SBOL_10_05_2023

Dorchester Heights: Closed for Two Years

by Rick Winterson

Recently, a quartermile meshed barrier fence was erected around the circumference of Dorchester Heights, which bars everyone, including all dogs, from entering.

Certainly, the Dorchester Heights Monument that commemorates the Evacuation of Boston in 1776 needs maintenance work. It’s 122 years old and has essentially been closed to the public since the 21st Century began. Mortared joints and sealants have a way of going astray after a century or so, particularly in windy, changeable climates like South Boston’s. So the Monument will be completely restored from top to bottom – belfry to base.

The landscape that’s part of Thomas Park/Dorchester Heights will also be completely renewed,

although we aren’t entirely sure what that means. The large ridges formed in the grassy areas resulted from incessantly mowing across the sloped areas (instead of up and down them). They won’t go away by themselves, of course. Resodding at least has become essential; walkway and stair repairs are long overdue. Even so, almost two years

seems an awfully long time for all that to be completed. But America’s 250th Anniversary is now approaching. The 250th Anniversary of the original Evacuation Day – General George Washington’s first victory – is March 17, 2026. Three and a half months later, on July 4, 2026, our 250th Independence Day occurs.

Coffee with a Cop

Our C6 Boston Police Department officers and Commissioner Cox were on hand at Starbucks on East Broadway Wednesday for National Coffee with a Cop Day. The event, through Boston Faith & Blue, helps to “build relationships, one cup at a time.” There was free coffee, pastries, and giveaways, but most importantly, residents had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with South Boston’s dedicated officers.

More photos on page 7

Asmall plot of South Boston land called Sr. Mary Veronica SND. Park is up for sale. The Park is a rectangle of land located along West Eighth Street between F and Grimes Streets on the side that’s toward West Broadway. It’s around 100 feet wide and 50 feet deep – approximately 5,000 square feet of total area. The streets around that block on West Eighth are residential. The Park’s “Sr. Mary Veronica SND.” name is clearly a remembrance of a Sister of Notre Dame de Namur. Her

South Boston Park up for Sale

vocational name recalls two of the saintly women who stood along the Way of the Cross. “SND.” is an abbreviation that stands for an order of inspired, hard-working nuns, who have significantly benefitted South Boston for well over 150 years. We aren’t sure who actually holds title to the Park. Should it be sold? It isn’t in very good shape; however, the Park honors a woman who was once a valued resident of South Boston; it has some benches and it’s still used by nearby residents. Speak up about it when you get the chance.

Preble Street Repiping

Open Meeting Law Training held at Edward M. Kennedy Institute

First 100 participants will have access to a replica United States Senate Seat

The photograph depicts the hole dug at the head of Preble Street, where it intersects five other roadways that together form Andrew Square. Also shown are four sections of pipe, which will eventually be placed in the excavation. These pipes are eight (8) feet in diameter and can handle countless millions of gallons of storm water and sewage every day without backing up. They’ve been fabricated from a special fiberglass composite that lasts much longer than conventional underground pipe made from cast iron.

This view looks eastward toward the traffic circle, Moakley Park, and South Boston’s Carson Beach. The flow through these large sections of pipe, after they have been installed and firmly grouted, will go through the South Boston pumping station on the triangle formed by Day Boulevard, Columbia Road, and Babe Ruth Park Drive. From there, it connects to Deer Island in Winthrop.

The Joint Committee on State Administration and Regulatory Oversight,in partnership with the Edward M. Kennedy Instituteand the Massachusetts Municipal Association, cordially invitemembersof the publicto a highly informative and educational training session conducted by the Attorney General’s Office of Open Government.

“The open meeting law is a critical tool for ensuring transparency in state and local government,” saidAttorney General Andrea Joy Campbell. “My office greatly appreciates the opportunity to collaborate with Senator Collins and Representative Cabral and provide this valuable training to municipal employees and members of the public.”

“Power in government comes from understanding how government works. It is civic gatherings like this that ensure we all have the knowledge to ensure government remains open, transparent, and responsive.”-Adam Hinds, Chief Executive Officer of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute.

“On behalf of cities and towns across the Commonwealth,

we are proud to partner on this important training,” said Adam Chapdelaine, the Executive Director of the Massachusetts Municipal Association. “This event presents a valuable and relevant educational opportunity for the thousands of dedicated local government employees in Massachusetts.”

“Although methods of communication change and expand over time, the Open Meeting Law continues to protect the public’s right to access information and to participate in the decision-making functions of our government. It is important for everyone involved to understand their responsibilities. As the House and Senate Co-Chairs of the Joint Committee on State Administration, and members of the Open Meeting Law Advisory Commission, we hope we can all learn something valuable from this training session - and that the conversation will help our committee spearhead the efforts to update the OML moving forward,” said Senator Nick Collins and Representative Antonio Cabral.

The training session will take place on Wednesday, October 11th, 2023, at the EMK Institute. Doorswill open at 5:30PM and begin promptly at 6:00PM. All are welcome. https://forms.office. com/g/tyCBt19Ng4

by Rick Winterson

And it was certainly a celebration, indeed. We refer to Tom Tinlin’s entire family –Heather, Thomas, Grace, and Tom himself – and their awards lunch held in the spacious tent at The Lawn on D. Last Friday, September 29, at mid-day, some 200 people gathered there to honor those who supported the

The BAF Celebrates Five (5) Years

Brain Aneurysm Foundation (the ”BAF”) in 2023. They were the guests of Tom and his family.

In addition to awards and a delicious lunch, the occasion was also a sort of “thank you” for the 2023 BAF fundraising golf tournament, which took place on the Devine, Wright, and Braintree Municipal Golf Courses over this summer. The tournament was called “18 for 18”, noting that a golf course’s number of 18 holes is ominously matched by the fact that somewhere, a brain aneurysm ruptures every 18 minutes.

Brain aneurysms are essentially weak spots in the human brain. If they rupture (and they often do), there’s severe bleeding inside the brain that is fatal about half the time.

Tom Tinlin suffered a ruptured brain aneurysm six years ago. Swift medical attention rescued Tom and literally saved his life. Unfortunately, many of those who suffer aneurysms aren’t treated quickly enough and they usually die as a result.

Tom was well aware how fortunate he had been. Soon after his recovery, he and the whole Tinlin Family, aided by many devoted volunteers from South Boston, got right to work. They quickly set up an organization they called the ”Brain Aneurysm Foundation” (the “BAF”). We quote the BAF’s statement of purpose from last Friday’s lunch program: “A platform to raise awareness that leads to early detection of aneurysms, provides resources for patient advocacy and support, and raises funds to advance research.” We were thrilled to hear Tom announce that as of last Friday’s lunch, they had raised a million dollars. Yes, that’s $1,000,000 for the BAF!

Needless to say, the BAF 18 for 18 lunch really was a celebration.

As part of the lunch program, Lt. Gov. Kim Driscoll graciously remarked that public support of research into brain aneurysms would continue, especially considering the serious nature of this health problem – about 1

in 50 people have an aneurysm. Mayor Michelle Wu promised her support as well and spoke of how her grandmother had suffered from an aneurysm. She received an award for her efforts on the BAF’s behalf. An award was then conferred on Joe Fallon for the Fallon Company’s ongoing financial support of the BAF. We’ll close with an example of how a BAF contribution can potentially benefit almost anyone. Shortly after his first brain aneurysm ruptured, Tom was told that he had another aneurysm that had not ruptured yet. But five years ago, this one simply wasn’t operable – he’d have to live with it and hope for the best. A few years later, research funded by the BAF discovered how to operate on Tom’s second aneurysm before (!) it ruptured. Miraculously, in November of 2022, Tom was successfully treated and left the hospital the next day as a completely healthy man. Research funded by the BAF had worked!

Tom Tinlin greets his guests at his Foundation’s fundraiser.

The Tinlin family – Thomas, Heather, Tom himself, and Grace. The Tinlin family with Lt. Gov. Driscoll (2nd l.) and Mayor Wu.

Mayor Wu’s Brain Aneurysm Foundation (BAF) is recognized. Tom Tinlin (4th l.), his family, and his fundraising friends.

Over Thirty and Under Three: Dolly Pickup

addresses. Asked about almost anything and she quickly recollects the history of an area, business, family or landscape. One of the eight children, with grandparents and extended family houses away, has raised four daughters in South Boston, ran her own day care program, and commutes to her job at the Copley Fairmount Hotel.

She chooses to focus on her joy and pride in all of life, and not on the challenges that required her to work hard and stay on course.

By Carol Masshardt

(The series focuses on residents who have lived in South Boston for over thirty years or under three, alternating weekly.)

Dolly Pickup has lived all of her sixtythree years in South Boston and could write her own book about a community she knows from experience at four 02127

“We had it all,” she said, recounting days of skating on a flooded “M” St. Park, walking everywhere, going to the beach and to the many stores such as Slocum’s, and then later, dancing and listening to bands at the Quiet Man, Bayside, and Triple O’s. I walked down to my grandmother’s and learned to crochet and sew, really everything and everyone was within a walk.”

She reflects on the enduring beauty of her neighborhood and fully understands how so many

Virtual Public Meeting

270 Dorchester Ave NPC

Zoom Link: bit.ly/270NPC

Toll Free: (833) 568 - 8864

people have discovered the place she could easily feel she owns. But her attitude is one of acceptance and recognition of change.

“It is different. People get in cars now and go. They don’t have time to get to know people. And, then the rent and traffic and, you know, parking. I still sit on my front steps though and say hello and instead of the decorated baby carriages, you see so many people with dogs. I enjoy it, but people are too plugged into ear pods and phones. You have to look up to feel connected,” she said.

groomer at Broadway Dog Spa have a strong local presence. Jillian lives in Las Vegas and managed an animal hospital, as did Jaclyn, now living in Scituate with her family.

“We have always had a strong work ethic,” she said, and this seems an understatement of the responsibilities she took on and has inculcated in her family.

6:00 PM - 7: 30 PM

Project Proponent:

Dinosaur Capital

Project Description:

Meeting ID: 160 407 9381

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 10/17/2023. Please request interpreting services no later than 5 days before the meeting date.

Meeting of the general public to review the proposed 270 Dorchester Ave Notice of project change.

This meeting will be focused on the proposed 270 Dorchester Ave NPC. 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.

mail to: Tyler Ross Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201

phone: 617.918.4214

email: tyler.c.ross@boston.gov

Caring for others, related and not, was a hallmark of Dolly Pickups early life, and a value and practice she continues.

“My grandparents were foster parents and adopted one child in addition to their biological children. My grandfather used to say he didn’t know how many in the family he would come home to,” he said.

Caring for people and offering a natural welcome while thinking under pressure, has spanned her day care career, parenting four daughters, being grandmother of seven, and working large events at the hotel.

Close of Public Comment

Period: 10/20/2023

website: bit.ly/3RvqScF

@BostonPlans BostonPlans.org

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

“I am proud of all my daughters. I brought them up to be strong women,” she said. It seems she has succeeded. Two, Justene, owner of Deirfiur Home on East Broadway and Jenna, dog

So, some time off? Slowing down doesn’t seem to come easily to Dolly Pickup. She has always traveled, including with her mother. “I would say, do you want to go, and she would say “book it.” She continues to look at the wider world, and works full-time at Copley Fairmont, while helping with the family.

Anyone as astute and tuned in to background stories as Dolly will acknowledge that nothing has ever been perfect in the old days or today, but she continues to choose South Boston as her home (“as long as I have parking!”). The tradition begun three generations ago continues with a regard for tradition and change, both obvious as she connects with lifelong friends and brand-new neighbors.

(Contact carolhardt@ comcast.net If you would like to share your story as new to SB or long-time neighbor)

Dolly Pickup

Dolly’ s artfully hand-crocheted sweater . Available at Dierfiur Home .

Congressman Lynch Holds Fundraiser for Bridget Nee-Walsh Campaign

Bridget Nee-Walsh, At-Large candidate vying for a seat on the Boston City Council, extends a heartfelt thanks to the South Boston community and her supporters for their enthusiastic participation at a recent campaign event. The event, held last Thursday, brought together local politicians and their constituents who share a common vision for a brighter and more inclusive future for our great city.

The event, hosted at Amrheins in South Boston, was a resounding success, thanks to the outpouring of support from residents, volunteers, and community leaders. Attendees included Senator Nick Collins,

Sitting District 3 Councilor, Frank Baker, Community Leaders from the Iron Workers Local 7, members of Boston’s Trade Unions and their leadership and many more!

“This event was an incredible testament to the

J. Gannon PC

passion of the South Boston community,” Bridget Nee-Walsh said. “I am deeply humbled and inspired by the dedication and commitment of everyone who came out to support my campaign. Together, we are building a movement that aims to uplift every corner of this City!”

The event featured engaging discussions on the critical issues facing Boston, including affordable housing, education, public safety, and environmental

sustainability. Attendees had the opportunity to connect with Bridget and share their own perspectives and concerns with the current state of the city.

Bridget emphasized her commitment to being a strong advocate for all Bostonians. “Our campaign is about bringing people together to address the challenges our city faces head-on,” she continued. “Together, we will work tirelessly to build a better Boston.” As her campaign for Boston City Council At-Large progresses, Bridget encourages everyone to stay engaged, share their ideas, and be part of this movement for a positive change in Boston. Supporters and community members can find more information about her campaign and upcoming events on her official campaign website and social media platforms.

Our C6 Boston Police Department officers and Commissioner Cox were on hand at Starbucks on East Broadway Wednesday for National Coffee with a Cop Day. The event, through Boston Faith & Blue, helps to “build relationships, one cup at a time.” There was free coffee, pastries, and giveaways, but most importantly, residents had the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations with South Boston’s dedicated officers.

Coffee with a Cop

Colin’s Joy Project 5K

Hundreds of people turned out for the Colin’s Joy Project 5K Saturday on East Broadway to run and walk in memory of Colin McGrath, a loving, curious, adventurous little boy who was killed in 2018 after being struck by a car on his way home from a day in the park. Money raised through the 5K furthers the mission of Colin’s Joy Project to enhance play spaces and sponsor children and family programming in South Boston and surrounding communities.

Before the 5K, which was

open to all ages to walk or run, the day kicked off with several heats of kids races: the 100-meter dash

for kids 9 and under and the halfmile race for kids 14 and under.

While Drew Fossa won the

men’s division of the 5K and Alyssa Fanucci won the women’s division, everyone was a winner!

Never Too Old to Find Love:

Compass on the Bay Hosts Golden Bachelor Watch Party

Golden Bachelor series premiere.

Compass on the Bay residents, associates and family members gathered to watch as Gary, a 72-year-old bachelor, got to know 22 women in the hopes of finding love for the second time in his life. Residents enjoyed sparkling cider and even received a red rose of their own to mimic the Bachelor’s classic rose ceremony.

Love was in the air at Compass on the Bay on September 29th when the Memory Support Assisted Living Community hosted a watch party to celebrate ABC’s

Overall, the senior community loved the message that the Golden Bachelor sends, which is, you are never too old to find love.

Compass on the Bay in South Boston is an assisted living community dedicated exclusively to those with memory loss featuring Compass Memory

Southie Showdown Completed

The recently begun

“On the Dot” development by Core Investments continued its opening programs with a Southie Showdown. This featured pointscoring, whole-body workouts

“On the Lot, On the Dot” and in the Crossfit Southie Gym, which Core had recently restored

and reopened. Both men and women were welcome to compete in two days of extreme workouts. Many contestants and an even larger audience of spectators showed up. There was even a fairway on exhibit.

Be on the lookout for continued “On the Lot” events (five more of them) throughout the fall.

Support, a renowned, researchbased treatment program for those with dementia, from Mild Cognitive Impairment

to Alzheimer’s disease and other dementia-causing diseases. Learn more at www. CompassontheBay.com.

Resident Nancy Faenza enjoying some sparkling cider

Compass on the Bay resident Paul Schaffrath presents a rose to Janice Andrews

The Annual Blessing of the Animals

On Sunday, October 1, 2023, all were welcome and many came to the Annual Blessing of the Animals, outside Gate of Heaven Church, downstairs in St. Joseph’s Courtyard following the 9AM Mass. Father Peter Schirripa, the Parochial Vicar, Blessed all the wonderful family pets.

This event is held in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, Italy Feast Day, which is actually on October 4. St. Francis is the Founder of the

Franciscan Order. St. Francis had a deep love and devotion to God, all God’s people, God’s beautiful nature around us and all of God’s animals. St. Francis prayed to God to work through him to help animals as well as people, and said of animals: “Not to hurt our humble brethren is our first duty to them, but to stop there is not enough. We have a higher mission — to be of service to them wherever they require it.” “Our pets are our family.” – Ana Monnar”.

by Rick Winterson

It was the “massrobotics” exhibition, their annual STEM presentation that had the slogan “We Bring Robotics to Life”. And “massrobotics” certainly did. Their STEM exhibit was situated on WS Development’s lot at 88 Seaport Boulevard. More than 50 companies, colleges, inventors, technical groups, and high school student robotics teams put on incredibly fascinating technical displays. Vertex from South Boston’s Seaport District took part. Even the Massachusetts Army National Guard showed up to demonstrate their sophisticated military robots. They are seeking career STEM professionals and offer many educational opportunities to attract them.

The 2023 “massrobotics” Exhibit

At times, and in front of many displays, the crowds were shoulder-toshoulder. We want to point out that many children attended the exhibition. They were fascinated by all of the robots, and joined right in with the live exhibitions of things robots can do these days. Even the youngest among these children were well behaved, totally fearless, and joyful as they played games with robots many times bigger and stronger. Among the young adult robotics groups, the “Titans” from Tewksbury High School stood out. In ten or fifteen years, they will become America’s leaders in robotics design and development, as we head into mid-century.

If you aren’t familiar with the capitalized word “STEM”, its letters stand for four important fields of

knowledge – Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics. These are the studies that lead to project work in robotics. Nowadays, an “A” for the Arts is often included, forming the word “STEAM” that will exercise every part of a student’s brain. The “massrobotics” exhibition really brought “STEAM” to life in an extremely interesting way. Unmanned ground vehicles and aerial systems (“drones”) competed for the crowd’s attention. Mobile robots, some of them amazingly similar to actual human beings, walked or rolled from place to place. Small waterproof robots performed underwater tasks while submerged in robotic aquariums. “Talking faces” conversed with the passers-by. All during the exhibition, eye-catching

robot animals entertained the crowds. Two black-and-yellow robot dogs capered around the exhibition tent; graceful blue morpho butterfly robots fluttered overhead. Right from the start, the “massrobotics” exhibition held everyone’s attention. Put it on your calendar for next year. Once again, we’ll mention how enthusiastic young children were about the “massrobotics” exhibition. We’ll also point out Boston and all of Massachusetts is an important center for STEAM pursuits. Our universities and technology industries, especially in fields like robotics and the life sciences, are famous all over the world. Perhaps this could be the first step in putting more robotics teaching into our schools.