reading resident lightening up pandemic confinement and sharing moment with residents driving or walking by. -
Prayer banners in front of First Congregational Church of Reading These prayer banners were handmade by members of the First Congregational Church of Reading and waved in the wind in front of our church, featuring sentiments of hope and love. -
Reflecting on white privilege and peaceful protest Like many parts of the country, Reading held a peaceful protest against police brutality and a Rally for Racial Justice program to call out the death of George Floyd and so many others. As a white person, I reflected on my place at this Rally and in social justice work. I work to acknowledge the privileges my skin color affords me. Though the Rally wasn't a source of "peace" during the pandemic, it brought some tiny relieft to be doing SOMETHING. So to remind myself, my t-shirt can only be read by looking in the mirror, as a way to remind MYSELF, "Understanding White Privilege is an Ongoing Process. Keep Studying." -
Reading Town Forest, look up I'm sure I'm not the only person to have taken this photo. The Reading Town Forest was one of my favorite place, even before quarantine, but it was somehow even more magical in 2020. Having an beautiful, "safe" place to be out of the house meant a lot. -
Reading women hockey players remembering those passing away from cancer Burbank Ice Arena, Reading, MA -
Pandemic gray Like so many of my friends, I really missed seeing my stylist for my monthly haircut once the salons closed down, but I decided this was the perfect time to grow out my natural gray hair. The New Yorker even did a story about it. (Mead, Rebecca. "The Unexpected Beauty of COVID Hair." New Yorker, 4 June 2021.) Even though mine is still a "work in progress," I was thrilled to see Stacey at Blush again and love the new 'do she gave me! -
Ice skating at Sturges Park In January 2021 driving by Sturges Park, I thought what a great way for families to go outside and get fresh air and enjoy ice skating during this difficult time. -
RMHS graduation 2021 What a difference a year makes! On a beautiful hot summer evening, we attended our Grandkids (Twins) Graduation from R.M.H.S. A new beginning for all of us to celebrate. -
My garden Because of the pandemic, I found being on my hands and knees with my buddies, bees, worms, baby toads, birds and, not to forget, my flowers - a very good escape from what was happening in this crazy world. -
Reading's peaceful protest supporting BLM This is a collage of a historic event that happened on June 6, 2020 in support of Black Lives Matter. The speeches were excellent and inspiring! -
McFarland parade Reading Town parade welcoming home Lt. Alex McFarland from his tour of duty in the Middle East with a surprise parade. -
Lining up to receive face masks Reading Citizens Receiving COVID-19 Face Masks -
Limpy checking for his mail Limpy was a wild turkey who "lived" in a nest on Prescott Street near the Fire Station. He frequented our Commuter Rail station in his daily travels. Unfortunately, Limpy lost his life in an automobile accident. -
Light the Night for Leukemia Lymphoma Foundation Linda Snow Dockser -
Jurassic gardening We live on a corner and have lots of "little people" passers by. This gives me justification to fairy-up the garden, despite my teenage daughter having outgrown it. Last summer allowed for ample garden-fussing time, as well as interactions with the little neighbors who we'd normally miss while away at work. -
Jakob's SUV Reading Memorial High School's Senior Spirit Parade -
Hybrid Passover seder 2021 On March 27, 2021, Passover fell for the second time during the pandemic. Our extended family still could not gather all together in person so we went hybrid. We adapted and shared a 'google doc' Haggadah, dropped off Passover specialties, and gathered in families. The vaccinated grandparents were able to join us at our Seder Table. We all gathered via zoom, praying that next year, we will all meet around the Seder Table in person. -
Grammy Barbara and Grampa Eddie This is a photo of Grammy Barbara for whom Grammy Barbara's Team is dedicated. Leukemia stole her on September 2, 2007 after an agonizing 3 month battle. No pandemic was going to deny us the opportunity to fundraise and add to her legacy of protecting others from the cruel disease that took her. Ed Snow, her loving husband of 54 years is by her side in this picture. -
Grammy Barbara's team Lights the Night for Leukemia Lymphoma fundraising Last year, the Leukemia Lymphoma Foundation's Light the Night Walk had to happen virtually due to the continuing pandemic. These pictures are of my dad and me celebrating alongside our monitor which broadcast the fundraising results with Grammy Barbara's Team announced as top fundraiser for the North Shore. Grammy Barbara was our beloved mom and grandmother. We have been walking to fundraise since her death in September 2007. This year we couldn't walk in person, so we walked virtually... -
Mail in presidential ballots! The exciting moment of dropping our mail in ballots at Town Hall! -
The big boardwalk In the early days of the COVID shutdown, my family spent a lot more time than we had before going to the Reading Town Forest and exploring the paths and trails. My two boys, Phineas and Rory, absolutely love the long boardwalk in the middle of the forest. -
Pandemic promise and peace through Kundalini yoga Although this photo is dated May 2021--toward the end of the pandemic but before full restrictions were lifted in Massachusetts--my daily two hours of Kundalini Yoga practice were a huge part of what sustained my equilibrium during the entire course of the pandemic. Breathwork, music, yoga, and meditation helped me stay simultaneously grounded and elevated through four and a half months of furlough and other challenging personal, family, and global circumstances. -
Autumn Oak Leaf Even though I returned to work in August after four and a half months on furlough because of COVID-19, our family still carved out time through the autumn days of 2020 to walk in the Reading Town Forest, which we had come to know so well--better, in fact, in these pandemic months than during our previous thirty-five years living in Reading. So, if there were any silver linings to the pandemic, getting to appreciate our town's forest more deeply was one.
