麻州撥款250萬元 2026國慶煙花音樂會將璀璨慶祝麻州250週年

麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）宣佈MA 250明年將以波士頓流行交響樂團的
煙花音樂會為重頭戲。（周菊子攝）

麻州副州長Kim Driscol闡述麻州351個市鎮各有慶祝活動。（周菊子攝）

        （Boston Orange周菊子波士頓綜合報導）麻州州長奚莉（Maura Healey）和副州長Kim Driscoll等人，11月3日在舊南會議廳( Old South Meeting House)宣佈，將撥款250萬元給波士頓流行交響樂團，為麻州在2026年7月4日慶祝美國250週年生日時，製作一場最為盛大，壯觀的演出。

            麻州為慶祝美國建國250週年，表彰麻州是美國出生地，早從2024年9月17日就在州政府大樓宣佈，推出「麻州250 （Massachusetts 250）」這跨年慶祝計畫。

波士頓市長吳弭強調波士頓是自由的搖籃。（周菊子攝）

            奚莉州長表示，在2025年內麻州已舉辦過4月19日愛國者日的勒星頓鎮（Lexington）和康可鎮（Concord）戰役重演「響徹全球的一槍」，6月17日的紀念邦克丘（Bunker Hill），門諾托米（Menotomy）和鵲喜溪（Chelsea Creek）戰役，為迎接2026年時的跨入250週年，麻州將再度成為全美的舞台中心，慶祝麻州奠定美國的自由民主與創新。

            2026年將有預定於2026年3月17日在多徹斯特高地，以及之前在大巴靈頓，春田市等地舉行，誌記後來被封爲將軍的波士頓書商Henry Knox運送大砲，趕走英軍這歷史事件，撤退日(Evacuation Day)250

麻州第一位桂冠詩人Regie Gibson(前左二）在現場吟唱了一首詩。（周菊子攝）

週年，以及和波士頓流行交響樂團合作的7月4日煙花音樂會。

            麻州為了這250週年慶祝，已投資600萬元，其中包括250萬元支持波士頓流行交響樂團（BSO）在查理士河畔製作一場盛大的煙火音樂會，以及分別於2024年9月和2025年7月，分2輪撥發給96個文化組織，非牟利機構及市鎮，辦理相關慶祝活動。

麻州250執行委員會主席Bob Rivers說明該會將為MA250多籌800萬元。（周菊子攝）

麻州經濟發展廳廳長Eric Paley說他住在勒星頓鎮，從小就對麻州第一槍歷史感興趣。
（周菊子攝）

            MA250執行委員會（Executive Committee）主席，東方銀行執行主席Bob Rivers表示，在州政府的撥款之外，該會也一直致力，要籌募800萬元，充實慶祝麻州250的經費。靠著麻州的「製藥中心」地位，包括武田製藥(Takeda Pharmaceuticals)捐的100萬元，福泰製藥（Vertex Pharmaceuticals）捐50萬元，以及百奧健(Biogen)，賽諾飛（Sanofi），Optum，以及亞馬遜（Amazon），美國銀行（BOA），東方銀行（Eastern Bank），獲多莉（Fidelity Investments），自由互惠保險公司（Liberty Mutual Insurance），M&T 銀行，新平衡（New Balance）等企業的熱心捐書，該會已籌得500萬元。他們將和麻州旅遊辦公室（MOTT），以及麻州250委員會密切合作，為麻州打造最盛大的250週年慶。

BSO執行長Chad Smith。（周菊子攝）

            波士頓市長吳弭（Michelle Wu）作為7月4日國慶煙花音樂會場地所在主人，也應邀出席致詞。她還謙虛地以「你得原諒我（You’re going to have to forgive me）」，來幽默回應波士頓流行交響樂團執行長Chad Smith的稱讚她鋼琴彈得很棒，笑說她自己是波士頓流行交響樂團能讓任何在家練樂器的人，都聽請來很棒的「活生生證據」。她強調波士頓是「自由的搖籃（Cradle of Liberty

革命地方（Revolutionary Spaces）執行長Nathaniel Sheidley。（周菊子攝）

）」，是美國第一個公共公園，公共圖書館，以及地鐵列車的所在地，在查理士河畔Esplanade的波士頓流行交響樂團與煙花表演，更是慶祝美國生日最好的活動。波士頓和麻州的革命精神，也250年如一日。「波士頓250」的從「革命到革命家（From Revolution to Revolutionaries）」，不但榮耀過去，還要活出過去的價值，闡述未曾被揭露過的故事。

就難會議廳內的透明歷史人物。（周菊子攝）

            應邀出席發言者，還包括麻州經濟發展廳廳長Eric Paley，波士頓流行交響樂團執行長Chad Smith，革命地方（Revolutionary Spaces）執行長Nathaniel Sheidley等。

           麻州民眾查詢麻州250系列慶祝活動，可上網massachusetts250.org。

就難會議廳內的透明歷史人物。（周菊子攝）

波士頓是策略夥伴顧問陳綽敏（左）和麻州州長Maura healey利用時間洽談。（周菊子攝）

牛頓市前市長Setti Warren辭世 享年55歲 5名聯邦議員致意

牛頓市長Setti Warren在2018年時偕同妻小，在自宅門前宣佈參選麻州州長。
(檔案照片，周菊子攝)

             （Boston Orange綜合編譯）哈佛大學11月2日對外公佈，該校甘迺迪政府學院政治研究所主任，也是麻州牛頓市有史以來第一位黑人市長的Setti Warren ，11月2日辭世，享年55歲。聯邦、州市政要聞訊，紛紛發表哀悼、致敬感言。

            哈佛校方並未說明Ｓetti Warren的死因。

            Setti Warren在麻州政界廣受敬重。2004年到2009年間，他曾擔任聯邦參議員John Kerry的麻州辦公室副主任，也曾在柯林頓政府的白宮擔任多個職位，當國聯邦政府緊急事務管理局（FEMA）新英格蘭主任。2009年，他還在伊拉克服役時，就宣布參選，並從2010年到2018年，當了8年牛頓市市長。那期間的2011年，他宣佈參選聯邦參議員，挑戰當時在位，共和黨籍的Scott Brown，但9月就宣布退選，改為支持Elizabeth Warren。2018年，他宣佈參選麻州州長，挑戰Charlie Baker，但4月時，就因籌款及財務狀況，初選前就退出了。

            接著他就進了哈佛的Shorenstein媒體、政治及公共政策中心，後來當上主任，2022年再轉任哈佛甘迺迪政府學院政治研究所主任。

            麻聯邦州眾議員Ayanna Pressley，Jake Auchincloss，Katherine Clark，聯邦參議員Ed Markey，Elizabeth Warren，麻州州長Maura Healey，前哈佛大學校長Lawrence H. Summers，美國民主黨全國委員會執行主任劉煒（Roger Lau），都發表了哀悼感言，稱許Setti Warren是一位正派，善良的好人，樂觀，聰明，有同情心，也是一名傑出的公務員，愛國者，照亮了許多人。

CITY OF BOSTON ELECTION DEPARTMENT ISSUES REMINDERS AHEAD OF TOMORROW’S GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION

CITY OF BOSTON ELECTION DEPARTMENT ISSUES REMINDERS AHEAD OF TOMORROW’S GENERAL MUNICIPAL ELECTION

BOSTON - Monday, November 3, 2025 - The City of Boston Election Department is reminding voters that the General Municipal Election is tomorrow, November 4, 2025. This election will determine the Mayor of the City of Boston as well as the 13 City Councilors on the Boston City Council. This includes the nine District City Councilors and four At-Large City Councilors.  There are a total of 430,528 registered voters. The Election Department has recruited and trained more than 1,900 poll workers across the 275 voting precincts in Boston. There are over 400 poll workers who will be able to provide assistance in languages that include Spanish, Chinese, Vietnamese, Haitian Creole, Cape Verdean, Russian, and Portuguese. Additionally, the Election Department and Boston Public Schools have collaborated to continue the Student Poll Worker program with roughly 64 students (ages 16, 17 and 18) serving as poll workers tomorrow. Voting On Election Day Polling locations open at 7:00 a.m. and close at 8:00 p.m. A list of polling locations and sample ballots are available here. As a reminder, voters should check their registration status via the Secretary of the Commonwealth’s website. Printed ballots will be available in English and Spanish, English and Chinese, and English and Vietnamese. Language interpreters will also be available upon request. All voting locations are wheelchair accessible and are equipped with an AutoMark Voter Assist Terminal for voters with disabilities to assist with marking the ballot independently. Polling Location Change  Voters in Ward 3, Precinct 9 are reminded that they will now vote at the West End Neighborhood Center at 75 Blossom Court. Voters can enter from Thoreau Path. No other polling locations for this election have changed. Ballot Return The Election Department mailed out all 51,769 requested vote-by-mail and absentee ballots, and as of Sunday, November 2, 32,737 ballots have been returned to the City. Voters who requested a ballot and have not yet returned it are encouraged to return their ballots using any of the 22 drop boxes or in person at the Election Department in City Hall to ensure their ballots are counted. Ballot packages must be received by the Election Department no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, November 4, 2025. Ballots cannot be returned to a polling location on Election Day. Voters can track their ballot through the state's website here. If there is no movement indicated in the “Track My Ballot” system, voters should plan to vote in person on Election Day at their assigned precinct. Voters can check their polling location/status here.  Unofficial Results After polls close at 8:00 p.m., the Election Department will receive and upload unofficial results of ballots counted at polling places as they are returned from each precinct. Poll workers need time to tally election results and transport materials from polling places to City Hall. Uploading of election results may not begin until 10:00 p.m. Click here for additional information on election results.   The initial results reported on the website on election night will include: Ballots cast in person on election day; Early voting and mail-in ballots, including those from precincts being centrally tabulated at the City Hall central tabulation facility. The unofficial results uploaded to www.boston.gov/election on election night will NOT include: Hand counted ballots recorded in the precinct clerk’s book after the close of polls or; Mail and absentee ballots that arrive on time on election day, but are too late to be sent to polling locations to be counted. These ballots will be processed after the close of polls at 8:00 p.m., once the voter lists from each precinct have been received by the Election Department. The Election Department will not release unofficial results broken down by precinct until 4:00 p.m. Wednesday, November 5, 2025 at the latest.

Common Cause Massachusetts Launches 2025 Election Protection Program

Common Cause Massachusetts Launches 2025 Election Protection Program 

Boston, MA –  Common Cause Massachusetts today announced the launch of the 2025 Election Program  to help voters make their voices heard on Election Day.  

“Every eligible Bay State voter has the right to make their voice heard this Election Day,” said Geoff Foster, Executive Director of Common Cause Massachusetts. “Our nonpartisan election protection volunteers are ready to assist to ensure all voters can safely, securely, and efficiently cast their ballot, regardless of political affiliation.” 

The election protection program is nonpartisan and not affiliated with any campaign or party. Volunteers will be stationed at poll sites throughout the state, including Boston, Worchester, Brockton, Lawrence, and Springfield. 

Poll monitors submit reports from each voting location they visit, documenting the voter experience including wait times, tech problems, language and disability access, and compliance with state and federal law. Poll monitors can also solve problems on the spot and escalate difficult issues to the toll-free 866-OUR-VOTE hotline, where volunteer operators can assist with more complex problems.  

Voters who encounter any issues can call or text the hotline to be connected to experts who can help. The hotline is available in the following languages:  

• ENGLISH: 866-OUR-VOTE / 866-687-8683   

• SPANISH: 888-VE-Y-VOTA / 888-839-8682   

• ASIAN LANGUAGES: 888-API-VOTE / 888-274-8683   

• ARABIC: 844-YALLA-US / 844-925-5287 

波士頓聖誕節各地亮燈儀式從11月18日開始

         （Boston Orange) 波士頓市公園與娛樂部將從11月18日早上11點，在波士頓公園迎接來自加拿大新斯科細亞省聖誕樹，為慶祝聖誕節的亮燈儀式，拉開序幕。

            加拿大科細亞省聖誕樹抵達波士頓，11月18日，星期二，上午11點，在波士頓公園

           波士頓2025年的官方聖誕樹將由卡車從加拿大新斯科細亞省運抵波士頓公園。這棵具有歷史意義的波士頓聖誕樹是一棵45英尺高的白雲杉，由新斯科細亞省倫嫩堡縣的前業主羅納德和克萊爾費納夫婦提名。歡迎公眾一起迎接聖誕樹的到來，屆時將有糖果棒和聖誕老人亮相。

克里斯多福‧哥倫佈公園花架亮燈儀式

11月24日，星期一，下午5點至6點波士頓大西洋大道110號

位於波士頓歷史悠久的海濱，在克里斯多福哥倫佈公園之友的協助下，公園將搖身一變，成為美麗的節慶景觀。屆時，園區內260英尺長的棚架將被5萬盞藍色彩燈點亮，園區各處還將裝飾一新，點亮14棵聖誕樹。

馬丁公園亮燈儀式

11月29日，星期六，下午4點至6點，南波士頓斯利珀街64號

第五屆馬丁公園亮燈儀式將在史密斯家族海濱舉行，由馬丁公園之友協辦。馬丁公園是一座氣候適應型公園，為紀念波士頓馬拉松爆炸案中最年輕的受害者馬丁·W·理查德而建，為兒童、家庭和所有能力的遊客提供了一個休閒娛樂的場所。公園內有一艘船作為其遊樂設施的中心，將在節日期間亮起燈光。

科普利廣場聖誕樹點燈儀式

12月1日，星期一，下午4點至6點，波約斯頓街（Boylston) 560號，後灣區

波士頓公園及娛樂部門和科普利廣場之友將再次舉辦科普利廣場聖誕樹點燈儀式，迎接節慶的到來。這是自2022年以來首次舉辦該儀式。這項免費的年度活動將有聖誕老人和馴鹿魯道夫亮相，現場還有音樂表演、茶點供應，並慶祝這座經過翻新的公園重新開放。

波士頓公園聖誕樹點燈儀式

12月4日，星期四，下午6點至8點，波士頓公園

來自新斯科細亞省的波士頓官方2025年聖誕樹將在兩小時的慶祝活動結束後點亮。慶祝活動將於下午6點開始，並於晚上7點在WCVB 5頻道進行現場直播。今年是新斯科細亞省第54年捐贈聖誕樹，以紀念與波士頓人民108年的友誼。聖誕樹將於晚上7:55左右點亮。

聯邦大道步行街和查爾斯蓋特公園的聖誕樹點燈儀式

12月4日，星期四，晚上8:15，後灣區，阿靈頓街和聯邦大道

波士頓公園聖誕樹點燈儀式結束後，由公共花園之友協會贊助的聯邦大道步行街也將立即亮燈。聯邦大道步行街的燈光將從阿靈頓街一直亮到查爾斯蓋特。

查詢細節可上網，boston.gov/holidaylights。查波士頓公園的最新消息、活動和改進情況，請訪問 boston.gov/parks，致電 (617) 635-4505，加入電子郵件表單，並在 X、Facebook、Instagram 和 Bluesky 上關注其社交媒體帳號 @bostonparksdept。

 PARKS DEPARTMENT ANNOUNCES 2025 HOLIDAY LIGHTINGS

Boston, MA - November 3, 2025 - Mark your calendars and prepare to join the Boston Parks and Recreation Department to celebrate the holiday season with their schedule of annual lighting celebrations in City of Boston parks. 

The Nova Scotia Tree for Boston Arrives

Tuesday, November 18, 11 a.m.

Boston Common

Boston’s official 2025 tree arrives to fanfare on Boston Common by flatbed truck from Nova Scotia. This year’s historic Tree for Boston is a  45-foot-tall white spruce was nominated by former property owners  Ronald and Claire Feener of Lunenburg County, Nova Scotia. The public is welcome to cheer the tree’s arrival with candy canes and an appearance by Santa.

Lighting of the Trellis at Christopher Columbus Park

Monday, November 24, 5–6 p.m.

110 Atlantic Avenue, Boston

Located on Boston’s historic waterfront and stewarded with help from the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park, the site will be transformed into a beautiful holiday display when the park’s 260 feet of trellis are illuminated with 50,000 blue lights along with 14 decorated trees throughout the park.

Lighting of the Ship at Martin’s Park

Saturday, November 29, 4–6 p.m. 

64 Sleeper Street, South Boston

The fifth annual lighting of the ship at Martin’s Park celebration will be held at the Smith Family Waterfront with the Friends of Martin’s Park. Martin’s Park is a climate-resilient park built in memory of Martin W. Richard—the youngest victim of the Boston Marathon bombings—that provides a space for children, families, and visitors of all abilities. The park includes a ship as the centerpiece of its play structures that will be lit for the holidays. 

Copley Square Tree Lighting

Monday, December 1, 4–6 p.m. 

560 Boylston Street, Back Bay

The Boston Parks and Recreation Department and the Friends of Copley Square welcome the holidays back with the return of the Copley Square Tree Lighting, happening for the first time since 2022. This free annual event will feature Santa Claus and Rudolph, live music, light refreshments, and celebrate the reopening of the newly renovated park.

Boston Common Tree Lighting

Thursday, December 4, 6–8 p.m. 

Boston Common 

Boston’s official 2025 Christmas tree from Nova Scotia will be lit at the close of a two-hour celebration beginning at 6 p.m. and broadcast live on WCVB Channel 5 starting at 7 p.m. This is the 54th year that a tree has been donated by Nova Scotia and commemorates 108 years of friendship with the people of Boston. The tree will be lit at approximately 7:55 p.m.

 

Lighting of the Trees on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall and Charlesgate Park

Thursday, December 4, 8:15 p.m. 

Arlington Street and Commonwealth Avenue, Back Bay

The Boston Common Tree Lighting will be followed immediately by the lighting of Commonwealth Avenue Mall, courtesy of the Friends of the Public Garden. The lights on the Commonwealth Avenue Mall will be lit from Arlington Street to Charlesgate.

Visit boston.gov/holidaylights for more information about the season’s festivities. To stay up to date with news, events, and improvements in Boston parks visit boston.gov/parks, call (617) 635-4505, join our email list, and follow our social channels @bostonparksdept on X, Facebook, Instagram, and @parks.boston.gov on Bluesky.

Executive Director Michael J. Bobbitt to Depart Mass Cultural Council at Year’s End

Mass Cultural Council today announces the departure of Executive Director Michael J. Bobbitt, effective December 31, 2025. Bobbitt has accepted the position of President & CEO of OPERA America and will begin this new role on January 1, 2026. “Leading Mass Cultural Council has been one of the greatest honors of my career,” said Bobbitt. “Together with the Council, staff, and our partners across the Commonwealth, we’ve worked to build a more equitable, creative, and connected cultural sector in Massachusetts. I’m deeply proud of what we’ve accomplished, especially the ways we’ve centered artists and cultural organizations in the state’s economic growth. While I’m excited for this next chapter with OPERA America, Massachusetts will always have a piece of my heart.” Bobbitt has led the Commonwealth’s independent state arts agency since February 1, 2021. During his nearly five-year tenure as state government’s most senior official for arts and culture, Mass Cultural Council has been consistently recognized nationally as a leader in innovation, equity, and service on behalf of the cultural sector. Under Bobbitt’s leadership, which began amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Mass Cultural Council has: Centered equity and access in all programmatic and policy decision-making. Developed a suite of equity plans and a new strategic plan. Reviewed and refined all grants and programs to ensure they are accessible, applicant friendly, and most impactful. Secured and distributed more than $60 million in one-time pandemic relief funding to the cultural sector. Effectively advocated and obtained historic levels of annual state budget support for arts and culture through the Agency’s line-item. Launched the nation’s first statewide social prescribing solution. Released the 2024 Cultural Asset Inventory, a new dataset quantifying the size, scope, economic impact, and needs of individual creative generators and cultural organizations across Massachusetts. Partnered with the Healey-Driscoll Administration to establish the Governor’s Cultural Policy Development Policy Council and the Commonwealth’s first official Poet Laureate. Expanded the Agency’s scope of work beyond equitable grantmaking to include advancement and cross-sector partnerships, establishing new economic opportunities for those working in the arts, humanities, and sciences. Brokered cross-sector and inter-state agency relationships to increase awareness and inclusion of the cultural sector as a valued thought partner to creatively solve and address challenges faced by education, health care, transportation, tourism, and economic development officials. Mass Cultural Council is governed by a 19-member Council appointed by the Governor. Upon Bobbitt’s departure, it is the intention of the Chair to name Deputy Director David T. Slatery as Acting Executive Director until the Council names a permanent successor. “Michael’s innovation, energy, and commitment to equity have transformed this Agency,” said Marc Carroll, Chair, Mass Cultural Council. “He led us through an unprecedented period for the cultural sector and emerged with stronger programs, deeper partnerships, and renewed public investment in the arts and culture of Massachusetts. On behalf of the governing Council, I thank him for his extraordinary leadership and wish him every success in his new role.” “It has been an honor to work alongside Michael during his tenure,” said Slatery. “His vision and leadership have positioned the Mass Cultural Council and the sector it serves for a strong future. As we move through this transition, our dedicated staff remains focused on advancing the mission of supporting the creative people and cultural organizations that make Massachusetts thrive.”