Issuu

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

Giving thanks … During a Pandemic By Ginger DeShaney

he year 2020 has been brutal, from the global COVID-19 pandemic, high unemployment, and business closures to remote learning, holiday restrictions, and political turmoil. But de spite all t his, people in South Boston are thankful for what they do have as we enter the holiday season. From healthy families to beloved dogs, people are cherishing what means the most to them during these unusual times. “I’m thankful for the health of my loved ones,” said Raphaela, who was walking with Patrick and her dog, Tulip, last week. “The pace of this year has allowed me to spend more time with the people I love.” Pat rick is ver y t ha n k f u l for his family being safe. A nd t he y a re b ot h

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thankful for 3-year-old Tulip. Initially, their holiday plans were separate, with Raphaela, who lives in the Back Bay, planning to go to New Jersey to visit her parents for a small Thanksgiving. But with the CDC discouraging travel, she may be going with Patrick to visit his parents in Weymouth for a small gathering. They were both tested for COVID19 last week. “We don’t want to jeopardize anyone’s health,” said Patrick, who lives in South Boston.

Angela and her family were hanging out at Castle Island’s playground last week. “I’m thankful I gave birth to a healthy baby boy,” she said about 3-month-old Will. “And for my daughter, Lucy. Everyone is happy and healthy.” Angela and her husband, Scott, are making the most of this unusual time and spending more

Wreaths on the Triangle The Holiday Season has begun for our next door neighbors – Matt, Mike, Brian, Jennifer, Miguel, Christine, Travis, Saul, and Adam. Last Saturday, they met at Paul’s Park just across the bridge on Dorchester Avenue in the Polish Triangle. Led by Millie Rooney of the John McCormack Civic Association, these nine stalwart Holiday types hung 84 red-ribboned Holiday wreaths along Dorchester Avenue and Boston Street – the Triangle’s vertical leg and hypotenuse, with its apex in Andrew Square (the Triangle is the second oldest Polish settlement in America, after Philadelphia).

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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

outh Boston Online won’t argue that the COVID19 pandemic raging across our land and the entire Planet Earth is a crisis. It absolutely is. We must follow even stricter guidelines in order to bring the pandemic under control. This pandemic is a plague just as fierce as you might find in pulp science fiction stories or in “B” movies. Except that Coronavirus/COVID-19 is happening – actually happening! But perhaps we can still find enough reasons to say a quiet “Thanks” today, Thursday, November 26 – which will be the 400th Thanksgiving Day in the New World – the United States of America. Yes, it’ll be the 400th time we offer our gratitude (frequently with a quiet promise to do even better next year). Despite their own extremely difficult times, our three greatest Presidents – George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and Franklin D. Roosevelt – were among those who offered their own thanks at Thanksgiving . We should also follow the example first set by the courageous Pilgrims at the end of their first year here. In September of 1620, 102 passengers

Be Thankful; Stay Well sailed from Southampton in England aboard the Mayflower and dropped anchor at “Plimoth” in December. Less than a year later, disease, icy cold, and lack of food had left only 53 of them alive. Even so, led by Edward Winslow and Gov. William Bradford, the Plymouth Pilgrims celebrated an event in October, 1621, which was a harvest feast, prayer meeting, and three-day-long Thanksgiving festival. Around a hundred (100) Wampanoags, their Native American neighbors, came to the harvest feast, along with Tisquantum (i.e., “Squanto”), an indigenous Patuxet who spoke English . As you say your own thanks this year, think ahead also. In 2030, ten years from now, another 400th Anniversary will take place. The City of Boston was founded by John Winthrop and his Puritan flock – a “City on a Hill”, as he described it. Well, it still is. Back then, South Boston was used for agriculture; Castle Island (really an island back then) was fortified to protect against pirates. Nowadays, South Boston is a great place to live, to work, to go to school, to enjoy, and just “to be in”. It truly is a beautiful maritime community, whether you work at the

Conley Terminal, patronize M Street Beach, have an office in the Seaport, or create art that floats in Fort Point Channel. Thank you, South Boston. At this moment, a special “thankyou” is due to our medical establishment: In less than a year, two local, hightech companies – Pfizer and Moderna (both with labs in Cambridge) – have developed promising vaccines against Coronavirus/COVID-19. Their Phase 3 results have been very promising; Pfizer has already applied for emergency approval from the FDA. In just over six months, the technical geniuses at these two firms have gotten favorable results in record-breaking short times. In addition, a third high-tech firm, AstraZeneca, has just reported they’ll have a COVID-19 vaccine ready in January. Vaccines normally take several years to invent and produce, so thank you, Pfizer, Moderna, AstraZenaca, and all the other firms racing to develop COVID-19 vaccines, along with many other Coronavirus medicines. Thank you very (!) much. Our thanks this year certainly extend to every other person in America’s medical establishment as well. Health workers of all descriptions are

placing their own lives on the line every single day to care for any of us who are sick, and even to save our lives when necessary. The Bible says it briefly and best, “Blessed are they who lay down their own lives for others.” Thank you! In this season, we especially want to thank all those South Boston organizations who volunteered their time and the expense to see that everyone could enjoy an at-home Thanksgiving dinner. One example was the “Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell and Frank Kelley Thanksgiving Dinner Committee”. In years past, the Committee’s Dinner had always been a joyful Thanksgiving gathering, but the pandemic prevented that from happening this year. Instead, the Dinner Committee distributed hundreds of Thanksgiving meals yesterday afternoon, Wednesday the 25th, to any homes that had asked for them. Finally, we hope you will accept our best wishes for a small, quiet, and meaningful Thanksgiving Day. Please stay well, be thankful, and take care of yourself over the 2020 Holiday Season. Better times are coming soon.

help families and neighbors have a Happy Thanksgiving. Thank you to everyone who helped make

this food drive possible. From all of us at SBCA, we wish Everyone a Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

Happy Thanksgiving to all!

outh Boston Catholic Academy students in K1A would like to say a Happy Thanksgiving to all! South Boston Catholic Academy recently held their Student Council Elections. Congratulations to all the students who participated in the Student Council Elections! We are excited to see what our class representatives achieve in this 20202021 school year. One of the first projects our new Student Council members, led by our Student Council President, Vice President and Secretary in the 6th Grade, was on this month’s Annual Food Drive to Benefit St. Vincent de Paul Food Drive. Our Student Council members helped organize this food collection drive with guidance from Ms. Tynan, our Music Teacher, along with help from their classmates,

families and friends at South Boston Catholic Academy in hopes that this drive will provide food that will

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Postal Employees Take Time to Celebrate Thanksgiving

South Boston Chamber of Commerce Southie Holiday Spree Save the Dates: Thursdays: December 3rd, 10th and 17th Get ready to start your Christmas shopping! Support your Southie small business community by shopping and dining locally this holiday season! On Thursday, December 3rd, 10th, and 17th take part in the Southie Holiday Spree. Enjoy these fun-filled days with incredible savings at more than 30 local retail establishments, restaurants and salons throughout South Boston.

This year’s Southie Holiday Spree(s) will include: Thursday, December 3rd - Whether you have been naughty or nice, enjoy a neighborhood visit from Santa as he rides an antique fire truck and waves to his favorite children and distributes candy canes from his Santa Chute. Santa’s elf will be driving him along East and West Broadway between 4:00 pm - 6:00 pm, stopping in front of the Christmas trees and at the following locations:

4:30 p.m. – Medal of Honor Park 4:45 p.m. - Library on East Broadway 5:15 p.m. - West Broadway Municipal Parking Lot 5:30 p.m. - Corner of C Street and West Broadway December 10th and 17th from 4-6 p.m. take your own holiday photo in front of our seasonal back drops outside of the South Boston Library and on West Broadway near tree in front of the Municipal Parking Lot. Pets are welcome, too!

Visit: SouthBostonChamber.org/shop-local for a list of participating businesses Follow us on social media for details of upcoming holiday activities, and promotions. Facebook – SouthBostonChamberofCommerce Instagram – SouthBosChamber Twitter – SouthBosChamber

Due to safety regulations, some of the shops and restaurants are operating differently. We encourage you to check -in with your favorite business establishments, because of their various opening and closing times. We are very grateful to our Sponsors (to date):

South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation Massachusetts Port Authority Stapleton Floral Dedham Savings City of Boston Credit Union East Boston Savings Bank Boston Sparks Association

And remind you to ship early this holiday season

Po s t Of f ices across t he c o m m on w e a lt h will b e c lo s e d on T hu r s d ay, November 26, in celebration of Thanksgiving Day. Street deliver y on Thursday will be li m ited to g u a ra nteed overnight parcels and there will be no collection of mail. Full retail and deliver y

operations will resume on Frid ay, November 27. To ensure timely delivery of holiday gifts and wishes by Dec. 25, the Postal Ser vice recommends that customers mail early. December 18 is the last recommended day for First Class Mail, December 19 for Priority Mail and December 23 for Priority Express Mail. Priority Mail Flat Rate Boxes are available at no cost at Post Office locations and can also be ordered via usps.com. Postage, labels and customs forms can also be printed online anytime using Click-N-Ship. All mailing products can be found at store.u sps .com /store /hom e. The Postal Service receives no ta x dollars for operating expenses and relies on the sale of postage, products and services to fund its operations.

Support your Southie small business community by shopping locally this holiday season! Thursday Shopping Spree in Southie

t r o p p p o u e h S Din S Thursdays, December 3,rd 10th, and 17th Visit: SouthBostonChamber.org/shop-local for a list of participants. Follow us on social media for details of upcoming holiday activities, and promotions. SouthBostonChamberofCommerce

SouthBosChamber

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Continued from Page 1

Thankful time with family. “If the world hadn’t shut down, I wouldn’t have been able to watch the kids grow, see their milestones. I am thankful for that,” Angela said. “It’s given me a new perspective.” The family will have a low-key Thanksgiving dinner with a brother and sister-in-law. Their holiday is usually much larger, with Scott’s six siblings and their families. Stephanie was out with her co-worker’s dog, Cooper. “I’m thankful my family and friends are all safe and healthy and that we’re slowly coming out of this terrible year with a vaccine on its way,” she said. Stephanie was recently tested for COVID-19. For Thanksgiving, she will be attending a small gathering of five people in a big house so they can socially distance. Nicole was at the park with her dog, Bubba, last week. “I have so much to be thankful for,” she said. “This year has given me time to step back and take stock of what’s really important. “I’m thankful for my family and loved ones. I’m thankful for open spaces in South Boston,” she said, listing Dorchester Heights, Castle Island, and the beach. “I’m thankful for our community. Even though we are apart, we have come together.” Nicole’s Thanksgiving plans are low-key, with just immediate family. They are planning to do a virtual Champagne toast

with loved ones and talk about what they are thankful for. Steve and Ashley were enjoying the sunset at the Heights last week. “I’m thankful for a lot more time together,” Ashley said. “And our families are healthy,” added Steve. “The weather has been pretty good,” Ashley said. “Every nice day I appreciate it more.” On Thanksgiving, “we will keep it small,” Ashley said. “Just us and my parents.” Their Thanksgiving usually includes 15 to 20 people. Ryan was with his dog, Wally. “I’m thankful for my brothers,” he said. “I’m thankful for my well-being and health. I’m thankful for my girlfriend, and I’m thankful for my dog, Wally.” Ryan, of South Boston, plans to join his girlfriend and her family for Thanksgiving on the Cape for a gathering of about 10 people. Ryan got tested for COVID-19 last week. Jess, Jef f, Jacob, a nd L inne a , were enjoy ing a beautiful day at Castle Island. “I’m thankful for more time to spend with family,” said Jeff. “It’s been a chance to be outside a lot more,” added Jess. The family will have a small Thanksgiving with their immediate family. “It won’t change much for us,” said Jess. “It will be quiet like usual,” added Jeff. Tony, who was with his dog, Chief, is thankful for his students. The BPS teacher said his students are doing well, all things considered. “A lot of them want to be back in school with their friends,” he said.

Everyone Tony knows is healthy, “knock on wood,” he said, noting there are no confirmed COVID-19 cases among his friends and family. He’s also very thankful for Chief, his new rescue German Shepherd, who is 9 months old. There will be just four people at Ryan and his girlfriend’s Thanksgiving. Normally, his Thanksgiving would be 40-50 people in Pennsylvania.

“It will be different, but the experience will be the same,” he said. Sam, is thankful that everyone in his family is healthy and “we are able to have some sense of normalcy.” Sa m’s fol k s a re in t he area and they’ll have a smaller gathering this year. Normally, the whole family would get together, totaling more than 30 people. When Dan and Lindsey were ask ed at Castle Island what

they are thankful for: “You’re looking at it,” Dan said. “Our family,” Lindsey said. Ruby, 8, is thankful for their dog,

Rosie. “She’s healthy,” she said. Jenna and Harrison, who were at the Heights, are both thankful for a safe place to stay and for their healthy families. They both live in Southie. Jen na sa id t he y a re lucky to be in Boston, where people can get tested even if they a re a symptomatic. Both were tested last week. For Thanksgiving, they are “trying to figure out a way to be close to the people we care about,” Harrison said, which may mean not seeing them on Thanksgiving. Evan and Kate are thankful for 15-month-old Emma, their family, and their health. “Luckily we don’t know any who succumbed to [COV ID-19],” Evan said. T heir pla ns include traveling to the Cape to see immediate family. “It will be just the five of us,” Evan said.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Mental Health Awareness and Giving Back by Rick Winterson

he mont h of November, 2020, is rapidly becoming only a memory. Despite the continued threat of an increase in the COVID-19 pandemic, our Holiday Season is shifting into high gear as much as safely possible. But it’s still good to remember that November is now called Veterans Month. On Tuesday, November 10, the day before Veteran’s Day (November 11, 2020), South Boston’s Joe Cook spoke to 200 Boston College (B.C.) High School students about his veteran son Tim. Joe’s address was part of B.C. High’s week-long observance of “Mental Health Awareness Week”. Joe is the father of Tim “Doc” Cook, who served as a U.S. Navy Medical Corpsman with the Marines in Iraq, and who graduated from B.C. High in 2003. When Tim returned from Iraq, he was afflicted with PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder); he died in 2013, just a few months after completing his military service. A year later, Joe Cook set up the Cook Scholarships in his son Tim’s memory. To date, Cook

Scholarship Awards amounting to over $75,000 have been given to local high school graduates. It was entirely fitting that Tim Cook’s life and his bout with PTSD was a topic during Mental Health Awareness Week at B.C. High. The theme of Joe’s address at B.C. High was “Giving Back”, echoing the main thrust of B.C. High’s observance of 2020 Mental Health Awareness Week – “Gratitude and Giving Back”. Certainly, both Joe and Tim Cook exemplify “Giving Back”. When he was serving with (and healing) his fellow servicemen in Iraq, young Tim came up with an idea to better transport wounded Marines. The so-called “Hummer” (high mobility military wheeled vehicle, or HMMWV) was not adequate for transporting casualties in the field. Tim re-designed a seven-ton armored vehicle so that it could safely hold four wounded men, along with a couple of Medical Corpsmen. We understand from Joe that Tim’s vehicle is now standard equipment with any Marine detachment in combat conditions. And Joe often refers to Tim’s work as a youth minister and a Camp Counselor

Joe Cook addresses an estimated 200 students Tuesday at Boston College High School as part of the school’s “Mental Health Awareness Week: Gratitude and Giving Back” observation. Cook spoke about serving others, being a veteran, and the importance of giving back. Tim Cook returned from war with PTSD and died in 2013, just a few months after finishing his military service. The Timothy “Doc” Cook Foundation was set up the next year; it is dedicated to educating youth and increasing awareness of PTSD (Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder) within the community and abroad. Since its inception, more than $75,000 in Cook Awards have been distributed to graduating high school seniors in the area.

Pictured left to right: Maribeth Pender, PhD, LMHC Lizzy Green, LICSW, and Joe Cook. Cook is the father of 2003 BC High graduate Tim Cook - who served as a medical corpsman in Iraq. Pender and Green are both adjustment counselors at the school and orchestrated the events for Mental Health Awareness week in East Boston as further evidence of Tim’s ability for “Giving Back”. In his address at B.C. High, Joe focused on a few key sayings. After his opening remarks about Gratitude and Giving Back, he mentioned the B.C. High motto – “To Be a Man for Others” – and then discussed Frost’s poem “The Road not Taken” and its reflections on life’s choices. In describing Tim’s life, Joe quoted the Marine Corps motto, “Semper Fidelis” – Always Faithful. Then, he concluded with a quote from Ghandi: “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in service to others.” Joe himself has been occupied with “Giving Back” for seven years now, ever since Tim’s passing. His memorial efforts have been successful – over the last six years, the recipients of Cook Scholarship Awards have risen from just three at first to 12 on June 13 of this year. Read about Joe’s announcement of these 12 awardees in South Boston Online, our June 18 issue, page four. We are publishing on the internet during the COVID19 pandemic – Google it up using “South Boston Online”, then looking through “past issues”. And here’s what Joe told us

about future plans for the Cook Awards, which he wants to take city-wide: “In order to expand and build on what we have in place, we would need committed, long-term donors. These donors can be public or private sponsors with a personal stake in increasing awareness about PTSD and mental health. These donors will also make a substantial impact on the youth, while showing their involvement in the community.” Well spoken, Joe! During our phone interview, Joe spoke about Mike O’Brien at B.C. High, who has been a key supporter of Joe’s efforts over the last several years. He also told us that sculptor Bob Shure, who has designed monuments in South Boston, has also created a design for a PTSD Memorial. And a thank-you goes to Eric Donovan, Account Executive at The Castle Group, for his assistance with this write-up. Some people say that coincidences are really God’s way of telling us something, but not letting us know that it’s Him talking to us. So what about this coincidence? Joe Cook’s address date of November 10, 2020, was also the 245th Anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. Semper Fi?

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Thank You-Happy Thanksgivig

hanksgiving is a time to give thanks to those who bring friendship and joy to our lives. It is also the perfect time for all of us at South Boston Neighborhood House to take a moment to say Thank You. Everything has been harder this year and all that we do looks

different but we remain grateful. Your support allows South Boston Neighborhood House to continue our work to ‘support family and neighborhood life in South Boston’ and this year our work is more important than ever! The Ollie, sends a heartfelt thanks and best wishes for a peacef u l Tha nk sgiving.

New Market in Andrew Square

The Christmas Shopping Season is at hand; pop-up shops all over South Boston are the Holiday trend. And it seems a new business popped up in Andrew – the Red Line’s Andrew Station, that is. Their pop-up display was set up early last Sunday morning. It featured brightly colored boots, a faux leopard skin jacket, and many other clothing specialties. Now how’s that for Christmas convenience?

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Boston Seaport Becomes “Snowport”

by Rick Winterson

here are five (yes, that’s 5) Saturday a f t e r no on s le f t between now and Christmas on Friday, December 25. On each (or all) of those five afternoons, you are invited to come to Boston Seaport. You see, Boston Seaport, located at 85 Northern Avenue, has shaken up their neighborhood in a giant snow globe and transformed it into “Snowport”. Snowport can be reached by a short ride to the first stop on the Silver Line, or you can use convenient parking at their One Seaport Garage. Snowport’s Saturday afternoons open at 2 p.m. and close after dark at 6 p.m. Check out the fantastic decorations and lighting in Snowport Plan to spend the entire festive afternoon in Snowport. Have lunch at “Gather” in the City of Boston’s District Hall. Then go for that very special dinner at

“Tuscan Kitchen” in Snowport’s Courthouse Square. In both places, you can opt to eat outside. But relax – despite the winter weather, outdoor space heaters at both places will keep you comfortable. You can even bring your dog to Snowport, and then treat your best friend to Holiday goodies at the Polkadog Bakery on Harbor Way – check out the Harbor Way Tree while you’re at Polkadog. South Boston Online visited Snowport’s opening last Saturday – the afternoon from 2 to 6 p.m. absolutely flew by. Our first stop was the Curling rink, which is free and open to the public. Just be sure to reserve a spot for yourself – Curling is a lot of fun, easily played, and can be enjoyed by everyone. The rules are simple – land your “stone” (as it’s called) closer to the target than anyone else’s stone, and you get a point for your side. That’s not so easy to do, but as we said, Curling is very simple to play. While you’re at the Curling rink, stop by Snowport’s “Guest Services Gondola”. The attendants there have printed guides and maps of everyone who is taking part in Snowport. These attendants can answer any questions you may have about Snowport and the twenty-two (22) Boston Seaport establishments who are participating in the 2020 Snowport extravaganza. They are ranged along Northern Avenue and Seaport Boulevard, between Sleeper Street and Pier Four Boulevard. Try to visit them all; do some shopping. Going back and forth is less than a one-mile walk; it will take you an hour or two. A lunch, followed by Curling, dinner, and a (hot) cup of coffee in mid-afternoon will provide you with a leisurely, relaxing afternoon you’ll certainly remember. While you are traversing Snowport, keep an eye out for the works of art located on or near Seaport Boulevard. The rainbow hues of the sculptures by Okuda San Miguel are truly eyecatching, as is “Damascus Gate

1” by Frank Stella. Read the back of the Public Radio sculpture by District Hall about “radio as a new American art”. And take the time to enjoy the beautiful decorations

in Snowport. They are eminently tasteful and brightly, spritely done. shoot a few exposures on your iPhone to look at now and then over the upcoming Holidays.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

From the Heart: Stephie Chic Creates Handmade Gifts

By Ginger DeShaney Gemstones and bracelets. That’s how it started.

tephanie Greenstein was looking to buy a bunch of bracelets from a shop. But they were $45 each, which got her to thinking, “I could do that.” So she did. She made herself bracelets, and her friends noticed them. They wanted her to make them bracelets, too, so Stephanie made them for free. “I was making pieces for friends, then those friends told their friends,” Stephanie said. And people were willing to pay. “It started as a hobby and shifted to an actual business.” She opened her e-commerce website -- https://stephiechic. com/ -- in June 2019. Stephie Chic features Stephanie’s beautiful handmade creations: bracelets, earrings, necklaces, tie-dye clothing, masks, and hair accessories.

Stephanie took her passion from a hobby to a business, all while working full time. She still works full time while ma na ging Stephie Chic. “I felt like I wasn’t being fair to myself, to the business, to the customers,” she said. “I finally said, ‘I really enjoy it so I should just keep doing it.’ ” The biggest holdup was knowing how to get started. So she took some time and did her research. She works in marketing and social media for her full-time job and used that knowledge and experience to benefit Stephie Chic. “I tried to make it something that doesn’t stress me out,” she said. “I don’t want to overdo it so I don’t enjoy it anymore. I let myself be OK with that.” Her website features a mixture of her creations and pieces she curates. “I love to make pieces,’’ she said, “but because I don’t have a lot of time, I bring other pieces in.” She makes her pieces on the weekends but also fits in Stephie Chic work when she can. “I wake up and the first thing I do is fulfill orders,” she said, noting that’s how she knows she loves it. She runs to the post office on her lunch breaks. “I try to do it when I have downtime,” she said. “I look forward to doing it.” Stephanie’s favorite pieces are the ones she makes for her Charity Collection. Every month she dedicates pieces of jewelry to support a cause. “I love making these items,” she said. “It’s such a

Stephanie Greenstein good feeling. These are the most meaningful; I know as I’m making them that it’s going to a good cause.” Stephanie has supported va rious ca ncer charities, as well as ALS. She gets very excited about new shipments of beads and supplies: “It’s like Christmas morning!” Stephanie doesn’t have a specific style; she lets the materials and her mood dictate her creations. She creates everything from statement-y pieces to the very simple. She finds inspiration everywhere. “Sometimes I want to wear something really fun,” she said, “and sometimes I just want pearl studs.” South Boston businesses Neatly Nested (earrings) and East Side Yoga & Fitness (tiedyed tank tops) carry her pieces. W hen Stephanie lived in South Boston, she handdelivered her pieces to customers. “I’d drive around and drop off the packages,” she said.

“It’s a great little community.” Stephanie and her husband recently moved to Weymouth. She converted a small bedroom into an office. The closet holds all her stuff. “I have so many beads …” she said, plus inventory, shipping supplies, clothing for tie-dye. “It’s all nicely organized.” Last Christmas was amazing for Stephie Chic. Stephanie did several popup shops and private house parties. All of that has stopped this year because of the COVID-19 pandemic. “This year looks really different,” she said. But she’s hopeful people will go to the website for Christmas gifts. “On beha lf of sma ll businesses, I encourage people to shop small, especially this year. Even if you don’t purchase something, there are other ways to support small businesses,” she said. “It’s something special to support someone’s passions.”

THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Virtual Public Meeting

Dorchester Bay City Thursday, November 4 6:00 PM

Monday, November 16 6:00 PM

Wednesday, December 2 6:00 PM

Gate of Heaven, St. Brigid Parishes Along with St. Augustine Chapel Masses Schedule

Thanksgiving Weekend

Project Description: The Boston Planning & Development Agency will be hosting a series of Virtual Community Advisory Committee (“CAC”) and Public Meetings in connection with the proposed Dorchester Bay City project. A Virtual KickOff Public Meeting was held on October 19th, which was followed by an Urban Design focused Virtual Public Meeting on October 28th.

Friday, Nov. 27, 2020 - 9:00 a.m. Gate of Heaven (There will be no morning Masses at St. Brigid Church or St. Augustine Chapel) Parish Office Hours: Monday - Friday 10:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m.

The next topic-specific Virtual Public Meetings are as follows: • • •

Wednesday, November 4th: Open Space, Public Realm & Resiliency Monday, November 16th: Transportation & Infrastructure Wednesday, December 2nd: Topic TBD

mail to: Aisling Kerr Boston Planning & Development Agency One City Hall Square, 9th Floor Boston, MA 02201 phone: 617.918.4212 email: Aisling.Kerr@Boston.gov

“Functioning as a Parish Community amidst the Corona Virus – A Slow Transition Back to Normal” Important Message Cardinal Sean continues to dispense all Catholics from the Sunday Mass obligation. This will be in place for the foreseeable future. Catholics are not obligated to

BostonPlans.org

@BostonPlans

Teresa Polhemus, Executive Director/Secretary

The Law Office of

Paul J. Gannon PC General Practice of Law

Criminal Defense Personal Injury Motor Vehicle Accidents Establishment of Corporations, LLCs Wills & Estate Planning Real Estate Litigation Probate No Charge for Initial Consultation

82 West Broadway South Boston, MA (617)269-1993 pgannon@paulgannonlaw.com

go to Sunday Mass due to current pandemic and the continued risks. The Cardinal strongly encourages people in vulnerable populations, especially the elderly and those with complicating physical conditions to continue to watch

Via Live Stream on our Sebsite (www.gateofheavenstbrigid.org) or on Catholic TV.

Mass Schedule Saturday Afternoon Vigil Mass 4:00 p.m. Gate of Heaven Church

Sunday Masses 8:00 a.m. St. Brigid Church 9:00 a.m. Gate of Heaven Church 10:30 a.m. St. Brigid Church 12 Noon Gate of Heaven Church 6:00 p.m. St. Brigid Church Daily Mass 7:00 a.m. St. Brigid Upper Church Monday-Friday: 9:00 a.m. Gate of Heaven Upper Church

Unfortunately, due to the requirements of social distancing – we will not be able to hold Masses or services at St. Augustine Chapel at this time.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020

Nun Better By Anne Gardner

hen tourists are asked what comes to mind when they think of Boston, attractions like the Freedom Trail, Fenway Park, Old Ironsides, and the Old North Church often top the list. But as a native Bostonian, my landmark of choice holds a bit less historical gravitas. Every day, as I walk the Sugar Bowl of Southie, I spy its rounded outline across the Harbor. My one and only.

The Boston Gas Tank.

As in “the traffic is backed up all the way to the Tank,” WBZ’s all too familiar radio call to legions of frustrated motorists on I-93. The hulking Dorchester monolith has been keeping an eye on the Southeast Expressway for decades now. But it went from a random utility company’s storage unit to “the Tank” in 1971. That was the year Eli Goldston, president of the then Boston Gas Company, commissioned a middle-aged ex-nun to create a piece of art for his facility. Her multi-colored paint stripes instantly struck a cultural nerve. The “Rainbow Swash” was born. At just eighteen years old, Frances Elizabeth Kent joined the Order of the Immaculate Heart of Mary in 1936. Upon entering the convent, she took the name Sister Mary Corita. It wasn’t long before everyone referred to her simply as Corita, the name she would eventually make famous. Her new community was known both for its progressive views and for an appreciation of the arts. This made for a perfect fit for the young nun. Her artistic ability was already well known, a talent that led to a faculty appointment in the art department of Immaculate Heart College. But it would be the influence of Andy Warhol’s 1962 soup can exhibition that would bring Corita into the Pop art fold, the medium that

would catapult her career forward. Like many good Catholic girls growing up in the shadow of the Tank, my mother made sure I was acquainted with the work of the ex-nun turned artist. It wasn’t that she was a big fan of her work. But like many women who came of age during pre-Vatican II, my mother appreciated the subtle and not so subtle resistance that simmered in many convents. Corita had developed a reputation by then as a social activist, most notably lending her voice to the anti-war movement. The Rainbow Swash, at least according to my mother, was proof positive of Corita’s liberal bent. There was nothing quite as salacious in those days as a contrarian nun. Right from the start, her design was controversial. Many insisted the profile of Vietnamese leader Ho Chi Minh was hidden in the blue band of paint. Although both Goldston and Corita tried to disabuse the public of this notion, it never quite stuck. The lore has become the fact. Even now, if I’m driving by Exit 15, I sneak a peek. My eye is immediately pulled toward the ambiguous profile. Once you see it, it’s impossible not to see it. Corita would eventually make Boston her home. Following a sabbatical on Cape Cod, she decided to leave the convent. Subsequently she found a small apartment in the Back Bay and commenced her new life, a significant transition after spending more than thirty years in a religious order. Boston still embraces their adopted daughter. Corita’s work is routinely exhibited at local institutions[1], despite her untimely death in 1986. But the Rainbow Swash remains her most renowned work for we Bostonians. The not so secret message hidden in plain sight. Nowadays, during a similar time of political upheaval and division, those splashes of color

remind me of Corita’s commitment to love, tolerance, and beauty. So whether you believe the Rainbow Swash is an anti-war proclamation or not, know this. We celebrate Corita this November, 102 years after her birth, for her remarkable c ou ra ge a nd u nwavering backbone. W ho better to emulate in these troubling times? Nun better. * The full list of exhibitions can be found at https:// c or it a .org /e x h ibit ion s.

Harvard University Art Museum (August 2019 – January 2020 and September 2015 – January 2016), The Ethelbert Cooper Gallery of African & African American Art (October 2018 – February 2019), the Davis at Wellesley College (February – June 2018), Schlesinger Library (August – December 2015), Parson House Gallery (2013), Boston University Art Galleries (November – December 2013).

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 26, 2020 THE PRINT EDITION