Articles by Steven Gilchrist

Boston, MA. – Roger Wolcott (July 13, 1847 – December 21, 1900) served as the 36 th Lieutenant Governor and the 39 th Governor of Massachusetts.   Wolcott was born in Boston, Massachusetts.   He graduated from Harvard College in 1870 and later in 1874 he graduated from Harvard Law School.   In 1875, Wolcott opened a law office in Boston.   After practicing law, Wolcott started his political career.   He served in the Massachusetts Legislature from 1881 – 1884.   Wolcott would eventually become the Lt. Governor and the Governor of Massachusetts. There is a statue of Wolcott on the 3 rd floor of the Massachusetts State House.   The statue of Wolcott is in the middle of a mural dedicated to American soldiers who fought in the Spanish-American War.   Wolcott was influential in securing legislative funding to provide supplies for troops during the war. Roger Wolcott statue at the Massachusetts State House.

North Easton, MA. – In 1971, the state of Massachusetts acquired the estate of Oakes and Blanche Ames.   Known as Borderland State Park the former Ames’ estate is composed of 1,772 acres of land.   Borderland has six ponds and a visitor’s center.   The most notable aspect of the park is the former Ames mansion. The former Ames Mansion at Borderland. Construction of the mansion began in 1910.   Oakes Ames (1874-1950) was a Harvard University educated botanist.   Oakes was the youngest son of Massachusetts Governor Oliver Ames and Mrs. Anna C. Ames.   His wife, Blanche Ames (1878-1969), was an artist, author, feminist, and inventor.   Oakes Ames was the author of several articles and books about nature.   Blanche Ames was an advocate in the women’s suffrage movement.   In 1916 she co-founded the Birth Control League of Massachusetts.

September 18 – 24 is recognized as Prescription Opioid and Heroin Epidemic Awareness Week.   In the United States, there has been a significant human toll caused by the rampant use of opioids and heroin.   Opioids are drugs that specifically target the nervous system to relieve pain.   However, ongoing usage of opioids can lead to addiction and withdrawal symptoms.   It is estimated that up to 80% of the global opioid supply are consumed in the United States.   Globally, pain drugs are the second largest pharmaceutical class, following cancer medicines. On average in the United States, approximately 308 people die each week from a prescription pain pill overdose according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).   In 2014, about 28,000 people in the U.S. died from a prescription pain killer overdose. Facts about Opioid usage in the United States: * According to Chuck Rosenberg, acting administrator for the Drug Enforcement A...

As a result of terrorist attacks over the past 15 years in the United States and abroad from groups such as Al Qaeda, ISIS, and the Taliban, the federal government and the media has focused on combating terrorism.   The focus on terrorism is timely and necessary.   Nonetheless, communities and civic leaders should remain cognizant of the increasing prevalence of gangs in the United States. In 2011, the Federal Bureau of Investigation published the 100-page “National Gang Threat Assessment” document.   The Assessment highlighted numerous components of the reality of gangs in the United States.   Below are several key points contained in the Assessment.   Gang activity in communities in the United States is a complex situation with a legacy that involves numerous social challenges.   People might seek out gangs for similar reasons that they are attracted to other organizations.   Gangs can offer a family life, a sense of identity and belonging, ...