網頁

星期二, 4月 01, 2014

甄氏宗親迎新春


甄氏宗親會三月廿九日晚在龍鳳樓慶祝馬年新春。二、三百名本地宗和嘉賓歡聚一堂,享用美食,吟詩、奏樂、唱歌,頒感謝狀,聘請曾任深圳市副市長的甄錫培為永遠榮譽顧問。
晚的馬年新春祝會,由英文書記錦雲主持,從介紹波士頓甄氏宗親會職員,紐約到賀宗親開始。首先介紹的是名譽顧問甄雲龍,接著是五名顧問,甄邦瀚,甄德明, 甄啟煥,以及兼任主席的甄雪月,甄應源。
波士頓甄氏主席甄雪月,甄應源,言簡意賅的歡迎,答謝出席同歡的宗親,社團僑領。
紐約甄氏宗親會主席甄堯裕應邀致辭時,拳拳盛意,指波士頓甄氏常懷敬畏之心辦好會,常懷赤子之心做好事,常懷淡泊之志為好人,得到全世界甄氏宗親稱頌。他還以“清平樂”咏詩一首,為春茗助慶。“醒獅舞動,嘉賓聚龍鳳;桃花笑面沐春風,驍駿馳騁騰空。舜恩代代傳頌,河誼時時珍重,英才族門輩出,事業宏達昌隆。
主席甄邦瀚在致中既感甄氏宗的支持,也再次強調史有記載,甄湯兩姓源於同宗,本是一家晚有前任中華廣校校長湯鳳鳴,曾任會會長湯偉雄等人出席,再一年的甄同聚,令人高
波士頓甄氏宗親為助興,有宗長甄德明,甄錦民依序送給每桌一份的紅酒,冬菇。美東燒臘送出利是封。
            當晚的文娛節目,由甄雲龍以小提琴演奏”天使小夜曲“拉開序幕,中醫師麥瑞雄獨唱後,甄若矛組織的”星樂隊“,派出廉豔,趙寶如等四名美女歌手,演唱”賀年歌“,”女人心“,”我來自潮州“,”酒乾倘賣無“等歌曲。出席嘉賓們,包括黎雯,梅惠聰,紐英崙音樂學院研究生甄茵,蔡楠等人演唱。
波士頓甄氏宗親會的本屆職員,除前述主席,顧問外,其餘各人為中文書記為甄雪峰,甄錦民,英文書記為甄錦雲,甄若素。政甄立志、甄尚民。出甄灼、甄幸。核甄子允、甄洽。交甄家成、甄立航。康甄若矛、甄巧。庶源,甄榮遠。議員甄統文,真沛霖,甄子瑜。出席中華公所代表甄錦雲。

明:

甄氏宗親職員敬酒。(菊子攝)

甄氏宗親會主席甄雪月(左起),甄應源,頒發感謝/聘請書給甄錫培,由其女真若素(左二)代表接受。甄邦瀚,甄錦雲等補充說明,甄錦培曾任深圳副市長,不但協助海南島,深圳開發,也支持廣東開平的甄舜河堂成立。

            甄雲龍拉小提琴。

            甄邦瀚(右)歡迎紐約甄氏宗親。

            星樂隊的美女歌手為甄氏宗親會迎新春演唱助興。

頂大學人談食品安全、教育


倪貴榮,劉蔚之兩位頂大學人,三月廿九日在假麻省理工學院講室舉行的“頂大學人系列論壇”中,分別申論“誰該決定我們吃什麼”,“教育應有獨立精神,盲目西、東學用,唯西,東為尊,荼害更大”。
倪貴榮,劉蔚之都是去年抵波士頓進修的兩位“頂大學人”,三月廿九日這天下午,應駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處教育組與紐英崙中華專業人員協會之邀,出席「頂尖大學聯盟訪問學者學術論壇系列」,依序討論「食品安全與美國動物用藥之規範」與「中國近代教育學之建立告訴我們的事」兩大議題。
講座由中華專協會長游子揚主持。
倪貴榮是交通大學專研法律與科技的教授。他以「誰決定我們吃什麼? (Who decides what we eat?) 」 這個問題,促請聽眾重新思考食品安全問題。
他討論了食品中添加化學藥劑,畜牧業者使用賀爾蒙生長素等增加產量的作法是否恰當,比較美國和歐盟容許食品添加化學藥劑含量的標準,探討美國食品與藥物管理局(Food and Drug Administration, FDA)的角色、與廠商業者有既是監督者,也是夥伴的模糊難定關係。
在討論美國對食品化學殘留量安全值(safe level)的政策規定,和歐盟比較,相對寬鬆時,他指出部分原因源於兩地的文化背景,部分原因是美國食品藥物管理局對業者不僅扮演監督管理角色,亦是夥伴關係,肩負協助業者促進經濟發展的任務,因而也影響了政府制定規範的內容。
出席聽眾對食品安全尤其關注,紛紛就臺灣熱門議題發問,包括美國牛肉瘦肉精含量的爭議,政府對業者使用的抗生素劑量和引發狂牛病可能上的有什麼特別規定,管制。
倪貴榮博士指出,臺灣在食品安全方面的法律規定遠比美國嚴格,但食品安全涉及市場、消費者習慣等因素,政府,廠商,消費者各有考量,最終是個選擇平衡問題,有關各方應一起思考「誰該決定我們吃什麼?」。
劉蔚之博士在國立臺灣師範大學教育學系任職。她在哈佛訪問研究期間,蒐集清末民初由中國至美國攻讀教育相關科系,大約150名博士的學位論文資料,藉著分析這群來美留學生回中國後對中國近代教育體系的影響,探討民初向美國教育取經的這段「知識轉移」過程。
劉蔚之以臺灣教育的熱門方向與議題,幾乎每十年一換,從1990年「建構式數學」;2000年「大學評鑑」、「教授評鑑」等重視量化指標,到2010年後日本佐藤學的「學習共同體」,來分析教育趨勢的變化脈絡。
她說明,臺灣教育從1990年代迄今都借重國外教育學理論,和民初時中國大量移植美國教育理念,有相似處。中國近代教育界,包括胡適,都深受實用主義大師杜威的影響,不講「宗旨」,就因杜威曾說,教育本身就是宗旨。
劉蔚之表示,但要訂定適合中國文化的教育政策,其實需要瞭解中國傳統教育文化底蘊,以期兼容並蓄。
在回答聽眾提問時,她以留學德國的經驗為例,說明德國提供三軌升學方式,把教育資源適當地分配給各軌道教育,臺灣教改卻仍侷限在單軌的升學改革。她認為在關心改變升學方式外,也許應該更重視學生的適性及學習內容。
駐波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉在會末預告,4月份的「頂大訪問學者學術論壇系列」,將邀專研國際關係的連弘宜博士主講 。

圖片說明:
            紐英崙中華專業人員協會會長游子揚(左起),駐波士頓經文處教育組組長黃薳玉,中華專協董事長張重華頒感謝獎牌給兩名講者,倪貴榮,劉蔚之。(圖由教育組提供)

波克萊台商會歡迎世界台商總會到訪


世界台會聯總會三月廿二日在洛杉磯行第二次理會議後自全球六大洲的台代表中,約有一百人組團旅遊美東,逛了紐約,加拿大等地,三月三十日晚抵波士頓,在新月宮酒家聚餐。

波克萊台灣商會秘書長游勝雄,財務長郭競儒,顧問陳玉瑛,會長劉秀春,副會長蘇鴻昌,理事楊羅東等人趕往歡迎,為該團加菜,每桌廿隻龍蝦,還送上紅酒,水果。
游勝雄還特別列出一份“波克萊台灣商會專對世界台商服務窗口”表,列出多人的聯絡電話,電郵,告訴世界台商們,在申請學校,做緊急聯絡人,接機住宿,投資買房,做投資專案理財咨詢規劃,該會都能出力協助。

            駐波士頓臺北經濟文化辦事處處長洪彗珠,波士頓華僑文教中心主任郭大文,經文處組長簡宏昇,波士頓僑務委員馬滌凡當晚也都應邀,趕往歡迎,致意。

            世台總會到訪團成員,包括世總名譽會長劉雙全,世總榮譽顧問陳宗文。
            巴西台灣商會會長暨中南美洲台灣商會副總會長廖清杰透露,中南美洲台灣商會會長劉學琳今年有意參選,訂九月舉行的世界台灣商會總會會長選舉,一旦當選,明年的世界台灣商會總會將在巴西舉行。

圖片說明:

            左起,陳玉瑛,馬滌凡,洪彗珠,蘇鴻昌,郭競儒,劉秀春,游勝雄,郭大文(後左一)等人歡迎世界台灣商會總會的榮譽顧問陳宗文(右二),名譽會長劉雙全(右三)等人。(菊子攝)

            游勝雄(前)表示,原本要請世總代表團到華埠牌樓前拍照,但下雨未成。

            巴西台灣商會會長暨中南美洲台灣商會副總會長廖清杰(後右二)與監事長吳政道(右一)等巴西代表團請波士頓支持該會前會長劉學琳競選世總會長。(菊子攝)

            左起,陳玉瑛,郭競儒,劉秀春,和世總會員合影留念。

            游勝雄(右起),蘇鴻昌,楊羅東,陳玉瑛,郭競儒,洪彗珠,馬滌凡,劉秀春,郭大文,簡宏昇等人三月三十日晚,一起歡迎世界台會聯總會道訪團。(圖由游勝雄提供)

波士頓330反黑箱護台灣

下為發起活動者對外公佈的新聞稿
 
波士頓330反黑箱護台灣  

為響應台灣學運發起的330・和平・堅定・護民主】,波士頓台灣人不缺席,特地選了兩個具有特殊歷史意義的地點「萊辛頓Battle Green」與「哈佛廣場」舉辦聲援學生活動。

1775419日,位於波士頓近郊的萊辛頓 (Lexington)響起了美國獨立戰爭的第一槍響後,美國義勇軍從此風起雲湧致使英軍節節敗退,美軍在氣勢磅礡之下於隔年宣讀了《美國獨立宣言》。波士頓被譽為美國自由民主的搖籃地,除了有這段戰史,也在於全美最古老的高等教育哈佛大學的屹立不墜,它自1636年建校來便以「真理」(Veritas)為校訓培育許多接續維護民主自由人權的領導者,包括美國歷代八位總統。

然而,也是畢業於哈佛的現任台灣總統馬英九,當前卻以三軍統帥、超級總統之姿,放任執政黨與府院戕害民主法治程序、漠視多數民意,欲強行通過無經立院審查的服務貿易協議。如今,數萬名台灣學子掀起太陽花學運起身反抗黑箱作業,府院卻在324下令鎮壓前往行政院抗議的學生與抗議者,鎮暴警察手法殘忍有違比例原則,致使抗議者血賤街頭,國際記者協會與特赦組織等單位隨即為此發出嚴正譴責。政院至今否認施行「國家暴力」之實,依舊定調是「合法柔性驅離,輕拍學生肩膀」,並藉由強勢媒體混淆視聽。

波士頓的台灣人,認為台灣當權者如此踐踏民主人權,馬英九不但讓哈佛大學蒙羞,他的領導作為也讓身在波士頓的台灣人感到悲憤與不齒。為此,加入台灣學子發起的330大遊行,由波士頓老中青台灣人串聯接力,在兩地點聲援台灣太陽花學運活動,同聲嚴正譴責國家暴力、要求府院重視學生訴求。

330日當天,波士頓天候不佳,四度低溫還下雨,卻有近四十個較年長的台灣人攜家帶眷到萊辛頓的獨立戰爭紀念碑處呼口號、舉標語。而三點多的哈佛廣場也聚集了近三百人,頓時廣場水洩不通,在場有幾個月大的嬰兒,有銀髮耆老也有外國人,他們手上都有一朵太陽花。

廣場上的年輕的學子分別用中英文告訴路人台灣發生什麼事,他們朗誦學運的訴求,高歌召喚彼此的勇氣。大家拿著各式各樣的標語迎向四面八方的車潮人流,他們要在美國最高學府附近流動的人們讀到他們的呼求與訊息。

幾位就學哈佛法學院的博士與研究生,發起的「支持民主學運、譴責國家暴力」的簽署,也在當場朗讀聲明,目前已有近兩百位哈佛大學師生聯名支持,包括美國知名的法學教授 當肯.甘迺迪(Duncan Kennedy 也在其列。

活動中,有好幾個年輕人輪流上台短講,個個激昂而堅毅,儘管不少人因酷寒顫抖,卻依舊不打傘也不離開。

有兩個年輕男孩,來之前臨時去超市買了兩盆太陽花盆栽,兩個大男生個子高大捧著小花盆,激昂吼唱著五月天的<憨人>「不怕路歹行,不怕大雨淋,心上一字敢,面對我的夢,甘願來作憨人」。其中一個大男孩,後來拿麥克風分享心情,他一上台就帥氣脫掉外套只剩一件薄T,一開口就問著大家「你們冷不冷?」「冷不冷?」 台下群眾皆熱情回應:「不冷!」「不冷!」

一個女學生再次用中英文朗讀 Sarah321寫的那首【媽媽請不要擔心】詩作,當她讀到「在這裡上班的大人,頭裡都沒有裝東西」時,群眾都笑了,但當她讀到尾聲「等天真的亮了,我就會回家看妳」,大家表情又沉了,大家的臉上隱約寫著彼此都明瞭的憂慮,那也是他們為何今天會風寒無阻到場的原因。

有一個背著吉他的年輕人上台說話,「洪仲丘時,我沒出來,這一次我一定要出來,因為……」他接著重述年輕學子的憤怒與憂心,並說「人家都說不要談政治,談政治會沒有朋友被unfriend光,但不談政治,我們就沒有國家…..

群眾不斷重複唱著滅火器的〈島嶼天光〉,「天色漸漸光,咱就大聲來唱著歌。一直到希望的光線,照光島嶼每一个人」希望藉著歌聲能趕走陰暗,迎來陽光。直到近五點時,雨勢加大,未離去的一群人走近哈佛校園John Harvard的銅像,他們在那裡向這位追尋真理的前行者,默默獻上他們手上的太陽花,寄予那位真理的前行者能回答他們心裡的疑問:「為何哈佛教出那樣的學生,當上了總統卻一直破壞民主自由人權?」

這一天,他們在哈佛一起誓言,他們不會屈從無能墮落的領導,將繼續支持學生,堅持民主自由,永遠護守台灣。






星期一, 3月 31, 2014

亞裔婦女健康會表揚甄碧鳳、魯家珍、胡涵婷


女健康Asian Women For Health)三月廿七日在塔芙茨醫療中心舉辦「感謝亞裔會(AppreciASIANS),表揚魯家珍,甄碧鳳,胡涵婷,說明該會從為亞裔患癌婦女提供支援開始,現已擴大為全方位的促進婦女健康。
近百名出席者,當晚欣賞錄影片,聆聽患癌者,支持者,各從不同角度談感受,都認為難得出現了一個關注亞裔婦女健康組織,讓許多人獲益。
女健康會創辦者黃千姬,本身是乳癌幸存者,原本辦理亞裔乳癌項目(Asian Breast Cancer Project),以她曾有的親身經歷,更切中要點的為患乳癌婦女提供精神支持,協助他們獲取適當醫療服務等,去年才以教育(Educate)、倡Advocate)、報答(Reciprocate)為標語,擴大為亞裔婦女健康會。
Friends of Mel基金會是女健康會的第一個捐款者。該會行政主任Paulin Alighieri這晚擔任主講人。她透露去年參加女健康會活動,聽到亞裔婦女分享得知患癌後的恐懼,礙於語言障礙,和醫護人員難以溝通時的無助,深受震撼,也為亞裔婦女健康會的致力為這些婦女提供各種幫助而感動。
Friends of Mel基金會原本就是個以“梅爾手環(Mels Bracelet)“籌款,支持癌症患者的機構該會當晚宣佈,捐款一千元之外,月份的出售梅爾手環收入,也將捐給女健康會。
當晚亞裔婦女健康會頒發”同儕領導獎“給魯家珍,”社區服務獎給甄碧鳳,最佳醫德獎給胡涵婷。
魯家珍和甄碧鳳都是曾患乳癌。甄碧鳳坦言,自己得四期乳癌,已是大約廿年前的事,但最近妹妹也得乳癌,讓她親眼見到廿年來醫療技術與知識的改進。當年醫生要她待在家裡,兩個星期不吃東西,現在醫生卻讓他妹妹照樣出門,還什麼都能吃。她勸患癌者別老想著自己可能不久於人世。
魯家珍目前仍在治療中。她透露身體多處,仍因癌病時感疼痛,但經由亞裔癌症項目的協助,認識了很多同病相憐者,也學會了放開心懷,藉著做義工來轉移注意力,不但精神好了許多,心情也更快樂。
胡涵婷是因為對癌症患者無微不至的關懷,廣獲好評。許多出席會議者聽說她下個月將回台灣出任教職,都感到依依不捨。
即將到華府做證,籲請國會增加癌症研究經費的Vandana Sharma,當晚應黃千姬邀請到會,述說即使只是出門搭便車,也不宜搭男性駕駛的車等文化習俗,讓患癌的她遭遇更多生活困難。她邊說邊流淚,令人難過,也更感到抗癌需要許多勇氣。
            女健康會目前有黃千姬,陳寶來(Selena Tan),陳王錫萍,曾惠珠,袁立達,Sujata Ghosh等六名董事,將於五月十六日在西蒙斯學院參加第五屆亞太裔太平洋島民精神健康論壇,五月廿一日在塔芙茨大學舉辦第二屆“麻州亞裔婦女健康狀況”會議。

圖片說明:

            黃千姬(左二)頒獎表揚左起,甄碧鳳,胡涵婷,魯家珍。(菊子攝)
            感謝會主講人,Friends of Mel基金行政主任Paulin Alighieri(前中)和部分出席者合影。(菊子攝)
            亞裔婦女健康會董事,左起,袁立達,陳寶來,Sujata Ghosh,黃千姬,曾惠珠,陳王錫萍。(菊子攝)
            華客符音合唱團演唱“花開花落”。(菊子攝)
            Vandana Sharma述說自己患癌後的經歷。(菊子攝)

下為主辦機構事後發出的電子郵件報告:
 
 Over 100 of us were there to help celebrate AWFH's collective accomplishments in the past year. It gave me great pleasure to present this video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eVezP7E_37c, and to hear the inspirational stories shared by our members and supporters.

Our keynote speaker, Pauline Alighieri, the Executive Director of Friend of Mel Foundation, one of the first donors to AWFH, pledged continued support with a $1,000 gift and also named AWFH the recipient of "Mel's Magic": Purchase bead bracelets during the month of June to benefit AWFH!

We have created a new community in which Asian women aspire to lead happy, healthy lives through peer education, advocacy and support. If you share the same vision, please join us in advancing our mission by volunteering and contributing to our common cause.

By practicing the "Daffodil Principle" every day - as long as we stay focused and persistent with acts small and large, we will make a big impact together.

News/Upcoming Events:

JEarley's Brookline Hair Salon donated "Style, Allure & Rejuvenate" Monday series of 30-minute workshops held between 9am-1pm, with all proceeds to benefit AWFH ($15/workshop or $60 for the entire series, waivers available for cancer survivors and patients by request.)  This is a perfect gift for yourself or your friends, and you may book your preferred date(s) and time(s) via jearleyshairsalon@gmail.com or by calling 617-734-4247:
  • 3/31: Hair Styling, how to blow dry, use products and hair trims
  • 4/14: Makeup, lips, eyes, eye brows
  • 4/21: Hair/Wig, styling & cutting in shape
  • 4/28: Skincare, foundations for skin & balancing tone
  • 5/5: How to decide the right cut for you or your wig style
  • 5/12: Hair cut & color type for you & your skin type
Friday, May 16, 8-4pm
5th AAPI Mental Health Forum "Healing through Arts: Breaking Silences & Lifting Spirits" CEU available
Simmons College, Linda K. Paresky Conference Center
for more information, email: COStaffDev@massmail.state.ma.us

Wednesday, May 21, 8-4pm
2nd State of Asian Women's Health in MA
Tufts University, Sackler Building, Room 114
145 Harrison Ave., Boston 02111
Jean Yang, the ED of Health Connector and Lisa Wong, Mayor of Fitchburg, will be keynote speakers!
Register to attend now at http://2014awhinma.eventbrite.com
Sponsors and advertisers please contact: cch@asianwomenforhealth.org

During month of June, buy bracelets for yourself and as gifts and benefit AWFH here:  Friend of Mel Foundation

Saturday, June 7, 3-6pm
ExprASIANS Talent Show and Fair to benefit ABC Project
Boston Medical Center, Shapiro Ambulatory Care lobby
Performers, volunteers and exhibitors please contact: cch@asianwomenforhealth.org

In the coming weeks, we will post conference presentations and notes at www.asianwomenforhealth.org. We'll let you know when they are available.

We still have more to do:
  • To keep the conversation going, we will hold focus groups in targeted communities to gather more granular information on the gaps that most impact our ability to improve and maintain our health and wellness.  If you are interested in helping us organize a focus group let me know at: cch@asianwomenforhealth.org.
  • If you've already raised your hand to volunteer, we will be contacting you to help prepare for the upcoming events, and for our 2nd annual fundraiser in October. Let us know if you want to volunteer in any of these areas:
    • Resource Development/Fundraising
    • Financial Management/Operations
    • Event Planning
    • Communication/Social Media/Outreach
    • Research/Data Gathering
    • IT/Database Management
    • Translation/Interpretation
    • Providing Transportation
    • Providing/Preparing Food
  • If you would like to attend the Annual Board Meeting on the evening of 6/18, please let me know.
  • Like us on Facebook!
  • Tell others about AWFH and what we're doing.
On behalf of everyone at AWFH, thank you for your continued participation, and we look forward to seeing you again soon!

Chien-Chi Huang
Executive Director
Asian Women for Health
Educate. Advocate. Reciprocate.
www.asianwomenforhealth.org
Direct line:  617-870-4056

紀念波士頓馬拉松賽爆炸案展覽 4/7 開幕

"Dear Boston: Messages from the Marathon Memorial" Exhibition to Open at Boston Public Library on April 7 

Mayor Martin J. Walsh and organizing partners to open month-long exhibition

BOSTON – In the days and weeks following the 2013 Boston Marathon, a makeshift memorial grew in downtown Boston’s Copley Square. Comprised of thousands of items like flowers, posters, notes, t-shirts, and running shoes, the memorial offered messages of love, support, and hope to the victims and their families as well as the broader city of Boston. Beginning April 7, select pieces from that memorial will be on display at the Boston Public Library in an exhibition called "Dear Boston: Messages from the Marathon Memorial," which aims to provide visitors with a place for reflection. The exhibition will open with a special ceremony led by Mayor Walsh at 10:00 a.m. in the Library’s McKim Exhibition Hall, located in the Central Library in Copley Square, 700 Boylston Street. Dear Boston is open to the public beginning at 11:00 a.m. on April 7. 

"Dear Boston represents our strength and solidarity not only as a city, but also as a community that supports one another through even the most difficult of times," said Boston Mayor Martin J. Walsh. "I encourage people – residents and visitors alike – to visit the exhibition, experience the resilience of the people of Boston, and view the messages of hope and healing."

Open from April 7 through May 11, the exhibition invites visitors to experience the profound emotions and solidarity evoked by the original memorial. Divided into three major sections, it transitions visitors from reflection to action and from memories of the tragedy to messages of hope and courage for the future as they move through the exhibition and out into their community. The exhibition, curated by Rainey Tisdale, is organized by a partnership that includes the Boston City Archives, Boston Art Commission, New England Museum Association, Boston Public Library, and Iron Mountain. For more information, visit www.bpl.org/dearboston.  

"Boston Public Library is proud to host this exhibition," said Amy E. Ryan, President of the Boston Public Library. "Libraries are places for community gathering and lifelong learning, in good times and in challenging times. We invite Bostonians and Bostonians at heart to visit our Copley Square location during this important time of remembrance."

In June of 2013, thousands of items from the memorial were transferred to the Boston City Archives for safekeeping after the memorial was dismantled. Now, after months of preservation and organization, selected iconic items will be displayed in the exhibition, including personal notes of condolence; signs and posters from towns all over Massachusetts and the world with messages of support and encouragement; items left by spectators, runners, and Marathon volunteers; declarations of hope and compassion; and 150 pairs of running shoes. Following the exhibition, all of the items will be preserved by Iron Mountain and available to the City for as long as needed.

"As a company with its global headquarters in Boston, the events of April 15, 2013 resonated with us deeply," said William Meaney, president and CEO of Iron Mountain. "We are honored to be an organizing partner by providing our resources and expertise to the city of Boston’s Marathon Memorial, affording us an opportunity grounded in the principles Iron Mountain was founded upon over 60 years ago: protecting, preserving and creating access to some of the world’s most treasured ideas, information and memories. Rest assured these precious items are safe with us."

The Dear Boston exhibition is one part of a larger community arts effort called #BostonBetter, where area museums, libraries, and archives will host various programs associated with the one-year anniversary of the 2013 marathon. For more information on this project, visit bostonbetter.org.

"Like the original memorial in Copley Square, exhibitions like ‘Dear Boston’ can help us find meaning from tragedy and bring us closer together," said New England Museum Association Executive Director Dan Yaeger. "We hope that #BostonBetter can provide that, helping to inspire people to act for the betterment of their communities moving forward. We’re happy to help bring together the museums and museum professionals who made the exhibition and supporting events possible."