Welcome to The Boston Newsletter!

In today’s edition:

• Massachusetts introduces the Energy Saver Home Loan Program

• Upcoming Norah Jones & Emily King concert

• A deep-dive into the life of Emily Dickinson

• And more…

Quote of the Week

"The mind is everything. What you think, you become."

- Buddha

Trivia

Here is your trivia question of the week. The answer will be shown in next week’s newsletter. Which do you think it is? No cheating!

What is the name of the oldest tavern in Boston, dating back to 1795?

A) The Bell in Hand Tavern

B) The Warren Tavern

C) The Union Oyster House

D) Cheers

Answer to Last Week's Trivia: The 'Big Dig' construction project in Boston began in B) 1991.

News

💼 Business

The Virginian-Pilot highlights a business event hosted by the Peninsula Chamber at 101 Eaton St., Hampton, focusing on information sharing and networking. (Link)

The mayor of Greenfield has introduced a new quarterly newsletter, “What's Going on Greenfield?”, summarizing key municipal developments. (Link)

John Lam, a prominent figure at Boston Ballet for two decades, will make his final performance before moving to teach at Berklee. (Link)

🏒 Sports

The NHL has set the start times for Stanley Cup Playoff games on April 29, 30, and May 1, 2024. (Link)

You can catch the Miami Heat vs. Boston Celtics game; details on live stream, TV channels, and start times are available alongside game odds. (Link)

New Bedford coach Harry Lowe's 600th win in a softball game against Bridgewater-Raynham. (Link)

🏦 Finance

Massachusetts introduces the Energy Saver Home Loan Program, offering up to $100,000 for energy-efficient home upgrades. (Link)

The DNC has taken a critical stance on Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s fundraising event in Boston. (Link)

A Northeastern University student was given community service after being arraigned for participating in pro-Palestine student protests in the Boston area. (Link)

Upcoming Events

Here are some events that are happening in our city this week. There is a good mix between sports, entertainment, conferences, concerts, and more.

Sports

🏀 Boston Celtics NBA Playoff Game
TD Garden, Boston
Tuesday, May 7th | 7:00 PM | More Info

⚽ New England Revolution vs. Chicago Fire FC
Gillette Stadium, Foxborough
Saturday, May 11th | 7:30 PM | More Info

⚾ Boston Red Sox vs. Washington Nationals
Fenway Park, Boston
Friday, May 10th | 7:10 PM | More Info

Music & Concerts

🎤 Tim McGraw
TD Garden, Boston
Friday, May 10th | 7:00 PM | More Info

🎸 Norah Jones & Emily King
MGM Music Hall at Fenway, Boston
Monday, May 6th | 8:00 PM | More Info

🎷 Dianne Reeves
Berklee Performance Center - Boston
Thursday, May 9th | 8:00 PM | More Info

🎤 Svdden Death (21+)
Big Night Live, Boston
Friday, May 10th | 9:30 PM | More Info

Family

🌸 Lilac Sunday at Arnold Arboretum
Arnold Arboretum, Boston
Sunday, May 12th | 10:00 AM | More Info

🦆 Duckling Day Parade
Boston Common and Public Garden
Sunday, May 12th | 12:00 PM | More Info

Image of the Week

Every week, I have a habit of making some AI art about our city.

This week, I typed in “Boston streets with interactive, responsive surfaces.” and this is what I got.

Let me know what ideas you have for this. I really enjoy making these types of photos.

Boston Historical Events

Great Boston Fire of 1872 - A major fire in Boston's history.

The Great Boston Fire of 1872 was a catastrophic event that left a lasting impact on the city's history. On November 9, 1872, a fire broke out in Boston's commercial district, ultimately becoming the most destructive fire in the city's history. The fire started in the basement of a building on the corner of Kingston and Summer Streets at around 7:00 p.m. It quickly spread and destroyed 776 buildings across 65 acres of land, with the assessed value of the properties at nearly $13.5 million and personal property loss of $60 million dollars. The devastation was immense, and the fire left more than 1,000 businesses in Boston's downtown area in ruins.

The Great Boston Fire of 1872 was a disaster waiting to happen, as concerns about the risk of a catastrophic fire had been raised prior to the event. The rapid growth of Boston's downtown area after the Civil War, coupled with infrastructure improvements that lagged behind the pace of new development, contributed to the severity of the fire. The fire not only resulted in significant property loss but also had a human toll, with two Boston firefighters losing their lives in the blaze. The overall number of deaths remains unknown, and estimates vary widely.

The Great Boston Fire of 1872 serves as a reminder of the city's resilience and the importance of fire prevention and preparedness. The event prompted a reevaluation of fire safety measures and infrastructure improvements in Boston, shaping the city's approach to urban development and disaster management in the years that followed.

Famous People From Boston

Emily Dickinson: 1830-1886

Emily Dickinson, an American poet known for her prolific and unconventional style, lived a life of seclusion and creativity in Amherst, Massachusetts. Her legacy as a leading 19th-century American poet continues to inspire readers and scholars alike.

Early Life and Family (1830-1850)

Emily Dickinson was born on December 10, 1830, in the Homestead, a house built by her paternal grandfather in Amherst, Massachusetts. She was the second child of Edward Dickinson and Emily Norcross Dickinson. Her upbringing in a well-educated and prominent family laid the foundation for her literary pursuits.

Poetic Exploration and Seclusion (1850s-1860s)

During the 1850s and 1860s, Dickinson's poetic talent flourished as she explored themes of death, mortality, and the human experience. She chose to live in seclusion, dedicating herself to writing and refining her craft. Her eccentric personality and unconventional poetic form set her apart as a unique and enigmatic figure in American literature.

Literary Relationships and Correspondence (1860s-1870s)

Dickinson maintained close relationships through correspondence with literary figures, including Thomas Wentworth Higginson and Susan Gilbert Dickinson. Her letters and exchanges with these individuals provided insight into her creative process and the depth of her poetic vision.

Posthumous Recognition and Publication (1886-Present)

After Dickinson's death on May 15, 1886, her sister Lavinia discovered a collection of almost 1800 poems among her possessions. Despite having only a few of her poems published during her lifetime, Dickinson's posthumous recognition grew steadily. The volume "Complete Poems" was published in 1955, solidifying her status as one of the most prolific American poets of her generation.

Legacy and Influence (Post-1886)

Emily Dickinson's legacy as a leading 19th-century American poet endures, with her work continuing to captivate readers and scholars. Her singular brilliance of style and integrity of vision, combined with her seclusion and poetic exploration, have cemented her place in literary history.

Key Achievements of Emily Dickinson:

• Prolific poet with a collection of almost 1800 poems.

• Unique and enigmatic figure in American literature, known for her unconventional poetic form.

• Posthumous recognition and publication of "Complete Poems" in 1955.

• Enduring legacy as a leading 19th-century American poet, inspiring readers and scholars.

• Remembered for her eccentric personality, exploration of mortality, and dedication to poetic creativity.

Emily Dickinson's life and work continue to inspire and intrigue readers, solidifying her place as a literary icon in American poetry. Her legacy as a prolific and enigmatic poet remains a testament to her enduring influence and creative vision.

Connect With Me

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I would love to hear from you. Don’t be shy.

-Matthew Larsen

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