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A FREE THURSDAY PUBLICATION

WEDNESDAY DECEMBER 24, 2014

“Christmas is not a time nor a season, but a state of mind. To cherish peace and goodwill, to be plenteous in mercy, is to have the real spirit of Christmas.”

(Calvin Coolidge)

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

The Celebration Season

BY RICK WINTERSON

It’s a time for celebrating.

Before you decide that South Boston Online is making some kind of secular statement here, just think for a moment about how many of our celebrations have religious and spiritual origins. There’s Christmas itself, of course, which in some areas extends twelve days until the Epiphany. And Thanksgiving, whether it’s observed in Plymouth, Massachusetts, or in Williamsburg/Jamestown, Virginia. There are Lunar New Years, wedding receptions, bar and bat mitzvahs, the eight days of Hanukkah, Eastertime, St. Patrick’s Day, and those quintessential festivities of Mardi Gras or Carnivale – whatever you choose to call the days just before Lent begins.

South Boston is no exception.

Since Advent began, we have had house tours, dinners and banquets, Christmas parties given by South

Boston’s numerous civic organizations, musicales, art exhibitions, Holiday strolls, lighting ceremonies, and many, many gatherings of families and friends. Our children had lots to do as well.

And please remember, Christmas is not only about its festivities. It’s also (and more importantly) about mankind’s spiritual concerns. It’s about giving with an unselfish heart. It’s about family gatherings and reunions. Santa visits young Anthony and his mother, Tara, at Fran Regan’s Christmas dinner party last Saturday, the 20th.

And it’s about warmth, peace, quiet, silence, and contemplation.

Do you want to see Christmas in action in South Boston? Stop in at St. Monica Church on Christmas Day at 11 a.m. to help serve Christmas Dinner until 1 p.m. Would you like to add some Christmas considerations of your own? Please let us know.

Meanwhile, please accept South Boston Online’s sincere wishes for a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Years.

It’s an elbow to elbow celebration at watercolorist Dan McCole’s ChristMore photos on page 10 & 11

TO A JOYFUL PRESENT, A WELL-REMEMBERED

mas-in-the-Loft party, among his many works of art.

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December 24, 2014

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A Time to Gather and Celebrate This should be the time of year when we gather to celebrate with our family and friends. It should be the time of year to give gifts, attend bad sweater parties and maybe have one too many drinks at the office Christmas party.

It should be the time of year when we wish goodwill to all.

It should not be the time of year to mourn two New York Police Officers killed callously and cruelly by a career criminal in a heinous act that many have speculated was fueled by growing animosity against our law enforcement professionals.

The past few months have been a trying time for many Americans. Recent protests, riots and looting related to the grand jury decisions declining to indict the police officers accused of killing Michael Brown in Ferguson, MO and Eric Garner in New York City

have created a powder keg of racial angst in many US cities. But whether or not you agree with those decisions or the resulting protests, there should be one thing we can all agree upon – law enforcement officers do not deserve to be targets.

Unfortunately, not everyone feels that way. Al Sharpton helped organize a “Million Marchers” protest in New York earlier this month where many protesters could reportedly be heard chanting inflammatory remarks about harming police officers.

Sharpton, who owes “$4.5 million in current state and federal tax liens against him and his for-profit business” according to a November New York Times article, seems to view these recent tragedies more as an opportunity to grandstand or act as a paid “civil rights advisor” than to

S BO

ease racial tension.

Meanwhile, President Obama and Attorney General Eric Holder seem to have taken the view that law enforcement cannot be trusted. After the Holder grand jury decision, Obama stated “we are seeing too many instances where people just do not have confidence that folks are being treated fairly.”

And New York Mayor Bill de Blasio, who has a full-time security detail made up of NYPD officers to keep him and his family safe, recently told ABC News that he and his wife have instructed their son not to make any sudden movements when dealing with police officers. De Blasio, whose son is biracial, went on to say in that interview that dealing with the police is “different for a white child. That’s just the reality in this country.”

Police officers are people too.

The men and women who protect and serve us have an incredibly difficult, extremely dangerous and all too often thankless job. And contrary to what many in this country seem to think these days, the vast majority of our law enforcement professionals are not corrupt, overly violent racists. They are fathers, mothers, huisbands, wives, daughters, sons, boyfriends, girlfriends, friends, aunts and uncles whose families never can be certain that their loved ones will come home from work at the end of their shift.

Our law enforcement professionals dedicate their lives to keeping the rest of us safe.

They deserve our thanks – not our contempt. We would like to thank NYPD officers Wenjian Liu, 32, and Rafael Ramos, 40, for their service and their sacrifice in the line of duty.

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Enjoy Your Christmas – They Are Watching

Just a thought at Christmas: After Christmas Eve arrives, the season becomes quiet (as it should) and all our hurrying and scurrying slows down (as it definitely should). Lights are set aglow, church bells ring, carols are sung, and the “sounds of joy” are on the world and in it.

But emergencies occur, help is sometimes needed, and even on Christmas Day, crimes are committed. But also on Christmas Day, the police station on West Broadway, the stationhouse on D Street, and the stationhouse on Fourth Street are on duty as they always are – 24/7/365! So enjoy yourselves in peace.

And Merry Christmas to all police officers, firefighters, and their families, especially those “first responders” who are on duty on December 25.

December 24, 2014

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Gratitude, Remembrance South Boston supports law enforcement Let’s get right to the point. The killing of two police officers in New York City is a tragic outrage.

Their deaths were actually assassinations - inexcusable assassinations. Urgent steps must be taken to ensure that such barbaric incidents are never repeated again.

One of these steps involves every single one of us. We must cultivate and hold onto an attitude of respect and gratitude for what police officers do. They are literally the on-the-street, day-to-day guardians of our American civilization and the society that results from living in a free country.

Remember, there is no career police officer who has not encountered danger during his or her years of duty in law enforce-

ment - often many times over.

And unfortunately, in too many cases, that danger was life-threatening or even mortal.

Please join us in expressing thanks for what our police officers do. If you would like to take part in something more tangible, there is a stand-out in front of South Boston’s Police Station C-6 at 4:15 p.m. this Friday, December 26.

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December 24, 2014

WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Team Opportunity Pilot program for new, non-profit rehabilitation initiative is in the works

BY KEVIN DEVLIN

The scourge of alcohol and drug abuse in our neighborhood and elsewhere never takes a holiday. And, it is surely getting worse with each passing day.

Local gentleman, Thomas ‘Tom’ McCarthy, was devastated by the recent loss of a very dear friend of his, a second son to him and his family.

This young man was from a great family, a young Marine who everyone was proud he so honorably served his country.

Then he came home to South Boston. Sadly, he had a monkey on his back and that monkey was heroin addiction.

But this devastation turned into inspiration for McCarthy, inspiration to found the Team Opportunity pilot program.

This undertaking will be open to ten potential candidates

who shall be referred from another treatment center. This is a one-to-two year plan in a very structured environment offering an intense, twelve step program. These candidates will be interviewed

by Team Opportunity board members who shall subsequently decide if the candidate(s) will be a proper fit for this long-term program.

“This is a challenge to the whole community,” McCarthy said. “It is time to take a stand as a whole community to take our children back. I feel from personal experience that short-time treatment does not work for ninety-nine percent of alcoholics or drug addicts.

They simply don’t receive the help they need and most programs, what I calls ‘spin dry systems’ are all driven by the insurance companies and at some point, financial gain becomes more important than the cure in this revolving door system, proving time and time again that they simply

don’t work. I am not trying to knock any program in particular that is out there. We are only trying to help, but I am also saying every program out there should reevaluate and take notice that their program could possibly benefit from a ‘tune-up’ every so often to provide the best possible treatment.

“It took me time to recognize that long term, structured treatment is needed,” he added. “We are trying to get a small group of young men to lean on each other for their support system within our house.

“There will be a team leader from The Wounded Warriors Program and he will serve as the ‘Sergeant’ of the house,” he further stated. “He will receive his own quarters with a salary and will be expected to enforce all house ‘rules and regulations’ adhering to a ‘no tolerance’ policy and will follow strict house guidelines. The candidates will be required

to sign a conditions-contract upon entering the program.

If a candidate does not have a job we will provide them with a career opportunity. Please note we are one-hundred percent ‘not-for-profit’ and are an independent program which will be seeking funding, public and private donations, and will conduct financial assistance through fund raising to facilitate our program. Along with the candidate contributions, we will be providing individuals single bed rooms with the luxury of their own home and a safe, stable, secure environment. The bottom line is that we want to guide these candidates back to the right road by giving them guidance in a structured, long-term treatment facility.”

All Tom wants is a little help from a lot of people to make this program work and serve those in need of assistance. If you have any questions, please feel free to call him @ 781858-6335.

L Street Brownies’ New Year’s Swim

One of Boston’s best-known rituals is at hand, as 500 (or more) brave swimmers plan to plunge into Boston Harbor on Wednesday morning, January 1, at 9:30 a.m. Doors into the Curley Community Center, also known as “the L”, and to the beach on the K Street side open at 8 a.m.

Both men’s and women’s locker rooms will also be open.

The New Year’s Swim tradition is well over 100 years old. It was started by the L Street Brownies, the oldest Polar Bear Club in America, who are known for their winter tans – “Brownies”. Millions all over the world will watch this famous South Boston event on television.

The Swim raises money for local scholarships. All are welcome to take part, costumes are encouraged, and spectators/photographers will truly have field day.

WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

December 24, 2014

Time for Compassion and Leadership

BY KEVIN DEVLIN

The recent execution style murder of two NYPD police officers has shaken the nation. It is sadly the culmination of months of raucous insinuations that our police can’t be trusted. It is the culmination of rhetoric that incites others to do evil. It is the culmination of when certain leaders pit one side against another. This must change otherwise more tragedies will occur and more tears shed.

Instead of chanting “What do we want, dead cops, When do we want it. Now,”- protestors should be talking about coming together to meet the challenges head-on in a calm and fruitful manner.

Instead of listening to others labeling every cop in America as a hater, we should be talking about how thankful we are that they are patrolling our streets and keeping us safe.

Mayor Bill de Blasio and Presi-

dent Barack Obama have thus far missed the opportunity to unite us and move forward in a positive fashion to resolve some of the issues we face. Their positions have been divisive and have led us down the road we are on right now.

If they fail to demonstrate true leadership and bring us together then they have failed to do what we now expect of them.

And shame on them if they don’t the right thing for the right reasons.

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WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

December 24, 2014

Celtic Christmas in the Chapel Last Sunday’s “Celtic Christmas in the Chapel”, presented by the Health Center’s Youth Ambassadors, featured Katie McD and the Irish Cross-County Band, Irish dancers from the Woods School, and a highly enthusiastic audience.

BY RICK WINTERSON

South Boston’s St. Augustine Chapel is immersed in history.

Dedicated 196 years ago in 1818, it is the oldest Catholic Church still operating in the City of Boston. It was built by Boston’s first Bishop, Jean Cheverus, as a tribute and final resting place for Father Francis Matignon. Fr. Matignon was the first Catholic priest assigned to Boston; his parish extended over all of New England, including the lands occupied by Indians. The Chapel is

Three talented step dancers at “Celtic Christmas in the Chapel” demonstrate the skills they’ve learned at the Woods School of Irish Dance.

still the site of regular Masses and many other functions.

Sunday evening, the Fourth Sunday of Advent, St. Augustine Chapel hosted a “Celtic Christmas in the Chapel”. With its warmly lit windows and festively decorated altar, the Chapel looked like a Currier & Ives Christmas card.

This Christmas celebration was arranged by the Youth Ambassadors from the South Boston

HappyEveryone Holiday's Wishing a Happy Thanksgiving &

Community Health Center. It featured Katie McD and the Cross-County Band, along with three talented step dancers from the Woods School of Irish Dance.

Mention must be also be made of the audience, who participated in the sing-alongs and the dancing (especially the young children in attendance).

Katie McD, a native of Galway City, is steeped in the traditions of Sean Nos singing, which is a complex form of Gaelic solo vocal music. She came to Berklee College of Music on a voice scholarship, has performed with the Cross Border Orchestra in

Symphony Hall, and now lives in South Boston.

Matt Glover is the highly accomplished mandolin player in the Irish Cross-County Band, who has some 50 albums to his credit.

Martin Butler, a native of Tipperary, is a United States bodhran champion who has performed in everything from touring bands to movie soundtracks. Danielle Kleeman, a singer/songwriter from Vermont, is a multi-talented pianist, flautist, and vocalist.

The versatility of Katie McD and the Irish Cross-County is evident from last Sunday’s varied program. American Christmas pop tunes included “Jingle Bell Rock” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”; well-known Christmas carols were sung, such as “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen”, “The First Noel”, and “Silent Night” (“Oiche Chiuin” in Gaelic); Irish selections occurred throughout the concert, including the jigs, reels, and a hornpipe played for the Woods School’s Irish dancers.

It was a marvelous evening, fittingly capped off with “The Irish Farewell”, along with cold cider and Christmas cookies.

from my family to Yours.

Best Wishes

For the New Year

from my family to yours!

Katie McD and the Irish Cross-County Band bring “Celtic Christmas in the Chapel “ to life – Matt Glover, Martin Butler, Katie McD (herself), and Danielle Kleeman.

City Council President Bill Linehan

The bright, warm churchyard windows of St. Augustine Chapel welcome the audience of the “Celtic Christmas in the Chapel, 2014”.

WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

December 24, 2014

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“Freezin’ for a Reason” The annual Polar Plunge has been a South Boston tradition for more than a century – it might be Southie’s oldest. Now, it has also become an occasion for raising funds for Scleroderma Research. Start at the L Street Tavern at 8 a.m. on New Year’s Day, march to K Street Beach at 9, watch/join the Plunge at 9:30, and then go back to the L Street Tavern. Leave your 2014 cares behind as well as your hangover, while starting 2015 with a good (a very good) deed.

BY RICK WINTERSON

Here’s an invitation and a dispensation from South Boston Online, especially as a message to anyone new to South Boston who might not “know the ropes”.

South Boston’s oldest tradition – the annual Polar Plunge on K Street Beach - takes place New Year’s Day morning, January 1, 2015, at 9:30 a.m. All are invited to take the Plunge or simply to come by the BCYF Curley Community Center and watch.

Beyond the gate in that fence line, in full view of the JFK Library, is K Street Beach, where the 2015 Polar Plunge for Scleroderma will take place at 9:30 a.m. on New Year’s Day.

That’s the invitation; here’s the dispensation: You do not have to take the Plunge, if you would rather just be a spectator. It’s entirely up to you. But we are asking that you make a donation to the Scleroderma Foundation of New England. You can contact Kevin Conroy at kconroy3012@yahoo.com or go to www.scleroderma.org/taketheplunge; you can call toll-free: 888-525-0658.

Scleroderma is an incurable auto-immune disease that thickens and tightens the victim’s skin and causes severe organ damage. It especially affects women; it

also afflicts children. Support programs are urgently needed to help people cope, along with basic research. The cause of scleroderma is unknown; there is no cure.

Taking part in the Annual Polar Plunge to Cure Scleroderma is truly “Freezin’ for a Reason” – a very good reason.

We mentioned tradition. The L Street Brownies, who take a plunge every day of the year, organized formally in 1902.

That’s the same time frame as our St. Patrick’s Day Parade and the Dorchester Heights Monument. However,

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polar plunging likely goes all the way back to the 1860s, when Union veterans returned to South Boston from the Civil War. And the Plunge has become a real Southie “time”. It’s a fantastic party. Join the Plungers at the L Street Tavern at 8 a.m., even if you aren’t taking the Plunge yourself (this writer isn’t either). March to the Beach at 9 a.m., accompanied by the pipes and drums of Kevin Conroy’s 103rd Postal Fire Column Pipes and Drums. Then join (or just watch) between 500 and 1,000 people take the 2015 Annual Polar Plunge. It’s quite a sight, indeed! Afterwards, return to the L Street Tavern to wind up the New Year’s morning festivities. You won’t see another party like this one until next New Year’s Day in 201 6.

By the way, that’s the motto of our Southie times: “Do well by doing good, and have a great time while you’re doing it.”

And please remember – you don’t have to take the 2015 Plunge unless you want to, but a contribution to the Scleroderma Foundation will be (very) much appreciated. See you there.

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WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

December 24, 2014

South Boston Catholic Academy Grade One News The students in Miss McCarthy’s Grade 1A class at South Boston Catholic Academy have been busy learning about the season of Advent.

Each Sunday, the children put an orange piece of tissue paper into an Advent candle.

Having just “lit” the fourth candle, we know we are getting close to celebrating the birth of Jesus.

In addition we are reading some of our favorite classic Christmas books. This week we read “The Elves and the Shoemaker.” During our writing time, we are learning that every story has a beginning, a middle part, and an ending. Working in pairs, we wrote and illustrated the beginning, middle, and end of “The Elves and the Shoemaker.” Our writing is showing that main ideas are supported by details as well. We are taking off with our reading and writing!

The students in Miss Byrne’s Grade 1B class have been learning about the meaning of Advent and making Advent Wreaths and getting ready for Christmas, too. We have been reading “The Gingerbread Man” story and listening to “The Gingerbread Kid at School.” (Writers get their ideas from other writers.) So, each child wrote an original story based on the adventures of a gingerbread kid at South Boston Catholic Academy!

Mr. Sullivan and Mr. Killinger chased after him, he knocked over Mrs. Putnam’s paint, he ran up the stairs and several of us tried to get him.

The children composed and helped write a message that informed the whole school to be on the lookout for him and what he looked like. He was spotted by many people and K1B (Mrs.Barbuto’s class) even wrote a letter to our class telling us where they

May the peace of God be in your hearts always

saw him. A Merry Christmas and A Happy New Year to all from all of us at South Boston Catholic Academy!

South Boston Catholic Academy (www.sbcatholicacademy.org) is currently accepting applications for all

classes PreSchool-Grade 6.

Please contact; Mrs. Barbara Keohane at (b.keohane@ sbcatholicacademy.org) with any questions or to schedule a tour of the school or phone 617-268-2326 for more information.

2014 CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE ST. BRIGID, GATE OF HEAVEN AND ST. MONICA-ST. AUGUSTINE

MERRY CHRISTMAS &

HAPPY NEW YEAR! CHRISTMAS EVE, WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 24TH 4:00 PM at St. Augustine Chapel 4:00 PM at Gate of Heaven (Children’s Christmas Pageant) 4:00 PM at St. Brigid Church 10:00 PM at Gate of Heaven Church

Nick Collins State Representative

CHRISTMAS DAY THURSDAY, DECEMBER 25TH 8:00 AM at St. Brigid Church 9:00 AM at Gate of Heaven Church 9:30 AM at St. Monica Church 10:30 AM at St. Brigid Church Gate of Heaven Church- 615 East Fourth Street, S. Boston MA (Corner of I Street) St. Brigid Church- 845 East Broadway, S. Boston MA (Corner of N Street) St. Monica Church- 331 Old Colony Ave, S. Boston MA (At Rotary) St. Augustine Chapel- 181 Dorchester Street, S. Boston MA DIRECTIONS at www.GateOfHeavenStBrigid.org

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Wishing you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year filled with Joy and Peace!

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The Forry Family

Bill, Linda, John, Conor, Madeline & Norah

December 24, 2014

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WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

10 December 24, 2014

City Council President Bill Linehan and just-announced City Councilor-at-Large candidate Annissa Essaibi George at the SBNA’s (South Boston Neighborhood Association) Christmas party.

It wasn’t exactly a Christmas party at Seapoint on Sunday, but the Pats gave South Boston a Christmas gift anyhow, when they (barely!) clinched a bye weekend – 17 to 16 – on January 3, 4.

The residents of Marian Manor assemble for the DHA’s (Dorchester Heights Association) annual Christmas caroling party in the meeting room of the Manor.

The Hogan’s Goat trio – Skip Toomey, Kathi Taylor, and Bob Dunlap – are the featured performers at Dan McCole’s Christmas-in-the-Loft party.

Happy holidays!

Warm wishes for the season, from our house to yours.

JAMES E. ROONEY EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

massconvention.com

@MassConvention

/MassConvention

WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

December 24, 2014

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Your gracious hosts, the staff at Stephi’s in Southie, during the SBNA’s (South Boston Neighborhood Association) Annual Christmas Party.

Mayor and Ambassador Ray Flynn, his wife Cathy, host Bob Allison, Sandy Moore, and Judge Patrick King at the Allison’s Christmas house party.

The Dorchester Heights Christmas party in full swing at Salsa’s, Southie’s premier stop for Mexican cuisine.

The guests are gathering, so let the party begin – the Allison’s Christmas house party on Saturday, December 13.

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Salads The festive floor at Artists for Humanity during their recent “Art and Soul” festivities – arts, crafts, elegant refreshments, and remarkable creativity on the part of their young members.

Caesar salad Tossed salad (house dressing) Antipasto

Pasta Rigatoni marinara Gnocchi marinara Ravioli marinara Ravioli pesto cream sauce Lobster ravioli in Amaretto cream sauce

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Joan Strigler, City Councilor-at-Large Ayanna Pressley, Tom Rocco, and Carol Masshardt at the Dorchester Heights Association’s (DHA) Christmas party in Salsa’s.

Half tray serves approximately 10 • Full tray serves approximately 20

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12 December 24, 2014

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Light: A Symbol of Christmas

by Rick Winterson

Lights have been used as a symbol for all of human history – recorded and unrecorded – especially when natural light was short, as in the first days of winter. The sun “stands still” as it sets over a certain fixed point on the horizon on December 21 (the Latin phrase is “sol sistet” , hence the word “solstice”). The nights are 15 hours long around here; there are nine hours of daylight from sunrise about 7 a.m. till shortly after 4 p.m.

South Boston uses light to herald the Holidays in many locations – six of them, to be exact – plus there are any number of homes that light up this dark but joyful Season. Large, perfectly shaped trees have shed light for many years now at three locations along Broadway: M Street Park, the Branch Library, and the Perkins Square Municipal Lot. In addition, for the first time, a tree-lighting took place in the small jewel of a park at the end of D Street on the Waterfront – South Boston Maritime Park. Santa, his elves, the “Sweet Harmonies”, many elected officials, and a crowd of around 100 spectators showed up to see the lighting in the shadow of M.C. Spiedo, the Legal TK, and the 100-year

old Fish Pier. The cookies were outstanding.

Drive down A Street in Fort Point after dark and look up at the light array under the Summer Street Bridge. The tree at the intersection of Old Colony and Dorchester Street on the old Adams Transmission lot looks lonely but has a huge gift box by its side. Now all South Boston needs are a few more strategically located trees, like in Andrew Square and

by Broadway Station. Let South Boston Online know where you would like a Christmas tree next year in 2015 – we’ll see what we can do.

And don’t forget other traditions with lights. One of the best known is Hanukkah, an observance of the victory of the Maccabees over the Greeks in Israel, when the Temple’s votive lamp stayed lit for eight days on a single day’s supply of oil. Nowadays, a nine-candle holder called “menorah” is lit over an eightday celebration; the ninth candle in the center (“shamash”) is used to light each of the other eight.

And if you are far north, you may take part in the burning of the Yule log, which gives warmth as well as light.

Wherever you are, have a Merry, brightly lit Christmas and Holiday Season.

Council President Bill Linehan, Mayor Marty Walsh, and Santa get set to light up East Broadway.

Lights in an abstract pattern adorn the trees on Channel Center, Fort Point.

Msgr. Thomas J McDonnell and Frank Kelley Christmas Dinner St. Monica’s Hall (corner of Old Colony Ave. & Prebble St.)

Christmas Day 11:00 am - 1:00 pm.

All are welcome.

If you are unable to get out and would like a meal delivered to your home please call 617-268-1230.

“And we have ignition!” As the Christmas tree in M Street Park springs to life and light.

After Monday December 23rd please call 617-590-9922

Hosted by: The South Boston Catholic Parishes and the Elected Officials

Along Fifth Street near K, the trees and fences are aglow.

WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

The Christmas tree in Perkins Square by the wall lights up West Broadway.

The tree at Old Colony and Dorchester Street looks lonely, but that’s a BIG gift underneath.

A perfect balsam in front of the Branch Library lights up East Broadway for Christmas.

A silver menorah welcomes the second evening of Hanukkah (Wednesday, December 17).

December 24, 2014

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And the tree in the park at the end of D Street lights up.

Fort Point’s Holiday lighting arrayed over A Street under the Summer Street Bridge.

WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

14 December 24, 2014

Meet Sizzling Shea Flaherty Youngster doing great in school and keeping busy in sports

BY KEVIN DEVLIN He’s a polite, energetic, young lad. He’s in the sixth grade at the Murphy Elementary School which is located in Dorchester. More importantly, he’s in the coveted Advance Work Program that prepares students for entry into Boston’s exam schools and other private schools. He’s an Honor Roll caliber student and someday he’d like to attend Johnson and Wales and become an accomplished chef.

He also keeps busy after his homework is done in the local sports programs. His name is Shea Flaherty.

Shea, 11, is the son of Mary Kate and Thomas “Tommy” Flaherty. He has three sib-

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lings, Maeve, Emerson and Connor. He has two great dogs named Henry and Tiger, as well as a black and white cat named Sizzles.

Shea’s favorite color is blue.

His favorite foods are just about anything edible, especially fried chicken and steak and cheese. His favorite ath-

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lete is Manchester United star goalkeeper, David DeGea. And, his favorite team is the Boston Bruins.

In his leisure time, Shea enjoys hanging out with his pals and having a good time.

He loves reading, especially books like “The Golden Compass” written by Philip Pullman, “Divergent” written

by Veronica Roth, and “The Hunger Games” trilogy written by Suzanne Collins.

In sports, he plays basketball, baseball, flag football, and soccer. Shea currently plays basketball on the Gate of Heaven CYO travel and house league teams but began his hoop adventures in the Saint Ann’s CYO program in Dorchester. At Saint Ann’s,

he brought home three house league MVP trophies and is happy about this accomplishment. He also plays for the South Boston AAU Stars hoop squad.

“I like the physical (aspect) of basketball,” he said. “I enjoy the exercise and helping younger players. It’s a lot of fun.”

Shea started playing baseball before he could tie his own cleats and currently plays first base in the Savin Hill Little League. “I love making those scoop players at first base,” he said. “It’s great to make great plays to save the game.”

Shea plays in the Greater Neponset Flag Football League and is coached by his dad. And finally, he loves soccer. He’s active in the Maple League in Dorchester, a premier soccer league He’s a goalie and loves the nonstop action. “I love this sport,” he said. “I enjoy getting shutouts for my team.”

His mom and dad are all smiles when his name is mentioned.

“He’s a very good kid,” said his dad. “He’s doing great in school. He’s very smart. He’s doing well in sports and keeps busy. We are proud of him for all this but also because he’s respectful…and that’s really

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SBYHL This Week

Peewee Cs: The PeeWee C’s had a busy weekend with 3 games. The 1st Vs Wakefield ended with the hometown team taking a 9-2 win. Thomas Donovan wore the hat, Joey Burke and Declan Callahan each had two and Lauren Clougherty and Kevin Watts each scored one!

Game 2 vs Woburn was a scoring frenzy. Six different players scored for the PeeWee C’s! Frankie Kelley,Kevin Watts,Lauren Clougherty,Evan Markos,Thomas Donovan and Joey Burke all put one in the back of the net. Sean Hartford was on fire with another shut for the season.

Game 3 vs Burlington was a tough one, but the hometown kids netted another win! Scoring for Southie were Declan Callahan, Lauren Clougherty and Joe Burke. This weekend has the PeeWee Cs with and 11-0 record on the season.

Squirt Bs: The Squirt Bs netted their third win in a row with an 8-3 win over Winthrop - Jerry O’Neil, Dylan Picard & Alex Fucile each had 2 with Sean Feetham & Eddie Tirabassi netting one each.

Terry Markos once again had a solid showing in net.

December 24, 2014

15

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16 December 24, 2014

Our Christmas Tree Ritual

BY KEVIN DEVLIN

I always knew when it was time to go out and buy our family Christmas tree, the one that would play a special part in our lives over the holiday season, when I saw the red and green tree holder lying on the parlor floor. My father, along with my brothers and I, would walk up to Dorchester Avenue to purchase that perfect tree.

In the sixties and seventies, up and down the avenue, there were always empty lots that were seemingly transformed, in seconds, into temporary

open-air Christmas tree outlets. My father would take his time and proudly choose what he considered, a flawless, symmetrically shaped, wholesome holiday tree My father would let my brothers and I help him decorate the tree, but he made sure we all clearly understood that this was his project, and we would follow his lead and instructions throughout the entire operation.

The lights and ornaments were stored away down the cellar, and would be cautiously brought up into the living

room, and placed carefully on the couch. The ornaments, preciously maintained for years, were all individually and carefully wrapped in old newspaper and tissue, to safeguard them against being broken.

The lights would be the first to be strung up on the tree. Six, eight and sometimes as many as ten sets of lights would be put on the tree. He would start from the bottom, and go up and around the branches of the tree to the top. My father would then check each individual light and make sure every light was tightly in the socket, and in good working order. He would then replace whatever bulbs necessary.

Blue, red, green, white, yellow, and orange lights were now in place, and would eventually light up the tree like fireworks on the Fourth of July. The ornaments came next. Beautiful, bright and shiny ornaments depicting the glory, excitement, and enthusiasm of the Christmas celebration.

Each ornament was carefully selected and hung in its designated area. Each ornament complemented the other, like the musical sounds of instruments in a symphony orchestra; and would magnify the tree light effect through their brilliant and distinct reflections.

The garland, along with the glittering, silver tinsel, would then be placed on the branches

of the tree. This was my favorite part of the entire undertaking. Shining brightly, the stringy tinsel would hang down from the branches like chilling icicles, visibly and strikingly pointing downward from the rooftops on a frigid, wintry day.

The final phase, the piece de resistance, was to place the beautiful, snow-white angel on top of the tree. An Angel of God overlooking the safety and security of the family during this season of peace, love and giving.

After spending the better part of the day slowly and painstakingly piecing together (with our limited assistance) his masterpiece, our Dad would sternly warn us not to touch or go too close to the tree, lest we cause a disturbance that would alter the delicate balance of the finished product.

So, with his tree complete and his message conveyed, we would have our own tree lighting ceremony.

And without failure, throughout those (now) cherished years, we would all simultaneously nod in silent and happy recognition, that Dad had indeed again captured the essence of the holiday, and produced yet another glorious and stunning Christmas tree.

(This Christmas story first appeared in SBOL in December 1998)

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December 24, 2014

REAL ESTATE TRANSACTIONS BUYER 1

BUYER 2

SELLER 1

SELLER 2

ADDRESS

CITY

ZIP

PRICE

DATE

Jose M

Carvalho

Janette

Carvalho

24 Blakeville St

Dorchester

02121-3502

312000

12/01/14

Ventures T

347 Geneva Ave

Dorchester

02122-1006

491881

12/02/14

604 Columbus Ave LLC

208 Howard Ave

Dorchester

02125-2809

340000

12/01/14

162 Howard Ave

Dorchester

02125-2808

485000

12/03/14

12 Fox LLC

12 Fox St

Dorchester

02122-1703

550000

12/02/14

Shapirokine

103 Dix St

Dorchester

02122-1229

635000

12/01/14

VF Development LLC

17 Moseley St

Dorchester

02125-1233

622222

12/02/14

Alex

Scharff

10 Southwick St

Dorchester

02122-3213

290000

12/02/14

Brendan R

Pitts

Brenna F

Pitts

110 P St #2

South Boston

02127-3224

350000

12/01/14

Phillip K

Wallace

Carol A

Wallace

478 E 7th St

South Boston

02127-4123

650000

12/01/14

Charles B

Mcculloch

Namas

Monahan

1 Onslow Ter

South Boston

02127-3209

599000

12/02/14

Alison J

Morando

881 E 1st St #403

South Boston

02127-1725

489000

12/02/14

Mitchell

Nelson

35 Edison Grn #1

Dorchester

02125-1713

385000

12/03/14

Corey J

Bevilacqua

12 Taft St #2

Dorchester

02125-1819

322500

12/02/14

Kyndra

Angell

64 Gates St #3

South Boston

02127-3929

406000

12/01/14

Morgan

Okundaye

55 Oldfields Rd

Dorchester

02121-2721

300000

12/01/14

Phillippe

Felix

403 W 1st St #201

South Boston

02127-1311

829000

12/01/14

Elmer J

Benjamia A

Castillo

Savage J

Maud M

Castillo

Felix

Rooney Real Estate Looking to buy or sell your home?

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www.lighthouseins.net 470 West Broadway ~ South Boston, MA 02127 Located above the Eastern Bank

Byrne & Anderson, LLP Attorneys at Law

Eastern Harbor Office Park 50 Redfield Street, Neponset Circle Boston, Massachusetts 02122

Representing Seriously Injured Individuals Including auto/motorcycle accidents, construction site accidents, workplace injuries, slip and fall accidents, defective products, medical malpractice, head and burn injuries, liquor liability and premises liability.

Telephone (617) 265-3900 Telefax (617) 265-3627

18 December 24, 2014

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NOTICE OF INITIAL PUBLIC INVOLVEMENT SITE MEETING Former Auburn Trucking Facility 726-728 East Broadway South Boston, Massachusetts RTN 3-01182 A release of oil and/or hazardous materials has occurred at this location, which is a disposal site as defined by M.G.L. c. 21E, § 2 and the Massachusetts Contingency Plan, 310 CMR 40.0000.

On March 19, 2014, Empire Realty Trust, Jon Cronin, Trustee, received a request for information from residents in South Boston. As a result, a public meeting will be held at the South Boston Branch of the Boston Public Library, 646 East Broadway, at 6:00 PM on Monday, January 12, 2015 to present a draft Release Abatement Measure (RAM) Plan, to solicit public comment on the draft RAM Plan, and to provide information about disposal site conditions. Copies of the draft RAM Plan will be made available at the meeting.

Any questions regarding this meeting or the draft RAM Plan should be directed to Steve Fleming at Vineyard Engineering & Environmental Services, Inc., 400 West Cummings Park, Suite 4800, Woburn, MA 01801, telephone number 781-933-3330.

The disposal site file can be can be viewed at MassDEP website using Release Tracking Number (RTN) 3-01182 at http://public. dep.state.ma.us/SearchableSites2/Search.aspx or at the MassDEP, Northeast Regional Office 205B Lowell Street, Wilmington, Massachusetts, Phone: 978-694-3200.

SB Resident Helps Assemble Holiday Care Packages for Local Nonprofit

Bank of America employee John Schmidt; Bank of America employee Anthony Luppino; Bank of America employee Bill Bulger of South Boston

Bank of America employees from across the country - in partnership with United Way’s Fresh Start Drive - gathered at the bank’s Hub headquarters Wednesday, Dec. 17, to assemble 200 care packages for local nonprofit Bridge Over Troubled Waters.

Packaging everything from toothbrushes to soap, Bank of America employees, including Bill Bulger of South Boston, formed a thorough assembly

line alongside Bridge Over Troubled Waters team leaders, and worked tirelessly to get bags packed, ready, and on their way.

Boston-based Bridge Over Troubled Waters is dedicated to transforming the lives of runaway, homeless, and high-risk youth through safe, supportive, and encouraging relationships and effective and innovative services that guide them toward self-sufficiency.

WWW.SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

December 24, 2014

Joy To The World

By Mary McLean

Christmas Remembrance

Sean P. Gleeson

If we could have a single wish, It would be to have you here with us.

Forever in our hearts.

We Love You Ma, Sean P., Emily, Aunt Mim, Uncle Danny, Aunt Patsy

The lights are gleaming in the night, Candles are burning in sight, And carolers are singing songs of angelic praise to the lord, With love and devotion, In the chill frost of the cold air As their voices excel in high pitch verbosity.

The sounds are heard loud and clear, With the yule Christmas Time this year, bring peace to the world.

As bells ring in the chimes of the holy night a star shines so bright in the heavens, For in the distance, is the gigantic Christmas tree that stands on common ground.

Its beauty is overwhelming, Santa is now on his way Bringing presents for one and all as he appears.

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year.

19

y r r e M s a m t s i r Ch

r a e Y w e N & Happy

Wishing all the best, from our family to yours!

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