“The Remarkable Cyrus Wakefield”

24Feb13

A Talk by John Wall Many people know the story of how the town of South Reading, MA came to be renamed after industrialist Cyrus Wakefield. But most people probably don’t realize the extent to which he shaped the town of Wakefield as we know it today. In a talk on Feb. 20, 2013 to […]

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Tags: business, Capt. Henry Bancroft, Cyrus Wakefield, furniture, History, industry, John Wall, Mark Sardella, rattan, South Reading, Wakefield Daily Item, Wakefield MA, Wakefield Massachusetts

From the Fab Four to 4G

09Feb13

Today, Saturday, Feb. 9, marks a significant anniversary for Baby Boomers. On that date in 1964, a British band known at The Beatles made its US debut on the Ed Sullivan Show. For the benefit of those under 50, the Ed Sullivan Show was a TV staple. It was a variety show that families could […]

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Tags: Beatles, Beyonce, Ed Sullivan Show, Mark Sardella, phones, telephone, Television, Wakefield Daily Item

Moderates No Match for Mass. Machine

09Nov12

For those watching the election returns at Richard Tisei’s election-night party at the Peabody Marriott or with Scott Brown at Boston’s Park Plaza, the message was clear: moderate candidates are not welcome in Massachusetts, at least not if you have an “R” next to your name. Tuesday’s election was a victory for those who believe […]

Filed under: Columns & Essays, Wakefield, Opinion, Politics, News   |  4 Comments
Tags: Massachusetts, MA, Mark Sardella, Wakefield Daily Item, John F. Kennedy, election, Democrat, Politics, Richard Tisei, Tea Party, Scott Brown, Rebublican

John McCain Stumps for Sen. Scott Brown & Congressional Candidate Richard Tisei

22Oct12

At Oct. 20, 2012 campaign rally in Melrose, MA With Senator Scott Brown and Sixth District Congressional candidate Richard Tisei both locked in heated battles heading into the Nov. 6 election, war hero and Arizona Senator John McCain spoke at a rally for both candidates Saturday morning in Melrose, Massachusetts. Addressing a sign-waving crowd that […]

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Tags: Ayla Brown, campaign rally, Congress, congressman, Gail Huff, Mark Sardella, Massachusetts, Melrose, Rep. Brad Jones, Rep. Donald Wong, Richard Tisei, Senator John McCain, Senator Scott Brown, United States Senate, US Senate, Wakefield Daily Item

Two Guys From Wakefield

04Oct12

Things are looking up for two of Wakefield’s most favored political sons, Scott Brown and Richard Tisei. Brown had a good debate Monday night at UMass Lowell. They’ll never admit it, but you could tell that the Elizabeth Warren people thought she lost because they were complaining bitterly about moderator David Gregory. The side that […]

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Tags: Wakefield Massachusetts, MA, Mark Sardella, Wakefield Daily Item, election, Richard Tisei, Tea Party, Congress, Senate, Scott Brown, senator, John Tierney, Elizabeth Warren, congressman, Rush Limbaugh, Sarah Palin

Pot Law Takes a Hit

21Sep12

When the Board of Selectmen last week moved to use zoning to nip in the bud any chance of a medical marijuana dispensary opening in Wakefield Massachusetts, they were not alone. Many Massachusetts cities and towns have put in motion measures to stem the possibility of a pot store opening in their communities. This widespread […]

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Tags: Ballot Questions, cannabis, Daily Item, election, elections, herb, marihuana, marijuana, Mark Sardella, Massachusetts, medical marijuana, pot, vote, Wakefield Daily Item, Wakefield Item, Wakefield MA, Wakefield Massachusetts, weed

Extreme Moderates

06Sep12

“Why are there no moderate Republicans?” That’s the lament we hear with increasing frequency from some quarters as the fall election season heats up. Meanwhile, many of the same people who decry this supposed lack of moderation are working overtime to paint a couple of true moderates as “extreme.” Last year, Congressional Quarterly ranked Scott […]

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Tags: Wakefield, Wakefield Massachusetts, Wakefield MA, Mark Sardella, Wakefield Daily Item, election, Republican, Wakefield Mass, Democrats, Politics, elections, Richard Tisei, Congress, Senate, Scott Brown, Republicans, Senator Scott Brown, John Tierney, Twitter, moderate, moderates

Yes, he built that

29Aug12

Sardella Sign & Graphics, 68 North Ave., Wakefield, MA was this week’s winner in WRKO radio’s “Small Business Appreciation Initiative.” On Monday morning, WRKO delivered coffee and baked goods from Greenhills Irish Bakery to the staff at Sardella Signs. I know that my brother Bob built this business all on his own. I watched him […]

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Tags: Wakefield, Wakefield Massachusetts, Wakefield MA, Wakefield Mass, Bob Sardella, Sardella Sign & Display, Sardella, business, WRKO, Greenhills Irish Bakery, radio, Batten Bros, small business, Meghan Sardella, Chris Harris, John Connors

New Portrait Kicks Off Civic Center Centennial

23Aug12

On January 15, 2013, the Wakefield, Massachusetts building now known as the Americal Civic Center will turn 100 years old. Last night, it received an early birthday present. In ceremonies held last night in the Heritage Room, a new portrait of the historic building, painted by local artist Elizabeth O’Neill Lowry, was unveiled.

Filed under: Art, Columns & Essays, Feature stories, History, News, Profiles, Wakefield   |  Leave a Comment
Tags: Americal Civic Center, Armory, Art, artist, centennial, Elizabeth Lowry, House Proud Portraits, Massachusetts, Massachusetts State Armory, painting, State Armory, Wakefield MA, Wakefield Massachusetts

Marching Orders

26Jul12

I love a parade. I’m especially fond of the Wakefield, MA Independence Day Parade, having attended most of them since the Eisenhower Administration. Over the years, I became less interested in the clowns and more interested in the politicians. In other words, my tastes haven’t changed very much. The 2012 Wakefield Independence Day Parade featured […]

Filed under: Columns & Essays, Wakefield, Opinion, Politics   |  2 Comments
Tags: Wakefield, Wakefield Massachusetts, Wakefield MA, Mark Sardella, Wakefield Daily Item, holiday, Wakefield Item, Daily Item, Richard Tisei, Sen. Scott Brown, Donald Wong, Parade, parades, Fourth of July, Wakefield Independence Day Parade, politicians, John Tierney, Elizabeth Warren, July 4, Peter Koutoujian