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.

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

Continued from Page 1

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/.

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!

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!