The Old Corner Book Store. (Photo via Boston Public Library on Flickr.) Back in the early reaches of the 20th century, a few proper Bostonians made it their crusade to make sure the eyes of their fellow citizens would never see morally questionable material. Their preferred vehicle? The New England Watch and Ward Society, which was under the able direction of Revered J. Frank Chase from 1907 to 1926, bankrolled with great vigor by Godfrey Lowell Cabot. Today, the legacy of the Watch and Ward Society can be felt in the mention of the phrase “banned in Boston,” which was a badge of Continue reading >>>

By Reid Oslin and Rosanne Pellegrini | Chronicle Staff Thomas H. O’Connor, Boston College’s University Historian and long-popular professor emeritus of history who was widely considered “the dean of Boston’s historians” for his authorship of such critically acclaimed books as Boston Catholics, Civil War Boston and The Boston Irish, died at his Milton home on Sunday after suffering a heart attack. He was 89. A funeral Mass for Dr. O’Connor will be held today at St. Thomas More Church in Braintree. Burial will be in St. Francis Xavier Cemetery, Weymouth. Dr. O’Connor’s distinguished Continue reading >>>

‘Back in the day, canned hash was a staple,” recalls longtime Bostonian Joyce Foster. “Any Depression-era person will tell you how horrible it was.” That hash-lovers have more and better options these days is something the Fenway resident considers “an outstanding example of improvements in American life.” Settling on fresh hash, then, is easy; the definition of hash remains, however, somewhat unsettled. It can come ground or chopped or shredded, with meat or fish or vegetables (including beets, in the traditional New England red-flannel sense of the dish), Continue reading >>>

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla., May 22, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Soon Bostonians will have a more convenient dining option with the opening of a second Tossed® eatery, proclaiming "Fresh Food Fast" in the Financial District. "Guests at the Prudential Center love our array of diverse menu choices," said Brain Hanseth the new owner and Area Developer.  Tossed is known for design your own garden fresh salads, but is also being recognized for its crepe wraps, grilled Panini, spectacular sandwiches, hot soups and great breakfast items.  Brian Hanseth, who lives in Hingham with his wife Dana and two children, Continue reading >>>