pencil The Greater Boston Graphite pencil

Evan Lee

A Brand New Archaic Blog

= Est. 2023 =

A Brand New Archaic Blog
= Est. 2023 by Evan Lee =

Brand New Archaic Blog
= Est. 2023 by Evan Lee =

GBG


The MetroWest Daily News

Daily News Correspondent Portfolio


Interviewing truckers along the Mass Pike - March 17, 2020
Courtesy of Art Illman / Daily News Photojournalist


In the spring of 2020, I interned as a reporter for The MetroWest Daily News and Milford Daily News.

It was a unique experience, beginning right before COVID-19 hit the United States and lasting into the peak of the pandemic. The photo above was taken after Governor Charlie Baker’s State of Emergency order but prior to the CDC’s public mask advisory.

At MetroWest, I had the opportunity to report first hand on the effects of lockdown and shortages of basic necessities, like food and hand sanitizer. As well as hear the thoughts, fears and hopes of average people coping with the “new normal.”-

This was a sharp contrast from the mostly feel-good stories I was writing earlier in the year.

But throughout my Covid coverage, I was struck by the humanity that still prevailed. From a one-woman candle shop business cutting into her own proceeds to buy lunches for hospital staff, to local garden clubs working to keep their towns vibrant amid dark times.

“I think, once the pandemic ends, we’ll all be much closer,” one grocery store patron told me for an article. Looking back now, I'd say she was right.

Below are some of my stories from the Daily News, readable in full at MetroWest, WickedLocal and other sites. Synopses taken from my original Tweets promoting them.




Featured Articles




Ashland candle company idea sparks generosity during pandemic

May 18, 2020 | MetroWest Daily

On the frontlines of the pandemic, nurses work day in and day out to save lives while putting themselves at risk of COVID-19.

As a show of gratitude, Melissa Fell of Ashland has been buying and delivering lunch to hospitals across MetroWest and beyond.   Read »



Garden club volunteers in Framingham, Natick keep communities blooming

May 16, 2020 | MetroWest Daily

Throughout the ugliness of the COVID-19 pandemic, local garden clubs are working to ensure their towns remain beautiful.   Read »



Hopping for Easter happiness: Framingham’s Andrea Kelsey suits up to bring joy at Easter

April 12, 2020 | MetroWest Daily

Seven-year-old Ava Winer was happily drawing a colorful easter egg with sidewalk chalk Saturday. But when the Easter Bunny herself appeared, she jumped for joy.

The Bunny, Andrea Kelsey, said she wears the costume to bring back cheer to her community during troubling times.   Read »



A steak in the neighborhood: Poised to open, new Framingham steakhouse must wait out the virus

April 9, 2020 | MetroWest Daily

Framingham Station, a brand new steak house built into a historic train station downtown, was all set to open last month.

Restorations were finished and all new equipment was installed, said co-owner Joao Bruno Trindade. Then COVID-19 came.   Read »



Life put on hold: Coronavirus outbreak ends Sudbury man’s Peace Corps community health support work in Senegal

April 5, 2020 | MetroWest Front Page

When Zach Witkin said goodbye before setting off to volunteer with the Peace Corps in Senegal, Africa, he thought he wouldn’t return for two years.

But only a month into his service, he and 7,300 other volunteers worldwide were evacuated due to COVID-19.   Read »



Ashland grocery customers take new Market Basket social-distancing policy in stride

April 4, 2020 | MetroWest Daily

“Inconvenient, but necessary,” said one customer waiting at the back of the line to enter Market Basket in Ashland.

Responding to COVID-19, The supermarket chain instituted new policies last week limiting how many customers are allowed in its stores.   Read »



Road of uncertainty: Impact of coronavirus takes toll on area truckers

March 20, 2020 | MetroWest Front Page

As a trucker who makes deliveries across New England, Ghassan Fahad said he worries about the risk of bringing back traces of coronavirus picked up on the job to his family back home.

“It’s like a plague out of the bible,” he said of COVID-19.   Read »



Attitude will make a difference: Children’s book inspired by Milford teen’s battle with cancer

March 2, 2020 | Milford Daily

Carlie Gonzales survived her battle with cancer through her passion for singing and an endearing positive outlook on life.   Read »



A full bowl for fido: BayPath Humane Society helps Project Just Because of Hopkinton feed pets of struggling families

Feb. 24, 2020 | MetroWest Front Page

Families in need should never have to make the difficult choice of not feeding their pet because they must feed themselves first, says Cherylann Lambert Walsh.   Read »



Advocate’s Autism Alliance making ‘exciting progress’ to its Autism Welcoming Community Initiative

Feb. 10, 2020 | MetroWest Daily

The initiative seeks to create a socially inclusive MetroWest community for those with autism and their families, according to Allison Daigle, executive co-director of the Autism Alliance.   Read »



Girl, 11, saved after falling through ice at Milford’s Louisa Lake

Feb. 4, 2020 | Milford Daily

Milford firefighters rescued an 11-year-old girl who fell through the ice and was submerged up to her neck last Friday afternoon at Louisa Lake.   Read »