Category Archives: Holidays – Other

Be part of the LIGHT this holiday season in Foxboro

12274676_10153413171093547_1147151410462871176_nBy Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter 11/2015

Recently, we had a special Diwali celebration at lunch time at work. Diwali, also known as the “festival of lights,” is an ancient Hindu festival. Among other things, it celebrates the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, good over evil, and hope over despair.

I was very moved by the beauty of the celebration. Many people dressed in beautiful gowns and robes, and they explained the origins of the holiday, how they celebrate it, sang a song, and treated us to AMAZING Indian cuisine.

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Foxboro Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt 2014

by Robert Gillis
(News Story)
Published in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2014

Despite a very busy schedule of coloring eggs and making Easter baskets, the Easter Bunny made time to visit the children of Foxboro this past Saturday.

The Foxboro Jaycees once again brought the bunny to Foxboro Common in their annual spring Easter Egg Hunt, which included a meet and greet with the bunny.

Under a spectacular blue sky and thankfully warm temperatures, the children collected candy-filled multi-colored eggs and then had their picture taken with their furry friend.

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“Open on Thanksgiving!”

By Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 11/2013

T’was a few days before Christmas, some years back, when a company called Blockbuster still rented what we used to call video tapes. I’d picked up a few choice movies for holiday viewing and asked what the late fee would be for returning the films after Christmas, since they’d be closed. The young teen behind the counter replied, “Oh, you can return then on Christmas, we’re open all day.”

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Foxboro Thanksgiving 1997, 15 years later…

Foxboro Signby Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter 11/2012

Happy Thanksgiving! Back in 1997, one year into writing in this paper, I wrote a Thanksgiving piece. I came across it recently and thought it might to be fun to revisit it, and see how things have unfolded over the last 15 years. I left the 1997 sections as written and added sections called, “2012 update.” Enjoy!

1997: Thanksgiving, years ago. Mom has just moved into the new house in Quincy.

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Foxboro Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt

By Robert Gillis

Published in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2006

Despite a very busy schedule of coloring eggs and making Easter baskets, the Easter Bunny made time to visit the children of Foxboro this past Sunday, after a rain delay Saturday forced the event’s postponement.

The Foxboro Jaycees once again brought the bunny to Foxboro Common in their annual spring event. Under a gorgeous blue sky that thankfully kept temperatures comfortable, the children collected candy-filled multi-colored eggs and then had their picture taken with their furry friend.

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Easter 2001 and Remembering Stan and Lorraine

by Robert Gillis
Published in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2001

Easter is here again. Christians throughout the world celebrate the miracle of the resurrection of Jesus Christ, and the promise of life after death. It’s a time of joy.

And despite the ever-changing weather and the threat of still more snow, spring is finally here as well. The trees are starting to bud, the sun is warmer and the afternoons are longer. All around us is the promise of summer, better days and (hopefully) no more snow.

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Memorial Day 2000

America - Child at the Viet Nam Wall in WashingtonBy Robert Gillis
Published in The Foxboro Reporter May 2000 and edited for the Boston City Paper May 2007

Memorial Day 2000 is here. People will visit cemeteries and place flowers and flags on the graves of veterans who died protecting this country. Others will participate in parades and ceremonies honoring those fallen soldiers, attended by many of the surviving veterans who have served this country so well.

Here in town, many will do the same, while others will prepare for Foxboro’s June birthday, and read Jack Authlet’s annual Memorial Day column, which will, as always, remind us that we must never forget the price so many have paid for the freedom and rights we take for granted.

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