From left to right – Dwelling House of Hope Executive Director Levenia Furusa, Tewksbury Sixth Grader Gianna Proulx, State Senator Ed Kennedy and Christa McAuliffe School Principal David Anderson.
State Senator Ed Kennedy helped Dwelling House of Hope Executive Director Levenia Furusa and her many dedicated volunteers pass out Thanksgiving food boxes at the Dwelling House of Hope food pantry on Saturday, November 18.
From left to right – Deb Mello, Tami Entwistle, Dwelling House of Hope Executive Director Levenia Furusa, United Way Director of Community Impact Nicole Shiner, State Senator Ed Kennedy, Brendan Urtecho, and Avinash Duba.
As always, Dwelling House of Hope’s Thanksgiving event was a great success. They distributed more than 4,000 food boxes, gift cards, baking trays and turkeys to residents of the Greater Lowell area in partnership with the United Way of Merrimack Valley, and Greater Boston Food Bank.
State Senator Ed Kennedy was honored to participate in the ribbon-cutting ceremony officially opening the new Culinary Lab at Middlesex Community College. Middlesex Community College President Phil Sisson and Hospitality & Culinary Arts Program Coordinator Kim Morrissey also participated in the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
MCC Hospitality and Culinary Arts Program Coordinator Kim Morrissey, State Senator Ed Kennedy and MCC President Phil Sisson at the grand opening of the Middlesex Community College Culinary Lab.
Earlier this year, Senator Kennedy filed an amendment to the Fiscal Year 2023 State Budget dedicating $60,000 to the Hospitality & Culinary Arts Program enabling the college to purchase new kitchen equipment and transform the Cowan Center’s cafeteria into a training kitchen for students. “I am proud to support the Culinary Arts program at Middlesex Community College,” Kennedy said. “The program provides a tremendous growth opportunity for the college and college students in the Greater Lowell and Bedford area as it helps to produce the next generation of restaurant and hospitality workers.”
Middlesex Community College President Phil Sisson cuts the ribbon as Hospitality and Culinary Arts Program Coordinator Kim Morrissey, State Senator Ed Kennedy, and several culinary students hold the ribbon tight.
The Culinary Arts Certificate program at Middlesex Community College is a nine-course program providing the foundation skills and specialized instruction for entry-level employment in the restaurant industry. It provides students with valuable practical experience. The program offers internship opportunities to work in the restaurant industry to practice skills, gain experience, and investigate career pathways. All credits earned for the certificate can be applied to the associate degree program.
Culinary Arts Professor James Giordano instructs a class of aspiring Culinary Arts students.
State Representative Rodney Elliott, MCC Board of Trustees Members Jim Campbell and Anne O’Connor, MCC Vice President Patrick Cook, Dean of Business/Public Service Judy Hogan, Professor Stacie Hargis, Diversity, Equity and Belonging Director Maria Gariepy, UMass Inn & Conference Center Sales & Marketing Director Kathleen Tormey, Susan Hartigan and several students and faculty members were also in attendance.
State Senator Ed Kennedy joined fellow members of the Joint Committee on Higher Education as the Joint Committee toured/visited the UMass-Lowell campus and Middlesex Community College campus on Monday, November 6. The visit and tour in Lowell is one of several visits and tours of the community colleges and university campuses in the Commonwealth.
Members of the Joint Committee on Higher Education that were able to attend the tour/visit of the two Lowell schools included Senate Co-Chair Joanne Comerford, House Co-Chair David Rogers, State Representatives Rodney Elliott, Jennifer Balinsky Armini, Ryan Hamilton, Sean Garballey, and Carmine Gentile. Joint Committee member Rady Mom and State Representative Vanna Howard joined the tour/visit at Middlesex Community College.
The Joint Committee on Higher Education poses for a photo before leaving the UMass-Lowell campus. Pictured from left to right are State Representatives Jennifer Balinsky Armini, Ryan Hamilton, Sean Garballey, Carmine Gentile, House Chair Dave Rogers, UMass President Marty Meehan, UMass-Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen, Senate Chair Joanne Comerford and State Senator Ed Kennedy. State Representative Rodney Elliott is missing from the photo.UMass President Marty Meehan and UMass-Lowell Chancellor Julie Chen discuss current issues and future plans with the Joint Committee on Higher Education.Leading the way to start the Middlesex Community College portion of the Joint Committee on Higher Education’s visit to Lowell are State Senator Ed Kennedy, Middlesex Community College President Phil Sisson and Vice President Patrick Cook.The Joint Committee on Higher Education gathers on Middle Street in Downtown Lowell.
State Senator Ed Kennedy testified before the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development on Monday, advocating for Senate Bill.2469, An Act Defining Agritourism. Senator Kennedy is the chief sponsor of the legislation and he also sits on the Joint Committee on Tourism, Arts and Cultural Development. In general terms, agritourism is tourism that involves any agriculturally based operation or activity that brings visitors to a farm. Senate Bill 2469 would establish a clear definition of agritourism activities.
Parlee Farm – Tyngsborough
As of the latest USDA Census of Agriculture, there were 240 farms participating in agritourism activities in the Commonwealth which generated $13,476,000 in income, or $56,150 per farm, which makes Massachusetts the eighth highest state in the U.S. for agritourism value per farm.
Tully Farm – Dunstable
Many Massachusetts farmers have become increasingly creative about making their farms attractive to tourists by adding farm stands, offering bus tours, a farm-to-table venue for weddings, corn mazes, bed and breakfasts, picnic tables, and other recreational activities.
Shaw Farm – Dracut
Agritourism is crucial for the success of many small farms. With modern agriculture putting a strain on farms, and the urban and suburban populations becoming increasingly distant from them, agritourism serves as a means for farmers to increase their revenue. It also helps farmers reconnect with the general public and educates them about the process of producing their food and other farm products. By defining agritourism in state law, future legislation can be proposed to support the farming industry in Massachusetts.
Massachusetts Cultural Council Executive Director Michael Bobbitt, UMass-Lowell Associate Dean and Angkor Dance Troupe board member Sue Kim, and State Senator Ed Kennedy at the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s Celebrate Giving event.
State Senator Ed Kennedy was among the 150+ crowd who attended the Greater Lowell Community Foundation’s 2023 Celebrate Giving event which took place at UTEC’s Warren Street facility on Thursday, October 25. The focus of this year’s event was “Creating an Inclusive Cultural Economy” and featured Massachusetts Cultural Council Executive Director Michael Bobbitt as the keynote speaker.
The Celebrate Giving event highlighted Mosaic Lowell and the related work of other creative partners in the Greater Lowell community.
Pictured from left to right are Lowell School Committee Member Dominik Lay, Middlesex Community College’s Asian-American Student Advancement Program Director Virak Uy, and State Senator Ed Kennedy.
State Senator Ed Kennedy was happy to attend the second annual Lowell Asian American Film Festival at Middlesex Community College on Sunday, October 22nd. The three-day film festival began on Friday, October 20 and ended on Sunday.
The 2023 version of the Lowell Asian-American Film Festival featured eight films directed by Asian American film directors from across the country. This year’s festival attracted more than 450 people. On Sunday, Senator Kennedy viewed the showing of The Next Generation of Asian-American Art, a film that “explores how Asian Americans in California’s Central Valley are using art to reshape narratives about and within their communities.”
The Lowell Asian-American Film Festival is sponsored by Middlesex Community College, with support from the Middlesex Community College Foundation and is funded in part by a grant from the City of Lowell.
State Senator Ed Kennedy joined up with the Joint Committee on Agriculture as they toured Shaw Farm in Dracut and the Mill City Grows farm in the Pawtucketville section of Lowell on Friday, September 29. Leading the Joint Committee on the legislative farm tour was Representative Paul Schmid of Westport who serves as co-chair of the Joint Committee on Agriculture.
Warren Shaw led the legislative farm tour at Shaw Farm and Mill City Grows Executive Director, Jessica Moore Wilson led the tour at the Mill City Grows farm. In addition to the members of the Joint Committee, Representative Colleen Garry and Representative Rodney Elliott accompanied the legislative tour
Karen Schwalbe, Executive Director of the Massachusetts Farm Bureau Federation and Massachusetts Department of Agricultural Resources Commissioner Ashley Randle also joined the legislative farm tour.
Getting ready to start the legislative farm tour at Shaw Farm in Dracut.Warren Shaw leads the legislative farm tour from the comfort of a tractor drawn covered wagon.The legislative farm tour assembles for the second leg of the tour at the Mill City Grows farm in the Pawtucketville section of Lowell.The Mill City Grows farm in the Pawtucketville section of Lowell.
State Senator Ed Kennedy attended the opening ceremony and celebration of the “One City, Many Cultures” exhibit at the Mogan Cultural Center on Saturday, September 23. The Mogan Cultural Center is part of the Lowell National Historical Park. In addition to Senator Kennedy, U.S. Representative Lori Trahan, State Representative Vanna Howard and Lowell City Councilor Erik Gitschier also spoke at the opening ceremony. The celebration included performances by the Greater Lowell Indian Cultural Association, the Angkor Dance Troupe, the McGonagle School of Irish Dance and Saint Michael’s Catholic Choir.
“One City, Many Cultures” was co-created by members of the Greater Lowell community and the National Park Service. More than one hundred individuals contributed their stories, objects, photographs and other materials to convey the many cultures in the city of Lowell.
Many of the thirty community members who co-created the “One City, Many Cultures” exhibit hold up the banner at the opening ceremony and celebration on Saturday, September 23.Lowell National Historical Park Superintendent Julie Galonska and State Senator Ed Kennedy at the Mogan Cultural Center.State Senator Ed Kennedy addresses the audience during the opening ceremony and celebration of the “One City, Many Cultures” exhibit at the Mogan Cultural Center.
State Senator Ed Kennedy joined with U.S. Representative Lori Trahan and Lowell Mayor Sokhary Chou in welcoming delegates from across the Commonwealth to Lowell for the 2023 Democratic State Convention on Saturday, September 23.
State Senator Ed Kennedy welcomes delegates to Lowell at the 2023 Democratic State Convention.Backstage at the Democratic State Convention are Lowell School Committeeman Dominik Lay, Governor Maura Healey, Democratic State Committee member Patti Kirwin-Keilty and State Senator Ed Kennedy.Backstage at the Democratic State Convention are Senate President Karen Spilka, State Senator Ed Kennedy and Governor Maura Healey.Democratic State Committee Chairman Steve Kerrigan, Secretary of State Bill Galvin and members of the Lowell Boys & Girls Club. The Lowell Boys & Girls Club delegation led the convention delegates in the Pledge of Allegiance.
State Senator Ed Kennedy joined Middlesex Community College President Phil Sisson, Middlesex Community College Board of Trustees Chairman Jim Campbell, State Representative Vanna Howard, State Representative Rodney Elliott and others on a tour of the UMass-Lowell Inn & Conference Center on Friday, September 22. The tour included the hotel space and the student dorm space on the upper floors as well as the kitchen, dining and function room space on the lower floors.
In recent weeks Middlesex Community College has indicated that the college might be interested in acquiring the property from UMass-Lowell in order to develop a hospitality curriculum at the college that would allow the Inn & Conference Center to continue to function as a hotel. The Inn & Conference Center is located in the heart of the Lowell Central Business District and abuts the Middlesex Community College campus.
Aramark District Manager Bruce Perry leads a tour of the UMass-Lowell Inn & Conference Center on Friday, September 22.Middlesex Community College Vice President of Administration Patrick Cook, Middlesex Community College President Phil Sisson, Middlesex Community College Board of Trustees Chairman Jim Campbell, and State Senator Ed Kennedy discuss various options for the Umass Inn & Conference Center.
