Page 10 THE EVERETT ADVOCATE – WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 23, 2020 Honorary City Clerk for a Day celebrates 100th R uth Lang celebrated her 100th birthday on Sunday with a surprise driveby parade that included friends, family and neighbors. Lang formerly worked in the City Clerk’s Office in Everett, and she became the first-ever Honorary City Clerk for a Day due to current City Clerk Sergio Cornelio. birthday At her 100th birthday celebration, Ruth Lang became the first Honorary City Clerk for a Day. Shown with her, from left to right, are City Councillors John Hanlon, Fred Capone, Michael McLaughlin and Stephanie Martins and City Clerk Sergio Cornelio. (Photos by Katy Rogers) Ayla Brown wins Boston Music Award for Country Artist of the Year A yla Brown, a native of Wrentham, was recently named the Country Artist of the Year at the 2020 Boston Music Awards. “This award is so important to me because it was voted by the fans and you could only vote once,” she said. “This tells me that out of all of the really hard choices, you voted for me, and I’m beyond grateful.” Brown’s current 2020 releases include “Who Baby?,” “Sleeping with a Stranger” and “Make it Mean Something.” “I love singing ‘Who Baby?’ live, because by the end of the song I can already see it on people’s faces; they have the song stuck in their heads,” said Brown. “It’s a very catchy song. But I also love singing any love song with my fiancé, Rob Bellamy, because I get to look into his eyes and make googly eyes at him.” Brown also spoke about her background in music. “I started singing when I was very young, but never found the confidence to sing in front of others until I was asked to sing “The Star-Spangled Banner” at my sixth grade graduation,” she said. “That opportunity led to other Anthem opportunities and by the time I was 13 I sang the Anthem at Fenway Park and Gillette Stadium. That’s how my confidence grew; because there’s nothing more nerve wracking than singing by yourself in a large arena or field.” When she was 17 years old, Brown placed 13th Massachusetts native Ayla Brown was recently named the Country Artist of the Year at the 2020 Boston Music Awards. (Courtesy Photo) on Season Five of “American Idol.” She then moved to Nashville to pursue a career in country music. She was there for almost 10 years and had a number of incredible moments and recordings. Brown had her Grand Ole Opry debut and met dozens of talented songwriters whom she still keeps in touch with. She keeps writing and singing original songs. Following her time in Nashville, Brown moved back to Boston to take a full-time job as the cohost of the Country 102.5 morning show. Brown can be heard every weekday on “Jonathan Wier & Ayla Brown” from 5:30-9 a.m. “I love my job and it’s a great way to continue and expand my love of country music,” she said. Ruth Lang celebrated her 100th birthday with her daughters, Patti Rogers and Barbara Carlin. Remembering a father on Christmas 1942 GUADALCANAL CHRISTMAS 1942: Santa Claus gave presents to Army wounded, including Everett resident PFC Philip J. Napolitano (seated second from the left), at the Army field hospital. Dressed in red shorts, boots and a beard – prepared by Navy parachute riggers – Santa toured the island in an old Chevrolet captured from the Japanese and called the “Guadalcanal taxi.” He visited Marine and Army hospitals, gave Red Cross presents to the wounded and did sailor dances. Napolitano is the father of outgoing Councillor-at-Large Peter Napolitano, a Navy veteran. (Originally appeared in Life Magazine, March 1, 1943)
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