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# RobertXGillis

26+ years of published Op/Ed columns, professional photography, my first book and more from the 28 known galaxies!

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## Posts

- [Thank you all who helped make World Cup a success](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7609) - Letter to the Editor, the Sun Chronicle, Jul 14, 2026by Robert Gillis To the editor: The last game of the World Cup planned for here in Foxboro was played on July 9, and we'll now see "Boston Stadium" fade into memory as we get Gillette Stadium back along with a full season of Revolution, concerts,
- [Story: The Search for the PERFECT Christmas Tree](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7582) - by Robert Gillis 12/2025This is the story I told at Foxboro's Marylyn Rodman Performing Arts Center "Fox Tales" series in December 2025, the basis of the story is a column I wrote for The Reporter many years ago, and expanded with other real-life memories of the hunt for the 'perfect' Christmas tree. Enjoy.Good evening and
- [Robert Gillis One Hour Broadcast TV Interview - Foxboro Cable Access](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=72) - Robert Gillis was the guest of the TV talk show, Charlie Masison’s "Behind the Scenes," which was broadcast on Foxboro Cable Access Foxboro Channel 8 in June 2006. READ THE TRANSCRIPT HERE PERMISSION GRANTED BY FOXBORO CABLE ACCESS, THEN LOCATED ON EACH BELCHER ROAD AND NOW ON CENTRAL STREET, FOXBORO MASSACHUSETTS 02035 BY MICHAEL
- [Read or Buy my first published book: "Nana"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5516) - My first book, "Nana, my grandmother Anne Gillis," was published in 2005 and I invite you to read this heartwarming story! "In the 1930’s, being a single mother was not only shocking, it was a challenge overcome by only the strongest of women. Anne Gillis was such a woman, and with her stubborn determination she
- [Read My Book - "Nana, my grandmother Anne Gillis"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7502) - Go to book's website For anyone who has ever loved a senior citizen, this book will touch your heart. Anne Gillis, my Nana. I loved her dearly. What began as a stop to drop off the newspaper blossomed into a very special responsibility lasting over two decades. I visited her daily since I
- [NanaGillisBook - The Official Web Site!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6415) - You can now access the full "Nana" web site right here! http://nanagillisbook.com http://www.nanagillisbook.com/ “For anyone who has ever loved a senior citizen, this book will touch your heart.” “In the 1930’s, being a single mother was not only shocking, it was a challenge overcome by only the strongest of women. Anne Gillis was such a
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at the Comcast Center, Great Woods  Mansfield August 22 and 23, 2009](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4097) - by Robert Gillis August 22, 2009 Tonight’s Springsteen show came as close to a religious experience as, well, the last show. I’m running out of superlatives like “awesome” “in-cred-ible” and “just f**ing rocked,” but tonight’s show at GREAT WOODS was all those things and more. Seats were amazing; got VERY close and got some amazing
- [A dream come true, meeting Joanna Cameron, star of "The Secrets of Isis"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=10) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, February, 2006 and the Boston City Paper 7/2007 She was the first love of my life; the first girl I wanted to marry. But it was not meant to be; she was 24, I was 11. Her name is Joanna Cameron, and you might remember her as
- [The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attleboro -- it’s more than just Christmas Lights](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2424) - Note: Originally published 11/28/2012, and one of the most important pieces I have ever written, please note the following: The 2012 concerts noted here have obviously taken place; CLICK HERE FOR THE LA SALETTE WEB SITE for current events I'm happy to report that Father Pat has recovered and looks great and continues his concert series
- [Grieving the Saint Kevin’s Property](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2210) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper 7/2012 and the Foxboro Reporter 8/2012 ived my first 25 years in Dorchester, and while I have moved away, I am still OFD down to my DNA and wanted to share some thoughts about the Saint Kevin property. As an overview: The church and school were
- [You can go home again; my visit to Dorchester and Saint Kevin School and Church](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=120) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 6/2003 and the Boston City paper in 2006 It's Friday afternoon, the last day of my vacation, and I'm feeling nostalgic. I don't know why, but I can't get my mind away from my old stomping grounds in Dorchester. My old neighborhood has been on my mind
- [Min-Review - "A Christmas Carol" at Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center, Foxboro, 12/22/2023](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7508) - A triumph! “A Christmas Carol at the Rodman Center -- PERFECT, just perfect. A performance of this quality here in Foxboro? Incredible -- I thought I was in New York on Broadway! It was THAT GREAT! This performance of "A Christmas Carol" was JOYOUS. The music. The dancing. The choreography. The costume changes. The actors
- [Pope Francis Has Passed Away -- Rest In Peace Holy Father -- "Well done, good and faithful servant."](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7527) - The pope releases a dove as a symbol of peace while in Tbilisi, Georgia, in September 2016. Vincenzo Pinto/AFP/Getty imagesby Robert Gillis, Easter Monday, April 21, 2025, published in the Sun Chronicle as a Letter to the Editor 4/22/2025I remember seeing images of newly-elected Pope Francis appearing on the balcony back in 2013. That smile --
- [May, 2025: Foxboro Senior Center moving to new location - the end of an era](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7541) - The end of an era. However, I think that Lorraine Garland, God rest her soul, and Gerry Rodman, God rest his soul -- and everyone who help make the senior center a reality back in 1998 after SO much effort and time -- is smiling because the reason for the move is the place became
- [Letter to the Editor / New Electronic Information Signs On Foxboro Common -- Distracting and Dangerous](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7516) - Letter to the Editor, Published in The Sun Chronicle 3/26/2025 and Foxboro Reporter 3/27/2025 By Robert Gillis 3/25/2025 To our Foxboro Selectboard, respectfully -- Regarding replacing the existing information signs at the top and bottom of Foxboro Common with electronic signs, the problem is DISTRACTION. Driving around Foxboro Common and the rotary is DANGEROUS --
- [Top 10 Reasons why Foxborough Founders Day 2024 is AWESOME!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7481) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter May 23, 2004 Some context… Except for two guest pieces afterward, I decided to retire from writing op/eds for the Foxboro Reporter in summer 2019 after about 23 years of doing so. When I bumped into three friends from the Foxborough Founders Day committee at their table on
- [Letter to The Editor: Learning CPR](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7476) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter2/1996
- [Letter to the Editor: Pocahontas film might spark a learning adventure](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7473) - Letter to the editor by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 5/1995
- [JB's robot and the lightsabre](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=139) - Another vignette from "the Abucs Scenario." Tripp encounters JB's robot, and David gets a new toy. (1985) by Robert Gillis As he headed for the lab, Tripp was, for a brief moment, very happy. With the exception of yesterday afternoon when JB used the computer to open, shut and lock the computer room door, nothing
- [Star Trek: Corel](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=124) - STAR TREK: COREL by Robert Gillis (1996) "STAR TREK" is a registered trademark of and © CBS (or Paramount Pictures, a division of Viacom Corp). This story is fan fiction and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended by anything on these pages. INTRODUCTION. Sometime in 1992, my best friend, David, moved to New Jersey to
- [Trash Program Survives](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7464) - by Robert GillisPublished In The Foxboro Reporter5/28/1998Man, I must have had *nothing* else to say. One of the "why did I write this one" columns.
- [Hurricane Season is Here, So Be prepared](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7460) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter9/3/1998
- [Zero Tolerance For Toy Guns in School](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5706) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 5/1997 Note: I redacted the child's name and identifying details from this post. Meet [redacted], the [redacted] 5 year old who was recently suspended one day from kindergarten for bringing a gun to school and taking it out in the lunch room. [Text redacted due to identifying
- [Technology unchained (or, I remember when things were simpler)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7456) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 9/1998 and 12/2005 Yesterday, I was on the computer with my nine-year-old nephew Colin, and I was amazed by how easily he uses Windows. Oh, he's not creating web browsers and code interfaces (yet) but he's still pretty savvy. As I continually spend time with him, I
- [Technology Unchained - or I remember when (nostalgia)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=122) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 9/1998 and 12/2005 Yesterday, I was on the computer with my nine-year-old nephew Colin, and I was amazed by how easily he uses Windows. Oh, he's not creating web browsers and code interfaces (yet) but he's still pretty savvy. As I continually spend time with him, I
- [The Dolphins of Persephone](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=184) - By Robert Gillis Written 1987-1988 Historians note: Back in the 1980s my friends and I (especially David, JB and I) liked to write stories featuring ourselves in science fiction / Star Trek type scenarios. This is one such adventure. As we went our separate ways to college, writing these silly stories was one way for
- [Tripp and JB](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=138) - by Robert Gillis, 1985 More excerpts from Abucs Scenario, as Tripp tries to unravel the mystery that is JB -- and unravels in the process. Note that these are excerpts from a larger story taking place at our high school in the early 1980s. And to anyone who asks, "What's JB really like? This is
- [Haunted Titantic: Lauren and Bob chair the 2012 Haunted House](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=63) - Haunted Titanic: A ship of screams by The unsinkable Lauren Bitar and Captain Robert J. Gillis Lauren Bitar and are I close friends and are very involved in certain community service group, and their number one fund-raiser is a spectacular haunted house, at which Lauren and I run a haunted room each year. So Lauren
- [The Valinor and Ted Koppel](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=137) - by Robert Gillis, 1985 An excerpt from one of my earliest stories, "The Abucs Scenario." (1986) So if John Matthews really was, as he claimed, a member of an advanced extraterrestrial race bent on conquering Earth, what would he do? Well, go on "Nightline," of course! AND NOW, NIGHTLINE WITH TED KOPPEL IN WASHINGTON "Good
- [2010: "Something Wonderful"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=141) - by Robert Gillis, 1985 Another vignette from "The Abucs Scenario." Dr. Robert Gillis has a meeting with an old, omnipotent friend. Any resemblance to the same scene in "2010: Odyssey Two" is entirely deliberate. Doctor Robert Gillis paused for a moment to view the spender of New Hampshire's White Mountains. He was forever thankful that
- [Eat And Support Scouting At the 'Other' Pancake Breakfast](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7445) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter11/1998
- [Steer Clear of Cars Covered With Brown Wrapping Paper](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7442) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter5/14/1998
- [Batter Banter at Springtime Ritual (Foxboro Jaycees Pancake Breakfast)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7437) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter4/2/1998
- [The Great Blizzard of 1978, 20 Years Later](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7435) - by Robert Gillis published in the Foxboro Reporter 2/1998 2/2003 and the Boston City Paper 2/2013. There are images that stay with you. Throughout your life, some remain indelible. Certain events that you know are unique even as you live through them: You know that these are the events you'll never forget. Despite the years,
- [Celebrating Vocations](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=202) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 3/1998 and the Boston City Paper 6/2006 Right around this time last year, I wrote a column celebrating religious vocations, and reflected on many of the priests who'd had such a positive effect on my life. This year, the subject of vocations is once again on many
- [The Great Blizzard of 1978, 25 years later](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=178) - by Robert Gillis published in the Foxboro Reporter 2/1998 2/2003 and the Boston City Paper 2/2013. There are images that stay with you. Throughout your life, some remain indelible. Certain events that you know are unique even as you live through them: You know that these are the events you'll never forget. Despite the years,
- [Ciao Italia!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=43) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 2/1997 and the Boston City Paper 10/2006 Ciao and buongiorno! (Hello and good day!) Sue and I have played "ambassador to the United States" these last three weeks, with the happy arrival of some of her family from Italy. Uncle, Aunt, and their nineteen year old daughter
- [Seniors benefit rolling in dough after weekend pizza fundraiser](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7422) - by Robert GillisPublished In the Foxboro Reporter5/1/1997
- [Old Days Are Coming Back With a Vengeance (first Y2K column)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7428) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter5/15/1997
- [Celebrating vocations](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=45) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 3/1997 and the Boston City Paper, 2006 We are now nearly through the Catholic season of Lent, a time of fasting, prayer and preparation for Easter Sunday, and that got me thinking about those in religious service. We live, unfortunately, in an age where priests and nuns
- [Practicing Skiing at the Old Mountain Home](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=9) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 3/13/1997 and Boston City Paper 3/2007 He's about seventeen years old, awkward as hell, and trying his best to look cool while standing on a pair of skis for the first time. Beautiful girls swoosh by, making the skiing look easy. Little kids -- some as young
- [We’ll all be a senior someday - support the new Foxboro senior center](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4204) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 3/1997 "Dismiss that notion of the ancient senior in a wheelchair with nothing to offer the world anymore. Foxboro’s seniors are a lively, important group, and they WILL be heard." Those words were mine; I wrote them in my very first full length column for this newspaper
- [Even Computer Geeks Are Not Immune From the Dreaded, "Bad Technology Day"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4947) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 2/1997 Last week, I had a "bad technology day." It started innocently enough last Saturday morning, when I decided it was time to finally change the outgoing message on our answering machine and drop the words, "Happy Holidays" from the greeting. Simple enough and a task done
- [Letter to the Editor: Storm-Related behavior proves that snow has intoxicating effects on local residents](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7411) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter1/18/1996
- [Past or Future, Generosity Is Always The Best Present](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7401) - by Robert GillisPublished In The Foxboro Reporter11/4/1996
- [Letter to the Editor: This December, let's slow down and appreciate true spirit of the season](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7397) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter 11/30/1995
- [Letter to the Editor: Residents Urged To Take Action To Support New Senior Center](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7393) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter5/25/1995
- [Card of Thanks: Results of second food drive better than the first](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7390) - by Robert GillisFoxboro Reporter12/21/1995
- [Letter to The Editor: Elderly Graduate An Inspiration To All](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7374) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro ReporterDecember 21, 1995
- [Letter To The Editor: This is New England, it Snows Here](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5730) - Before I started my regular column in the Foxboro Reporter I was writing a lot of letters to the editor; this is one of them. by Robert Gillis Published as a letter to the editor in the Foxboro Reporter, 11/1995 Last week, the first big snowstorm of the season was threatening the area. After being
- [Spring Cleaning Can Be An Expensive Preposition](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7377) - My 2nd "Official" columnby Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter5/1996
- [Thank you Foxboro Poll Workers!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7364) - By Robert Gillis 3/2024 I would like to extend a heartfelt THANK YOU to all the poll workers at the Foxboro Ahern School – our voting location -- on Super Tuesday. It’s always pleasant to go to the polling place and see so many familiar faces working there each year. The poll worker’s job is
- [My idea for a “Hogan’s Heroes” Christmas episode](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7338) - My idea for a “Hogan’s Heroes” Christmas episode By Robert Gillis, 12/2023 Intro: Since I was a little kid, I have loved the TV show “Hogan’s Heroes” and been a huge fan of the late Bob Crane. To this day decades later the show remains well-written, extremely funny, well-acted, and always worth a re-watch
- [All Good Things... After 35 years, Primos Sub Shop is closing.](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7326) - by Robert Gillis June 29, 2023 The end of an era. Chris Gunn and Linda are closing Primos Sandwich Shop after a record-breaking 35 years at the Mechanic Street location in Foxboro. There was no formal announcement, Chris wanted it that way, and I was so grateful I happened upon an article on Foxboro discussion
- [With deep appreciation on this milestone anniversary of graduation, remembering Boston College High School, and sending sincere gratitude and love](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7320) - Today in history: May 29, [redacted], Along with myself, David MacDonald, Robert Farrell (RIP), John Sebastian (sorry we lost touch, your friendship was epic), and about 200 classmates graduated from B.C. High. While I am a proud graduate of U/Mass Boston and especially appreciated the whole It's a *CO-ED* school It's my four years at
- [Confronting the horror that is an elderly racist](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7304) - by Robert Gillis Written 1/31/2021 and published on social media and here What would you have done? I'm REALLY ASKING. And please – this is not about Trump v Biden, I swear. This really happened to me and I wonder, what you do, all opinions welcome. It's about my encounter with one of the most
- [Black Lives Matter](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7003) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Boston City Paper, June 7, 2020It has happened to me TWICE this week that I have said, "Black Lives Matter" and someone responded, "All lives matter." You are not wrong that all lives matter, but you are *spectacularly* missing the point. People of color, for centuries, have been KILLED by
- [To the ballistic customer who demolished an innocent cashier...](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7308) - by Robert Gillis Published on social media July 18, 2020 So I debated for some time posting but I think this needs to be said. I am going to be intentionally vague here so as not to identify anyone or business. I will NOT say who it is or the business name, do not ask.
- [My final column for the Foxboro Reporter: "Goodbye, Farewell And Amen:  The Writer Steps Off The Stage"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6786) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, and in edited form for the Boston City Paper, July 2019 (WordPress date updated so that this post always appears first on my blog) "The question, O me! so sad, recurring—What good amid these, O me, O life? That you are here—that life exists and identity, That the
- [My thoughts on the current (Star Date 2022) Star Trek serie(s)...](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7293) - By Robert Gillis Old Earth Date: February 2023 This Trekker is still having fun! I haven't "cared" about Star Trek in a VERY long time -- but I'm enjoying NuTrek. Except for Star Trek: Discovery, whose most recent season I still need to watch, I am all caught up on current (stardate 2023) Star Trek.
- [Foxborough Founders Day is back!   Saturday June 11, 2022!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7283) - I am *elated* that Foxborough Founders Day is back in 2022! Saturday, June 11, 2022! The Foxborough Founders Day committee (I’m not a member, just a fan) is working hard to bring this beloved parade, all day event, and fireworks back. What a morale booster!PLEASE help in any way you can – the committee is
- [Gillis Photos Galleries - My Professional Photography!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5482) - Having grown up in Dorchester, Boston is my favorite city. As a kid, my family vacationed in the White Mountains of New Hampshire and I was amazed by the spectacular natural beauty of that area. Over the last decade, I re-discovered my love and connection with the Ocean and everything Nautical around Coastal Maine,
- [Silver-Age Comics fun: Going to the chapel, and I'm gonna get married: Lois Lane #42!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1270) - by Robert Gillis 2/2011 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE (Click any image to enlarge) While Silver Age comic book are always ripe for mocking, it’s rare that an entire story gets the detailed analysis (read: mocking) treatment. Welcome to July 1963, when Lois Lane #42
- [Silver Age Comics: Jimmy Olsen the Roughneck (and I still hate Lucy Lane)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=775) - by Robert Gillis 5/2010 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE The amazing Adam at Comics make No Sense beat me to running this silver-age gem, but it's been on my to do list for a year. The story is from Superman's Pal, Jimmy Olsen #61, published
- [Silver Age Comic Book Sillyness: Watch the skies!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1794) - by Robert Gillis 12/2011 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE (Click any image to enlarge) Slow news day so I thought we’d have some more fun with some gems from the Silver Age of comic books. From the cover of Batman #101 (August, 1956): Whoosh! Batman’s
- [Next Saturday night, we're sending Lois Lane... BACK TO THE FUTURE!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1595) - by Robert Gillis 8/2011 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE (Click any image to enlarge) We're arrived at Lois Lane #59 (1965) and Superman has saved Lois for the eight thousandth time this week. Lois, swooning: “Thank you so much for rescuing me… if not for
- [Silver-Age Superboy comic book (in)justice!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1099) - by Robert Gillis 8/2010 [Click on any image to enlarge] When it came to individual liberties (and the law in general) Silver Age comics could always be counted upon to dismiss such silly concepts as Miranda rights, due process, and fair protection under the law, not to mention all that bothersome and silly Bill of
- [Silver Age Superboy and Lois Lane presents: Comets and Meteors: THEY'RE AMAZING!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1056) - by Robert Gillis 7/2010 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE (Click any image to enlarge) Our understanding of the universe changes so rapidly these days that it’s no wonder back in the 1950s and 1960s, no one understood that a meteor was just a piece of
- [More Silver Age Superboy antics: No matter where you look, there's the Earth.](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=931) - by Robert Gillis 5/2010 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE (Click any image to enlarge) Here’s a gem from a Superboy story from Superboy #106, dated 1963, called, “The Lair of Brainiac!” Our story so far: Baby Superman (Kal-El to you Marvel readers) has been kidnapped
- [More Silver-Age Superboy Absurdity!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1011) - by Robert Gillis 7/2010 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE (Click any image to enlarge) Superboy was the lead feature in Adventure Comics in the mid-1950s, and each story usually featured him teaching a mean bully a lesson, getting kids to work together, organizing a community
- [Almost completed: The WMJX  106.7 "Magic of Christmas" set listing (updated 2017 with three more unknowns found!)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6) - by Robert Gillis FINAL UPDATE 1/22/2010: As completed as possible! THREE ADDITIONal SONGS FOUND THANKS TO THE "SHAZAM" APP IN 2017! STILL A FEW UNKNOWNS! Since the early 1990s, Boston radio station Magic 106.7 (home of the famous David Allan Boucher "BEDTIME MAGIC" show) has played a beautiful 18 hour selection of traditional Christmas carols
- [Magic 106.7 FM Boston / “Magic of Christmas” Set list](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1088) - Magic 106.7 FM Boston / “Magic of Christmas” Set list Compiled (with love) by Robert Gillis (robertxgillis.com) There are still some “Artist Unknowns,” can you help me identify them? CLICK HERE for main article on the Magic of Christmas and my quest to complete this list. Last updated 2017. 6pm Magic of Christmas 01
- [My thoughts on Star Trek: Picard](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7159) - October, 2020 I've wrapped up Star Trek: Picard last night. Liked it very much, more than I thought I would. In some ways I felt it was a bit padded. Too many character sub-plots, too many story lines -- would have been much better with, say, five or six episodes rather than 10. Acting, cast,
- [I won the Superman Homepage Caption Contest Again!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=923) - This is kind of fun -- there's no prize involved, but I won the "Caption Contest" on the Superman Homepage several times :) The Superman Homepage is THE site on the net for all things Superman: Comics, TV, Movies, and so much more. I can honestly say there is no better place on the web
- [America 2020: Protests, Violence, Racism -- Divided We Fall](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6994) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter May 31, 2020 I grew up in a very poor section of Dorchester. The Parish was (and is) quite diverse -- White, African American, Hispanic and Latino and many other cultures and races and creeds. The School Yard: In my school yard, blacks and whites played together,
- [Binge-Watching Star Trek Discovery during COVID-19 -- a VERY entertaining Trek](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6961) - by Robert Gillis5/2020 One of the benefits of quarantine (such as it is) -- I'm halfway through Star Trek: Discovery Season 2. The reviews I read all talk CANON. And how the show violates canon. As a die hard Trekker since 1982 who can quote entire movies (really) and knows what year Kirk took command
- [Do not feed the online trolls in the comment section and Facebook groups](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6986) - by Robert GillisMay 16, 2020, 2..., maybe 3 A.M.?i think it was the guy who said sunshine kills COVID-19 that finally pushed me over the edge. You just cannot debate with stupid people. People have different opinions, cool. Don't agree with me, no problem. We can talk all night. But I am a huge fan
- [Welcoming Ghosts of Christmas at the North Shore Music Theater with David Coffee](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6976) - December 21, 2019: And then this happened. Once again having the privilege to speak with David Coffee, Mr. Ebeneezer Scrooge, and tonight congratulating him on his 26th year in this incredible version of A Christmas Carol :-) SO good to be back in Beverly to see this again! — celebrating Christmas at North Shore Music Theatre. David Coffee has played
- [Washington 2018: Have you no sense of decency?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6698) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and The Boston City Paper, 10/2018 "Until this moment, Senator, I think I never really gauged your cruelty or your recklessness. … Let us not assassinate this lad further, senator. You have done enough. Have you no sense of decency?" -- Attorney Joseph Welch, speaking to Senator
- [Christmas Came Early This Year](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6828)
- [Budding cinematographer lives by the seven second rule](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6825)
- [Serious readers need a little fluff every now and then](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6820)
- [Seniors benefit rolling in dough after weekend pizza fund-raiser](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6816)
- [Eat and Support Scouting at the "other" pancake breakfast](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6813)
- [Laughter Remains the Best Medicine](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6810)
- [New Electronic Sign For The Marilyn Rodman Performing Arts Center / Orpheum Theater Deserves A YES Vote At Town Meeting](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6778) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 5/2019 Our annual town meeting will be May 13, 2019, and I would like to use this space to encourage you to vote YES on a somewhat controversial citizen’s petition. Article 17 references the Marylyn Rodman Performing Arts Center (The Orpheum). Specifically, allowing a change in the
- [The Church still stands: Remembering the promise of Easter Sunday after the Notre Dame Cathedral fire](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6762) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 4/2019 Jesus answered them, "Destroy this temple, and I will raise it again in three days." -- John 2:19 Years ago, when I worked for Honeywell-Bull, I traveled to our parent company in France to do some software work and meet the team
- [Twenty-Five takeaways from Sunday’s Patriots Super Bowl sendoff rally, Sunday January 28, 2019](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6735) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 1/2019 and the Boston City Paper 2/2019 1. I am SO glad the weather wasn’t what we had last Sunday; no way this event would have been held in those icy storm conditions – it was cold (28) but no wind, just seasonable for January – nothing
- [Dinner with Mom brings back Memories of Christmas Past](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6715) - by Robert Gillis Published In The Foxboro Reporter 12/2018 This past Friday at my weekly visit to Mom, over two helpings of chicken broccoli Ziti, Mom and I caught on news, gossip, and then got down to doing a few things around the house. I always ask Mom to have some tasks for me to;
- [My 3:00 A.M. Facebook Reboot Get a grip folks.  It's only Facebook)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6680) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 9/2018 Social media, particularly Facebook, has been in the news these past months for various reasons. It's very easy to get boggled by the sheer number of ways people communicate these days – Twitter, Instagram, Snap Chat, Tumblr, Facebook, the list goes on
- [I was a runner-up on the caption contest on Superman Homepage :)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=11) - This is kind of fun -- there's no prize involved, but I was a runner-up on the Superman Homepage many times times; I've posted some of my favorite runner-up wins here... In addition too being the most comprehensive and best Superman site in the world, each month they post a silly Superman picture and invite
- ["Open your eyes," a story of my encounter with two homeless people](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6661) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 7/2018 "When I close my eyes, so I would not see / My Lord did trouble me / When I let things stand that should not be / My Lord did trouble me / Did trouble me / With a word
- [Boston, you're my home!  (A two day Boston Adventure)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6622) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 5/2018 Also published in OnTray Magazine, June 2018! The City of Boston is one of my favorite photographic subjects. This past week with a few welcome vacation days and the forecast of (finally!) blue skies and 60 degree temps, I made my plans
- [Zen and Art of Writing Op/Eds - I still have a lot to say!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6604) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper, 3/2018 While Op-Ed pieces are by their very definition a personal opinion, I hope you will indulge this oddly self-serving personal piece from me. Recently I have been doing some soul searching (as part of one of my countless mid-life course corrections). When you reach my
- [Father Steve Madden leaving Saint Mary's Foxboro in 2015](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5246) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 1/2015 And also sent, along with a personal letter, to His Eminence Seán Patrick O'Malley OFM “Preach the Gospel at all times, and when necessary, use words” – Father Steve Madden, quoting Saint Francis of Assisi. "If the only prayer you ever
- [Thoughts and gratitude after the March 2018 Massachusetts Nor'easter](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6551) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 3/2018 Sunday morning, after nearly 3 days, the electricity was restored to our street. …And I found myself feeling contemplative. Friday, like everyone, I was following the unfolding intensity of the predicted nor'easter. The meteorologists and newscasters had told us for days – this one was going
- [Slow News Day, Random Thoughts, Early 2018 Edition!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6545) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 3/2018 Because some humor is desperately needed right now… Because I just CANNOT bring myself to address the tragedies and scandals facing this nation -- Every. Single. Day... Because I need a break… And we all need a little distraction and absurdity,
- [Nine planets no more: Earth's planetary status revoked](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=193) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper 8/2006 PRAGUE, Czech Republic -- Leading astronomers declared Thursday that Earth is no longer a planet under historic new guidelines that downsize the solar system from nine planets to eight. Today, after a week of violent conflict, the International Astronomical Union stripped Earth of the planetary
- [January 13, 2018: BALLISTIC MISSILE THREAT INBOUND TO HAWAII. SEEK IMMEDIATE SHELTER. THIS IS NOT A DRILL](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6508) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 1/2018 With a brief but welcome respite from the Arctic temperatures of the last two weeks, and most of the snow melted, we used Saturday morning to begin deconstructing Christmas outside the house. That was followed by catching up on some computer work. A little after 2
- [Read my book, "Nana, my grandmother, Anne Gillis"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1224) - "In the 1930’s, being a single mother was not only shocking, it was a challenge overcome by only the strongest of women. Anne Gillis was such a woman, and with her stubborn determination she managed to take care of her and her son’s financial needs, and went on to leave an indelible imprint on the
- [Be Kind; You Never Know What Someone Is Going Through](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6488) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 12/2017 Three stories. All of the same message. One of my closest friends from high school – also named Bobby – has been sending me messages through Facebook to call him. All these years later were still close and he is one
- [Unruly Boston sports fans are a disgrace](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=159) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper 6/2008 Boston sports fans: What the hell is the matter with you people? The Red Sox / Patriots / Your College Team / Celtics win a championship and you see that as a license to go out rioting, setting fires and doing malicious damage to
- ["We will be okay," two signs of hope in troubled times](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6463) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City paper 11/2017 "We will be okay." It’s Sunday; I’m driving around Foxboro Common and I pass the Universalist Church and these four words on their little announcement sign jump out at me. "We will be okay." As I’m inspired. I really am. That’s
- [Las Vegas Mass Shooting - nothing has changed since Sandy Hook, is this the new America?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6439) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 10/2017 These are my words: For the next few weeks, the news magazines will run pictures of vigils and lit candles. “Experts” from all sides will debate every aspect of what happened. We will get to know the children, the adults, and the shooter and his family.
- [Gun Show! (The Gun Show Loophole)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=42) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 11/1996 and the Boston City Paper in revised format 11/2006 "...A DANGEROUS "gun show loophole" continues to allow criminals and terrorists to legally buy and sell guns in the United States on a cash-and-carry, no-questions-asked basis. At approximately 5,000 gun shows each year in 32 states, criminals
- [The REAL storm wasn't a blizzard: School Violence](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=130) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter March, 2001 Well, once again the story began with the hype: Astronomical tides. Snowfall that just might be bigger than the blizzard of 78. Two, three, maybe four feet of snow. Have a winter survival kit in your car. Stay tuned for continuous coverage. Once again the
- [Schoolyard bullying is no right of passage](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=604) - By Robert Gillis Originally published in the Foxboro Reporter, 1/2005, rewritten and updated for 4/2010 publication, and also published in the Boston City Paper, 4/2010. The sound is so loud that his brain can’t comprehend what is happening. The window is exploding, shattering, coming toward him. Glass—glass everywhere. There’s no metaphor to describe it; it’s
- [A Christmas prayer for the victims of Sandy Hook](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2469) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 12/2012 All I want to write this week is a goofy op/ed piece making fun of the 12/21/2012 Apocalypse that wasn’t. I want to be funny and have a little Christmas cheer. But the world DID end last week for a lot of
- [Pulse massacre in Orlando - another senseless shooting, and more tweets of thoughts and prayers - It's time to DO something.](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6208) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City paper 7/2016 Brace yourselves, this one isn’t summer fluff, I’ll be funnier next time. Also, as much as I have been working on this one, it’s still a little all over the place, so apologies in advance that this piece is not as tight
- [The horror as school shootings become "routine"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5788) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 10/2015 Once again, a school shooting. This time, in Oregon. The facts come in. This many dead. This many wounded. Shooter is dead. Details about the shooter come in. President speaks. Candlelight vigils held. Grief counselors sent to the school. Politicians tweet
- [Finding hope through the darkness of shootings  -- National Night Out (Rescheduled  due to Thunderstorms)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5424) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reorter 7/2015 Last week, for the first time in many years, I wrote a full column for this space, and then proceeded to, as they say in the newspaper business, “kill it.” – The reason? It was so dark, and so sad, that it was – uncharacteristically for
- [Eulogy for Bob Shea, our beloved friend](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=12) - This is the eulogy that I wrote for Bob and read at his funeral. How do you summarize and eulogize such a magnificent human being and a life so very, very well lived? How do you properly celebrate someone so extraordinary who not only gave, and gave, and gave, but more importantly -- inspired others
- [Your kind words can make a difference -- and maybe even save a life](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6425) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 8/2017 Checking into FaceBook on my lunch break and I see that a few friends are going through rough times and some, just by the tone of their posts, are hurting... And I get to thinking: Our words matter and we can make
- [Why Local Newspapers Are So Important](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6389) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 8/2017 “The truly literate and involved American should be reading the local newspaper. Weekly newspapers and the internet are also vital to maintaining an educated citizenry. We must ensure that they continue to flourish because they are all important resources for maintaining a healthy democracy.” -- John
- [Finding joy in the spirit of America, Independence Day 2017](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6378) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 7/2017 In June, I decided I wanted to run a column for Independence Day and started working on it two weeks out. Then, the writer’s block set in. The problem - balancing a “feel-good” piece about the celebration of our independence at a
- [Foxborough Founders day Saturday June 10, 2017: Come to the Birthday Party!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6368) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 6/2017 If you have lived in Foxborough for any amount of time, you are probably familiar with the Founders Day schedule. Founders Day begins at 10 AM as the first blasts of the fire engine trucks announce the start of the parade. About an hour later, the
- [What was the Silver Age of comic books? Superman, Batman, Superboy, etc.](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=32) - Welcome to The SILVER AGE of comic books! Silly! Sexist! Preposterous! Implausible! Absurd! Written for a nine-year old audience but still beloved when those kids grew up! The SILVER AGE! Coincidence upon ridiculous coincidence! Elaborate ruses! Silly plots! Adults behaving like 4th graders! Super villains with galactically overelaborate plans and easily-escapable deathtraps! The SILVER AGE!
- [Finding a balance between CONSTANT bad political news, being vigilant, and the sole purpose of fatiguing them into compliance](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6306) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 4/2017 In a recent Saturday Night Live sketch, the President of the United States (played by Alec Baldwin) faces off against the three judges who stopped his executive order travel ban - in, of all places, “The People’s Court” TV show. It’s
- [Whatever Happened to the Man of Steel? -- My review of the 2013 Superman film](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2693) - By Robert Gillis 7/2013 Usual disclaimer applies: Yeah, yeah, I more than understand that Superman is a fictional extraterrestrial comic book character who flies and shoots fire from his eyes. Usual retort to said disclaimer applies: While he never existed, Superman is also an iconic mythical character who has served as a heroic inspiration for
- [Play the TV News Snow Game!  (Global Warming #alternativefacts means more snow!)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6285) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 2/2016 To provide a welcome break from all those pesky (and constant) political news stories that either upset us, confuse us, or make us really mad, welcome to slow news day, snowstorm edition! After the horrific snow apocalypse winter of 2014-2015 (Actual
- [2016: Embracing the spirit of Christmas Past, Present and Future, and finding the key to the childhood joy](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6271) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 12/2016 It’s early December and I am wondering in a store or two, looking at the rows of decorations, wrap, candy and Christmas merchandise lining the shelves. I find myself lost in nostalgia this evening, recalling a time, as a kid, when I
- [Election 2016: Time To Look In The Mirror](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6260) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 11/2016 No matter who you voted for, no matter whether you’re happy or not with the result, consider this – The United States is a country horrifically divided. This is not a new situation, but made abundantly clear in the 2016 election season.
- [Election 2016: My Public Service Announcement about Write-Ins for President in Massachusetts](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6239) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 10/2016 November 8 is Election Day – and I’d like to talk write-in ballots, specifically for Massachusetts. First, a disclaimer: I am not endorsing any candidate here; when a real name is mentioned it is NOT an endorsement or statement about that person
- ["Angels Are All Around You," -- remembering the kindness of Ewa Jedrychowska](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1970) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 2/2012 "Angels are all around you." It’s maybe ten years ago, a beautiful Saturday morning and I’ve just left Saint Mary’s 9am mass. There’s an absolutely lovely older woman standing there in front of the church, smiling at me, and she is telling
- [End of Summer 2016: Thoughts on a variety of topics](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6232) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 9/2016 This past March was the 20th anniversary of the date I started writing for this newspaper. Then, and now, I consider it a privilege and one I do not take for granted and something I hope I will be doing for a long time to come.
- [Saying goodbye to Aubuchon Hardware in Foxboro](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6220) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 7/2016 Last Friday, July 22, Aubuchon Hardware Corporate came to the Foxboro store and told everyone it was their last day and the store was closed. The town of Foxboro is poorer because of it. It is a fact that businesses come and go. No matter where
- [More fun with Superman and Wonder Woman comics: "Hi there, something wrong with the elevator?"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6147) - by Robert Gillis 4/2016 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE (Click any image to enlarge) The super-heroes of the bronze and silver age seemed to do a lot of unnecessary damage while performing their rescues – even back on the "Adventures of Superman” TV show, Superman
- [Taking time to appreciate the American Flag and reflect on its promise](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6177) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 5/2016 It’s Saturday morning, and like so many others around town I am running errands. Driving on Mechanic Street I spot them – the American flags all along the sidewalk, encircling the common, and also running down parts of Mechanic and Central Street.
- [Remembering Pope John Paul II](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=22) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 4/2005 and the Boston City Paper 4/2007 The legacy of Pope John Paul II will be chronicled, celebrated, debated, cherished, pondered, analyzed, and remembered for many years to come. He has been pope for all but 13 years of my life, and I miss him. Although I
- [When Hell freezes over (or, how to endure three months of ice, snow and cold)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6173) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro reporter January, 1997 The icy blast of the alarm clock jostled most of us out of our beds this morning. The browning Christmas tree that we worked so hard to make just right is (hopefully) at the Foxboro compost heap waiting to become so much chipper fodder. The
- [Foxboro 2016: The dog park is back!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6143) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2016 It’s not often that "PLAY NICE" is the core of two consecutive op/eds, but here we are. If you’re new to Foxboro, the collective groan you just heard is the announcement that the dog park is back in the news. Its history is complicated, but back
- [Silver Age Comic Books: Superman stops the LITTERBUG, Super-Kink, and the GLOP falls in love with Wonder-Girl!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=35) - by Robert Eldirao Gillis 7/2008 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE This panel is from a 1960s story called, "The Great DC Contest" and up to this point in the narrative the Bizzaro-Supermen have been rampaging across the world, destroying historical landmarks and causing a big
- [Thoughts on the upcoming Foxboro Town Election, 2016 and the lost art of conversation](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6130) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 3/2016 At this writing, it has been just a few hours since the deadline for candidates to submit their papers to Town Hall to be part of the election that will be held on May 2. While the presidential election has already drained me, I care deeply
- [One of the first times I was published -- Computer Magazine MICROpendium (1987)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6120) - WAY back in the day (1987) I got published in a computer magazine for the first time. MICRopendium was the official monthly magazine for the AWESOME TI-99-4/a and its not-at-all awesome successor, the Myarc Geneve. I taught myself to code on the TI-99-4/a and wrote EVERY college paper on that computer using the TI-Writer Word
- [A River runs through Boston: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band at TD Garden, February 4, 2016](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6094) - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street band at TD Garden, The River Tour, February 4, 2016 Concert Review and Fan Rave by Robert Gillis, 2/2016 "THE RIVER! The River was my coming of age record. It was the record where I was trying to figure out where I fit in … By the time
- [We Are All Patriots -- Thank you Pats for an amazing 2015-2016 season!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6087) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 2/2016 A year ago, in 2015, before the AFC game, I wrote a column in this space saying thank you to the New England Patriots and their organization for a great season and for all they do for us. I deliberately published
- [Where Are You Christmas?  The Christmas Season Doesn't Start in September](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=6075) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 1/2016 My grandmother - God rest her soul - had a holiday tradition that was not exactly beloved. EVERY Christmas - without exception - at some point on Christmas Day, she would say, "Well, Christmas is as far away as it ever
- [Retro-Review: A Christmas Carol (1938) starring Reginald Owen](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=111) - Retro-Review: A Christmas Carol (1938) starring Reginald Owen by Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper, 12/2006 There have been countless adaptations of Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" over the last century. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to watch several of them. This is one of my favorites... Version: 1938 (MGM) Scrooge:
- [Fun with Facebook: Christmas 2015 edition!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5845) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper December, 2015 Welcome to Christmas fun with Facebook, 2015 edition! Mark Cohen: “December 24th, 9:00PM: Benny wants ALL the RENT, and I’m starting a film documentary but I’m not sure how to begin because real life is so scary and sad.” Bob
- [Fun with Facebook: Christmas 2010 edition!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1195) - by Robert Gillis published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 12/2010 Welcome to “Fun with Facebook, Christmas edition…” Frosty the Snowman: Happy birthday! Hey, I said my first words. But... But snowmen can't talk or use Facebook! What’s going on??!! Karen: Our snowman came alive! There must have been some magic in that
- [Be part of the LIGHT this holiday season in Foxboro](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5829) - By 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.
- [Despite problems, Foxboro’s got a lot to offer (my very first op/ed as a regular contributor to the Foxboro Reporter, 4/1996)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5825) - Historians note, 2015: after I wrote my first full-length piece about the Foxboro senior center in early 1996, this piece was my very first "regular" op Ed for the Foxboro reporter. The editor at the time suggested I submit three pieces and we would see how it goes. Nearly 20 years later, I am still
- [Technology: Time to draw clear line between work and play](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5823) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 5/1996 "Have you ever sent a fax… From the beach? Have you ever checked out of the supermarket a car load at eight? Have you renewed your drivers license at a cash machine?" "You will," the commercial informs us, "and the company that will bring it to
- [Proud sponsors are nothing to be proud of](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5818) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro reporter, 7/1996 Historians note: I include this here to be complete; this was one of my very first columns for the paper and this is REALLY not very good. Olympic sponsorship is very necessary to make the games possible. It does get annoying course, but it’s all part
- [Seniors can show you secrets of eternal youth](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5815) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter,7/1996 It’s no secret to anyone who knows me that I have a great affection for seniors. Taking care of Nana for so many years and listening to her talk about her amazing life made a positive difference in my life. Nearly 3 years after her death, I
- [Spring cleaning can be an expensive proposition](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5811) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter May, 1996 After digging out from a record 47 feet of snow, the people of Foxboro have emerged from winter hibernation. Spring has returned in all its beautiful glory, although forecasters still worry about the impending snowstorm scheduled for much of June and July. Last Saturday was
- [Why memories can be discarded, but never thrown away](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5805) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 7/1996 The cellar was piled with things my father had discarded, but just couldn’t bear to throw away. Dad’s anniversary was last week, and once again I pause to reflect on how different my life is without. 12 years have passed since he lost his terrible battle
- [It's 'service with a sneer' -- bad customer service](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5801) - By Robert Gillis One of my very first columns published in the Foxboro reporter, 6/1996 THIS WAS ONE OF MY VERY FIRST COLUMNS FOR THE FOXBORO REPORTER – WRITTEN IN 1996 There is a great scene in the movie “Back to the Future" where Marty McFly, a teenage time traveler from 1985, has just arrived
- [Dark shadows; bright future: Jaycees haunted house demonstrates a sense of community](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5797) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro reporter, 9/1996 MEMORY LANE! THIS WAS MY FIRST COLUMN ABOUT THE FOXBORO JAYCEES HAUNTED HOUSE! We are one dozen brave souls, walking through the dark passages, stumbling through the shadows. Unseen dogs bark at us as we cross a shaky bridge. Huge spiders grab at us as we
- [An historical quest fulfilled: Finding the Willey Family of Crawford Notch](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5761) - By Robert Gillis Published [full text] in the Boston City paper, 9/2015 and the Foxboro Reporter [Edited for print, full text on web site] 10/2015 Recently, my nephew Colin made me very proud when he successfully completed his own historical quest. By using research and deductive reasoning, and by his own cleverness and persistence, he
- [Where can I pick up the Boston City paper?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5770) - The Boston City Paper is a terrific weekly newspaper and I am grateful to editor Paul Feeney for allowing me to be an unpaid contributor since 2006. His generosity with space in his newspaper allows my writing to not only reach a larger audience, but for stories centered on my Dorchester home of twenty-five years,
- [That's Entertainment?  The Wardrobe Malfunction at the Super Bowl](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5742) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 2/2004 It’s taken me a little while to collect my thoughts about the alleged “wardrobe malfunction” incident during the Superbowl half-time show. But I finally figured out what needs to be done. It’s a baby step, but one in the right direction. First of all, let’s dispense
- [Eminem](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=131) - Update 2014: Years later, I would read a magazine interview with Eminem and I was frankly impressed. He seemed so normal, articulate, intelligent, clearly conscious of his image, and what he was putting out there. I just wish he understood that the message in his music is so dangerous and deadly.) by Robert Gillis Published
- [Elevator Woes](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5733) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 7/1997 Not one of my best for sure; and actually a variation and redress of a paper I wrote in college for a creative writing course. It’s a sort of amalgam of bad elevator experiences. A shot at humor that in retrospect wasn’t too great. Apologies in
- [Clothes To The Dark Side](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5735) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 2/1998 It’s been a while since I enjoyed an afternoon of Saturday malling, but last weekend presented no appointments or urgent things to do, so the day was spent browsing, returning a few Christmas items, buying new tapes, and sampling strawberry smoothies and Japanese cooking at the
- [Remarkable Man, Remarkable Life, Remembering Gerry Rodman](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5737) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter March 1999 He was one of the most generous people any of us will ever meet. More than one person has referred to him as one of Foxboro’s “Guardian angels,” and that’s exactly what he was. Jerry Rodman is gone, and this town will never be the
- [Remembering John Fitzgerald Kennedy Jr.](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5724) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter July 1999 I was born just over a year after JFK’s assassination, so my memory of the man is only through history – and my father. Dad was a very devoted fan of JFK, and I remember finding him, on more than one occasion, listening to speeches
- [Weaving a web for Foxboro](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5721) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter May 1999 [Note: This column was written before the town launched its own official web site so some outdated information has been removed. The site itself was superseded by the town web site and is no longer available, but was a really big event when first launched!]
- [My very first Reporter Column; Support your seniors!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=190) - (After many letters to the editor, I submitted this, my first full-length column to the Reporter. After it ran, I approached editor Jeff Peterson about a regular, bi-weekly column, and he agreed we'd start with three, the first which ran a month later on April 25, 1996. I've been writing for the paper ever since!)
- [Get on the Spaceship!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5718) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 9/2005 I just watched a rerun of a Simpsons Halloween special, in which Homer's Y2K incompetence causes the destruction of the Earth. Lisa and Marge leave for Mars on a spaceship full of the planet’s best and brightest, to start a new society, while Homer and Bart
- [The scales of justice](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5715) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 9/2004 Days after September 11, 2001, I wrote a column expressing grief, outrage and pain from the terrorist attacks on our country. Nothing has changed since then; like most Americans three years later, I am still in shock and horror at the memories and aftermath of that
- [Just one more precious life going up in smoke](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5713) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 8/2001 It was a hot July Sunday— a very hot day. I was at the gas station when a kid came in and asked for cigarettes. He didn’t have an ID, so the clerk refused him. Such a good law. A hot July Sunday. Just like the
- [Vote!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5711) - Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter September 2000 This morning’s mail brought a little red booklet, “The official Massachusetts information for voters.” Now, quick show of hands. How many of you got the same book? Right. Most of you. Well, the registered voters, anyway. Now, how many of you are going to read it?
- [Jaycees and Other Volunteers in Foxboro](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5709) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter July 2000 Recently, the Foxboro Human Services organization was merged with the Council on Aging (COA). The move so angered Human Services that five members resigned. From published reports it at least appears that the Human Services volunteers themselves had little to say about the merger, and
- [Slow News Day, Random Thoughts, Summer 2015 Edition!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5665) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 8/2015 In response to your literally thousands of cards, emails, and letters, and at the request of my 42,000 Twitter followers, I present you with a brand-new slow news day, random thoughts, end of summer edition! Speaking of summer, every year in
- [Nana: A Century of memories](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=74) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter May 2002 Even though she's been gone for nine years, Nana has been on my mind a lot lately. May 20, 2002 would have been her 100th birthday. I suppose it's only natural to play the "what if" game, and picture Nana still alive, living at Saint
- [Genesis: Why I wrote the Nana book](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=203) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 8/2005 (revised for this web site, 2/2006) Nana and I shared a special bond and I visited her daily since I was about five years old. I adored her. I loved helping take care of her, I loved listening to her stories. Her death was very difficult
- [PRESS RELEASE for "Nana, my grandmother, Anne Gillis"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=201) - **FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** EDITORS: For review copies or interview requests, contact: Promotional Services Department Tel: 888-728-8467 Fax: 812-961-3133 Email: pressreleases@authorhouse.com (When requesting a review copy, please provide a street address.) Taking Time to Understand the Elderly Author Recalls the Value of Time with. Grandmother in New Memoir FOXBORO, Mass. - Senior citizens have a wealth
- [My first book signing for "Nana"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=199) - Published in th Foxboro Reporter, May 2006 This past week, I was invited to my very first book signing. I have to say up front that the very notion that I would be invited to a real book signing is just overwhelming. "Nana" has been published for about five months now and I still can't
- [Robert Gillis interviewed about "Nana" by the BookStoreConnection.com](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=104) - PAGEONELIT.COM is the #1 Google Search for Literary Newsletters out of over 5.5 Million sites and the #8 Google Search for Author Interviews out of over 16 Million sites. Robert Gillis was recently interviewed by them through TheBookStoreConnection.com about his book, "Nana, my grandmother, Anne Gillis." TheBookStoreConnection.com: Where did you grow up and was reading
- [Regarding the constitutional amendment to outlaw flag burning...](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=197) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper July, 2006 Last week, by a single vote, the Senate failed to pass a proposed constitutional amendment to ban desecrating the American flag. Many Americans would agree that the issue was far more political than patriotic. CNN reported that, "The measure was the
- [Robin Williams, 1951-2014](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5097) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 8/2014 In September 1978, at one of the most depressing and lonely times in my life, a new actor burst onto the scene in a hilarious show called "Mork and Mindy." Robin Williams weekly comedic insanity was a gift to a very sad and lonely boy --
- [We All Want To Be Remembered](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5191) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 11/2014 The month of November means many things: the beginning of the Christmas season (at precisely one second past Halloween), elections every two years, Thanksgiving, and Veterans Day, just to name a few. But you may not know that in many faiths, November
- [Welcome Colin!  My sister's first baby is born, 8/8/96](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=207) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 8/1996 A few years back, I gave Mom a videocassette containing a montage of over sixty family photographs set to music. The video began with a picture of Mom holding me as a baby, and then pictures of my sister Theresa as a baby three years later.
- [Silver Age Superman Fun: STOP THE PRESSES!  Somebody sent Superman... A LETTER!!!!!!!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5297) - by Robert Gillis, who didn't have anything better to do. (3/2015) From Action Comics #202 (May 1955): Just two pages from the story but enough to provide lots to um... Think about... So a letter is delivered to the Daily Planet for Superman. We’ve seen this before and it even happens on the Superman TV
- [Foxboro Jaycees Concerts On The Common Offers Something for Everyone!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5407) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 7/2015 Before I begin, I want to be very clear – this is MY opinion and I am not speaking for the Foxboro Jaycees organization. I AM speaking as Bob (who also happens to be a very proud member of the group). But since this is
- [Top 10 reasons to come to Foxborough Founders Day!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5390) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 6/2015 From the home office in Foxborough Massachusetts, and with grateful appreciation to David Letterman, here are the top 10 reasons Foxborough Founders Day is awesome and how you can make a difference! NUMBER 10: THE PARADE! The Foxborough Founders day parade is an exceptionally impressive spectacle.
- [Meet Bob "Papa" Shea](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=8) - Bob Shea, our beloved friend, passed away on January 1, 2010. This profile of Bob ran in March 2009, and he really enjoiyed it. Bob made a difference for so many -- he will be missed, and he is well remembered. You can read his eulogy HERE by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter,
- [A challenge to the voters of Foxboro: READ your local newspaper, speak up, and VOTE on election day!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5325) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2015 Greetings friends. Before I begin this op Ed, I need to make the usual disclosure: First, I am not an employee of the Foxboro Reporter, or the Sun Chronicle. I am what is called a contributor or stringer – I have been writing columns in this
- [Remembering Leonard Nimoy](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5279) - by Robert Gillis 2/2015 I am deeply saddened by the passing of Leonard Nimoy. The man from Boston who did so well for himself as an actor, poet, writer, director, photographer, has passed on. He was a role model and inspiration for so many. Although not recently, I attended MANY Star Trek conventions in
- [Musings on the latest blizzard of the 2014-2015 snowpocalypse season](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5261) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 2/2015 This past Valentine's Day weekend, depending on where you live, yet another blizzard dropped anywhere between 8 to 20 inches of snow on the already impossibly high snow banks in your neighborhood. As I write this, it's Sunday afternoon, around 230 or
- [April, 2000: Saying Bon Voyage to Father Steve Madden](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=167) - NOTE: THIS WAS WRITTEN IN 2000; IF YOU ARE LOOKING FOR THE 2015 STORY CLICK HERE By Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter April 2000 True story: Many years ago my mother went to confession to a priest I'll call Father Brimstone. It had been a particularly stressful week, and Mom confessed that she'd
- [Train line extension, Olympics...  What's happening in Foxboro?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5233) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 1/2015 Before I begin this OP/ED, I think it appropriate to make the following statements: number one, I am NOT implying or accusing anyone of any wrongdoing. Number two, I have every respect for the Kraft organization, and believe that our number one tax payer is an
- [Yes, Virginia, there is a hilarious Christmas column from me](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=84) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 12/2007 Dear Editor -- I am 8 years old. Some of my little friends say there is no humorous Christmas column from Robert Gillis this year. Papa says, "If you see it in The Foxboro Reporter, it's so." Please tell me the truth,
- [Do not attempt!  Closed course.  Professional Driver.](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=151) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 3/2008 and Boston City Paper 2/2008 Being a slow news month with absolutely nothing else going on, I thought today I'd turn our attention to television commercials and their warnings. I'm talking about car commercials, and certain others advertisements, that feel the need to add "Do not
- [A little Christmas miracle as the Foxboro Jaycees decorate Foxboro Common](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5209) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 12/2014 This story begins with a very nice affirmation. Christmas miracles – they still happen. And it should be noted before I go further I swear this is true; and there are witness and photographs! It all begins this past frosty Saturday after Thanksgiving. As is our
- [Merry Christmas!  Merry Christmas!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=36) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 12/2004 and the Boston City paper 12/2007 In recent years, and especially recent weeks, there has been a continued attack on all things Christian and God. Once again, Christmas is under siege. Department stores are especially guilty -- don't mention the C word (Christmas) but by all
- [Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House 1998: The Village](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=662) - Introduction: From 1989-2007, the Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House was the largest not-for-profit Haunt in New England, our biggest fundraiser, an extremely popular event attended by thousands of people, and my favorite Jaycee project. Of course, this is an archive, so things like show times, dates, price, and out-of-date historical context, are removed. So why include
- [Boston Red Sox prove we are BOSTON STRONG with World Series win at Fenway](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2954) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 11/2013 "This is for you, Boston. You guys deserve it… We've been through a lot this year and this is for all of you and all those families who struggled." — David Ortiz, MVP 2013 after the Red Sox World Series win. The
- [This is not the Foxboro I remember -- that's a good thing (progress takes time!)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5166) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 10/2014 This is not the Foxboro I remember. Good golly Miss Molly how many times have we heard/read that? It seems like every week there’s a battle brewing about this or that change to the town, and the latest debate/discussion/battle is town hall. But like most hot-button
- [Celebrating the remarkable clergy of Saint Mary's Foxboro](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2611) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 5/2013 Each year around this time, I’ve made it a tradition to write a piece about spirituality, about faith, religion, or clergy who have made a difference in my life. While this column is not "church chat" and is intended toward folks of
- [September 11, 2014:  Happy Birthday to the Gifts of Hope Born 9-11-2001](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5141) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 9/2014 Thursday, September 11, 2014: According to various web sites, somewhere between 10,000 and 15,000 kids across America celebrate their 13th birthday today. I would venture to guess that for most, they’re in the 6th-8th grade, they’re finding their way, and their parents
- [Because you demanded it: Another Slow News Day (Summer 2014)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5083) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 7/2014 Because you demanded it! In response to your literally thousands of cards and letters, and because jocularity is always a good thing, it’s time again for Slow News Day, Random Thoughts, Summer Edition! We begin with a summer tradition we can all
- [Superman Returns Review](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=170) - After nearly two decades, the Man of Steel is back! Superman Returns Review Published in edited form in the Foxboro Reporter June 2006 and in the Boston City Paper in edited form in two parts June and July 2006 By Robert Gillis WARNING: MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD! SIGNIFICANT FILM PLOT DETAILS REVEALED! IF YOU HAVE NOT
- [Cherishing the people around us - NOW](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5074) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 7/2014 A fair warning friends, this one isn’t summer fluff. Every now and then, I look up a name from the past – sometimes it’s to see how someone is doing – perhaps connect with them on Facebook – or just see who’s
- [Free event at La Salette July 14-17 2014 / "Jesus: Who?  When?  Where?"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5069) - Free event -- The National Shrine of Our Lady of La Salette in Attelboro invites you to be part of a unique “revival” in July. Not a mass, not a ceremony, but a joyous revival celebration. We celebrate Jesus at Christmas and Easter, but you’re invited to make Him a part of your SUMMER celebration
- [Fugitive from Justice!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=175) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 8/2006 And you thought you knew me. Bob Gillis, the writer guy from the Reporter. Active in the community. Always eager to help. Always smiling, always cheerful. Devoted husband, beloved family guy. Humanitarian. Humble. Bob, the nice guy. Law abiding citizen. And
- [Memo: Cost-cutting measures during these tough economic times](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=66) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 3/2009 We all have colleagues who have lost jobs, taken massive pay cuts, and face uncertainty how to survive in these economic times. My great frustration is with the politicians who don't seem to understand we don't have any more money to
- [Foxborough Founders Day 2014](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5050) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 6/2014 “From humble beginnings, Foxborough Founders Day has grown into a wonderful celebration of civic pride and a chance for the community to come together for a day of fun, food and fellowship sandwiched between the pageantry of a parade and an awesome display of fireworks. The
- [Win or lose, THANK YOU New England Patriots!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4174) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 1/2013 Before our New England Patriots go to Denver this weekend, before we are either anticipating another Super Bowl or looking toward next season, I would like to say this to the Pats, a sentiment I think most of us share: THANK YOU.
- [UPDATED: An open letter to the Saint Kevin property managers -- let us say a proper good-bye before the church is demolished](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4880) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper, 3/2014 (Written at the request of a great group of people on the FaceBook group “ST KEVIN PARISH & SCHOOL / UPHAMS CORNER - DORCHESTER MA” -- Current Former residents of Uphams Corner and St Kevin's Parish, welcoming all residents from the 40's - 80's) This
- [Remembering the fallen Boston fire fighters, and thanking all our courageous  protectors](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4921) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 4/2014 This past week, less than one year after the Marathon bombing and its horrible aftermath, the city of Boston is grieving again. As you all know, a nine alarm fire on Beacon Street in Boston claimed the lives of two firefighters. There
- [What if they gave an election in Foxboro and most everyone stayed home?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5013) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 5/2014 So before I go on my little rant here… A full disclosure so I’m not a hypocrite. I didn’t vote last Monday. Yep, the guy who moderated candidate’s night and is always reminding everyone what a privilege it is to be able to vote didn’t show
- [1999: Changing jobs and starting new adventures](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5041) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 11/1999 I recently spoke to Tom Fuller. While I'd never met the man in person, our columns often shared these same pages [in the Foxboro Reporter]. I told him I always liked his writing style and wished he'd consider returning. His writing was no-nonsense and direct, and
- [1997 - Keep the Patriots in Foxboro -- the open letter I wrote to Mr. Kraft](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5038) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 1/1997 Note: I'd been writing for the Reporter for only a year or so when I wrote this one -- keeping the New England Patriots in Foxboro was BIG news back then. And this, my open letter to Mr. Bob Kraft, was very well received by folks
- [I'm moderating Foxboro Jaycees Candidates Night LIVE on Foxboro Cable Access 4/10/2014 - please watch, meet the candidates, and please vote!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4911) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 3/2014 One of the many benefits I enjoy as a member of the Foxboro Jaycees is to participate in community development projects and other programs that have a direct benefit to the town of Foxboro. One such privilege is coming up this April 10 at 7 p.m.:
- [A final toast to Foxboro's grand dame Betty Friedman](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=86) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 11/2001 Betty Friedman first contacted me about three years ago. Betty, a senior resident of the Doolittle Home, wrote saying that she had enjoyed one of my columns. I welcomed Betty's letter; at that time I hadn't received much written feedback about my work. Since then, I'd
- [London Calling - and interview with Shannon Leary](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5008) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter March 2002 I learned recently that my friend Shannon Leary of Foxboro would be going to college overseas – in England. I thought it might be interesting to talk to this local resident and have her relate some of her experiences as a new student in a
- [The Foxboro Jaycees are very active -- and would love to meet you!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5004) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 4/2004 I have been a Jaycee for 12 years, on the board for five, and its webmaster forever, and I have an inside perspective about the Foxboro Jaycees that I would like to share. The Jaycees remain incredibly active. Just two weeks ago, we had our Easter
- [In loving memory of Mary Cicciu](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=97) - by Robert Gillis; Foxboro Reporter December 2006 Mary Cicciu passed away November 10, and Foxboro has lost another of its rare gems. I met Mary on Founders Day in 1995, at the senior's tent on Booth playground, where her friends were celebrating her 84th birthday. I was immediately taken with her -- she was special,
- [What was the Foxboro Jaycees Teddy Bear Transfer?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4939) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter Early 1999 There’s a terrific program going on here in town that you might not know about here—it’s called the Teddy Train. The concept is brilliant: Arm Foxboro Police and Fire personnel with stuffed bears and dolls, so when they go out on calls they can give
- [(2002) Save the Orpheum Theater Foxboro: Keep the Curtain Rising](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4990) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter April 2002 I’m not a regular theatergoer. I enjoy live shows, but the hassle of driving the 55 miles to the North Shore in Beverly to see my favorite, “A Christmas Carol” is thankfully a once a year chore, and Boston is simply too far, loud, expensive,
- [Celebrating the priesthood](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=38) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 6/2005 and the Boston City Paper 2006 The evil actions of a very small percentage of priests have cast a shadow of suspicion, fear, and hostility toward the entire vocation, and that's a tragedy, and an insult to the huge number of good men who have devoted
- [The prodigal son returns to church (again)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1723) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City paper 10/2011 A few years ago I attended a family wedding. During mass, several of my other cousins and extended family were looking at each other during mass, unsure of when to sit, stand, and so on. I overheard my favorite cousin Michelle whisper,
- [Lois & Clark: The New Adventures of Superman: "Tempus Fugitiive," A Critique](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4970) - by Robert Gillis March 25, 1995 "Hello! Duh! Clark Kent is Superman. Ha, ha, ha. Well, that was worth the whole trip. To actually meet the most galactically stupid woman who ever lived." -- Tempus, remarking that Lois Lane couldn't figure out Clark's secret Acknowledging that it is just a TV show, and recognizing that
- [Review: Jimmy Buffett at the Tweeter Center Mansfield, August 11, 2006](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4964) - Review by Robert Gillis, published in the Boston City Paper 8/2006 Jimmy Buffett and the 2006 Coral Reefer Band At the Tweeter Center (It will ALWAYS be Great Woods) Night One Thursday, August 10, 2006 Set list: Singing in the Rain; Hot Hot Hot; Brown Eyed Girl; I Will Play for Gumbo; Pencil Thin Mustache;
- [A treadmill for dogs?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4961) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 1/1998 ‘Twas a few days before New Year’s, and my beloved and I were braving the early morning cold to pick up baby food — well, food for our canine babies. The good veterinarian had long ago advised us that pups were getting a little pudgy and
- [Foxboro Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt 2014](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4934) - 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,
- [Foxboro First Night says farewell](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=60) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 11/1998 It began in the summer of 1993. Oh, others had talked about it and kicked around the idea for a while, but the real beginnings were during that summer. Bob and Jane Webster -- both veteran Jaycees and already active in the community -- wanted Foxboro
- [This is an attempt to collect a debt!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=41) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 9/1996 The mail box was bursting with the usual bills, catalogs, and sweepstakes entry forms. I ignored the shiny letter that told me I'd won a new car, ten gold bars, or a handy pocket comb, and junked the pre-approved credit card with the 26.5% interest rate,
- [Movie Reviews are easier than you think!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=28) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 8/2009 Although I rarely go the movies due to cost and my own profound laziness, I realized that I could be an ideal movie critic / reviewer / marketing spinner -- because let's face it, when writing a movie review or tagline, the
- [Babysitting Colin](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=196) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter September, 2000 My nephew Colin recently celebrated his fourth birthday, and recently I had the opportunity to baby-sit the little guy. I was looking very forward to it; I adore Colin and love the time I spend with him. A few months back I got a glimpse
- [In loving memory of Father John Joseph Kierce](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=119) - In loving memory of Father John Joseph Kierce, pastor of Saint Kevin Church, Uphams Corner, Dorchester for 50 years by Robert Gillis published in the Foxboro Reporter, 3/2006 and the Boston City Paper 6/2006 Without exception, every priest I have ever met -- every single priest I have ever met in my entire life --
- [I find your lack of cell phone etiquette... Disturbing.](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4866) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter August 2002 I need to vent. Can you hear me now? Good. Can you please hang up that silly phone? Okay. I’ll admit it, I hate cell phones. Don’t get me wrong—cell phones are a great invention. They keep kids in touch with parents. They make life
- [Another day with simple joys, little miracles](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4860) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 5/2001 Just another day, a day like any other. But different. I pull into the Sunoco station and again lament my car’s dependence on increasingly expensive fossil fuels. I’m also lamenting the $140 bill for the blown break line. But the car is running again and stops
- [Cell Phone Abuse](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=110) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 5/2007 While I am generally not prone to murderous rage, I think one day I'm just going snap and bludgeon a cell phone user to death, and I think I have a fair chance that a jury will be sympathetic. The general
- [Movie Review: Titanic](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=195) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 2/1998 Disaster movies have been popular for years. Take many big name (and not so big name) celebrities, place them in a dangerous setting, add incredible special effects, then watch them survive (or die trying). There were disaster films set in airplanes ("Airport" and its many sequels)
- [Star Wars Episode 1: The Phantom Menace, A Review](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=53) - by Robert Gillis published in the Foxboro Reporter, May 1999 Of the eighty quadrillion reviews written or televised in the last three weeks about this eagerly awaited Star Wars prequel, most seem to have a common summary: The film is technically brilliant, stunning and innovative in its scope and visual computer-generated wizardry, but painfully slow,
- [Regarding CVS/Caremark’s decision to stop selling cigarettes and tobacco products: THANK YOU!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4824) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 2/2014 “Cigarettes are the only product, that if used as directed, will kill you.” – George Carlin Full disclosure: no one asked me to write this, and this is not a paid endorsement nor advertisement. Anyone who knows me is well aware
- [Handy Guide to Car Repair](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=49) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter in 1998 and the Boston City Paper 2006 Not being a member of wealthy society, my family and I all drive cars that are, shall we say, "vintage," and most have such unusually high mileage that they make the guy at Jiffy-Lube raise an eyebrow and ask,
- [Push cart cuts the mustard -- "The Common Dog" on Foxboro Common](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2101) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 6/27/1996 One of the nicer aspects of taking a vacation and staying home to work on the new house is that I have the opportunity to spend a little more time in Foxboro during the day. These summer days bring many pleasant traditions back to Foxboro joggers,
- [Foxboro Senior Center Christmas fair](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4294) - Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter November 2000 Every year, it seems like the Christmas sales start earlier, and the decorations are in the stores sooner. The corporations begin their annual holiday blitzkrieg, inundating us with sale after sale. It’s easy to become jaded as Christmas becomes more and more commercialized and arrives sooner
- [My first Foxboro town meeting - and the senior center vote](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4208) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 5/1997 In the six years I’ve lived in Foxboro, last week was the first time I’ve attended a town meeting. My main reason for attending was my great interest in seeing question six, the senior center funding issue, approved. But as I sat and watched people debate
- [Support the new Foxboro Senior Center](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=48) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 8/1997 Pay attention, folks; this one's important. You might see the "Seniors" page in this paper each week and think, "I'm not a senior" or you might say, "Oh, another column about the seniors," and turn the page. Stop. Read this. It's important. If you've lived in
- [Foxboro Senior Center Christmas Faire](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=211) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 11/2003 Recently, I had the pleasure of attending and pitching in a bit at the annual Senior Christmas faire at Council on Aging (COA). It's always a joyful time for me, to get to see the seniors and enjoy some great food and see old friends. I
- [2009 - The 6th Annual Cable Auction to benefit Doolittle Home will be February 28, 2009](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=70) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter 2/2009Mark your calendars for February 28, 2009 because the Doolittle Home auction event is finally here! After months of preparation and the round-the-clock work of a dedicated group of volunteers, we're proud to present over one hundred quality items -- many priceless -- at the sixth annual cable
- [2010 Cable auction to benefit the Doolittle Home is Saturday November 6, 2010](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1169) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 10/2010 Just in time for all your holiday shopping -- the Doolittle Home auction event is back! Mark your calendars for November 6, 2010 as the seventh annual cable auction to benefit the Doolittle Home is broadcast live and on the web! Proceeds from the 2010 fund-raising
- [Flat tire leads to a little miracle](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=24) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 10/2009 So there I am, working at the home computer on a yet another late night software promotion, and Sue calls around 8 -- she's got a flat, but no worries, she's already called AAA. I asked her where she is; she's a
- [Supporting the soldiers](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=85) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 2006, 2008 and Boston City Paper, December 2006 Veteran's Day 2006, New York City, Times Square, Planet Hollywood Restaurant. My wife Sue, her cousin, and I, have just enjoyed our dinner, after a whirlwind one-day vacation in the Apple. We're leaving Planet Hollywood, and up the stairs
- [Visiting Seven Churches on Good Friday -- and trying to reconnect with Faith](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=152) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City paper 3/2008 Years ago, Mom explained that you receive what is known as a plenary indulgence if you visited seven churches on Good Friday. I did find a reference to receiving an indulgence for "Devoutly take part in the adoration of the cross
- [Sharpen those Interviewing Skills!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=171) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, May 2006 and the Boston City Paper Note: Recently I have found myself interviewing, and am blessed to have found a terrific new job. But it's been a crazy month, and I thought some job-hunting humor was in order... I have been taking note of the
- [Our visit to Italy](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=78) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 6/1997 and the Boston City Paper 4/2007 Back in January, Sue and I hosted some of her family from Viareggio, Italy. Uncle, Aunt, daughter Angela and her fiancée Franco were taken on a whirlwind tour of Boston, Foxboro and other places. [Read it here] These are
- [Colin at age two](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=205) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 8/1998 His name is Colin. At the age of two years and one month, my adorable nephew is rapidly growing out of his nickname, "Colin-Baby." The Little Man has been walking (and running) for well over a year, and his insatiable curiosity and every action fascinate me.
- [Help save your dog's life (Graphic medical content)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=208) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, late 1998 WARNING: If you're a dog owner, please read on. The information I'm about to share may save your dog's life -- and it's not generally known to most dog owners. I should also warn that some readers may find the following graphic or disturbing --
- [Memories of an Intensive Care Nursery at Saint Margarets Hospital in Dorchester](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=77) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 7/1997 and in the Boston City Paper 6/2006 A story ran in the Foxboro Reporter a few weeks back that I read with great interest. Allison is a 14 year old Foxboro student volunteering this summer in the maternity department at Sturdy Memorial Hospital. She is one
- [Re-Elect Lynda Walsh for Foxboro Selectman](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=770) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter as a Letter to the Editor (political op/eds for regular columnists not allowed) in 4/2010 To the editor, My dear friend Lynda Walsh is running for re-election for selectman, and I encourage you to vote for her on Election Day. Lynda and I have been Jaycees for about
- [Helping out with Foxboro Cable Access is a blast (in more ways than one!)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=156) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter April, 2008. Also published on the Foxboro Cable Access Website April, 2008. Today I thought I'd share a fun memory, an example of me doing something stupid (suspend your disbelief) and suggest another opportunity for YOU to volunteer to help the community and have a great time
- [Lynda Walsh for Foxboro Selectman](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=106) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2007 For many years, one of my personal, unwritten rules for this column was that I would not endorse candidates for political office. I did this for several reasons. First, even as a 16 year resident of Foxboro, I would never endorse someone I didn't know. I've
- [Mother and child reunion survives passage of time; my wife finds her mother after 22 years](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=126) - by Robert GillisPublished in The Foxboro Reporter 3/2000 and the Boston City Paper 8/2007. I consider this the best piece I have EVER written.The scene was completely ordinary. Looking at it, you wouldn't know the event was of any significance. A sunny Saturday morning, a favorite breakfast nook, and a young couple having breakfast with
- [Thoughts on the J.J. Abrams Star Trek movie teaser trailer and what trekkers REALLY care about](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=149) - by Robert Gillis Acknowledging,and still standing by, what I wrote previously (CLICK HERE) about the idea of an eleventh Star Trek movie, I must admit that I am following development and production of the film closely and am liking what I am hearing and seeing so far. Perhaps JJ Abrams will succeed in breathing new
- [Review: Star Trek: First Contact](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=182) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 11/1996 "They invade our space, and we fall back. They assimilate entire worlds, and we fall back. Not again. The line must be drawn HERE!" --Captain Jean-Luc Picard As part of the 30th anniversary celebration of Star Trek, Paramount Pictures has just released the eighth Star Trek
- [Thoughts on the 2009 J.J. Abram Star Trek movie](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=58) - by Robert Gillis, 5/2009 Approximately three gazillion people have written reviews for this new Star Trek film, and about 90% are positive. (This pleases this Trekker immensely, and the idea that a TREK film will break $200 million -- and possibly $400 million or more, is just incredible.) Since so many reviews have been written,
- [Remembering "Superman" star George Reeves, an all too human hero](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=59) - by Robert Gillis Originally published in The Foxboro Reporter 6/1999 and revised for the Boston City Paper 11/2006 The recent release of the film "Hollywoodland" has cast new light and brought new interest in the unsolved death of George Reeves, star of the 1950s series, "Adventures of Superman." He died before I was born, but
- [The bill of no rights](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=75) - By Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter April 2003 and the Boston City Paper July 2006 With all the important news lately about National Security, the Total Information Act, Internet privacy, and the balance of personal freedoms versus public safety, much has been discussed recently regarding our "rights." Unfortunately, in our society there seem
- [Press on, newspapers!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=65) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and The Boston City Paper, 5/2009 As this is a column about a newspaper, specifically the Boston Globe, allow me to begin with a clarification. I am not an employee of the Foxboro Reporter, never have been. I'm not on staff; I don't attend their editorial
- [Looking back on the Super Monkey from Krypton](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=116) - by Robert Gillis What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE In the 1960s, the Superman comics (Silver Age) got mighty silly with the addition of Streaky the super cat, Krypto the super dog, Comet the super horse and yes, Beppo the super monkey, and many others. Let's
- [Silver Age Superman Comics Review: The irresistible Lois Lane](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=118) - by Robert Gillis What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE Superman's Girlfriend Lois Lane #29: "The Irresistible Lois Lane" OVERVIEW: After receiving a mysterious vase of flowers, and spotting Krypto (Superman's dog) writing an "L" in the sky with a flaming torch, Lois Lane decides to do
- [Silver Age Comics: The Silver Age Superboy!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=30) - by Robert Gillis 4/2008What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HEREPa: "Um, Clark, we discovered you in the rocket and raised you from infancy, remember? We know you're Superboy."Superboy: "Oh, right!"Clark Kent: "Well, it's Saturday night, so I'm going into my secret basement and use my mind-prober ray
- [Silver Age Comics: Spanking your super kids, a great reason for Superman not to marry, and Cluck Kent! And we still hate Lucy Lane.](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=33) - by Robert Gillis 6/2009 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE So Superman spotted the trouble from ... (Wait for it) ... ANOTHER GALAXY???!!! Just how the hell fast is Superman, anyway? Even if he's talking about Andromeda, the closest galaxy to Earth, that's 2.5 MILLION light-years
- [More Lucy Lane and Lois Lane Silver-Age Comics Sillyness!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1326) - by Robert Gillis 3/2011 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE (Click any image to enlarge) Continuing my rant proclaiming the evil of Lucy Lane, Lois Lane’s stewardess sister, and the goofiness of Lois Lane and Lana Lang in general ... While admittedly a dream sequence, Lois has been
- [More Silver-Age Lois Lane comic book madness!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1492) - by Robert Gillis 5/2011 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE (Click any image to enlarge) More random madness, silliness and shenanigans from the Silver Age Lois Lane comic books :) One of the funniest Lois Lane panels EVER. Never let a woman pilot the nuclear submarine.
- [More Silver Age Comics fun with Lois Lane!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1916) - by Robert Gillis 1/2012 What was so special about the silver age of comic books? Read about it HERE (Click any image to enlarge) Another slow news day so I thought we’d have even more fun with some gems from the Silver Age of Lois Lane comic books. Lois Lane #80: Surprise! A birthday party
- [Congratulations to George Takei and Brad Altman, married  9/14/2008!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=93) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper 10/2008 I met George Takei in 1990 [read here] and along with my best friend David and DC Comics' Arne Starr, we had lunch at Quincy Market and took a trolley tour of Boston. George is articulate, passionate about humanity and community, funny, a role
- [Star Trek actor George Takei demonstrates Infinite Diversity](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=102) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper 1/2007 and the Foxboro Reporter 2/2007 In late 2005, actor George Takei (Captain Sulu) from Star Trek "came out" as a gay man. Good for him! I've always liked George, and to be honest I suspected he might be gay because when I read his
- [Two styles of parenting](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=172) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter February 1999 and The Boston City Paper 6/2007 So our washing machine is broken, and I'm lugging three baskets of assorted clothes, a family sized box of TIDE, and a jug of bleach to a Laundromat near where I work in Quincy. I've loaded the clothes into
- [Celebrating Boyden Library Foxboro](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4398) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 8/1998 So, read any good books lately? Have you been to the library lately? I read a lot these days, but it wasn’t always so. Nope, if you go back to the summer I was 12, it was very much the opposite. I remember that hot summer
- [The customer, most assuredly, is NOT always right: A cashier's bill of rights](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1076) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 8/2010 All of us have cashier and store clerk horror stories and instances where “customer service” was anything but. We’ve all dealt with disinterested teen cashiers and surly seasonal clerks who chat with friends as they count our change. We’ve tolerated rude
- [Taking the time to cherish the NOW](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2138) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 6/2012 In the past year, four people I know very well, including two childhood friends, have lost their mothers. A young woman I adore has lost her 25 year old brother. My nephew relayed a story of a 15 year old who
- [Foxboro Jaycees Pancake Breakfast 2003](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4222) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter April 2003 In response to the literally thousands of cards and letters I’ve received, I thought it would appropriate to have a brief Q&A about the upcoming Foxboro Jaycees Pancake breakfast to benefit Foxboro Youth Basketball. Q: Bob, you called them "pancakes?" What exactly is a pancake?
- [Sign overkill spoils beauty of Foxboro Common](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=105) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2006 In June 2007, the theme of our Founders Day celebration will be the 150th anniversary of the Foxboro common. This beautiful, grassy oasis in the center of town serves many purposes: The names of those who served our nation and town are remembered in beautifully lit
- [Christmas Thoughts, 1996](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4384) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 12/1996 A note from Bob, 1/2014: This is one of my very first columns for the Reporter and nowhere near anything I consider "good writing" it’s a bit too all over the place and has too many topics, but I include it here because it is one
- [In the deep mid-Winter](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=181) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 3/2007 In my youth (or my yoot, to all the Cousin Vinney fans) I loved extreme weather. I have tracked hurricanes with Harvey Leonard on my own chart. I have ensured that the house had enough candles, batteries, and water. I followed
- [Super Storm  Sandy's aftermath, for this region, a time to be grateful, and to help those affected](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2318) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City paper 11/2012 Tuesday morning, 11:00am; still no power at home; I am off from work for the day and at Foxboro Cable Access – command central for FCA-TV, grateful to my friends here to let me borrow a computer for an hour. I wanted
- [CERN Large Hadron Collider unlocks the secrets of the universe and promptly destroys half of the Earth](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=734) - By Robert Gillis, who decided to rewrite the AP for April Fool's Day Breaking news from Geneva, 3/31/2010 — "The world’s largest atom smasher conducted its first experiments at conditions nearing those after the Big Bang, breaking its own record for high-energy collisions with proton beams crashing into each other yesterday at three times more
- [Bring our soldiers home](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=39) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 8/2005 and the Boston City Paper 7/2008 My support for our soldiers is unwavering. I have never served in uniform but I have many friends who do, and I respect and admire these true heroes. They go where they are told, follow orders, fight the battles and
- [Informed voters](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4201) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 11/1996 One of the best movies in recent memory to depict our nation’s chief executive was, "The American President," starring Michael Douglas. Andrew Shepherd, the widower president Douglas portrays, enjoys the highest popularity poll in decades; he is a wise, strong, compassionate, and fair. A great leader.
- [Thoughts on Election 2000](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4195) - By Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter November 2000 What an exciting and fascinating time this is. No one alive has ever seen a United States presidential election like this one -- a virtual dead heat, a call for recounts, a collective citizenry seemingly speaking about nothing else. Last week, I went into the
- [Reevaluating what makes a hero and a role model](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2674) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and The Boston City Paper, 6/2013 Last week, in light of the events in the Aaron Hernandez case, the New England Patriots organization announced that anyone who wanted to return their Hernandez jersey for another jersey would be welcome to do so. The reasoning is sound and
- [Um, about that Christmas card...](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=147) - Merry Christmas! For the first year in my memory Sue and I didn't send out Christmas cards this year -- by choice. The reasons are many and varied, ranging from busy schedules to exhaustion, to my sincere desire to help speed up Global Warming. Wait, that isn't right, or is it? Wait, Global Warming isn't
- [The miracle of Christmas is hope and love](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=189) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 12/2002 and the Boston City Paper 12/2006 It's 10:56 Thursday evening. ER is over and it's time to walk the pups. I get my coat on, get the leash on the dog, flashlight in pocket, and I'm out the door. The air is crisp, and my mind
- [Foxboro Jaycees 2009 Christmas Activities](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=15) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 12/2009 As a very proud member of the Foxboro Jaycees since 1993, I have seen first hand the fantastic work this group does for Foxboro -- Community development, donations, scholarships, and creating better leaders are just some of the things we do every day. Without question, December
- [Gratitude follows hospital stay](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=31) - By Robert Gills Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 8/2007 My dear friend Bob Shea -- one of Foxboro's first citizens and friend to many of us -- told me recently that I have been a little too "cranky" in recent columns. We talked about that and I told him I'd try
- [NASA announcement of discovery of a "sun" and "blue skies" ridiculed by local residents](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=34) - Historians note: When this piece was written, Foxboro and the surrounding area saw the sun MAYBE three times in about two and a half months. This is absolutely true -- It rained for weeks with three "dry" days. It was just miserable, with rain literally EVERY day. This piece was written in response to
- [Review: BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WITH THE SEEGER SESSIONS BAND May 27, 2006](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=198) - BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN WITH THE SEEGER SESSIONS BAND May 27, 2006 / Boston, MA / Tweeter Center (Formerly Great Woods, Mansfield) By Robert Gillis - published in the Boston City Paper June 2006 After a ten-city European tour, Bruce Springsteen and the Seeger Sessions Band returned to the US and started their tour here in Boston
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen Devils and Dust Boston October 28, 2005](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=121) - Springsteen Concert Review by Robert Gillis I LOVE Springsteen; he's my favorite artist. I've been a fan since 1984 but love nearly all of his earlier work as well as the new. My dream? I just want to shake his hand and say thank you. He's been there throughout my life when I've needed him
- [2014 Foxboro Town Politics: Time to take a breath...](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4631) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 2/2014 While I am not a Foxboro townie, I have lived here 23 years. And like those lifelong residents who will tell you that Foxboro has changed so much that since they were a child, I have observed that Foxboro has changed a lot in the two
- [Standing room only in church](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=180) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter April 1999 Palm Sunday mass, and Saint Mary's is filled beyond capacity this afternoon. There is literally a standing room only crowd. I'm late again, so I'm also standing. This particular mass features the longest gospel of the year -- the Passion of Jesus Christ, which tells
- ['Tis the season to be generous](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1775) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 12/2011 "I have always thought of Christmas time, as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up
- [BREAKING NEWS: SNOW IN BOSTON, a Channel One exclusive report](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=13) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, February, 2006 Now! Coverage you can depend on! The news you want, the news you need! All the news! LIVE! From channel 1 studios in Boston, this is Channel 1 news NOW! [Cut to news studio] Tom, the Anchor: "Good evening, Osama Bin Laden has been captured,
- [Navy missile successfully destroys out-of-control satellite but accidentally blows up the Moon](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=150) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper 2/2008 Boston, Mass, February 21 -- A science club's gathering to watch last night's lunar eclipse turned to horror when the moon suddenly exploded. A large crowd of astronomy buffs and curious stargazers gathered Wednesday night at Boston Community College of Floral Design to watch the
- [How was my vacation?  It's great to be home!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=991) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 7/2010 There’s an old saying that one should never complain because half your audience isn’t listening and the other half is happy you’re getting what’s coming to you, so I’m not sure where you fine folks fit, but I hope perhaps you’re
- [Early morning lunar eclipse a beautiful sight](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=143) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter August 2007 and Boston City Paper September 2007. Tuesday, August 28, 2007. I was up at the time my army friend Captain Fay refers to as "OH-DARK-THIRTY" (about 4:30am) and headed outside to take a look at the setting Moon, which was still bright white. Knowing the
- [When bad colds happen to good people](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=212) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 3/2003 I finally have a title for my new book: "When bad colds happen to good people." Yes, I have a cold again and I'm not a happy camper. I had bronchitis all of month (the same thing that killed the brontosaurus). I took my antibiotics (eventually)
- [Bad Day in New York, 1998](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=50) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 1998 (This was written before September 11, 2001. Back in 1998, I took a trip to New York -- the second of my life -- and these were my impressions. The New York I visited a week after 9/11 was very different, and the New York I
- [Remembering Dad](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=73) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 6/2007Fathers Day, 2007.I was 19 when Dad died after a long battle with cancer in 1984. Even then I knew 47 was not old, certainly not old enough to live a full life. Now I'm 43 -- four years shy of Dad's age
- [Remembering Dad on Father's Day](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=46) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 6/1998 Father's Day is coming; it's a holiday I haven't really celebrated in a long time. After all, I lost Dad when I was 19, and while I've always been thankful that I had him in my life for as long as I did (and didn't lose
- [Reflections at Ground Zero eleven days after September 11, 2001](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=135) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 9/2001 (Note: My editor said that this was the best piece I'd ever written, and ran it on the front page of the Reporter with the rest of the 9/11 coverage. I am very proud of this piece.) Ground zero. Until a few weeks ago, this area
- [What happened to spring???](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=174) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 5/2005 There's so much going on these days, that I thought I'd get right to the heart of an important issue. When I was a kid, there was a popular margarine commercial. In it, Mother Nature got very angry because someone would give her some margarine that
- [Be part of the solution; write your letter to the editor](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=940) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 5/2010 (Standard disclosure: I am not an employee of the Foxboro Reporter. Since 1996, I have been a column contributor, and hope to continue this happy relationship for many years to come) Well, we made it. The Foxboro town election is over, and as usual, the campaigns
- [Finding the perfect Christmas tree](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=129) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter December 2000 and the Boston City Paper December 2006 When I was four, I tried to climb up the Christmas tree and knocked it down on top of myself. When I was 10, I nearly set the Christmas tree on fire by fiddling with the wires, causing
- [Celebrating Mom & Pop stores](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=187) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper July 2006 As a child in Dorchester, my career goal for years was to run a small store, because that's what Dad did. To help me run my "store," at home, Dad sometimes brought me discarded "real" store items, such as an Open/Closed sign, a "business
- [A letter to Mom on Christmas Day](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=40) - By Robert Gillis Sent to Mom Christmas, 2005 And published in the Boston City Paper 11/2011 I thought I would share a letter I wrote to my Mom on Christmas a few years back. I emailed it to her this morning and she loved these wonderful memories, and I thought it would bring a smile
- [Christmas 2013 at Mom's house](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=3469) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 12/2013 It’s Christmastime, 2013, and Mom has just come home carrying bags of Chinese Food. The Christmas tree at my Mom’s house is all lit up, reflected in the gorgeous mirror that hanged over my grandmother’s fireplace for many decades. The tree is
- [Reflections on the April Fool's Blizzard of 1997](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=47) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 4/97 Some random thoughts and observations on the Great Blizzard of 1997: Any snowstorm with even mild accumulation brings the inevitable comparison to the Great Blizzard of 1978, but this was one of the rare instances where the comparison was warranted. The April 1 blizzard was the
- [Just another day to be grateful](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4220) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 6/1997 Today has been one of those days, although most days lately have been one of those days. The phone won’t stop ringing, people are lined up at my desk at work, traffic’s been bad, and then I come home to deal with house things. ("The plumber
- [Ghosts of Christmases Past](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=51) - by Robert Gillis published in the Foxboro Reporter, 12/1998 The little boy, all of four years old, is laying mechanic-style underneath the Christmas tree, his tiny feet poking out amid the brightly-colored wrapped gifts. He's surrounded by the smell of the fresh pine, fascinated as he watches the amazing kaleidoscope of light and reflections off
- [FOUL launguage! - A tribute to Father Lawrance Corcoran](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=80) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter April 1999 and the Boston City Paper 9/2007 Brace yourselves, I'm starting off today's column with some very foul words.Accolade. Opulent. Arbitrary. Recalcitrant. Bombastic. Cacophony. Here's a myriad (foul) of foul words: Enigma. Ennui. Faux pas. Garrulous. Pensive. Gregarious. Nuance. And how about the most fowl: quell.
- [Christmas 1999](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=52) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter December 1999 Thankfully, the recent tragic fire at LaSallette Shrine didn't prevent the annual spectacular Christmas Light display from going on as planned. I've made three visits there in the last few weeks -- I found each visit cathartic; an antidote to the frenzied insanity of
- [Samhain Magick Circle Ceremony in Salem Massachusetts on Halloween](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=142) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 10/2007 The city of Salem Massachusetts is arguably the Halloween capital of the world, and on October 31 over 8,000 people take to the streets in costumes; the place is a Mardi Gras and the biggest Halloween party on the planet. The city
- [Chance encounter on Foxboro Common](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=96) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 11/2007 and updated here 7/11/2008 A few weeks ago, I completed work at the haunted house and left the Orpheum a little after midnight. The night was unseasonably warm, and I had my camera with me, so I decided to try some experimental night photography on the
- [Lottery Folly](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=153) - By Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter and in the Boston City paper 3/2007 It's early morning and I had scored the impossible in Boston: On-street parking, not ten feet away from my doctor's office. With no time on the meter, I ran across the street to pick up a Coke and lots of
- [Statue of Liberty Visit Inspires Hope](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=157) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper May, 2008 It's a perfect, 60 degree Saturday, and Sue and I, along with her cousin Angela headed to the Apple for a New York adventure. Our first stop was the Staten Island Ferry at Battery Park. Neither of the girls has ever
- [A different look at, “There but for the grace of God go I”](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1213) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City paper, 12/2010 In my years working in Boston, I’ve seen many homeless people and people very down on their luck, and of course the scammers who pretend to be in need (such as the unforgettable woman in the weird hat who told me the
- [Take ten seconds...](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2250) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 9/2012 "I need to tell you that you're going to remember this night for the rest of your lives. It's going to be a long night and we need you to work fast and we need you to work well. But once
- [The Water Heals](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2566) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 3/2013 The water heals. I’m a little kid, enjoying one of an uncountable number of childhood trips to Savin Hill Beach, experiencing the taste and smells of clean seawater and the joyous feeling of swimming and playing in the hot summer sun
- [Thanking our heroes during the cold winter](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=44) - By Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter February 2000 With a day off, I finally managed to liberate our Christmas tree from the backyard and get it down to the compost heap this morning. There weren't many signs of life in town except for passing cars. Elm Street looked like an arctic wasteland. The
- [Fly the colors proudly; 9/11 two years later](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=67) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 9/2003 and the Boston City Paper 9/2007 I never met Shawn Nassaney. He was a good-looking guy, 25 years old, lived in Pawtucket, and was a sales manager for American Power Conversion. Likewise, I never met Attleboro's Lynn Goodchild. She was absolutely beautiful, a 25 year old
- [Red Sox Win the World Series](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=176) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 11/2004 "I can't believe it," Sue said. "I can't believe it either," I said. The Boston Red Sox had just won the World Series. Under a blood-red lunar eclipse, surely a sign of divine providence, the Red Sox had just swept the Cardinals in four straight
- [September 11, Five Years Later](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=161) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 8/2004 and the Foxboro Reporter 8/2006 and the Boston City Paper 9/2006. September 11, 2001 was a death in the family. A death in our National family. And as a nation, we went to the wake and funeral. The world suddenly seemed so quiet. The commercial-free constant
- [Why are we so angry?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1312) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 3/2011 Why are we so angry? One of the magazines I read featured a recent editorial on that very subject. The author was trying to come up with a label to define the decade of 2000-2009, and he suggested, "The anger
- ["Open on Thanksgiving!"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2986) - 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
- [Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus, you betcha!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=82) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 12/2008 "DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. Some of my BFF's say there is no Santa Claus. Papa says, 'If Robert Gillis writes it in the Foxboro Reporter it's so.' Please tell me the truth; is there a Santa Claus?" -- Virginia
- [Another Slow News Day!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=953) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 5/2010 Slow news day. Random thoughts. When someone begins a sentence with, “No offense, but…” they are about to offend you. Likewise, anyone who begins a sentence with, “I’m not prejudiced / I’m not a racist / I’m not a homophobe.” … They
- [Slow news day!  Entertainment edition!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1898) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City paper 1/2012 Back by popular demand, and because we REALLY need some humor in the local news, slow news day, random thoughts, entertainment edition! The New Year begins with the heartbreaking word that Katy Perry and Russell Brand are divorcing. My immediate and obvious
- [Slow News Day Special Edition: Exclusive Britney Spears Update!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=148) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 1/2008 Proving that no news is still news and the media vultures will pounce on any celebrity gossip no matter how trivial, and since there isn't any real news happening (say, a war, or a Presidential election, or catastrophic weather occurrences or
- [Slow News Day!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=17) - By Robert Gillis. A combination post of four columns that have been published as follows: Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper: (1): 2/2007; (2): 7/2007; (3): 4/2008; (4): 7/2008. Also, Boston Herald (Paris Hilton / $1 million) as a "Letter to the Editor" 6/26/2007. Slow news day. Random Thoughts. Celebrities
- [Slow News Day!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1238) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 1/2011 Slow news day. Random thoughts. Two words that are not in the dictionary but should be: Snowmageddon: 1) The condition wherein newscasters and meteorologists treat a typical Boston blizzard as an event of biblical significance, downplaying REAL news for 24 hour coverage
- [By popular demand, another slow news day](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1255) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 2/2011 In response to your literally thousands of cards and letters, here’s more slow news day, random thoughts. First, we have the very best comment EVER about the 2011 Super Bowl. Many celebrities were posed the question, “Who do you think will win
- [Because you demanded it... Another slow news day column!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1553) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper and Foxboro Reporter, 8/2011 Slow news day. Random thoughts. In speaking about music, kids today do not know what a “B-Side” is. Dear everyone in Boston: Here is an important tip – turning on your hazards while double parked does not create a magical force field
- [Slow news day, summer 2012 edition!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2187) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 7/2012 Back by popular demand! Slow news day, random thoughts, summer edition! And that means we throw the "organized, well structured" narrative style out the window. So if you’re having trouble following along, it’s you, not me. Summer began on June 21, the
- [Another Slow News Day!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2867) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 9/2013 Back by popular demand! Slow news day, random thoughts! The less said about Miley Cyrus’ antics on the 2013 MTV awards show, the better. Except: With the imminent likelihood of attacks on, and/or, war with Syria, CNN.com chose to run the Cyrus
- [Breaking Dog Park News!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=160) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 7/2008 Background: Here in Foxboro, a battle has raged -- literally raged -- over whether a dog park should be allowed to remain open. This is no joke (I wish it were) -- The dog park, which opened in September 2006, has become a legal battleground. A
- [Moon's leaders declare war on Earth after attack by NASA](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=20) - by Robert Gillis, who really has too much time on his hands. 10/2009 Lunar officials declared war on Earth early Friday morning after NASA launched a preemptive strike on Cabeus Crater, home to thousands of Moonies, Moonites, and Moon-Units. CNN had reported that NASA engineers crashed a rocket and a satellite into the moon's surface
- [What if they gave an apocalypse and no one noticed?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1512) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper 5/2011 What if they gave an apocalypse and no one noticed? For months, we'd seen the billboards – Global earthquakes, the Rapture, and end-of-the-world May 21, 2011 at 6:00pm! Sue and I spent our presumably last day on Earth walking a beach that
- [Facebook Fun: A Parody!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 2/2010 Slow news day. As good a time as any to pick on Facebook. If you don't use Facebook, you might not "get" this one. Melinda Minutia: Plain oatmeal for breakfast this morning! Yummy. Joanna O'Blivious: Just installed the new wireless router
- [COMMENTS WELCOME!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4525) - Judging by the site statistics, my site gets a LOT of visitors; and its share of FaceBook shares and likes, but no one ever really comments. I would LOVE to hear your comments about what you read here! Please feel free to submit a comment!
- [A very different take on "It's the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=64) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper 2007, Foxboro Reporter 2008 It's Halloween and my one of my favorite Holiday TV specials is, "It's the Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown." I was two years old when it premiered in 1966 and I never missed an airing, and the DVD is watched at least twice
- [An interview with Joanna Levesque, aka "JoJo"](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=76) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 11/2002 and the Boston City Paper 7/2007 Before she achieved well-deserved fame as, "JoJo," Joanna Levesque grew up here in Foxboro. This is an interview I conducted with Jo Jo in 2002. It's early August and today I'm heading to my favorite Foxboro café with that rare
- [A year later, America is still a great nation, under God](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4289) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter September 2002 We remember where we were when we first heard the news. We remember the anger and pain that resonated through our very souls; cutting deeper than anything we thought we could feel. We were – and are -- collectively wounded. We remember the loss, the
- [September 11, 2001](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=134) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 9/2001. The anger and pain resonate through our souls, cutting deeper than anything we thought we could feel. We are collectively wounded. There are no words, nothing that can be said to make sense of any of this. There is no adjective strong enough to describe the
- [Decisions are made by those who show up.  This November 4, VOTE!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=89) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 10/2008 Global warming. Taxes. Guns. Immigration. Iraq. Energy. Environment. Economy. Gay marriage. Free speech. Free choice. My rights. Your rights. Show up or shut up. Vote! The above quote appeared in a recent Boston Phoenix ad and it caught my eye. It's
- [In loving memory of Father Clement L. Pelletier, SJ](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=185) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper July 2006 It was with great sadness that I learned of the death of Father Clement L. Pelletier, SJ, on October 26, 2005. Father Pelletier served the B.C. High community for over forty years and was one of those men -- one of those great priests,
- [Presidential Inauguration Worth Every Penny As A New Era Dawns in America](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=79) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City paper, January 2009 The cost of President Barack Obama's inauguration -- estimated at some $170 million dollars -- has been (for some) a heated topic. Many have argued -- reasonably -- how can the government spend such a huge amount of money on
- [The Old Dorchester Neighborhood](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=128) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 9/2000 and the Boston City Paper 1/2007 Recently I was out driving with the family, and Mom suggested a tour of the old Dorchester neighborhoods. This wasn't the first visit to the old home town; I've returned there since I sold Nana's house, and I've passed by
- [Remembering the Old Man of the Mountains](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=7) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 5/2003 Franconia Notch State Park is located in the heart of the White Mountain National Forest, a spectacular New Hampshire mountain pass traversed by parkway. The weather can be brutal; but the scenery here is staggering and breathtaking. For ten millennia, someone has been watching. By the
- [Windows PC Security 101: How to protect your computer](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1543) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 7/2011 As a computer geek since 1981 and a professional at it since 1988, I get asked a lot of computer questions. These days, every home has at least one computer and we depend on them more and more. Our computers hold a
- [Computer Help Desk Humor](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=94) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 8/2008 To: All new employees From: Computer Help Desk Department Re: Some helpful tips to make your life easier Dear new employee, Welcome to the company! As a new team member, please know that we, the computer help desk department, are here
- [Y2K: January 1, 2000](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=164) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 1/2000 Well, we made it. The lights are still on, the computers didn't crash, the planes stayed in the sky, ATMs still gave us cash, the nuclear missiles remained nestled all snug in their silos, and we had enough water and food. It's time to knock on
- [Millennium’s coming!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=674) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 1/1/1999 Like the other six billion folks on the planet, the new millennium has been on my mind lately. You can’t help it; we’re being bombarded with magazine articles, news reports, and even the New Year’s Eve news broadcast led with two stories: The new Eurodollar, and
- [Another Millennium?  Yawn!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=678) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 1/2001 What if they gave a millennium and no one cared? Unlike the galactic hype accompanying New Year’s Eve 2000, the dawn of the true millennium seemed almost a non-event. Besides the inevitable comparison of the predictions made in “2001: A Space odyssey” to the current world,
- [Easter 2001 and Remembering Stan and Lorraine](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=132) - 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
- [Good transit and good morning all you beauitful people (Updated: His name is Manny)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=158) - by Robert Gillis Published on the front page of the Boston City Paper 1/2008 and updated 5/2008 A City Paper Salute TO THE AMTRAK ANNOUNCER (Manny) AT SOUTH STATION I thought I'd begin today on a good note and say thank you to a remarkable man whose name I do not know. The regular Amtrak
- [You just gotta believe!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4395) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 12/1996 In a week filled with an office Christmas party, two family tree trimmings, a movie with friends, picking up our own tree, addressing cards, more Christmas shopping, not to mention everyday life, my thoughts keep drifting back to a simpler Christmas time - and how I
- [Humor: The missing William Shatner scene in J.J. Abrams Star Trek 2009!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=57) - Trekmovie reported, "...Star Trek: 2009 writers Roberto Orci and Alex Kurtzman said that William Shatner's cut scene was in the movie and then was written out in a later draft. It would have been at the very end of the movie when Spock Prime meets the younger Spock and speaks to him about the long
- [Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and yes, Virginia, he knows that the world is ending in 2012](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=14) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 12/2009 "DEAR EDITOR: I am 8 years old. "Some of my BFFs and Frenemys say there will be no Christmas in 2012 because the world is going to end on December 21, 2012 -- four days before Christmas. Last year (and the year
- [My professional photography at GillisPhotos.com - the Boston and New England Photo Gallery](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2795) - I started Gillis Photos in 2005 to share my unique view of New England, particularly Boston, where I grew up, and work. I'm not another guy who slapped together a web site and uploaded a bunch of images shot on a camera phone. While I am not a career photographer, I love photography, and when
- [Foxboro Jaycees](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=204) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 4/2004 I have been a Jaycee for 12 years, on the board for five, and its webmaster forever, and I have an inside perspective about the Foxboro Jaycees that I would like to share. The Jaycees remain incredibly active. Just two weeks ago, we had our Easter
- [Foxboro Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=200) - 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
- [Foxboro town election 2013 -- some thoughts, some advice, and a reminder to VOTE!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2592) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2012 As a Foxboro Jaycee, I was so honored to be the moderator for candidates night -- yes, I was nervous but my main goal (beyond not passing out) was too ensure that things ran smoothly, ensure the candidates were all treated fairly, got their say, and
- [Foxboro Founders Day 2000](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4297) - Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter June 2000 Well, let’s start this Founders Day column with two shocking confessions: First, I did something stupid Founders Day morning, and second, this is the first time I’ve actually watched a Founders Day parade in its entirety. First, the stupid thing. I arrived early for the parade
- [Foxboro Founders Day 2011!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1525) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 6/2011 Founders Day is here again! The annual day-long celebration of our town’s birthday starts as you drive through Foxboro at 8:45, 9:00am, and people are already putting out beach chairs, staking out the best viewing spots. Business owners and employees are opening windows and doors, hovering,
- [Foxboro Founders Day 2009](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=54) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 6/2004 and 6/2008 and 6/2009 in various forms/updates Founders Day! The annual day-long celebration of our town's birthday starts as you drive through Foxboro at 8:45, 9:00, and people are already putting out beach chairs, staking out the best viewing spots. Business owners and employees are opening
- [Reflections on Christmas 2001, three months after the attacks](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4292) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter It’s Christmas 2001. Hard to believe, isn’t it? It’s only been three months since September 11. With all that’s happened, many us are thinking, how could we enjoy Christmas this year? Should we even try? After all, while we decorate trees and make cookies, our soldiers are
- [What if "The Christmas Song" were written in 2010?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1133) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper It's Thanksgiving, Christmas songs are being played 24/7, and one of the most beloved (read: incessantly overplayed) Christmas tunes is, "The Christmas Song", commonly subtitled "Chestnuts Roasting on an Open Fire" or "Merry Christmas to You", or, "Oh, by gosh by golly, do
- [Foxboro Jaycees pancake breakfast 1999](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4303) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter March 1999 Last year’s Foxboro Jaycee pancake breakfast brought some personal reflection. It seemed that my 1998 Reporter article persuading all to come attend this wonderful annual event had painted the Jaycees as maybe just a little TOO happy and a little TOO organized. "Perfect synchronicity," was
- [Foxboro Founders Day turns 25!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2642) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 6/2013 Living here for more than 20 years, and contributing to this newspapers for slightly less than that time, this columnist has been puzzling about what I could say about Founders Day that is new -- in other words, what "fresh' spin could I put on it?
- [Foxboro Jaycees Santa on the Common](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=98) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter December 2006 Despite his extremely busy schedule this time of year, Santa Claus made time to visit Foxboro last Saturday, with help from the Foxboro Jaycees. Explaining to the crowd that his reindeer are still resting up for the big sleigh ride on the 24th, Santa arrived
- [I hit the UK lottery again!  Fifth time this week!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=90) - by Robert Gillis True story: I received this email today; I have not edited it; this is what I got, errors and all: From: FREE LOTTO CLAIM OFFICER Sent: Thu, 2 Oct 2008 8:56 am Subject: Validation Of Your winning Funds ATTN: Winner, I am Mr. Richard Smith your claims officer, I wish to Congratulate
- [Avoid Fraud: The Online Lottery Scam](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=107) - by Robert Gillis published in the Boston City Paper 10/2007 SCAM: You receive an email from a someone you don't know claiming you have won a large amount of money in a lottery you have never heard of. He promises you, a total stranger (but a trusted one) all the details to collect your billions.
- [Oh, boy!  The nice banker in the email says I won $900,000!  (fifth time this week)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=693) - by Robert Gillis This gem arrived in my spam folder today, and it was so perfectly, wonderfully, amazingly STUPID that I just had to share this one. Obviously, it's fraud, just delete it, but there ARE folks who get taken every year by these scammers, so again, to anyone who doe not understand this fraud:
- [Avoid Fraud: The Nigerian 419 Letter](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=26) - by Robert Gillis published in the Foxboro Reporter 11/2005 and Boston City Paper, 2006 SCAM: You receive an email from a "wealthy foreigner" (usually someone related to the royal family or something) who needs help moving millions of dollars from his homeland. He promises you, a total stranger (but a trusted one) a hefty percentage
- [Beware Superbowl Ticket Scams On Line (especially eBay and CraigsList)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=71) - by Robert Gillis published in the Foxboro Reporter, 1/2006 & 1/2007 and the Boston City Paper, 6/2006 & 1/2007. Since eBay no longer allows this ad that I have posted for EIGHT YEARS, I invite you to read it here! (They won't allow it because I'm not selling or buying anything). But since ticket fraud
- [History of Christmas Traditions](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=145) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 12/1997, revised 12/2007 and also the Boston City Paper, 12/2006 "Here we come a' wassailing," the Christmas song goes. The word "Wassail" comes from a Saxon expression "waes hael," meaning "to your health." The wassail bowl, something like our punch bowl, was very common in England at
- [Halifax says thank you with a tree](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=179) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 12/2005 Besides being the center of a recent controversy, the beautiful Christmas tree on Boston Common has a very interesting history. You may know that the tree used to be displayed at Prudential Center before being moved to Boston Common a few years back. You may know
- [Even angels in the outfield couldn't help the Red Sox - 2003](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=115) - Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 10/2003 My dad, God bless him -- was the sports fanatic in my family and a true die hard Red Sox fan. While winter nights were often peppered with him shouting "SCORE!" whenever the Boston Bruins got a goal, it was the Red Sox that was his true sports passion
- [New England Patriots make us proud during winter of our discontent](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=210) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 1/2004 In "City Streets" Carole King sings, "River wind is icy / Chills run through my bones / Tides of life are ebbing out / between the cobblestones ... winter colored morning / Gray and dirty brown / Reflecting the mood I'm in / Despair is all
- [Thank you New England Patriots!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=101) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 1/2007 After weeks of almost spring-like conditions, winter had returned with a vengeance, and most of us were already used to the change to more seasonal weather. But the morning of Monday January 22 felt particularly bitter. Yes, it was another winter
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Boston, 4/21/2009 and 4/22/2009](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4064) - by Robert Gillis TD Garden - Boston - 4/21/2009 Tonight’s Springsteen show was arguably one of the best I have seen. Hell, they all are. Best to stop rating them. Bruce looks thinner, in great shape and his voice sounds fantastic. No earrings or other piercing and shorter hair. LOVED the new “smoke” effect –
- [Review: Happy Birthday to me: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – MAGIC - Boston Garden 11/19/2007](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=4077) - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band – MAGIC At the TD Bank North Garden, Boston Monday, November 19, 2007 By Robert Gillis Bruce Springsteen. In Boston Garden. On my birthday. Can it possibly get any better? Yes it can, and yes it did! Setlist: Radio Nowhere / Night / Lonesome Day / Gypsy Biker
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen at Boston Fleet Center 9/27/1999](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=125) - by Robert Gillis Oh, man... Of the seven Bruce shows I've seen in my life, I think last night was the best (or second best) after Worcester 88. The fans were REALLY into to it and Bruce played the greatest oldies, his very best, and the party songs (and new stuff!). Played over three hours.
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen Rising Providence 3/10/2003](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=113) - Review by Robert Gillis Dunkin Donuts Center -- the former Providence Civic Center -- isn't as big as the Fleet Center so there isn't a bad seat in the house. Our seats put us right of the stage about half way up -- not bad at all. Springsteen looks a little haggard -- the man
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen at Gillette Foxboro 8/1/03 and 8/2/03](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=114) - After seeing Springsteen in Jersey on July 17 and the Eagles the following night, I continued the Gillis Concert Tour 2003 with both Bruce shows here in Foxboro. Man, I am wiped! The final two nights of the whirlwind concert tour are now behind me -- Bruce Springsteen's two shows at Gillette Stadium were phenomenal,
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at East Rutherford New Jersey / Giants Stadium, July 28, 2008](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=112) - Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band East Rutherford New Jersey / Giants Stadium Sunday, July 28, 2008 By Robert Gillis Sometime in 1984, my best friend David attended a party at his alma mater, Harvard, and heard a version of "Santa Claus is coming to town" and loved the way the singer performed
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - August 2, 2008 at Foxboro, MA / Gillette Stadium](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=109) - Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, August 2, 2008 Foxboro, Mass - Gillette Stadium By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 8/2008 Set list: Summertime Blues / Tenth Avenue Freeze-out / Radio Nowhere / Lonesome Day / The Promised Land / Spirit in the Night / Tunnel of Love / Little Latin
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band / Wrecking Ball Tour / TD Bank Garden Boston / Monday, March 26, 2012](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2005) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper 4/2012 Nosebleed seats (section 330 row 10, place your trays in the upright position) but who cares, -- it’s Bruce Springsteen back in Boston and ANY seat is a good one! And as always, the man did not disappoint! All Springsteen shows are special but this
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band /  Wrecking Ball Tour /  Izod Center, Meadowlands, NJ / Wednesday, April 4, 2012](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2037) - By Robert Gillis, 4/2012 The eponymous track of Bruce Springsteen’s new CD, "Wrecking Ball," was written a few years back in response to the demolition of the old Giants Stadium right next door here in the Meadowlands. It’s a great song; although the line about, "The Giants played the game" got some good-natured boos here
- [Review: A monster of a show, Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band at Fenway Park Boston, August 15, 2012](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2256) - by Robert Gillis (9/2012) A little disclaimer: When it comes to Springsteen, I am not exactly unbiased -- Not at all. I love the guy and tonight’s show was my 25th or 26th of my life -- certainly not up there with fans like New Jersey Governor Chris Christie who has seen the Boss 130
- [Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band / Wrecking Ball Tour / Gillette Stadium (My hometown) / Saturday, August 18, 2012](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2344) - by Robert Gillis 8/2012 Another beautiful night for a Boss show in my hometown! Our seats were in B2 which is behind the pit and behind "A" but not bad at all. I didn’t care, I just wanted to be there. The stadium looked pretty full. From the start (8:10) it was obvious this was
- [[Updated] Foxboro double power outage: Forgotten already?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1977) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 2/2012 It’s a beautiful Sunday afternoon and I’m gassing up my car and a National Grid truck pulls into the lot. And then I realized, when was the last time I even thought about what happened to Foxboro last year, when we had two power outages in
- [Foxboro's Casino War: It's Starting to come apart](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2065) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 4/2012 Do you remember Gary Larson’s often bizarre and always hilarious "Far Side" comic strip? It always made me laugh, and I wanted to reflect on one of my favorites because it’s apropos to today’s topic. In the panel, nuclear mushroom clouds are bursting everywhere, and Earth
- [Bruce Springsteen at Fenway Park September 6 and 7, 2003](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=186) - Bruce Springsteen at Fenway Park September 6 and 7, 2003 by Robert Gillis Note: Not so much a review as a gushing fanboy reaction to what had to be the most orgasmic set of Springsteen shows, EVER. EVER. BRUCE SPRINGSTEEN AND THE E STREET BAND FENWAY PARK, BOSTON IT'S BOSS TIME! WELCOME TO BOSS-TOWN! September
- [Album Review: Bruce Springsteen MAGIC](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=144) - Review: Bruce Springsteen, MAGIC (released October 2, 2007) By Robert Gillis Published in the Boston City Paper MAGIC is Bruce Springsteen's new studio recording and his first with the E Street Band in five years. It's a solid rock/pop offering; Springsteen has left the folksy styles of THE SEEGER SESSIONS and TOM JOAD behind (for
- [Remembering Tom Sawran, Foxboro Jaycee and so much more](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2894) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 10/2013 Tom Sawran passed away last week, and if you’ve lived in Foxboro for any length of time you probably knew him. He was a paradox to be sure, but I liked Tom, and I respected him, and as a Jaycee mentor he taught me a lot.
- [[Foxboro] Sign of the times?  Thoughts on an electronic news sign on the Common](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2500) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 1/2013 I read with interest the news that the Foxborough Lions Club is talking about the possibility of upgrading the two aging signboards at the top and bottom of Foxboro Common with electronic signs. Since we’re talking about Foxboro Common, itself to many residents (myself included) sacred
- [Fewer September 11 Memorials: Why?](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=25) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 9/2009 "The date, September 11, will forever evoke recollections of unimaginable tragedy, of lives callously lost and brutally cut short and of unspeakable horror and sorrow in the hearts and minds of all of us. ... That is why each and
- [Eileen Gustin and the Advent Wreath](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=23) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 12/2008 and 12/2005, and the Boston City Paper 12/2008 When I was a teenager, our friend Eileen Gustin worked at the information desk at nearby Saint Margaret's Hospital on Cushing Avenue. Everyone liked her -- she was like a wonderful aunt to all the neighborhood kids. She
- [Memories of Halloween](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=19) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, (revised) 10/2009, 10/1996 and the Boston City Paper 10/2006 There is something very special and magical about Halloween night. The sky seems darker, the moon fuller and more ominous looking, and the air itself seems charged and foreboding. The sound and smell of dead leaves as
- [The Weakest Link](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=133) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 6/2001 Monday night. The music is over, the host faces the players and snarls, "One of you is about to leave with nothing. It's time to vote off ... " (dramatic emphasis) " ... The Weakest Link!" I love this show. A ratings winner, Weakest Link is
- [Katy Perry’s “Firework:” A message every teen needs to hear](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1364) - By Robert Gillis Pubished in the Foxboro Reporter 6/2011 and the Boston City Paper, 4/2011 A detailed discussion of a music video is not typical fodder for my columns, but my recent discovery of the video for "Firework" by pop superstar Katy Perry resonated so much with me that I had to share. And let’s
- [Foxboro Thanksgiving 1997, 15 years later...](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2335) - by 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
- [Star Trek: Insurrection Review](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=194) - Star Trek: Insurrection By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 12/1998 Star Trek continues to live long and prosper. "Start Trek: Insurrection," the ninth Star Trek feature film and third film outing for the "Star Trek: The Next Generation" (ST:TNG) cast, is a solid action story, featuring a morality tale, humor, and for the
- [Thoughts on the "Smallville" finale](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1466) - by Robert Gillis On another excellent CW show, Supernatural, the prophet “Chuck” said this in a season finale (that was almost the series finale): "Endings are hard. Anyone can create a beginning, but endings are impossible. You try to tie up every loose end, but you never can. The fans are always gonna bitch. There's
- [Star Trek: Let the Franchise rest in peace... Unless...](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=168) - by Robert Gillis At the 2006 Comic Con, Paramount Pictures unveiled this teaser poster for Star Trek 11, due in 2008 and to be produced/directed by J.J. Abrams (Lost, Alias, etc). Now, anyone who knows me will be surprised to hear this but I say it now -- Star Trek is dead, let in rest
- [Memorial Day 2000](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=173) - By 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
- [Mr. Gillis' wild ride - working in Boston](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=62) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 7/2004 and the Boston City Paper 4/2007 KEYWORDS: Big Dig, Boston, Boston drivers, Boston traffic, City, Dorchester, driving in Boston, Massachusetts, new job, traffic drivers, career change, city drivers The city of Boston and I have carried on a love/hate relationship for many years. The love began
- [Boston, you're my kind of town!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1005) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 7/2010 In my years of working in the great Metropolis of Boston, I have observed and experienced much, and I thought it might be useful (or at least illuminating) to provide you with his handy guide of things I can tell you
- [Post election, the business of Foxboro continues -- stay involved](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2111) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 5/2012 After an historic and record breaking turnout at the town election on May 7, where about 6000 voters cast ballots, one week later, only 217 people attended the town meeting. I think it’s understandable that we’re all exhausted, and for most of us, the thought of
- [Community Service another "Best" in Foxboro](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=103) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 2/2007 Recently, the new editor of the Foxboro Reporter asked the community: What are the "bests" in Foxboro? I would like to submit for consideration that one of the best things about Foxboro is how alive community service is in our town. Foxboro is blessed with a
- [Another storm, another four days without electricity - ENOUGH.](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1745) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 11/2011 For the second time in two months, despite plenty of weather forecasts and warnings, our town was without power for four days. The unprecedented pre-Halloween Nor’easter took out power for over two million people up and down the eastern seaboard, but my focus today is on
- [Casino in Foxboro is a losing bet](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1715) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 9/2011 “Well I got a job and put my money away / But I got debts no honest man can pay / So I drew what I had from the Central Trust / And I bought me and my baby two tickets on that coast city bus…
- [Foxboro: You need to read the newspaper and stay informed!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2029) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2012 You live in Foxboro, it’s 2am and you’ve just been woken out of a sound sleep because you heard a very loud noise in the backyard. Do you go back to sleep, ignoring the noise and hope everything will be OK, or do you get up,
- [The history of Halloween](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=192) - by Robert Gillis published in the Foxboro Reporter 2005 and the Boston City Paper 2006 Halloween, one of my favorite holidays, will soon be here, and I thought it might be interesting to explore the traditions surrounding this fascinating day, whose origins are over two thousand years old. Halloween, also known as all Hallowmass or
- [Halloween history lesson](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2300) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and Boston City Paper, 10/2012 Nationally and locally, the newspapers are full of negative news and stories. In the spirit of lightening things up a bit and having some reading enjoyment, I thought we could talk about my second favorite holiday, Halloween. There’s a lot going on
- [Retro-Review: "A Christmas Carol" (1984, George C. Scott)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=83) - by Robert Gillis - December 2008 There have been countless adaptations of Charles Dickens' "A Christmas Carol" over the last century. One of my annual Christmas traditions is to watch several of them. This is one of my very favorites... Version: 1984 (CBS) Scrooge: George C. Scott Cast: David Warner (Bob Cratchit), Frank Finlay (Marley's
- [Review: RENT at the Orpheum Foxboro](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=5) - by Robert Gillis, published in the Boston City Paper 2/2010 [Full disclosure: This is not a paid review, I just thought it would be nice to write a review about the extraordinary performance of RENT, playing here in Foxboro at the Orpheum Foxboro -- no one asked me to do this.] During the "Halloween Song"
- [Foxboro Jaycees Easter Egg Hunt 2010](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=710) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2010 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 event. Under rather cool temperatures
- [Retro-Review: A Christmas Carol (1999) starring Patrick Stewart](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=146) - By Robert GillisThere have been countless adaptations of Charles Dickens's "A Christmas Carol" over the last century. One of my favorite Christmas traditions is to watch several of them. This is one of my favorites...Version: 1999 (TNT)Scrooge: Patrick StewartCast: Richard E. Grant (Bob Cratchit), Joel Grey (The Ghost of Christmas Past), Ian McNeice (Albert Fezziwig),
- [Retro-Review "A Christmas Carol" (1951)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1937) - by Robert Gillis 1/2012 There have been countless adaptations of Charles Dickens’ "A Christmas Carol" over the last century. One of my annual Christmas traditions is to watch several of them. This is one of my very favorites... Version: 1951 (VCI Entertainment) Note: The film was released in Great Britain under the title, "Scrooge." United
- [Homework in summer?  Let kids be kids](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=29) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper 8/2009 The "Back to School" sales are in full force, despite the face that kids were out of school for just a few weeks and the last Independence Day fireworks had barely fizzled. Now, there are many that would argue that school
- [My first videos of images from GillisPhotos.com](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=2129) - These are my first videos of some of my favorite images from my photo site, GillisPhotos.com, which I've created and uploaded to YouTube. Check them out!
- [An interview with Bill, a firefighter who worked recovery at Ground Zero one month after the attacks of September 11, 2001 [graphic]](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1676) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, 9/2011 Earlier this month, I interviewed a former firefighter who worked at Ground Zero a month after the attacks as part of the recovery operations. I taped our conversation and the incredible people at Audio Transcription Center in Boston (http://ttctranscriptions.com/) gave me
- [Review: SUPERMAN II: THE RICHARD DONNER CUT](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=165) - SUPERMAN II: THE RICHARD DONNER CUT REVIEWby Robert Gillis4/2007Published onSupermanCinema.co.ukSPOILER WARNING-THIS ARTICLE CONTAINS SIGNIFICANT SPOILER INFORMATION ABOUT "SUPERMAN II: THE RICHARD DONNER CUT." THE ROAD TO THE RICHARD DONNER CUT: Starting in 1977, director Richard Donner filmed SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE and SUPERMAN II simultaneously. In order to make the deadline for SUPERMAN: THE MOVIE, at
- [Letter I wrote to DC Comics when Superman died](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1887) - Here's an oldie but a goodie, the only letter I ever wrote to DC Comics (back when they had letter columns). This was in response to the Death of Superman, in 1993... Dear DC: This is a letter that I have been meaning to write for a long time. Now that Superman has died, this
- [Thoughts on visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=1417) - By Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City paper, 5/2011. While Easter has passed and elections have been in full swing here in Foxboro, we are still in the Easter season, so perhaps my message is still timely. There is an old tradition of visiting seven churches on Holy Thursday (the
- [Puffins Gourmet Cafe Opens in Foxboro](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=878) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 2/2002 Note: My wife ran her café for two years and it was very well received in Foxboro… Here is the story of how it came to be… Once upon a time, right here in Foxboro, a bucket truck pulled up to the site of a closed
- [There will not be a Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House in 2008](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=69) - By Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter 9/2008There will not be a Jaycee haunted house in 2008.While we were hoping to have one more season and make it an even 20 years, there simply isn't enough manpower to make the project feasible. Also, times have changed, and all haunted houses have noticed marked drops in
- [Foxboro Jaycees-Orpheum Haunted House 2006 and 2007](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=95) - Introduction: From 1989-2007, the Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House was the largest not-for-profit Haunt in New England, our biggest fundraiser, an extremely popular event attended by thousands of people, and my favorite Jaycee project. This is the column I wrote for the 2006 and 2007 Haunts. Of course, this is an archive, so things like show
- [Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House 2002 (Nightmares on Oak Street) and 2003 (Jungle Horror)](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=656) - Introduction: From 1989-2007, the Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House was the largest not-for-profit Haunt in New England, our biggest fundraiser, an extremely popular event attended by thousands of people, and my favorite Jaycee project. My Haunted House columns for 2002 and 2003 both used a “Question and Answer” format so there was a great degree of
- [Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House 2004: Old Time Haunt](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=643) - Introduction: From 1989-2007, the Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House was the largest not-for-profit Haunt in New England, our biggest fundraiser, an extremely popular event attended by thousands of people, and my favorite Jaycee project. This is the column I wrote for the 2004 Haunt. Of course, this is an archive, so things like show times, dates,
- [Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House 2000: Frontier Fright](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=627) - Introduction: From 1989-2007, the Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House was the largest not-for-profit Haunt in New England, our biggest fundraiser, an extremely popular event attended by thousands of people, and my favorite Jaycee project. This is the column I wrote for the 2000 Haunt. Of course, this is an archive, so things like show times, dates,
- [Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House 1999: Camp Fright](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=620) - Introduction: From 1989-2007, the Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House was the largest not-for-profit Haunt in New England, our biggest fundraiser, an extremely popular event attended by thousands of people, and my favorite Jaycee project. This is the column I wrote for the 1999 Haunt. Of course, this is an archive, so things like show times, dates,
- [Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House 1997: The University](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=614) - Introduction: From 1989-2007, the Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House was the largest not-for-profit Haunt in New England, our biggest fundraiser, an extremely popular event attended by thousands of people, and my favorite Jaycee project. This is the column I wrote for the 1997 Haunt. Of course, this is an archive, so things like show times, dates,
- [Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House 2001: Travel Through Time](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=633) - Introduction: From 1989-2007, the Foxboro Jaycees Haunted House was the largest not-for-profit Haunt in New England, our biggest fundraiser, an extremely popular event attended by thousands of people, and my favorite Jaycee project. This is the column I wrote for the 2001 Haunt. Of course, this is an archive, so things like show times, dates,
- [A loss too deep for words: Remembering Lorraine and Stanley Garland](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=163) - by Robert Gillis Originally published in The Foxboro Reporter December 2000 One week and a day after Lorraine and Stanley Garland died, Foxboro and the surrounding area got hit with a violent Nor'Easter, and most of the town lost electric power for a few hours. Driving through the dark streets that Sunday night, the hurricane-force
- [Brandy](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=27) - by Robert Gillis Published in the Foxboro Reporter, 11/97 and the Boston City Paper 11/2007 Over eight inches of snow had fallen that February Saturday during an already snowy winter. Outside was very cold, but the snow-covered landscape was beautiful. I hadn't had the chance to take in any of it; I was an eighteen
- [Star Trek: War Hammer](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=136) - Published on fanfiction.net (TV/Star Trek/Other) HERESummary: It is the late 23rd century. Aboard the Starfleet Marine flagship War Hammer, Captain John Black must balance his Starfleet training with a need for revenge against a malevolent race that has killed eight of his men, and millions of others.Star Trek and all its elements are property of
- [Now is the time to thank the hero next door](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=213) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 11/2002 Heroes. I've been thinking about heroes lately. Heroes are all around us. At the flag retirement ceremony on the Common this past September 11, I watched with admiration as the boy scouts and veterans respectfully retired worn American Flags. The veterans fired off crisp salutes that
- [The real story this Christmas 2004 is Saddam Hussein's capture -- NOT a blizzard!](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=209) - by Robert Gillis Published in The Foxboro Reporter 12/2004 Saddam Hussein has been captured. One of the most evil beings ever to walk the face of the Earth, a man solely responsibly for genocide, unspeakable atrocities, torture and war crimes is in custody, and the top news story every day after the capture was the
- [Paradox and parallels - the death of Gerald Ford and execution of Saddam Hussein](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=100) - by Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter and the Boston City Paper, January 2006Paradox and parallels.This past Friday evening, the entire world was glued to the coverage of the execution of Saddam Hussein. The dictator's hanging is a true historical event, putting a firm end to an unimaginable rein of terror and hopefully bringing some
- [Concert Review: Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band - MAGIC - At TD Bank North Garden November 19, 2007](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=87) - Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band -- MAGIC At the TD Bank North Garden, Boston Monday, November 19, 2007 By Robert GillisBruce Springsteen. In Boston Garden. On my birthday. Can it possibly get any better?Yes it can, and yes it did!Setlist: Radio Nowhere / Night / Lonesome Day / Gypsy Biker / Magic /
- [Birthday cards for Jesus](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=169) - by Robert GillisPublished as a Letter to the Editor in the Foxboro Reporter 1/2008On New Year's Eve I took a ride up to Foxboro Common to get some new pictures of the Nativity Set. As I approached the beautiful display, I noticed that there seemed to be some papers in the baby Jesus' crèche. On
- [I'm honored to present the Foxboro Jaycees donation to the Foxboro Discretionary Fund](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=162) - Read more about the Foxboro Discretionary Fund
- [Re-Elect Bob Hickey for Foxboro Selectman](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?p=155) - By Robert GillisPublished in the Foxboro Reporter 4/2008I've known Bob Hickey for 15 years, both as member of the Foxboro Jaycees and also as a friend.When he was president of the chapter, I was struck by his attention to detail, his command of seemingly every area of governing our organization, and his good nature and

## Pages

- [Gillis Photo and Nana Videos](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?page_id=228) - These are some of my first videos showing just a sample of the 4000+ images available at my photography for sale web site, www.GillisPhotos.com Robert Gillis was the guest of the TV talk show, Charlie Masison’s "Behind the Scenes," which was broadcast on Foxboro Cable Access Foxboro Channel 8 in June 2006. READ THE
- [Nana - my first published book](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?page_id=218) - Go to book's website For anyone who has ever loved a senior citizen, this book will touch your heart. Anne Gillis, my Nana. I loved her dearly. What began as a stop to drop off the newspaper blossomed into a very special responsibility lasting over two decades. I visited her daily since I
- [Site Map](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?page_id=257)
- [My professional photography](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?page_id=217) - CLICK HERE TO GO TO GILLISPHOTOS.COM!
- [About Me](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?page_id=214) - A long time ago in a city not too far away... Robert Gillis grew up in Dorchester, Massachusetts and is a graduate of Boston College High School and U/Mass Boston. He and his wife Susan (Foxboro's 1998 Citizen of the Year) live in Foxboro, home of the six time Super Bowl champion New England Patriots.

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- [Dorchester](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=66)
- [Catholic / Church](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=81)
- [Television](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=82) - DISCLAIMER: Any of the movie or television images used in this post were obtained from a web image search, so proper credit may not or may not have been able to be determined. If credit was able to be determined it is noted here. Regardless of whether proper credit can be determined, any of the movie or television images used in this post remain the property of their original copyright holders and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [Comic Books](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=84) - DISCLAIMER: SUPERMAN, BATMAN, and ALL related elements are the property of DC Comics. TM & © 2018. Any SUPERMAN, SUPERMAN-related images, and ANY DC Comics images whatsoever used in this post remain the property of their original copyright holders and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [Star Trek](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=85) - DISCLAIMER: STAR TREK® and its various marks are trademarks of CBS Studios Inc. / Paramount Pictures Corporation. Any STAR TREK and STAR TREK-related images used in this post remain the property of their original copyright holders and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [Movies](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=86) - DISCLAIMER: Any of the movie or television images used in this post were obtained from a web image search, so proper credit may not or may not have been able to be determined. If credit was able to be determined it is noted here. Regardless of whether proper credit can be determined, any of the movie or television images used in this post remain the property of their original copyright holders and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [Bruce Springsteen](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=87) - DISCLAIMER: Unless noted that Robert Gillis took the photo of Bruce Springsteen / the E Street Band, all images of Bruce Springsteen, The E Street Band and Bruce Springsteen related images used in this post remain the property of their original copyright holders and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended. .
- [Nana Book](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=88)
- [GillisPhotos.com](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=142)
- [Slow News Day Humor](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=144)
- [Sports](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=145) - Any images of sports team and sports league information, sports logos, sports uniforms and sports names contained within this post are properties of their respective leagues, teams, ownership groups and/or organizations and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [Boston](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=146)
- [Foxboro Reporter Image](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=147) - DISCLAIMER: One or more of the images in this post appeared in the Foxboro Reporter and remain the property of The Foxboro Reporter and their original copyright holders and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [FCA Image](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=148) - DISCLAIMER: Images in this post appeared on Foxboro Cable Access and remain the property of Foxboro Cable Access and their original copyright holders and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [News image from Web](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=149) - One or more images displayed in this post includes an image from a news source source as a newspaper, television network, news service, or an image from a web site on the world wide web. Credit has been given to the original source (if it could be determined) and any such images used in this post remain the property of their original copyright holders and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [Avoiding Fraud](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=150) - Note: I am not a lawyer and nothing here is legal advice. YOU are responsible for your online activity, but it’s easy to get fooled by scammers, so use COMMON SENSE and be safe. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. If you found this information helpful, pass it along and help others avoid online fraud! Pay it forward!
- [CNN image](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=151) - DISCLAIMER: One of more images in this post are from CNN.com. Any such images used in this post remain the property of CNN.com (Cable News Network) / Turner Broadcasting System / Time Warner) and the original copyright holders, and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [Backstreets](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=152) - One or more images in this post appeared on backstreets.com. Credit has been given if the photographer is known. All such images, whether credited or not, remain the property of the original copyright holders, and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [Foxboro Founders Day](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=154) - Founders Day is the town of Foxboro’s birthday and is a day-long celebration with a parade, events on the field, and fireworks. Every June; more info at http://www.foxboroughfoundersday.com/
- [Superman and Friends - Comic Book Humor and Parody](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=155) - DISCLAIMER: SUPERMAN, BATMAN, and ALL related elements are the property of DC Comics. TM & © 2013. Any SUPERMAN, SUPERMAN-related images, and ANY DC Comics images whatsoever used in this post remain the property of their original copyright holders and are used here for commentary / illustrative / entertainment purposes only, under what is believed to be fair use guidelines, and absolutely no copyright infringement is intended.
- [Current News Story Parody and Humor](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=156) - The “Current News Story Parody and Humor” category features my unique perspective — usually quite an irreverent or hilarious perspective — on a a real news event that seems ripe for mocking.
- [Current Events / News Commentary](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=157)
- [Life events, Gratitude and Giving and Little Miracles](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=158)
- [Italy](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=159)
- [NASA Image](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=160) - From NASA.gov: “NASA still images; audio files; video; and computer files used in the rendition of 3-dimensional models, such as texture maps and polygon data in any format, generally are not copyrighted. You may use NASA imagery, video, audio, and data files used for the rendition of 3-dimensional models for educational or informational purposes, including photo collections, textbooks, public exhibits, computer graphical simulations and Internet Web pages. This general permission extends to personal Web pages.” From Bob: Thank you for the images NASA — I could never get these myself (at least, not since my spaceship crashed, but I’m not supposed to talk about that!)
- [Pets](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=162)
- [Letter To The Editor](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=174) - Before I started my regular column in the Foxboro Reporter in 1996, I was writing a lot of letters to the editor; this is one of them.
- [Not The Best](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=175) - This column was either one of my earlier efforts (or just not too good) and I include it here for completeness but don’t consider it an example of my best writing. Either I was a little too all over the place, trying to write something that would just serve to please the audience, or I re-read it and just think, “huh?” These days, I’d probably write this one very differently, or not all all. Live and learn.
- [History](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=176)
- [Family](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=177)
- [Mass Shootings](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=178)
- [Scanned From Newspaper Microfilm](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?cat=181) - While I had *most* of my op/eds and columns saved on the computer in Word format, allowing me to add them here, some were not saved. Occasionally, I make a trip to Foxboro’s Boyden Library and lookup the newspapers on the magic microfilm machine (kids today have NO idea!) and see if I’ve missed any op/eds. In that case, I just scan them and put them in here. What can I say, I’m a completest.

## Tags

- [Life & Times](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?tag=life-times)
- [Parody](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?tag=parody)
- [Tributes](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?tag=tributes)
- [Foxboro](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?tag=foxboro)
- [Humor](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?tag=humor)
- [Memorials](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?tag=memorials)
- [Music](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?tag=music)
- [Seniors](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?tag=seniors)
- [Theater](https://www.robertxgillis.com/?tag=theater)