(The opinions and views expressed in the commentaries and letters to the Editor of The Somerville Times belong solely to the authors and do not reflect the views or opinions of The Somerville Times, its staff or publishers)

The passing of Pope Francis on Easter Monday comes at a time of unprecedented challenges for global leadership. We, the elected members of the Massachusetts Democratic State Committee who serve on LGBTQIA+ Outreach, remember Pope Francis’s legacy of bridging divides between people all over the world, reserving a special place for migrants, the LGBT, and other marginalized communities.

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Over the past couple of years, I became interested in meat curing after checking out some curing and smoking sites on Facebook. I did some online research about the method and decided to give it a try.

Depending on what type of cured meats you want to make, the right type of curing salt is key. For instance, the two main salts are Prague Powder Premium #1, and Prague Powder Premium #2. They are commonly referred to as pink salt. But it is important to note these salts are NOT Himalayan pink salt and should not be used as such. These salts can be dangerous if not used as directed, and should be stored away from any other salts and spices.

One thing can be said for sure about our great city: there is no want for creative energy and enterprise.

Consider all the wonderful artists who will be participating in this coming weekend’s Somerville Open Studios (SOS) event. Artisans and crafters of seemingly limitless disciplines and choice of media work and thrive right here among us humble, regular types who wouldn’t know a palette knife from a chainsaw.

Mrs. Elizabeth M. (Campbell) Gillis, of Somerville MA died Sunday (April 20, 2025) at Countryside Healthcare of Milford after a period of declining health. She was the beloved wife of Orwell M. Gillis who died in 1976.

Marie was born in Somerville MA, the daughter of the late James C. Campbell and the late Aldona W. (Gallant) Campbell. She attended Somerville High School.

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The Thirty-Two Directions
By CD Collins

I wake before the innocent fire of dawn, the pulsing tangerine sun above the chicken coop. I take a photograph to send to California, letting her know about the grandeur of this small farm in rural Kentucky where you might assume you know what motivates the movement of the stars and the people as you sit on the front porch and count the ratio of cars to trucks. Always more trucks, some loud without mufflers and no one stopping them. Some trucks built so high up you need the running board even if you’re a grown man.

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As a prolific author from the Boston area, Peter F. Crowley writes in various forms, including short fiction, op-eds, poetry and academic essays. His writing can be found in Pif Magazine, New Verse News, Counterpunch, Galway Review, Digging the Fat, Adelaide’s Short Story and Poetry Award anthologies (finalist in both) and The Opiate. He is the author of the poetry books Those Who Hold Up the Earth and Empire’s End, and the short fiction collection That Night and Other Stories.

Advocates, food security organizations and partners across the Northeast rally to protect critical food benefits that support local economies and help families buy groceries.

As Congress deliberates a budget reconciliation bill that would drastically cut funding for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) and Medicaid, advocates across the Northeast —including Project Bread, Children’s HealthWatch, Massachusetts Law Reform Institute, Food Bank of Western Massachusetts, The Greater Boston Food Bank, Merrimack Valley Food Bank, Worcester County Food Bank, and others —have joined together to raise the alarm. 

Parent, Advocate and Community Servant Committed to Improving Student Outcomes

Liz Eldridge is running for Ward 2 School Committee to ensure every student gets the support they need to improve outcomes and change trajectories.

As Chair of the Somerville Special Education Parent Advisory Council (SSEPAC), Eldridge has worked closely with families and caregivers to advocate for stronger transparency, collaboration, communication, and real solutions. Under her leadership, SSEPAC significantly expanded active membership, launched new community engagement initiatives, and built critical partnerships with Somerville Public Schools to increase accountability and support for students and families.