Cliff Gallant

Upta Maine

My father grew up in the 1930's Depression years in Chelsea, Massachusetts, a working class suburb of Boston best known as the boyhood home of Horatio Alger, the author of the nineteenth -century dime novel series Pluck 'n Luck, in which the virtues of good ol' American get up n' go were celebrated through the valiant efforts of never-say-die boy heros. Like a lot of young men looking to make their way upward during those lean years, my... (posted by Cliff 2 years 279 days ago.)

The Mayor of Congress Street

Forward: Even though this article is specific to my hometown of Portland, Maine, I felt that it would be of interest to a wider audience in as much as it pertains to a phenomenon common to cities all across the country, namely what has been called "the malling of America", whereby long-time downtown shopping districts were superceded by shopping malls and society lost something important in the process. The Mayor of... (posted by Cliff 2 years 325 days ago.)

Seagulls

Drop your hot dog in the town square and the five second rule will do you no good. A seagull's probably got it within two seconds. It's likely one's been hovering over you watching your every movement with his hawk eyes ever since he first spotted you with your arms full trying to stuff your lunch into your mouth. They're said to be the smartest of birds, and they're focused like you wouldn't believe. Precisely at... (posted by Cliff 2 years 329 days ago.)