The Summer of 2014

The past summer was quite memorable. It certainly wasn't how I thought it would go, but it still ended up being pretty fun. I wanted this summer to be a good one seeing it would be my last public school summer vacation. Just typing that makes me feel old. Anyway, the two most memorable things I did this summer was play in the Bay State Games for hockey, and go to a friends lake house in Lake George, New York. I'll get into the major news stories after my stories.

The Bay State Games is a huge organization that basically holds their own version of the Olympic Games in Massachusetts. There are many different sports that are available to play ranging from basketball, to archery. I participated in the ice hockey games for team Northeast. There were five different regions: Northeast, Central, Metro, West, and Coastal. Anyone from these regions could try-out to be on these teams, the only rule was you couldn't be a senior the past school year. The year before I made the team so I didn't have to try-out again. Once the team was picked we had a few practices at the Burlington Ice Palace, the home rink to the coach, and then it was off to the Foxboro Sports Center. This tournament went from Thursday to Sunday and consisted of at least 5 games, so there was a lot of hockey to be played. The top team got a bye into the Gold Medal game and everyone else fought to either play in that game or the Bronze Medal game. After a 2-2 preliminary round record my team was the 3rd seed and had to play Metro to see what medal we were playing for. It ended with us losing and playing for Bronze which actually wasn't bad because the 1 seed, Central beat us 10-1 earlier in the tournament so that definietly would have been a loss. The Bronze Medal game was Northeast v. Coastal, a team we beat before. After a tight game in regulation, and a late goal to tie up the score, it required over-time. Again, over-time was back and forth with many chances on both ends. However, two penalties against Coastal proved to be deadly. With a 5 on 3 power-play, I was sent on to complete a special play off the face-off. Then just as planned, my center-man won the draw and I came in dragged it around him, and closed my eyes and shot. It went in! I scored the winning goal to clinch the Bronze Medal game for my team. I was so excited that we won it after a long and exhausting weekend of hockey. I certainly will remember that moment for as long I live.

My other exciting thing I did this summer was stay at a friends lake house in Lake George, New York. Lake George is a major attraction center in New york state, and it's only 25 minutes from Saratoga. For 4 days and nights my entire family stayed at a quiet lake house and bonded, if you want to call it that. After the whole experience, I would say the worst part was probably the car ride. Everything else was fun and relaxing, so I would go back again. To summarize the trip, the first day we climbed Prospect Mtn, the second day we played mini-golf, the next day we walked around town and played mini-golf, and the last day we packed up and left. It was a nice trip to get away from the confines of Lowell and experience other parts of the country. I have to say though that it was weird seeing all the Yankee and Mets apparell in the stores. We didn't do everything we wanted due to time and money, but it was still better than staying home. My favorite part was climbing the mountain. I've always liked hiking, and that was the first time with the whole family. In fact, that was my first hike in three years so I was glad to get back out there. Overall, it was a fun trip that was a memorable experience for the whole family.

This summer was filled with interesting local, and national news stories that won't soon be forgotten. The first and probably most publicized story was the Market Basket saga. Longtime CEO Arthur T. Demoulas was voted off the Board of Directors in late June, and that lead to some nastyness. About a month later, customers and employees started a boycott that ranged throughout most if not all stores. This boycott left stores empty for about 6 weeks, and forced people to find new stores to shop at. All the while, the Board still wouldn't reinstate "Artie T" as he was called, and the company was losing millions everyday the boycott continued. However, just 2 weeks ago, the Board decided to sell the majority of the company back to Artie T and end the boycott. The rallying support of the customers and employees ulimately saved the company from being bought out.                     

CNN.com

 

 

 Another national news story that effected millions of people was the death of beloved actor, Robin Williams. On August 11, Williams took his own life and died of asphyxiation in his home in California. Williams was a versatile actor that appeared in many famous films including, Good Morning, Vietnam, Dead Poets Society, Good Will Hunting, Jumanji, and Mrs. Doubtfire. Williams was loved for his energetic and boisterous personality and his uncanny ability to make people laugh. After his death it was revealed that he was experiencing the early symptoms of Parkinson's Disease, but wasn't ready to share publicly. To conclude, Robin Williams death not only effected those close to him, but also the numerous fans that loved his work.

Time.com