Civil discourse here at home
By David Fortier First, some musing about the national scene. Despite the constant reiteration from the national media, I don’t think we are as divided a country as reported. Get…
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History — and things go on as they always do
By David Fortier Come Sunday morning, our little TBE gang will have gathered at Jack’s house, wearing masks; at least one of us will phone in. At Jack’s we will…
The longest week–or maybe just one more
By David Fortier The week dragged on, in some way three weeks long rather than one, and I can’t help thinking it had as much to do with coronavirus and…
Still looking for the words
By David Fortier Come Sunday morning I still did not have the words for what happened on Wednesday. They, the words, will come eventually, but in the meantime, I am…
The week brings bright spots amid more testing
By David Fortier Come Sunday morning, I will have had my 6th test for Covid. There have been several exposures at school, and then the most recent one, where people…
Not at all typical, but Christmas just the same
By David Fortier The Fortier clan celebrated a socially distanced, outdoor gift exchange on Christmas Eve in lieu of our annual Christmas celebration. The youngest son set up tables on the…
Sacrifice, Inconvenience, or an Infringement on Personal Liberties and Constitutional Rights?
By Rit Carter In January, before the gravity of the coronavirus virus was known, the public was only asked to wash their hands, stay six feet apart, and avoid large…
Ballot arrived by mail. How about that!
By David Fortier The ballot was right there in the mailbox. I realize not everyone will be receiving one this time around. But that will change this coming November when…
Juneteenth resources
Here are some resources that, at least nominally, deal with Juneteenth. The hope is that together these resources will provide a context for further discussion and contemplation. The resources themselves…
“Ten Minutes” with Melina Floyd; in addition, a special report about her protest work
Hosted by David Fortier Melina Floyd has organized several rallies and protests recently. The 2014 Bristol Eastern graduate is also an essential worker, who is employed at Price Chopper. In…
Reporting special covers St. Vincent de Paul story
Hosted by David Fortier In this TBE Reporting Special, I interview Jack Krampitz about an article he wrote early in May. The article discussed recent developments at the local shelter…
One way to support Black Lives Matter is to attend Rockwell meeting; there are other ways, too
By Jalen M. Benoit As a white male who is passionate about the Black Lives Matter movement, I’ve had the opportunity to attend a few peaceful protests in Hartford, Bristol,…
From outrage fatigue to hope
By Morris “Rippy” Patton I don’t know if it was outrage fatigue, sadness, depression or a strong cocktail of all three. I just know that when I put my phone…
Sitting idly by is not an answer
By Jalen M. Benoit While driving home from my grandmother’s house on Memorial Day weekend, I pulled over to the side of the road and broke down in tears. “Why…
“Ten Minutes” with John Stavens
Hosted by David Fortier John Stavens, social studies teacher with five classes and athletic coordinator at Bristol Eastern High School, is home with his wife and four children. In this…
Looking back at the Spanish Flu of 1918 and Bristol
By Rit Carter The morning of Sunday September 1, 1918, started like many did in the City of Bristol. Employees at Lake Compounce readied the park for a performance of…
No, I don’t have a picture
By David Fortier No, I don’t have any pictures. But they have been here, right in my backyard–a couple of deer and a large brown and white winged hawk. The…
Bristol musicians a hit in U.K.
By David Fortier Three Bristol natives, two of them living here and one residing in Florida, are in negotiations with a London label to re-release original songs they wrote, performed…
‘On Being’ features memories of religious leader
By David Fortier Sunday mornings I listen to “On Being with Krista Tippett.” This week she discussed the late Rabbi Abraham Joshua Heschel with Arnold Eisen, the current chancellor of…