The SBCA Prepare for Evacuation Day

it goes without saying that he’s a Bruin’s fan, especially during what might be their recordsetting year. He has been the Vice President and is still one of four Directors of Mass Hockey, which is an affiliate of USA Hockey. Currently, Tommy coaches girls’ hockey for Boston Latin School – our interview closed just as the young ladies were showing up at South Boston’s Murphy Rink, where Tommy does his coaching.

by Rick Winterson

Tommy McGrath is the President of the SBCA (the South Boston Citizens’ Association), which is reputed to be the oldest, continuously operating, civic group anywhere in the U.S. South Boston Online interviewed Tommy this week. The major topic we spoke about was the upcoming 2023 Evacuation Day observances that Tommy and his hard-working SBCA people are currently arranging. Our “interview” was really more of an informal conversation. We believe you’ll be very impressed with what the SBCA has scheduled, beginning just over a month from now. The SBCA’s celebrations of Evacuation Day have completely returned after the pandemic officially began on March 11, 2020 – almost three full years ago. Welcome back!

Tommy McGrath is a native South Bostonian – born and brought up here. He and Cathleen O’Donnell McGrath are husband and wife; they live on M Street and have two grown children – Bryan and Stefani.

In addition to his responsibilities with the SBCA, Tommy is also an ardent fan of hockey in many ways. He played hockey, of course, and

This is a very busy time in South Boston. Here’s a summary of what Tommy and the SBCA plan for South Boston’s 2023 Evacuation Day observances. Right up front, please be aware that the Evacuation Day Banquet will take place Friday evening, March 17, at the Convention Center. This year, that’s on Saint Patrick’s Day itself – it’ll be a great party, too good to miss.

The Evacuation Day “Season” opens on Saturday morning of March 4 with the SBCA’s Kickoff Breakfast at Seapoint. The high point of the Kickoff is always the Henry Knox Unsung Hero Award ceremony. Fout or five recognition awards are presented each year to recognize deserving Southie people, who perform their good works behind the scenes and out of sight.

To begin the week on an enjoyable note, on Sunday, March 5, there’ll be a Bowl-A-Rama that is for 21+ adults only. This will be followed by a basketball free throw contest in the Tynan Community Center gymnasium on Monday the 6th, and a swimming meet at the Boys & Girls Club pool on Tuesday the 7th. Saturday, March 11, is the Senior Salute Lunch serving corned-beef-andcabbage (what else?) in St. Peter Church’s Hall. On Sunday, March 12, the Murphy Rink hosts the Ice-O-Rama – speed skating and puck shooting, in costume if you like. The following Wednesday, March 15, Barbara Caputo Kelly is coordinating sporting events at the Condon Community Center.

Friday, March 17, is the date of both St. Patrick’s Day and Evacuation Day. An Evacuation Day Mass will be said in the St. Augustine Chapel, followed by a Historical Ceremony at the monument on the Heights. Weather permitting, the Poster and Essay Contest winners will be announced. And as we mentioned above, the Evacuation Day Banquet will take place that evening in the Convention Center.

Tommy asked us to emphasize the Boxing Show on Saturday, March 18. It returns this year and once again will be held in Peter Welch’s Gym at 371 Dot Ave. The Gym doors open at 4 p.m.; the first bout begins at 4:30. And admission is free to all. Recognize that this Boxing Show isn’t prize-fighting. Instead, well-trained boxers will demonstrate their athletic skills in brief matches. Tryouts for taking part in these matches occur tomorrow (Friday, FEB 03) at 6:30 p.m., and on Saturday, FEB 04, at 12:15 p.m. in Peter Welch’s Gym, 371 Dorchester Avenue. To try out, you should bring your mouth guard, sneakers, and shorts with you. The tryouts are free, both male and female boxers are welcome, and most important, all boxers will be carefully trained by expert Gym staff.

With Tommy’s approval, we decided to list the SBCA’s volunteers and Board of Directors below, who deserve much credit for their efforts this year.

In alphabetical order, they are:

Pauline Bare

Maria Blasi

Rich Devoe

Andrea Flaherty

Arthur Fritch

Joyce Higgins

Cheryl Joyce

Cathleen McGrath

The National Park Service

Bernie O’Donnell

Colleen O’Dwyer

Sharon O’Dwyer

Noreen Rosher

Tim Smythe

Tommy Walsh

Peter Welch

Fr. Joe White

In addition, Tommy mentioned a few key sponsors and supporters of the SBCA’s Evacuation Day celebrations, including NBC Universal/Comcast, the Mass Bay Credit Union, the City of Boston Credit Union, Jimmy Callanan of JCALPRO, and Projection by Hani. And (as already announced) Boston City Council President Ed Flynn was chosen to be the 2023 Evacuation Day General Chairman. Remember that Evacuation Day is very much historically important. It was Gen. George Washington’s first victory in our War for Independence and Henry Knox’s cannons that were rescued from Fort Ticonderoga played a key role from the Heights. So, we’ll close with SBCA President Tommy McGrath’s favorite saying –“There would be no Fourth of July without Evacuation Day!”

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The Point

While neighborhood shops cater mostly to women, Brendan created a one-stop shop for men, offering clothes, accessories, skincare products, even wireless charging pads. “We want it to be that whatever the everyday guy feels like he needs, he can come and get it here,” he said.

The Point offers an atmosphere where guys can sit down and take a load off. Brendan offers complimentary drinks. There’s a TV and an arcade game, which is not only cool decor but is also playable.

Then there’s the amazing product selection. The Point carries more than 20 brands, including Cuater, Oliver Cabell, Travis Mathew, Rhone, The Normal Brand, BYLT, Good Life Clothing, and Faherty. Brendan will be constantly adding new brands and will be surveying clients to see what they’d like to see in the store.

Many of the brands were direct to consumer and not in stores. “Online shopping and e-commerce have been a big thing over the last five to 10 years,” he said, “but I’m starting to feel like people are trending back toward wanting to get out and being able to see things physically.”

Brendan has always placed an emphasis on self-care, especially when it came to clothing. But everything he liked, he had to drive long distances for. So after seeing a pop-up men’s clothing shop in New Jersey two years ago, “I just kind of got inspired to want to do this around here,” Brendan said.

The Point’s vibe is the polar opposite of the department store experiences he’s had. “I’d kind of feel overwhelmed. There’s a lot to consume and a lot to take in … and you feel like you’re in a claustrophobic setting.”

The Point is purposely designed to be open and airy so people can walk around, feel like they can see everything, grab a seat, and have a really cool place they can call their own, Brendan said, noting so many of his customers tell him this type of store was sorely needed in the neighborhood.

It’s also a place where women can find the perfect gift for the men in their lives.

Brendan joins his wife, Taylor, as a small business owner in South Boston. Taylor is an owner of Salon 120 West, soon to be renamed “West,” located on West Broadway.

Brendan played basketball at BC High and then Framingham State University. He graduated in 2011 with a degree in communications, taking a job in the corporate world. But he soon realized that wasn’t the path for him. He jumped into coaching basketball, at Framingham State, then Salem State.

In 2012, he started a club basketball program, Rise Above Basketball, and has been running that business for the last 10 years.

As a basketball player and coach, Brendan has always gone full tilt, giving 100 percent effort all the time, and that has translated into how he is as a business owner.

“Doing stuff on my own for the last 10 years has made me realize, whatever it is that you’re putting into that day is what you’re going to get out of it,” Brendan said. “It’s not like a normal job where … you’re going to get paid automatically. If you want to wake up and lift your head off the pillow and say, ‘You know what, I’m going to give 50 percent effort,’ you’re probably going to get 50 percent results.”

Growing up in Southie, Brendan has been a supporter of local small businesses his whole life. So Brendan, who now lives in Quincy with his wife, is doing collaborations with other small businesses in the area, including neighbor Columbus Cleaners (for hemming), Bohdii Boutique, and Publico (he’ll have a pop-up there on Feb. 8). He’ll be doing some Sip and Shops and looking for other collabs. “The more collaborating and the more businesses helping each other out, I’m all for it.”

Hours: Monday-Thursday, 11 a.m.-7 p.m.; Friday-Saturday, 10 a.m.-8 p.m.; Sunday, 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

Website: https:// thepoint02127.com/ Instagram: https:// www.instagram.com/ thepoint02127/ Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/thepoint02127