SBOL_05_25_2023

Ryan Sullivan’s World War I Mission

Ryan Sullivan’s World War I Mission: Locate Thomas J. Fitzgerald

by Rick Winterson

The Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW Post 561 is a South Boston neighborhood institution. Two-and-a-half years ago, the Post celebrated its 100th year of existence. It was chartered back in 1920, and it was named for South Boston Army veteran Thomas J. Fitzgerald, who was killed in action on July 19, 1918, during the final six months of World War I – “The War to End All Wars”. Five months previously, Private Fitzgerald had enlisted in the U.S. Army; he died a youthful hero in the military service of his nation. But there is more to be asked

about him. And if at all possible, there’s more to be done for him.

For you see, Fitzgerald was killed in an artillery barrage while he and his doughboy buddies in Company “B”, 39th Infantry, 4th Division, were marching over a hill to their next combat mission in northern France. He

LEGO Discovery Center Grand Opening

New England’s First LEGO Discovery Center Celebrates Its Grand Opening

by Rick Winterson

LEGO is a name that’s famous worldwide, as everyone knows. But it is important that everyone also knows the exact meaning of “LEGO Discovery Center”, because the only LEGO Discovery Center anywhere in New England opened yesterday – at 10 a.m. on Wednesday morning, May 24, at 598 Assembly Row on the corner of Artisan Way in Somerville. It consists partly of a LEGO store on the ground floor of its building, which can be entered from the street if you’d simply like to make a purchase of LEGOs. The Orange Line provides convenient public transit; get off at Assembly. The major, most important

all made from LEGOs.

part of the LEGO Discovery Center is located on the second floor of their building; it stretches along an entire city block. Its area is an astonishing 45,000 square feet, which is just over an entire acre under roof – completely devoted to

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Ryan Sullivan

Towers, castles, and a fairground,

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Ryan Sullivan’s Mission

interviewed with us. Ryan’s great-grandfather was Hugh Fitzgerald, who was Thomas Fitzgerald’s younger brother. Of course, knowledge of this blood relationship was passed down through the related families over the years. And July 19, 2018, was the 100th anniversary of Thomas Fitzgerald’s death in World War I.

and several of his mates had to be given a hasty field burial in France, near Chouy. His remains were never returned to the U.S. but his name is carved on the family stone in Brookline’s Holyhood & St. Joseph’s Cemeteries, as well as being engraved on the WWI monument at Aisne-Marne Cemetery in France. Gen. Joseph Dunford, from South Boston andonce the Commandant of the USMC, has paid his respects there.

Ryan Sullivan recently

Ryan told us he had become very curious about his greatgranduncle Thomas, because he (Ryan) had served in Camp Lejeune’s 6th Marine Regiment for five years. In World War I, the USMC’s 6th was deployed next to Thomas Fitzgerald’s 39th Infantry unit in France. Ryan’s research turned up a number of fascinating facts and stories. For example, he found an outdated book on the internet – “Yesterday Was Glory”, by Gerard Andrew Howell – that referred to Fitzgerald’s death. There’s an unverified story that attempts were made to return Fitzgerald’s cigarette case to his family. And in her sadness, his mother (Ryan’s great-

Nick Collins State Senator

great grandmother) never really believed that Thomas had died.

Ryan also found some official files and letters, including a burial file from the National Archives and tabulations of those missing in action. The DPAA (Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency) didn’t exist before World War II, but a private organization called “Doughboy MIA” gave Ryan some leads. As we mentioned, there’s also Thomas J. Fitzgerald’s name engraved on the WWI monument at the Aisne-Marne Cemetery. Ryan was able to figure out that 15 soldiers were hastily buried in that field near Chouy – six are accounted for, so nine remain to be traced. He has narrowed down the burial site to approximately a square kilometer.

Ryan just returned from

another trip to France. He has become truly dedicated to finding Thomas Fitzgerald’s remains, and then returning them to the U.S. for a proper burial. He considers this to be his mission. He also wonders if there’s more information about Fitzgerald on this side of the ocean – old letters, South Boston neighborhood photos, memories, whatever. If you know of anything about Thomas J. Fitzgerald, please email Ryan at rysullivan8@gmail.com.

Ryan and his girl-friend Michaela from the Czech Republic will be visiting her parents next year. They’ll also visit Chouy in France to continue the search over there. In the meantime, please meditate on Thomas J. Fitzgerald, the man (and hero), as Memorial Day approaches.

Thank you to the brave men and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice.

General Dunford, USMC, visits the Aisne-Marne Cemetery. Fitzgerald’s name is on the Memorial.

Ryan Sullivan on the WWI battlefield where Fitzgerald died – Chouy is in the background.

A photo of Thomas Fitzgerald, with actual shrapnel found in the field where he died.

City’s Listening Tour Makes Stop in South Boston to Discuss Summer Safety

By Ginger DeShaney

Ten people showed up at the Condon School for the city’s Community Listening Tour on summer safety. Isaac Yablo, Senior Advisor for Community Safety in the Mayor’s Office, said that was the biggest turnout he’s had so far in his ventures into Boston’s neighborhoods.

In his role, Yablo focuses primarily on community safety, not public safety. He explained that public safety is the macro, the stuff citizens may not know about or have access to, such as domestic and terrorist threats.

“My job is to focus more on the micro,” he said, “the communities that have been historically impacted by violence and those that are most likely to experience community violence based on structural marginalization.”

Two areas of South Boston fall into that category: the West Broadway and Mary Ellen McCormack housing developments.

So it was through that micro lens that Yablo outlined the 2023 Summer Safety Strategy. He did note, however, that he doesn’t like the phrasing “summer safety,” instead saying that it’s really yearround safety with summer priorities.

The four goals for the summer are as follows:

Scale up community and youth activities, mentor programming, and employment opportunities for people residing in communities historically impacted by gun violence.

Ensure neighborhoods are supported and connected to resources to help them respond to and recover from incidents of community violence.

Strengthen intervention and recovery efforts through expanded intentional outreach and engagement to the most at-promise (at-risk) populations.

Increase positive community activities and promote positive community engagement in “hotspot” locations as a means to increase collective

efficacy and build social cohesion. Safety is a citywide approach, Yablo said. “Everyone has a role to play.”

Yablo identified summer’s four main problem areas:

Dirt Bike/ATV Safety: It is illegal to drive a dirt bike, ATV, or other offroad vehicle on public roads. And Boston PD has a no-chase policy. Anyone with information regarding the illegal operation or storage of these vehicles, and who wants to remain anonymous, can call the CrimeStoppers Tip Line at 1-800-494TIPS or text “TIP” to CRIME (27463).

Fireworks: They are illegal to possess and set off, Yablo said. The Boston Police Department’s Fireworks Hotline is 617-343-9800.

Problem Properties: The Problem Properties Task Force helps address crime and blight in the city. The Task Force identifies problem properties and holds owners responsible.

Fourth of July: This holiday has historically presented issues surrounding summer safety. To combat shootings, people who are most likely to shoot or get shot will be provided additional support resources between July 4-5, including offering them activities out of the city for that timeframe. In the last three years, 32 people have been shot between July 4-5, Yablo said.

“Our city is very safe broadly, but what we’ve also been able to figure out is 100% of community gun violence occurs in only 7% of the city of Boston,” Yablo said.

The four most violent neighborhoods in the city are Dorchester, Roxbury, Mattapan, and a specific

section of Jamaica Plain, he said.

Yablo provided a sheet that outlined some programs, resources, initiatives, intervention, recovery, and community building and empowerment programs. A more comprehensive report will be available soon.

He pointed out the Summer Activation Mini-grants, which empower neighborhood associations, tenant task force groups, and grassroots community-based organizations that work closely with marginalized communities. He also noted the need

for programs that cater to men over the age of 24, noting that the average age of people getting shot is 29 years old. After a robust discussion by the people in attendance, including City Council President Ed Flynn and several South Boston nonprofit organizations, Yablo said the goal of the meeting was to get information out and to meet people in the neighborhoods.

“I just hope that people who came to the meeting leave with a little bit more clear understanding of what the city has to offer.”

Flaherty

Councilor At-Large

In Memory of Those who have given their lives for our Country

Michael

City

Henry Gailunas: South Boston Graduate

he worked since interning as part of the Neighborhood House program. Then, he plans to enter either the Coast Guard or Marines or work in a union position. His ultimate goal is to follow the examples of his grandfather and father and become a firefighter.

By Carol Masshardt

Education is connected to service for Catholic Memorial graduate, eighteen-year-old Henry Gailunas. Many peers are headed to college, but this graduate is choosing a different route and one that is driven by knowledge of how he learns and how he wants to contribute. After six years at CM, he is taking a “gap year” to continue working full-time at Fat Baby, and Petunia’s restaurants in South Boston, where

“My parents, (Peter Gailunas and Maureen Dahill,) support me in taking the track I chose. My brother is an electrician in Local 103, and my sister is a nurse. I want to be of service, and I’ll try to get there, and they know that there are different ways to get there,” he said.

“I learned a lot at Catholic Memorial,” said Gailunas, captain of the wrestling team. “I made friends from all over and my two best friends are from Jamaica Plain and Brighton. I’m a hands-on learner, so more school now isn’t for me at least now, but I learned some extremely cool things at CM.”

Henry’s knowledge and confidence expanded and led to a special appreciation for three years of history with Mr. Jordan. “I learned a love of U.S. History. My teacher was great and learning about what happened in this country was interesting. I paid attention,” he said. “There are places ten minutes away that I didn’t know about, and it is all great. I was lucky to have the same teacher for three years.” No one graduating in 2023 was untouched by the pandemic and it posed challenges for this graduate. “Learning on-line wasn’t good for me,” he said, which happened at the end of his freshman year. “I found it hard to be on a screen and pay attention. It stunk. I like to ask questions of a real person in the same room.” Classes eventually started hybrid which was more compatible with his learning style.

“I learned I like things more personal, and also learned that sometimes you have to adapt and not do things where you’re strong and figure it out,” he said.

Learning in both conventional and unexpected ways, Henry Gailunas has a maturity and ability to communicate about who he is and what matters.

“Even though the academic route isn’t right for me, I learned so much at CM about how to be a leader, and to be well mannered. I think those things matter,” he said with quiet confidence.

Polite and respectful, Henry is a true son of South Boston. “I love it here,” he said, “I feel pride being from South Boston. It’s a small

community in a major city, and there’s the water, and being close to everything, and being near my extended family.” Downside? Well, sometimes people think I’m going to be rough around the edges and I’m not. And then there’s the expense now and parking. Everyone wants to be here now, and I really hope I can stay here. It is the best place to live in my opinion.” Henry Gailunas received an excellent education from his schools, parents, and community. He is also highly likely to make significant contributions as a young adult who values history, service, friends, relatives, and his city. He is eager to continue to gain experience and leadership and has managed a pandemic in addition to the usual challenges of high school. Respect, willingness to work hard and apply what he has and will learn are bound to be hallmarks of his life.

Congratulations, Henry Gailunas. Your community is proud of you.

“On this solemn Memorial Day, we honor those who have made the Supreme Sacrifice for our nation to preserve freedom and democracy throughout the world.”

Boston City Council President Ed Flynn

Henry Gailunas

Children’s Museum Milk Bottle Opens

Redistricting Map Passed through the City Council

A contentious redistricting process ended Wednesday, when the Boston City Council passed a new map via a 10-2 vote.

The proposal will now go to Mayor Michelle Wu. If approved, it will dictate where citizens vote in Boston’s Sept. 12 preliminary election and for the next decade.

The Children’s Museum has opened a new concession for the summer, in its trademark Hood milk bottle at the Museum’s main entrance. The vendor’s name is Glenn’s Kreme & Kone; their leading item is “Soft Serve ICE CREAM” – the children patronizing the milk bottle appear to enjoy their treats very much. For people wanting some lunch, Glenn’s also offers Kayem all-beef hot dogs. There are a large number of refreshments and their variations posted on a sandwich board outside the bottle.

Memorial Day

and Honor

6-1 west Broadway

7-5 Andrew square/old colony/Dot Ave/West 9th St. Apts

7-6 Andrew square/Old Colony Anne M. Lynch homes

All back in Southie

7-7 Mary Ellen McCormack also back in District 2 after 11 years in D3

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LEGO Diiscovery

huge play areas, classrooms that teach how to use LEGOs, and unbelievable displays of scenes constructed from LEGOs. Actually, these displays are really believable, since they are there, right in front of all the visitors to the LEGO Discovery Center. However, they are unusually striking, eyecatching constructions. Check out the display of the City of Boston’s skyline for yourself; it features a LEGO-built TD Garden Boston and a Fenway Park.

LEGO Discovery Center’s opening ceremony was impressive. Five speakers took to the outdoor stage on the sidewalk in front of the Center. This space had been reserved for them by a 20-foot giraffe, constructed entirely from 22,000 LEGOs. Rachel Meissner, LEGO’s Mistress of Ceremonies, welcomed all, and introduced LEGO Executive Scott Slifka. He spoke of LEGO’s plans to relocate much of their business activities here to Boston by 2026, reminding everyone that’s the year the World Cup comes here as well. Martha Sheridan from the

Convention Center promised she would route many conventioneers over to the LEGO Discovery Center. Interestingly, Somerville’s Mayor Katjana Ballantyne mentioned how she and her committees actually use LEGOs to help design and map out new city projects. Commonwealth Governor Maura Healey concluded the program by remarking that the Center is “Awesome!” and she extended her profound thankyous to LEGO for locating their

Discovery Center in Massachusetts. A red ribbon that officially opened the Center was then cut, much to the relief of the children in the audience. They had been very well-behaved, but finally, their waiting was over – the LEGO Discovery Center was now open for them to enjoy. And they all certainly did. There are already 12 mini-zones within the very large Center as a whole, and more are to come. This gives the entire family the chance

to play, create, and have immense fun together. And other programs will be offered later this year. You can of course shop in the street-level, market portion LEGO store anytime you want. However, please realize there’s an admission charged for visiting the secondfloor area of the LEGO Discovery Center. Inquire about this before you go there, or you can log onto https://www.LEGOdiscoverycenter. com/Boston/tickets-passes/.

Gov. Maureen Healey speaks; she welcomes the LEGO Center and a red ribbon is cut; the LEGO Discovery Center is officially open!

Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, 2023

The Memorial that honors Fallen Heroes from the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, a 50-foot, five-sided obelisk, commemorates the heroic men and women who died in service to our grateful nation. It is always heartening to see that we don’t forget those combat veterans who never returned. This year of 2023 is no exception. Artist Joan Aylward is painting an in-progress mural by ChalkBOS for Massachusetts Fallen Heroes, in support of our Gold Star families.

PUBLIC NOTICE: OPEN DISCUSSION ON THE FUTURE OF MCCA PARCELS ON D & E STREET

On Thursday, June 8 from 6:00 – 8:00 p.m. the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority will host a community discussion at CRISPR Therapeutics regarding the future of MCCA owned parcels on D & E Streets by the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center (BCEC).

MCCA officials will be presenting and available to answer questions.

2023 Sr Babe Ruth Tryouts-Volunteer Coaches Needed!

South Boston NDC celebrates 40th Anniversary with return of Taste of South Boston

South Boston Sr Babe Ruth Baseball tryouts will be held on Tuesday May 30th at 6pm at King Field in Moakley Park.

Players 16-18 years old as well as those that have turned 19 on or after January 1 of 2023 are eligible to play. There are several openings on the roster this year.

The team is also in desperate need of a couple of coaches to volunteer for this season. Even those who may only be able to only make home games or help out on certain days of the week would still be greatly appreciated. Coaching experience is preferred but not necessary.

Pre-register for the team or any volunteers interested in coaching can send an email to wconnor16@gmail.com.

The South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation (South Boston NDC) is bringing back the Taste of South Boston after a COVID-19 hiatus. This year’s event, at Artists for Humanity on Sunday, June 11, 2023, from 5-8 p.m., celebrates the 40th anniversary of South Boston NDC.

Taste of South Boston has become one of the city’s premier food events. For just $75 in advance ($85 at the door), attendees can sample culinary specialties from South Boston’s top restaurants, taste beer, wine, and spirits, and enjoy live music and outstanding silent auction items and raffles.

This year’s event boasts the following restaurants to date:

•Bamboo Beach Juice Club

•Barking Crab

•Capo

•Cafe Porto Bello

•Fat Baby

•Hunter’s Kitchen

•Lincoln Tavern & Restaurant

•Loco

•Lucky’s Lounge

•Para Maria

•Publico

•Rosa Mexicano

•Roza Lyons

•Shy Bird

•The Broadway

•Temazcal Tequila Cantina

•Tony C’s

Al’s Liquors will provide the wine; Castle Island Brewing Company will provide the beer; and Diageo Brands and Viva Tequila Seltzer will provide special cocktails! Tickets can be purchased online at: https://2023TOSB.eventbrite.com.

For more information, visit www.sbndc.org/tosb, email tasteofsouthboston@sbndc.org, or call 617-268-9610.

by Rick Winterson

South Boston is a walking neighborhood. That’s certainly true of South Boston’s Seaport District. Let’s think about what experiences are available to a person on foot in the Seaport.

South Boston’s only bookstore at this time is “Porter Square Books: Boston Edition”, which leads a real trend in branch bookstores. The venerable Harvard Book Store will open a branch in The Prudential sometime soon; East End Books from Provincetown has held writers’ talks on Pier Four. However, Porter Square is first; it’s part of the GrubStreet complex, the famous, 2,000-member writing organization that moved here. Walk over to 50 Liberty Drive, read “I LOVE Books” by Nnedi Okorafor, and enjoy Boston’s newest bookstore branch.

Memorial Day will be observed next Monday, the 29th. Walk a block along Northern Avenue to the green spaces and pay your respects to Massachusetts’ Fallen Heroes

Shop/Dine/Walk the Seaport

at their spire and reflecting pool. This is the “Season” for South Boston Seaport’s Summer Market, a collection of more than 80 small, pop-up marketeers. They all feature their own unique products, many hand-made, including a variety of foods and drinks. Bring the family – there’s something in the Summer Market for everyone. It’s open on Saturdays and Sundays only, from 11 a.m. until 7 p.m. through the weekend of June 17-18. And of course, you go from vendor to vendor entirely on foot.

Boston Seaport is also a place for small business start-ups. “Current” is a dozen small, walk-in stores that are grouped along one corner of the green space at 85 Seaport Boulevard. These stores give people who have developed new products and services an opportunity to get into business on a small scale – Inkerman from New York and Nantucket makes footwear and accessories, Olfactory NYC creates customized modern fragrances, and a stop at “Municipal” will reveal how that word is used. As

an example of success at “Current”, walk over to The Superette on its B Street side. Not only is The Superette a picturesque urban nook, you’ll also see a modern store called “injeanius”. “Injeanius” markets designer jeans. It started up in “Current” a few years ago and has since enjoyed great success.

STUBBYS is a famous import from Nantucket to the Seaport. Stop by and enjoy seafood, chowders, and ginormous sandwiches. Now

that Spring is really here, step out the door at STUBBYS and dine in Courthouse Square. Take your pick – sunshine or shade. To complete your Seaport walk, traverse the Seaport District from a park called “The Rocks” along a walkway that stretches all the way over to Boston Harbor, near where Pier 2 used to be. When you complete all the routes described here, you’ll have walked approximately two miles – not bad!

Saugat, Ryan, Rog, Gita, and Kurt at STUBBYS opening.

The “Current” pop-ups look out on Seaport Boulevard.

Porter Square Books (in Grub Street’s Seaport complex).

Dine in the Courtyard Plaza (right next to STUBBYS).

“injeanius” – once a “Current” store, now in “The Superette”.

Thank You & God Bless, Fr. Boyle and Deacon Tucker!

Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid Parishes with St. Augustine Chapel Thank Fr. Boyle and Deacon Tucker!

Cardinal Sean O’Malley has appointed our Parochial Vicar, Father Christopher Boyle, to St. Agnes Parish and St. Camilla Parishes in Arlington, MA. In addition, as Parochial Vicar to the Catholic Parishes of Arlington, Father Boyle will be the Priest Chaplain to the

students at Arlington Catholic High School. We thank Father Boyle for his ministry to our Parishes and his ministry to the Young Adults of our community.

Thank you, Deacon Tucker Redding, SJ. Deacon Tucker has been with us since September and will be Ordained to the Jesuit Order in New Orleans on June 10. We thank him for his ministry to our Parishes these past eight months and wish him well. With Our prayers and support! God Bless both Father Boyle and Deacon Tucker!

CITATION ON PETITION FOR FORMAL ADJUDICATION

Docket No.

To all interested persons:

IMPORTANT NOTICE

You have the right to obtain a copy of the Petition from the Petitioner or at the Court. You have a right to object to this proceeding. To do so, you or your attorney must file a written appearance and objection at this Court before: 10:00 a.m. on the return day of 06/30/2023

This is NOT a hearing date, but a deadline by which you must file a written appearance and objection if you object to this proceeding. If you fail to file a timely written appearance and objection followed by an affidavit of objections within thirty (30) days of the return day, action may be taken without further notice to you.

UNSUPERVISED ADMINISTRATION UNDER THE MASSACHUSETTS UNIFORM PROBATE CODE (MUPC)

A Personal Representative appointed under the MUPC in an unsupervised administration is not required to file an inventory or annual accounts with the Court. Persons interested in the estate are entitled to notice regarding the administration directly from the Personal Representative and may petition the Court in any matter relating to the estate, including the distribution of assets and expenses of administration.

WITNESS, Hon. Brian J. Dunn, First Justice of this Court.

Date:

May 19, 2023

Bryan C Murphy, Esq. DesRosiers and Tierney, LLC 100 Cummings Center Suite 313 J Beverly, MA 01915

Vincent Procopio, Register of Probate

PUBLISH ONLY THE CITATION ABOVE

34 B St, South Boston

Project Proponent: Joe Hassel

Project Description:

The information at this meeting is crucial to you as a City of Boston resident, and stakeholder. Interpreting services are available to communicate the content of these documents at no additional cost to you. If you require translation services, please contact the following: Tyler.C.Ross@boston.gov. The meeting is scheduled for 6/5/2023. Please request interpreting services no later than 5 days before the meeting date. Meeting of the general public to review the proposed 34 B st, South Boston project proposal.

Please note that this is a Public Meeting. The meeting will begin with a 45-minute presentation of the project by the development team, followed by 45-minutes of public Q&A.