What I love most about writing for the Independent are the responses I receive from readers after publishing an article. Locals share memories and newcomers express gratitude for learning about their adoptive home. One of the newcomers, who became a fellow Independent correspondent after moving here a little more than a year ago, is Peter […]
Author Archives: Bill Fornaciari - Independent Correspondent
Posted inCulture
Snow stories through the ages
As the Blizzard of 2026 nightmares begin to fade, it’s been a constant topic in my office of 9 people. Four of us compared it with the Blizzard of 78, much to the chagrin of the younger members born after the storm. Paul Fiocchi was a sophomore at what was then Southeastern Massachusetts University in […]
Posted inCulture
Cold Spring, Hedge have rich histories, but the future is uncertain
There’s a lot going on in North Plymouth these days. It is under assault by developers and has been the focus of ICE actions. And now two historic buildings are about to face significant changes: use of the Hedge and Cold Spring elementary schools are under study. Both buildings are central to the North Plymouth […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Cure for the winter blues? A cozy historic home with eight fireplaces.
As much as I love Plymouth, I don’t appreciate the extended time from shortly after the new year starts until about St Patrick’s Day. Just the other day it was so dark and gray midmorning that the outside Christmas lights, which I haven’t taken down, turned on. Ugh. It’s not so much the cold I […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Another new year ushered in with…squash
I rang in the New Year in Provincetown with my husband and two close friends. We started the evening in a small bar. (The bartenders were from Plymouth, extra bonus.) Following drinks, we watched a first-ever drone show over Provincetown Harbor, followed by dinner at a great restaurant and then drinks back in that bar. […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
An architect’s take on Memorial Hall: We deserve better
You’ve undoubtedly read the news that Plymouth’s aging Memorial Hall needs expensive emergency repairs just to deal with its latest water problems. A debate is underway on whether to spend a lot more money to renovate it or raze it. As both a “townie” who has enjoyed many memorable events in the building and an […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Old photos found at Town Hall set off forensic search
Have you ever had your plans for the day suddenly changed? Well, that happened to me not long ago when, just as I was walking into the gym, I received an email from Conor Anderson, Plymouth’s historic resources coordinator, who had just discovered a mislabeled file at Town Hall. Originally labeled as documents from the […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
An architectural gem on a downtown corner
A recent Plymouth real estate listing hit the trifecta for this architect. One of my favorite architectural styles? Check. Notable architect? Check. Prominent Plymouth resident involved? Check. The property in question is 100 Court St., home of the Belsito real estate offices. It’s on the market for $1.25 million. Given the building’s style, architect, and […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Let us now praise Plymouth’s oldest church buildings
Confession. I’m a big Jimmy Buffet fan, a true Parrothead. One of my favorite Buffet songs is “Fruitcakes.” It’s a hilarious look at everything from politics to relationships to religion, placing blame for our human condition on the cosmic bakers that took humanity out of the oven too early. Essentially, we are half baked. When […]
Posted inHistory & Architecture
Plymouth’s Black and White Club has a colorful history
There’s no doubt that my love of history came from three Plymouth public school teachers. Warren Valente and Charles Hussey taught me history, and Robert Bradley awoke in me what it meant to be from Plymouth. It’s nowonder that when I made the painful decision to abandon my dream of earning a degree to teach […]