By Stephanie Hirsch

We start each City Council meeting with moments of silence for community members who have passed away. Some people we discuss are public figures, while others served their community by being the glue that kept a family or neighborhood close. As we hear about how they made a difference, the gaps each person leaves behind are clear, and I am always grateful that we get to reflect on their lives.  Here are two community contributors whose lives we honored recently.

Bluntly Speaking By Ross Blouin 

Somerville lost a tremendous friend last week. Donald Norton, well known Somerville real estate broker and outspoken political sage, passed away after a ten-month battle with cancer. Donald was a local character who was controversial to those who have so little to offer our community and beloved by all those who knew him for any length of time. Donald was a man of principles with the wisdom of Saul and a heart of gold. Donald did not suffer fools gladly. If he saw you doing something stupid or ridiculous he would let you know on no uncertain terms. It did not matter if you were a politician or a real estate broker Donald’s opinion would always be heard.

Whatever one’s feelings may be regarding the relative merits of the city’s SomerStreets events, one thing is clear: a good number of people end having a really great time for themselves.

For many, the best is saved for last. That, of course, is embodied in the Monster Mashed-Up event that brings out the kid in everyone who gets involved.

Master fiddler Jamie Laval returns to the Greater Boston area on Wednesday, November 6 at The Burren in Somerville. Jamie is recognized throughout the U.S. and Britain as one of the premier performers of traditional Celtic music on the international music scene today.

The popular Burren Backroom Series is presented by Boston’s Brian O’Donovan, host of the beloved A Celtic Sojourn on WGBH and producer of Celtic music for over thirty years.

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Donald Norton passed away last week. He was a great guy, tough when he needed to be, but with a heart of gold. Donald brought me on the paper 18 years ago, and it has been a wonderful ride ever since.

Donald Norton has lived in Somerville all of his 68 years. And if there is one thing that most people can agree on about this important figure in our city, it is that he has an unabashed love for Somerville. Norton, once the owner of The Somerville Times, is now the Managing Editor. The ownership of the paper is now in the hands of his longtime friend Ross Blouin. I met with Norton at my usual spot at the Bloc 11 Café in Union Square. Norton is a fount of information about the “Paris of New England,” and he had a plethora of anecdotes about the old city, and his view of things to come.

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Richard E. Brenneman, a native of rural Missouri, has returned to writing poetry after retirement from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has been published in The Rimrock Poets Magazine, and The Denver Post Magazine in Colorado, in San Jose, California and also in England. He has lived in Boston for the past three decades.

Arrests:
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John Elwell, of Malden, October 7, 10:42 p.m., arrested at Dartmouth St. on multiple warrant charges of shoplifting by asportation.

Nicholas Steriti, October 8, 3:26 a.m., arrested at Pearson Rd. on warrant charges of distribution of a class C drug, possession of a class B drug, destruction of property over $1200, and felony nighttime breaking and entering.

FREE Halloween event features safe trick-or-treating, pumpkin decorating, activities for kids, and more!

 Join the City of Somerville on Thursday, October 24, for the annual “Haunted Hall” event on the City Hall concourse from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. The family-friendly event will feature costumed safe Trick-or-Treating, giant pumpkin decorating, games and activities, refreshments, and more. Due to construction at Somerville High School, the haunted pathway element of the event will be replaced this year with painting giant pumpkins as well as children’s games, sponsored by the Somerville Recreation Department.

In observance of Indigenous People’s Day on Mon., October 14, city offices will be closed, there will be no street sweeping, and parking meters & residential parking passes will not be enforced. Trash & recycling collection will be on a one-day delay all week.

For more information, please contact 311 (617-666-3311).

October 17 marks the 60th wedding anniversary of Thomas (Pete) and Jacqueline Peters. It has been an incredible marriage for these two beautiful people. Pete was born in Pennsylvania and enlisted in the Navy. While in the Navy and stationed in Boston, Pete met Jackie (who has lived in Somerville her entire life) at the Bal-a-Roue Skating rink in Medford. They dated for several years before being married at St. Joseph’s Church in Union Square. They have three daughters: Jacqueline, Patricia and Christine; five grandchildren: Natasha, Neena, Kimberlee, Domenic and Nicholas; and one great granddaughter: Aspen. Congratulations Pete and Jackie.