THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74
A Thousand (or More) Fed
Chamber Urges Residents to Shop Locally By Ginger DeShaney
shop
Support System in Place
D
onna Brown and K a ren St a n le y take the South Boston Chamber of Commerce’s mission very seriously: to be the unified voice of the entire South Boston Business Community. Donna, the executive director of the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation, and Karen, the event planner for the Chamber and a former business owner, work relentlessly to support local businesses and encourage people to shop in the neighborhood. And this year, amid the COVID19 pandemic, they are working even harder as they have to adapt to the times while supporting neighborhood shops. “Our goal is to promote businesses and get people to
HAVE YOU HEARD?
loca lly,” said Donna. “Support local businesses,” Karen stressed. “Support your small business community by shopping locally. We are trying to work together and stick together to do whatever we can.” Small businesses are the backbone of any community. “They are critical,” said Donna. “They step up to sponsor teams, nonprofits ...” “Small businesses are always giving,” Karen added. “Now they’re asking for people to support them. It’s time to help them survive.” Small businesses are the face of the neighborhood, Donna said, providing a real community feel: “It’s how I identify with my neighborhood. We’ve been through towns with vacant storefronts and that sets a negative tone. “It’s hu gely i mpor t a nt to drive business to small bu sine sse s,” added Donna. The pandemic has taken a toll. “Businesses are hurting,”
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by Rick Winterson
I
t’s likely that you’re familiar with the traditional banquets South Boston volunteers serve up every year on three important Holy Days and Seasonal Holidays – Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter. This has now become a Southie custom that began 37 years ago in 1983. Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell (affectionately nicknamed “Father Tom”), then Pastor of St. Augustine Parish, got together with parishioner Frank Kelley, who had years of experience
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as a military Mess Hall Sergeant. The rest is history, as they say. Frank, Father Tom, and many volunteers organized open-to-all banquets on these three feast days, which have since become highly enjoyable annual celebrations for the cooks, the volunteer servers/deliverers, and (of course) the hundreds who enjoy these feasts – two complete turkey dinners with all the trimmins’ and ham at Easter. Father Tom claimed he was motivated by Gospel stories telling of Jesus Christ feeding the crowds, especially the Continued on Page 3
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
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pedicabs to bring people from East to West Broadway and vice versa. Donna and Karen are hopeful they will have a Spring Stroll in 2021. It’s something that can be done socially distanced. “We want to get people back out there,” Donna said. Then there’s the Street Festival in September, which was canceled this year. Instead, the Chamber hosted Super Saturdays that encouraged people to shop, dine, and splurge in South Boston, with businesses Donna Brown offering promotions and discounts. The Street Festival started as K aren said. “It’s def initely a struggle,” added Donna. a sidewalk sale and blossomed into a neighborhood event with two Both agree the shutdown has been entertainment stages, lots of items brutal. The Chamber, which functions for sale, food, and more. Merchants under the South Boston Neighborhood and nonprofits would set up tables Development Corporation, promotes and introduce themselves to patrons, assistance for businesses as it gets the which is important since new people information. “It’s the uncertainty are always moving into Southie. that’s so difficult,” Donna said, noting “It’s our signature event,” said with a spike in cases of COVIDDonna, noting it’s a big deal to close 19, “it will be a tough winter.” off the streets and reroute the buses. The women mentioned some “It’s hugely important to restaurants have closed and some are going on hiatus for the winter. drive business to small businesses,” said Donna about the Street “It’s a scary time for all,” said Festival. “It’s like Christmas Karen. “January and February are for them. They sell a ton.” tough times for retailers anyway, “It’s about communit y,” and then you throw in COVID …” added Donna, noting that people “We’re trying to think of view the Street Festival as a how we can get people through chance to reunite with friends. January, February, and March,” In October, there’s Trick or Donna said, noting that she’s hopeful a vaccine will help. Treating on Broadway. “It’s become a great community event,” said Donna. Every year the Chamber This year, because of COVID-19, organizes several events that help the Chamber instead organized a promote and support local businesses, Halloween Scavenger Hunt over but because of the pandemic they have had to get creative. several weeks; when participants found hidden shamrocks, they In a normal year, the Chamber entered their findings for prizes. kicks off with the Spring Stroll The Christmas Stroll is larger on Broadway. Businesses give than the Spring Stroll. There is discounts on Stroll nights and the usually a Chamber tree-lighting Chamber lines up sponsors for ceremony at the library, photos with Santa, carolers, and more. This year, everything had to be adapted. There will still be a tree -- donated by Stapleton Floral, with Massport donating the tree stand -- and the tree will be lit, but there will be no formal lighting ceremony. There will be three nights of activities for the Chamber’s “Shop. Dine. Support.” Holiday Spree on Thursdays, Dec. 3, 10, and 17.
Chamber
Karen Stanley
Dec. 3 kicks off the festivities: Santa will ride in an antique fire truck up and down Broadway between 4 and 6 p.m., waving to families and distributing candy canes from his Santa Chute. He’ll make the following stops:
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 (the Southie tree) 5:30 p.m.: Corner of C Street and West Broadway In addition to Sa nta, there will also be a convertible featuring singer Anna Young, who will belt out Christmas tunes. “The stops will be spread out so we don’t draw too big of a crowd,” said Donna. On all three days, local businesses will offer promotions and discounts. On Dec. 10 and 17, the Chamber will have backdrops at the library and at the Southie tree on West Broadway for families to take selfies.
“We want to get people out walking, shopping, and dining,” Donna said. For more information, visit https://w w w.southbostonchamber. org/shop-local for a list of a lmost 40 pa r t icipat ing businesses and their discounts. “We’re doing what we can to make it still feel like Christmas,” said Karen. Donna and Karen don’t do all of this work alone. They also credit many wonderful volunteers and businesses who step up to help. The Chamber will keep up awareness of who is open, who is not. “We’ll do as much of that as we can,” said Donna. Information will be featured on the Chamber website, distributed in newsletters, and posted on the Chamber’s Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter accounts. We b s i t e : h t t p s : // w w w. southbostonchamber.org/ Facebook: h t t p s : // w w w. f a c e b o o k . c o m / SouthBostonChamberofCommerce Instagram: @SouthBosChamber Twitter: @SouthBosChamber
Anna Young, Singer
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020
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Dinner Gospel of Luke, which Father Tom described as the “Hospitality Gospel”. In recent years, these dinners have been prepared and served in St. Monica Church Hall at Preble Circle. Father Tom and Frank Kelley have left us, so nine years back a new cadre of volunteers took on the joyful task of seeing to the Holiday Banquets. They call themselves “The Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell and Frank Kelley Holiday Dinner Committee”. But what could “The Committee” do about banquets in 2020, when a pandemic like Coronavirus/COVID19 prevented any and all large gatherings, no matter how worthy and enjoyable they had become. Well, with Tommy Butler leading the way, Cathe Walsh, Dan Manning, Kelley O’Shea, Rep. David Biele, and the other members of “The Committee” met in September. They came up with a plan to prepare all the Thanksgiving dinners in advance, and then recruit volunteer drivers to deliver every one of them – no gathering at all. The deliveries were scheduled to take place on Wednesday afternoon, November 25, the day before Thanksgiving 2020. A total of 750 individuals and families requested these delivered Thanksgiving dinners. The BCEC (the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center) then stepped up – big time! They invited “The Committee” to prepare the dinners in the BCEC’s kitchen, the largest such facility in all of New England. Not only that, the BCEC’s food vendor, Levy Restaurants, donated whatever food was still needed. And BCEC Executive Chef
The “Msgr. Thomas J. McDonnell and Frank Kelley Holiday Dinner Committee”. Kaeo Yuan oversaw and helped with the BCEC kitchen, which none of “The Committee” had ever used. Bob O’Shea, the BCEC Community Liaison, and his wife Kelley, signed on as volunteers. And a (very) special “thank you” is due to David Gibbons, who is the Executive Director of the BCEC and a devoted supporter of South Boston’s worthy causes. Astonishing facts: All the requested dinners were prepared and bagged for delivery in one day flat of superb effort at the BCEC (Tuesday, November 24). These were delivered in less than three hours on Wednesday, the 25th – the next day. Since most were delivered to families, certainly over 1,000 South Boston residents were fed on Thanksgiving; it could have been as many as 2,000!!! South Boston Online will close this article by mentioning the high spirits of each and every volunteer and member of “The Committee” last week. Other volunteers included
B.C. High students (instead of football!), Catholic Memorial students, BPD Station C-6, DCYF at the Tynan, DCYF at the Condon, the Gavin Foundation, South Boston’s Neighborhood House, City of Boston Credit Union, and First Priority Credit Union (from East Boston). Despite any fatigue from Tuesday-
Wednesday’s extraordinary efforts, everyone was laughing, joking with each other, and visibly enjoying their roles as volunteers. They emphatically fulfilled that old Thanksgiving saying, “Give Thanks by Giving Back”. The 2020 Banquet was truly a blessed event; plans for a Christmas banquet are being made as you are reading this.
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
SouthBosChamber
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
In good Taste: OTTO Tips Program Benefits Local Nonprofits By Ginger DeShaney
W
hen Sean Ryan and Troy Sprou l w rote the business plan for their OTTO Pizza location in South Boston, a big piece of it involved giving back to the community. “Any business has to have a connection to the community,” said Sean. For some, having a communit y-based initiative is an afterthought. “But we wrote it into our plan,” Troy said. “It’s important for any business -- a moral obligation -- to come into a new market and ... give back,” said Troy. “We are grateful we can give back to the community.” Sean and Troy brainstormed how they could impact the most people. “At the end of the day, it’s the right thing to do,” Sean said. Their Tips for Kids program ensures that every tip the store receives is donated to a nonprofit organization in South Boston that can really use support, Troy said. In order to do this, the minimum wage at the South Boston OTTO is $15 per hour “so our employees don’t have to rely on tips,” Troy said. The average wage there is $17 an hour. “Most businesses look at labor as a cost on their profit and loss,” Troy said. “We look at it as an asset on our balance sheet.” People told Sean and Troy they were crazy to offer those wages. “But look at our financial model and productivity. We take care of our employees, they are happier, they deliver a great product,”
Troy said. “It’s an investment that more than pays for itself.” OTTO has 15 employees at any given time. “We have a great tea m,” Troy sa id, noting there’s little turnover. The higher wages a llow OTTO to “support the community that supports us,” said Sean, who is also Chief Operating Officer of the corporate offices. Tips for Kids is a vehicle that connects the community, OTTO employees, and loca l youthbased nonprofits, the owners said. The first recipient of the Tips for Kids program was the Condon Community Center. The donations allowed Troy and Sean to present the Condon with a check for $29,000. That money will fund two years’ worth of programs, Troy said. At the time of that gift, Sean and Troy’s store had only been open for six months, in the midst of a pandemic. “It’s an unbelievable story,” said Sean. OT TO Pizza opened its
doors at 416 W. Broadway (the entrance is on F Street, behind Caffè Nero) on Feb. 27, 2020, just 12 days before the shutdown. “It was a pretty intense 12 days,” Troy said. “We were pretty busy. We got good response from the community. They were excited.” Added Sean, “ We were of f to a great sta rt.” When COVID-19 forced the statewide shutdown, OTTO closed its dining room but, fortunately, it was set up for takeout by design, through its website and its app. “We were prepared to manage operations through COVID,” said Troy. “We were already present on digital channels. We had more efficient tools in our bag.” Troy and Sean had reached out to Haley Dillon in the Mayor’s Office for a suggestion for their first nonprofit beneficiary. She suggested the Condon Community Center. OTTO started collecting tips for the Condon Community Center in March. For their next beneficiary, Troy and Sean asked the Condon’s Barbara Caputo Kelly to suggest a recipient. She suggested the South Boston Community Health Center’s Youth Ambassadors Program. After the Ambassadors program gets its donation, Troy and Sean will ask them for the next nonprofit suggestion. “Since we are not local to South Boston, we lean on others for ideas,” said Troy, who is a lso Regiona l Operations Ma na ger for OT TO Pizz a.
In the meantime, Sean and Troy used the Tips for Kids to provide Thanksgiving turkeys to more than 100 families in South Boston. They reached out to the Condon Community Center to help find families, seniors, and veterans in need. On Nov. 23, families came to OTTO to pick up turkeys or Condon volunteers delivered them. Troy a nd Sean a g re e these commu nit y givebacks are life-changing. “ T hings li ke t his help make a massive impact,” Sean said. “Now more than ever.” Customers to the South Boston OT TO are informed that whoever gives the biggest tip in a month will receive free pizza t he following mont h. Spea k ing of pizz a, t he qu a l it y of t he i ng red ient s sets OTTO apart, Sean said. They make their own dough daily. “And we get the best sauce we can buy,” Sean said, noting the tomatoes are PH tested, crushed/ c a nned /sea led /a nd cooked in the can … and it’s just tomatoes. And they use fresh milk m o z z a r e l l a . “These three pillars are what the brand stands on,” said Sean. Their signature pie is mashed potato, bacon, and scallion. They also have a butternut squash, ricotta, “It
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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020
Kristin Dowd (left) and Kay Forde from the Condon helped OTTO Pizza distribute the turkeys.
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Troy Sproul (left) and Sean Ryan got some help from Ariana Sproul and Vanessa Magalhaes
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Shop South Boston’s Small Businesses in 2020 by Rick Winterson There’s every reason in the world to shop small businesses in South Boston this year. In fact, there isn’t a single reason why you should not shop here. Take a look at the gifts offered up and down East and West Broadway; turn down Dorchester Street to get your seasonal hardware. And in fact, there are two locations in South Boston to get your Christmas tree and wreaths – two blocks south of Andrew Square on Dorchester Avenue, and over in Boston Seaport, on Seaport Boulevard next to District Hall. Speaking of South Boston’s Seaport District, we will only mention the (very) large number of small, owneroperated businesses located there also.
You have certainly heard of the effects that the Coronavirus/COVID19 pandemic has had on America’s small businesses. The strength of our country’s small businesses is unmatched – they provide half of the 170 million jobs here. Yes, that’s onehalf of the tens of millions of jobs we are privileged to enjoy. South Boston itself is known for its many successful small businesses – support them with your Christmas shopping. This year, that’s not only convenient, it’s patriotic as well! Perhaps more important, shopping at our excellent local businesses is always an enjoyable Holiday treat. Just take a quick look at the photos accompanying this article. Our stores are beautiful places to visit, even if you are just walking by while looking in
their windows. Park locally nearby; you’ll have only a few steps to take before you’re where you want to be. South Boston is privileged to have its own, homegrown chapter of the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. On December 3, 10, and 17, the South Boston Chamber of Commerce has arranged three local events they call “Thursday Shopping Sprees in Southie”. Thursday afternoon from 4 until 6 p.m., December 3 (as you’re reading this), Santa Claus will visit South Boston at four locations along Broadway: 4:30 at Medal of Honor/M Street Park, 4:45 at the Library on East Broadway, 5:15 at the Perkins Square parking lot, and 5:30 at C and West Broadway. On December 10 and 17 from 4 to 6 p.m., you can take your own photos at seasonal backdrops around
Christmas trees at the Library and the Municipal Parking lot in Perkins Square. Be aware that shopping locally is not only easier, it also reduces exposure during the current COVID-19 pandemic. Please use that as another reason to do your shopping here in South Boston. Think about laying out your local Christmas shopping journeys in advance, to save yourself some steps in this busy season. Visit SouthBostonChamber. org/shop-local for a list of participating businesses; plan to dine here in South Boston as well. Bring the kids while you are out-and-about (with masks of course!). They will enjoy local activities in their own neighborhood. Shop here! Dine here! Support South Boston!
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020
Hearing on Speeding Cars as a Public Health Emergency
Boston City Councilor Ed Flynn
B
oston City Councilor Ed Flynn held a hearing last week to discuss pedestrian safety and infrastructure improvements, traffic enforcement, and speeding cars as a Public Health Emergency. This was a joint hearing on the two hearing orders filed by Councilor Flynn and his co-sponsors on this issue: one was on pedestrian safety, traffic enforcement, and Vision Zero, while the other one was to discuss speeding cars as a public health emergency. The hearing was attended by officials from the Boston Transportation Department, as well as transportation advocates a nd concerned residents. The hearing was held in response to serious and fatal car crashes that happened in recent weeks in various parts of the city. Two pedestrians were fatally struck by vehicles in South Boston, one at Andrew Square and another on First St, and another pedestrian was struck by a pickup truck at the entrance of the Public Garden when the truck crashed into a stone pillar. Last month, there were four separate incidents in just one week where cars crashed into buildings or light poles in South Boston - on L St, East Broadway, West Broadway, and on Old Colony
Ave -causing not only injuries, but also displacing families and businesses. In Dorchester, there was a motor vehicle crash that resulted in an SU V rollover with a baby inside, as well two pedestrians struck while in the crosswa lk during broad daylight - both on the same day. In the hearing, Councilor Flynn hig h lig hted the importance of pedestrian safety, and advocated to recognize speeding cars and road safety as a public health emergency, so that traffic safety will be provided the urgency needed to make the infra structure improvements required to address this public health and safet y issue. He also spoke about the need for changes to concurrent signals t hat give bot h pedestria ns and vehicles the right of way at the same time, as well the need for speed enforcement. The Boston Tra nspor tation Depa r tment for t heir pa r t highlighted some of the ongoing projects that they are working on in key corridors in the city, including reducing lanes, expanding bike networks, and updating pedestrian crossings. “Pedestrian safety is one of the most critical issues we face in the City of Boston, and this hearing was an opportunit y to continue our advocacy for traff ic calming measures and safer streets,” said Councilor Fly n n. “ To pre vent t he serious and fatal crashes we’ve unfortunately witnessed in our city, it will take a constant focus on infrastructure improvements l i ke speed hu mps, ra ised crosswalks and road diets, as well as lowering the speed limit in our residential neighborhoods and e n f o r c e m e nt .” For more in format ion, ple a s e c ont a c t C ou nc i lor Flynn’s office at 617-635-3203 or E d . F l y n n @ B o s t o n . g o v.
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The First Week of Advent
It can occasionally be difficult to recall, in the rush to purchase gifts during the COVID pandemic, that Christmas is a religious observance. This is now the first week of Advent; one candle is lit to mark this week. Three more candles are to follow – one more during each week between now and Christmas Day on Friday, December 25.
“He Is Coming.”
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Sons and Daughters of Southie Ten students receive Sports Hall of Fame scholarships By Ginger DeShaney Ten South Boston students were awarded $2,000 South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Trust Fund scholarships Monday night, and each one of them was grateful to have grown up in Southie.
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he South Boston Sports Ha ll of Fame Scholarship Trust Fund held a Zoom ceremony on Monday night to honor the recipients for their hard work, academic excellence, dedication, com mu nit y involvement, and citi-zenship. “All 10 of you truly deserve this,” said Moss Lynch, vice chair of the South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Trust Fund. Since its inception 25 years ago, the organization has awarded 201 scholarships worth $296,500. The grant program is educational in nature and services all South Boston high school graduates regardless of where they attend school. “2020 ha s been an exceptional year, one that many of us wish would quickly go away, so we can start anew without all the challenges we’ve endured,” said ceremony emcee and SBSHOF Scholarship Trust Fund Board of Trustees member John Beatty. “It’s been a long year for everybody and we hope that you and your families have gotten through it OK and will continue to do so. “Despite what 2020 has brought us, we have a dedicated group of self less servants that are part of this schol-arship trust fund,” Beatty continued. “These leaders were committed to making this happen, despite every-thing else that’s going on in
the world; despite all the reasons for us not to, because it was too hard or we couldn’t get together. Despite all the obstacles, the folks associated with this fund were committed to giving back, like they have for 25 years.” “The 2019-2020 school year was difficult and we appreciate all your hard work in your efforts in your community, in South Boston, in school, and for keeping your grades up,” Lynch told the scholarship recipi-ents. “Our program is vital to our community and our youth,” said Lynch, who was a scholarship recipient him-self in 2008.
Beatty presented the scholarship winners: RACHEL RANS Boston Latin School 2020 University of Wisconsin Madison The MassPort Scholarship Grant There is no doubt that Rachel loves sports. She was a routine fixture at the PAL and the Tynan School play-ing soccer,
softball, and basketball. Like most South Boston youth, these programs create lifetime friendships. But Rachel’s volunteerism, such as the first-grade class she volunteered to teach, her tutoring of mid-dle school students, and the quality time spent with the elderly making them waffles and keeping them com-pany, is what will create a lifetime of memories. Said Rachel: “Thank you very much. I can’t say that I was amazing at all the Southie sports. It definitely did make an impact on me ... Now I’m tutoring at Wisconsin. I didn’t think it was possible for me to go here. It definitely was a dream school of mine. I couldn’t have done it without Southie. I’m so glad to have grown up here.” MARY PECEVICH Boston Latin School 2020 University of New Hampshire L Street Brownies Association Scholarship Grant While an excellent student at Boston Latin School, Tari (Mary) learned her commitment to others and her community
from right in her own home. Tari has been a passionate coach and partner for her sister while involved with the adaptive sports program. She helped her sister find a role and made her life a lot better. That work and her love for her sister resonated with those around her in the community. Whether partici-pating in the Sailing Program, Kick Off for Kids, or at the Laboure, Tari brings her kindness and compassion for others to the cause. Said Tari: “Thank you so much. I remember I used to do the Polar Plunge with (the L Street Brownies), so that’s pretty cool. I’m very honored to be able to represent Southie … I’m so grateful to have grown up here.” CAROLYN DWYER Boston Latin School 2020 UMass Amherst John Cunniff Memorial Scholarship Grant Carolyn, like so many of our South Boston youth, embraced the great programs and people within our community. Carolyn’s passion for skating kept her close
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020 to the Murphy Rink, where she enjoyed the men-torship and dedication of the Murphy team. Later, she became the mentor -becoming a leader in the Learn to Skate Program, ensuring that the lessons she learned will be passed down to the next generation. Said Carolyn: “Thank you so much for those kind words. I really appreciate everything you guys have done … I’m definitely grateful to have grown up here.” JULIET FITZGERALD Boston Latin School 2020 Harvard College Folan Family Memorial Scholarship Grant “Be prepared … and be ready to help out wherever needed.” Juliet learned that Girl Scout motto as a young girl in South Boston. She took it to heart and was fully prepared to make an impact on her community. Whether volunteering to help students prepare for their school exams with the South Boston Leadership Initiatives, ISEE prep course, supporting our neighbors at the Marion Manor, or bringing her self lessness to the Brigham and Women’s Shapiro Center, Juliet was ready and committed. Said Juliet: “Thank you guys so much. I’m really grateful for growing up in Southie and for all the pro-grams here that helped me grow a love for sports tutoring.” KEVIN WATTS Landmark School 2020 Massachusetts Maritime Academy Eddie Sheehy Sr. Memorial Scholarship Grant Kevin has been a dedicated athlete and volunteer to the South Boston hockey community. His hard work in goal helped his team win the 2016 state championship and posted a top-three finish at Lake Placid. A champion in the classroom as well as on the ice, Kevin maintained over a 3.5 GPA at the Landmark School. Said Kevin: “I’d like to thank everybody involved with the
South Boston Sports Hall of Fame and everybody with Southie Youth Hockey. Love to see my banner hanging down the rink just like all the greats. Love Southie. Gotta keep doing what we do best here.” ARBRI LEKA Boston College High School 2020 Wentworth Institute of Technology Patricia Sheehy Memorial Scholarship Grant A 3.51 GPA student at Boston College High School, Arbri knows about hard work in the classroom. At home in South Boston, Arbri goes about the work of helping others. He has become a familiar face at our neighborhood churches, Gate of Heaven and St. Brigid’s, doing everything from Mass setup to grounds maintenance. W hile enough for most young people, Arbri took on more, immersing himself in the South Boston Neighborhood House and its programs – he embraced all they had to offer and has given back so much to the “Ollie.” Said Arbri: “Thank you to all the people that make this possible and the whole program. I’m really grateful for the people in this community and I hope I can do good and give back.” REBECCA DONOVAN Boston Latin School 2020 UMass Amherst Bob Nichols Memorial Scholarship Grant A great basketba ll and softball player, Rebecca has showcased her talent across Boston as a player and a coach. She has self lessly shared the many lessons she learned in the South Boston Softball League with young kids across our city. While certainly a great ambassador for Southie, her support of her community runs deep. Rebecca knows that communities are built on traditions, and her annual support of the Gate of Heaven Christmas Pageant, her desire to make it a wonderful and amazing
event for the little ones that follow in her footsteps, is commendable. Said Rebecca: “Thank you for everyone who made this possible ... I’m glad I was able to help the communi-ty in the places that were so helpful to me. Hopefully, I’ll be able to do more for them in the future.” CAROLYN DEAL The Woodward School 2020 Stonehill College South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Grant “We Learn So That We May Lead,” the motto of the Woodward School, Carolyn’s alma mater, aptly de-scribes how Carolyn has attacked the world. She embraced learning so she could apply it to service and im-pact. She took her love for writing and literature to the South Boston Public Library as a volunteer and used her creative skills to produce a poetic composition about the beauty of sledding at Farragut Park. Said Carolyn: “Thank you so much. I really appreciate it. I hope to use this money toward Stonehill Col-lege.” ALLISON MCGOUGH Boston Latin School 2020 Fairfield University South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Grant General Douglas MacArthur once said, “Upon the f ields of friendly strife are sown the seeds that, upon other fields, on other days, will bear the fruits of victory.” Allison sowed those seeds in South Boston youth sports and today she is reaping the fruits – as a recognized leader and captain of her Boston Latin basketball team, confident coach and mentor to our young basketball players, and through her outreach to Beth Israel Dea-coness in Milton. Said Allison: “Thank you. I can’t think of a better place to be from than Southie. I spent a lot of my child-hood at the Walsh Center. I think that played a
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really big impact on my sports career ... So I was really sad to see that go. I just hope I can do the same thing (for others) that the people who mentored me up there (did for me) ...I just hope to have the same impact on some kids that they had on me.” CHRISTOPHER FITZGERALD Boston College High School 2020 Sacred Heart University South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Grant A true son of South Boston, Chris is a lready immersing h i m sel f at Sacre d He a r t Universit y in C onnecticut, leading a peer group a nd coaching in a local basketball league. He is the product of everything that is good about South Boston – a strong family, dedication to the community, deep c om m it ment to ou r churches, and service to others. But above all, he exhibits a fierce spirit of perseverance, resilience, a nd grit. Chris is showing others how to overcome obstacles and make an impact. Said Chris: “Thank you very much for the kind words. I’d just like to dedicate this to my grandfather. Without him I never would be so proud to be a part of Southie. People like him and you guys make it so good to be a part of … You can’t really think of one bad t hing about Sout hie.” Board of Trustees secretary Laura Delaney thanked Ed Buccigross, who has led the organization for 25 years, for his hard work and dedication: “We wouldn’t have this program without Ed. It wouldn’t be where it is without Ed. If it wasn’t for Ed, we wouldn’t exist, so big shout-out, big love to Ed.” Dela ney a lso told t he scholarship recipients not to forget where they came from: “Someday come back and maybe you can give back like we’ve given back to South Boston.”
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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
Councilor Flynn to Hold Hearing on Construction Safety this Friday
B
oston City Councilor Ed Flynn will be chairing a virtual hearing regarding safety of construction sites this Friday, December 4th, at 11:30am. Councilor Flynn filed this hearing order to discuss the existing safety procedures and precautions at construction sites due to tragedies, accidents and fires in recent years that have impacted workers, neighbors and pedestrians. In the age of COVID-19, this hearing will also place an emphasis on ways that the City can ensure the protection and well-being of our workers and residents as we continue to be in the midst of a pandemic. In recent years, the City of
Boston has been experiencing an unprecedented building boom, with large scale construction sites in various neighborhoods. These sites have heavy machinery, tall cranes, and the equipment that is in close proximity to their workers, as well as our residents, our workforce, pedestrians, motorists, and cyclists. Construction workers are often at high risk of suffering occupational injuries and fatalities, and according to the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), 20.7% of worker fatalities were in the construction industry in 2017. We have unfortunately witnessed several accidents in recent years of injured or even killed construction workers, including
an incident where a construction worker was struck and killed by equipment while setting up “First Night” celebrations in Boston late December last year. As we are also still dealing with the pandemic, we also need to ensure that our construction workers are provided with the adequate personal protective equipment to prevent the spread of COVID-19 while on the job. It is therefore critical that we ensure the safety of our construction workers, as well as our residents and workforce, that we make sure that safety procedures and precautions are adhered to at these worksites. “Construction workers are a critical part of our workforce in the city, and it is imperative that
our these sites have the appropriate measures in place to ensure their health and safety, especially in the age of COVID-19,” said Councilor Flynn. “Moreover, we need to ensure that construction sites and equipment are secured, and that there are strict measures in place to prevent any accidents that can harm pedestrians, motorists, and neighbors. I look forward to working with city officials and safety advocates on this issue.” For more information on the hearing, please visit h t t p s : // w w w. b o s t o n . g o v/ public-notices/13674681, or contact Councilor Flynn’s of f ic e at 617- 635 -32 03
Fort Point Channel Art Foretells Global Warming Effects by Rick Winterson
T
he creative people in South Boston’s Fort Point neighborhood have been designing and executing floating installations on the waters of Fort Point Channel for the past several years. Each of these has been a legitimate work of art, possessing the unity, balance, and harmony required by the Ancient Greek philosophers. Their effects are actually rather simple to describe: not only must they catch and retain the gaze of passers-by, but these works also have to stay both afloat and level, while continuing to convey their messages. The most recent group of three works of art are installations
created to depict the fate of Earth’s oceans, especially as our oceans are being strongly affected by human environmental contamination. The first of the three artworks was “A Mutual Interest”, by Patrick Bowler (not shown). The message of Bowler’s floating installation is oceanic pollution from the huge tonnage of plastic wastes we humans dispose of carelessly. Sea life ingests this fatal waste, causing plugged gills, internal disease, and even blindness. While “A Mutual Interest” appears to be a whimsical work at first, it shows a highly colored, somewhat childish tugo-war between humans and sea life. The current installation at Fort Point Channel is by Carolina Aragorn; it is entitled “Future
“Future Shoreline” by Carolina Aragorn visualizes three flood depths over the next 50 years.
Shoreline”. It is four yellow, rectangular, three-box structures along the Channel’s stone wall, which are all focused upon a single, threelevel, blue artifact floating on the Channel. The visual emphasis of the five pieces, when viewed close-up, brings a feeling of flooding to the viewer. That is exactly what the artist intends, because each of the three levels depicted, both onshore and on the Channel, are the expected ocean levels in 2030,2050,and 2070 – 50 years from now. The rising ocean levels come from melting icecaps in Greenland and the Antarctic, caused by the carbon dioxide we emit from our engines, heating units, and power plants. The third ocean-related work
is called “Polarity” by Zy Baer. It is being completed onshore next to the Fort Point Channel; it will be finished and will float on the Channel any day now. This installation is a sculpture that depicts a home torn from its foundation by floods, and then washed out to sea. And yes, the catastrophic force needed to wash entire houses away is well within the current capabilities of rising, wind-driven oceans. “Polarity” is/will be a dramatic sight. A portion of Boston’s Harborwalk is along the Fort Point Channel from Summer Street to Gillette on A Street. Walking that way will give you an excellent, close-up view of both “Future Shoreline” and “Polarity”.
“Polarity” by Zy Baer nears completion, before being floated in the Fort Point Channel.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 03, 2020
Wreaths Along Broadway
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Wagamama Reopens
Wagamama is the name of a worldwide chain of restaurants that serve an eclectic meld of Asian foods. The Wagamama branch that had been located in South Boston’s Seaport District was closed for a period of time recently, and has now reopened. Located in the 100 Northern Avenue structure, it’s a very pleasant place – one of the writer’s favorites. A suggestion? (Why, of course!): Try Wagamama’s chicken katsu (with gravy).
Each year, the South Boston Chamber of Commerce arranges to hang wreaths on every light pole along East and West Broadway. That was done last Friday. The photo depicts a dozen or so of these wreaths decked out with red ribbons; the area shown is from K to I and on up Pill Hill. The cloudy, stormy weather notwithstanding, the brilliant reds and greens send a clear message that the Christmas and the Holiday Seasons have begun.
Heart, Hugs & Hope: A Virtual Alzheimer’s Support Group Offered by Compass on the Bay December 3, 2020, 6:00-7:00 pm hosted by Compass on the Bay 1380 Columbia Road, South Boston Dealing with Alzheimer’s disease and related dementia isn’t easy, so it is helpful to share your concerns and personal experiences with others who completely understand what you’re going through. You will also learn about proven strategies to help you better care for your family member. Call 617-268-5450 or email Program Director Kristi Faby at kfaby@compassonthebay. for more information and to register for the Zoom meeting.
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