SBOL_12_24_2020

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 74

A Few Christmas Thoughts

C

hristmas is more tha n a Holiday, and even more than the gift-giving and feasting that take place at Christmastime. For whatever reason, it’s an entire Season. It is a Season that is mostly staffed by volunteers.

These volunteers are the sort of people – all of them true, real human beings – who are already completely occupied w it h fa milies, professions, and their own responsibilities.

Yet t he y somehow cra n k themselves up to 110% or even more, in order to “keep Christmas” as it should be kept.

Do you get tired (at least at times) over the Holiday Season?

Our answer to that question is “Yes!” –“Yes, without a doubt.”

Even so, all of us know for certain that we will be right back at it during this time next year. Christmas is just that kind of time. You don’t have

HAVE YOU HEARD?

to believe any sort of a doctrine to take part in Christmas.

Whoever you are, you realize it’s just simply that time of year – a time of joy on Earth.

The entire World ha s been f ighting a Coronavirus pandemic, which has led to a global plague (Yes, plague! In the old-fashioned, frightening sense of that word), a plague that we call COVID-19. But after ten months, we have two vaccines approved (Pfizer, Moderna) and a third one apparently on the way (Astra-Zeneca).

This was brought to pass by extremely intelligent, very hard-working scient i f ic re se a rc her s a nd medical professionals, helped by thousands of volunteers who stepped up to become the human guinea pigs needed to obtain safeand-certain approval for those vaccines. This is an absolutely huge, present-day, multi-level Continued on Page 2

South Boston “Gives Back”

Tom and Mark collect hundreds of “given back” toys.

by Rick Winterson

Y

ou m ay h ave heard that Boston has been named A merica’s No. 1 Caring City in 2020. Certainly, the South Boston neighborhood does more than its share to

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Continued from Page 1

Christmas miracle – a 21st century wonder that happened to become truly real around Christmastime this year. Miracle or not, we’ll take it!

Christmas is made up of many observances of many kinds.

Glance around you and take in the lights and the colors and in particular, the sounds that range from carols to the epic Christmas oratorios of ou r greate st composers. These observances last for about four weeks each and every year. This double fortnight is a time to re-establish contacts that we let slide over the past eleven months (haven’t we all done this, at least to an extent?).

Hence the Christmas cards, the increased phone calls, or the emails/texts galore, along with the efforts to catch up, especially when your contact info has become so out of date that you don’t know how to get in touch with those whom you value.

We mentioned in our first sentence that “Christmas is … even more than gift-giving”.

That is certainly true, but even so, gifts are still an important part of Christmas. And giving of gifts is certainly traditional, going back more than t wo millennia to the Holy Family’s

time in Bethlehem. The gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh brought there by the Magi – Melchior, Caspar, and Balthazar – are echoed and mirrored in 2020’s typical Christmas gifts of jewelry, perfume, and cosmetics.

We will close with a couple of religious notes: First of all, have you ever noticed how celebrations with religious roots are not only highly important events, they are also

Nick Collins State Senator Merry Christmas from my family to yours

the most enjoyable? Well, that certainly applies to Christmas.

And it also applies to Hanukkah, which ended last Friday evening, the 18th.

Halloween and Thanksgiving are t wo more examples of enjoyable religious feasts. And then there’s the Grandaddy of all celebrations – Mardi Gras, a.k.a. Carnivale – a religiously based event, even with all of its humongous excesses.

Our second religious note is

that famed quote from St. Paul’s first Epistle to the Corinthians – “Of all these, there remain only three: Faith, Hope, and Love. And of these, Love is the greatest.” Well, Christmastime is certainly a Season of Love, especially for others.

Treat t hem wit h “t he greatest”.

A nd at w h at ot her time of year can you use the word “MER RY ”?

So, Merr y (!)

Christmas.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

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Continued from Page 1

Giving Back each and every one of the many, many South Boston events that help others at Christmastime and over the entire Holiday Season.

The generosity shown by you and our fellow residents of South Boston is absolutely outstanding, despite the burden placed upon us all in 2020 by Coronavirus and the COVID-19 pandemic.

South Boston Online hopes we can capture the spirit of “giving back” all over South Boston, but we only have a few photographs and a few hundred words.

Specifically for this article, South Boston Online went

by Monica’s Pantr y in St. Monica’s Church last Saturday to view their Christmastime Peace Breakfast. Pastor, Fr. Peter, Deacon Paul Kline, and Sgt. Steve McNeil (from BPD Station C-6), along with many other volunteers, handed out hundreds of breakfasts. After that, we visited members of the Fourth Presbyterian Church at Dorchester Street and Vinton, who were passing out all the makins’ for Seasonal gingerbread houses. This was a “giving back ” that took place in the Fourth’s food pantry. Also on last Saturday and Sunday, a toy “give-back” sponsored by State Rep. David Biele took place at the BCEC – hundreds of toys and games were generously g at hered a nd have been

Fourth Church’s Rev. Katie Cole and Lauren Basler “give back” gingerbread house makins’. distributed to the many young people in South Boston’s housing developments. Tuesday morning of this week marked the Food Pantry Tuesdays at the Fourth Church, which the members continued into their Mondaythrough-Friday lunch program.

What else can we say about such generosity? Please just remember that everything we have mentioned so far took place in four short days, from Saturday to Tuesday during the week before Christmas.

South Boston Online will close by mentioning that local Holiday volunteer efforts are still going on. You might recall that in our December 3

A long line receives Fourth Church Pantry’s “give-backs”

issue (page one), we published a photoessay on the hundreds of Thanksgiving dinners that were prepared and delivered from the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (the BCEC), an event that took place on Wednesday, November 25.

This was an event put together by the “Monsignor Thomas J. McDonnell and Frank Kelley Holiday Dinner Committee”.

Well, “the Committee” is back at it right now (as you are reading this). Today – Christmas Eve, December 24, from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. – “the Committee” is providing many hundreds of Christmas dinners to be prepared, picked up, and/or delivered

from Florian Hall. With the help of Boston’s firefighters, the good work involved in South Boston’s “giving back” goes on.

Deacon Paul Kline (r.) and parishioners wish all a Merry Christmas.

Sgt. Steve (C-6 Community Service), Collaborative Pastor Peter, and Officer Joe.

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Tis the Season… to Uplift Others ‘By: Tara Kerrigan Hayes

I

t’s that time of year again for our favorite holiday re-runs, and if you’ve ever watched the hit film, Love Actually, you’ve experienced the pull of your heartstrings before the first character is even introduced.

You can credit the opening sequence, with its flood of images from the arrivals gate at Heathrow Airport years ago; a tender montage of loved ones reuniting and enthusiastically embracing one another. Mothers, fathers, friends, lovers, leap eagerly into each others arms, kissing, hugging, crying tears of joy, as Hugh Grant’s voice tenderly narrates about how “love is everywhere”. As you watch the blissful expressions of these real life people – not actors – there is an unmistakable air of gratitude for the relationships. The raw emotions shared are truly palpable, and if you’re anything like me, this opening gets you every time. Also, if you’re anything like me, you didn’t just tear up at those images this year as you did in

previous years… this year, you bawled.

Because here we are in 2020; the year of isolation, when such an exchange of affection would bring utter chaos.

2020; the year a hug became something to shun, when the cruel irony is, this is the time we need touch the most.

This is the year that we’ll hear the collective boos and hisses across the planet as we boot 2020 out of our lives this December 31st. But it also happens to be the year that brought out the best in those who rose to the occasion. The year that I witnessed one of the most touching displays of solidarity and humanity that I’ve seen in a long time.

The type of stuff movies are made of.

It began when Kirsten Hunter, of Portsmouth, NH, came across a melancholy Facebook post by an old friend - the type of post that might elicit brief texts from well-wishers offering words of encouragement. But anyone who’s struggled emotionally, (which is any of us lately), knows how even a generous sprinkle of lights can evaporate quickly when there’s

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

State Representative David Biele

enough darkness. Sometimes what you need is the whole, raging disco ball.

D u bb e d t he f- - you2020karoakechallenge, Kirsten turned to music and community, calling on others to rise up in a testament to friendship by recording themselves performing a song of their choice and posting it on Facebook, for all to see. Kirsten went first.

“Anyone who knows me knows I’d be totally mortified at the idea of singing in public”, says Kirsten. “It’s not something I’d normally ever do, and so that’s exactly why I did it”.

In a tender rendition of “The Blues”, by Elton John, it was Kirtsen’s aversion to the limelight that made her ode to her friend, (and to anyone hurting, really), all the more authentic and heartfelt. She posted her song, and tagged 25 others.

Among those she called to action were a special group of friends who’ve been bonded by a youth gathering they attended as teens, on Star Island. A place where uniqueness and individualism were celebrated long before acceptance became a deliberate effort by society, these friends have remained inextricably connected throughout the years, regardless of time or borders.

Needless to say, this is a wildly talented group, who enthusiastically rose to the challenge armed with diverse perspectives, an eclectic array of song choices, and a healthy dose of humor. And the results were exquisite.

With songs ranging from upbeat pop, to theatrical tunes and

earnest ballads, there were witty puns, clever props, plenty of dancing, and even a few costumes. Collectively, the performances evoked both tears and laughter, particularly the brave performance by a brother / sister duo who took on Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper’s, “Shadows”, (imagine the high notes, which were intentionally, hysterically cringy).

While the performances were joyfully entertaining, it was the sentiment behind the efforts that was most moving. At a time when physical proximity is impossible, this group found a way to feel connective by the subtext of their history together. It was something unspoken, yet highly personal, which made all the difference in the world.

The collectiveness of the project not only reinstills faith in the human spirit, but it poses the question we all should be asking ourselves, not solely during the holidays, or through this pandemic, but moving forward always; how do we show up for others in a way that actually makes a difference?

How do we lift the spirits of those who will have no family at the arrival gate this year, (or never did)?

How do we nurture the souls of the lonely? The sick? The forgotten?

In the spirit of Kirsten and her friends, it appears the answer might be simply to get creative - and personal.

To find a way to not just tell others but to show them - that even though it may not feel like it at times, (especially now), love is STILL, all around.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

5

Learning to Adapt South Boston Club Offers Remote Program

By Ginger DeShaney

I

t has been a tremendous challenge for parents to juggle their jobs AND their young kids’ remote learning during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston created the Remote Learning Program to help provide relief. The Edgerley Family South Boston Club is part of this innovation.

Enrolled students “go to school” at the Club, where they log onto their computers for Zoom classes with their teachers.

“The parents are definitely appreciative of what we are able to provide for their kids,” said Harry Duvall, the executive director of the South Boston Club. “There’s definite value in creating conditions where students can learn and study.”

The Club offers a place that’s welcoming, safe, and comfortable, with an expectation of learning.

When it was clear the 2020-21 school year would be unlike any other, the Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston went into action. “We did this as a team in terms of planning,” Duvall said.

During the summer, the team started planning for the school year.

“We were trying to understand what the state, cities, schools might do,” Duvall said. “We were watching what was happening across the country.”

The team thought about the needs of families and how things would be different in terms of schooling.

“We had the idea to open the Club during the day and have the students come here to go to school,” Duvall said. “Even not knowing what Boston Public Schools would do, this would be an option.”

A sound safety model was established at the outset -- guidelines, social distancing, minimizing interactions with others, wearing masks -- and then the team determined what the program would look like, which included a limited enrollment.

The Club opened up the program to member families first, then to other South Boston families, then to families

in Dorchester and other neighborhoods.

There are 70 students divided among seven groups of 7 to 12 kids, ages 6 to 12. “The group you’re in is the group you’re in,” Duvall said.

“Everyone is in the same group every day to minimize exposure.”

Five of the groups are dedicated to specific schools: 2 groups of Condon School kids; 2 groups of Perry School kids; 1 group of Perkins School kids.

There are two mixed groups of students from the Henderson, Mason, Tynan, and other schools.

“We keep kids together by school, grade, and family as much as we can,” Duvall said.

The South Boston Club converted individual spaces to remote learning centers and redeployed staff to different assignments.

“It was a big shift,” said Duvall.

The performing arts center, game room, youth lounge, day care, computer room, and homework room were converted and set up like study halls; kids have individual stations separated by Plexiglass dividers.

The South Boston Club took extra time to finish the room conversions; the program began a week after Boston Public Schools started.

The Club upgraded its Wi-Fi and firewalls to accommodate more usage. It also set up charging stations for the students’ computers.

“It will be interesting to see what our electric bill will be,” Duvall joked.

The kids bring their own computers to the Club every day. Many of them have Chromebooks from their schools, Duvall said. Some Club computers are available as backups, if necessary.

In addition, the Club provides a healthy breakfast, lunch, and snack for the kids, separate from the school district. They also provide headphones to kids who need them.

The Club’s staff members were converted to Remote Learning Program staffers. “They are almost like proctors,” Duvall said. “They don’t teach; they are there to help the kids.”

The Club staff help the students with such things as: Logging onto their Zoom sessions; Technical situations; Science experiments; Low-level problem solving; Navigating to other platforms; Reminding about safety protocols (hand washing, keeping masks on, etc.); Redirecting attention.

Another important part of their job is to give plenty of encouragement and recognition. “We can see in real time when kids have accomplished something and we can congratulate them,” Duvall said.

The Club staff also communicate regularly with the schools and the teachers. Just the other day a teacher from the Perry School dropped off materials for two students learning at the Club.

It’s not normal for kids to go to the Club for school. But the fact that they leave the house for school -- like in normal times -- gives them a sense of routine.

“The routine a nd separation are good,” Duvall said.

“We wondered if the students were not going to do schoolwork because it’s a Club, but they adapted quickly. The transition has been good with the kids.”

Because of the pandemic, kids are learning to be self-sufficient and independent. “They need to be on task, manage their schedules, sign in to class,” Duvall said. “Kids are learning self-management at a younger age than they normally would have.”

The Club follows the students’ school schedules for lunch, recess, etc.

The program runs from 8 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. “Once the school day is done, they go home,” Duvall said, noting that the Club offers an after-school program for another group of kids and staff members don’t want any overlap of students.

“The parents have been really great.

We have good communication with parents regarding logistics, behavior, and learning needs,” Duvall said. “We see parents as partners. There’s definitely a high level of appreciation. There’s a real community feel. We are all in it together.

“The work we’re doing with schools and families draws the spotlight on when communities work together how we can overcome challenging times.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

At Your Convenience Crossroads Mart Delivers on Customer Service

Owner Prabin Dhar

By Ginger DeShaney

B

efore August, Prabin Dhar had neverworked behind a register.

Now he’s working a register almost every day at his new convenience store, Crossroads Mart, at 673 East Broadway (the site of a former 7-Eleven). The store is open from 6 a.m. to midnight every day.

After 12 years as a dog walker and trainer with his business, Canine Superstars, Dhar was ready for a new challenge and jumped into the retail market. (Dhar’s Canine Superstars is still in business with a friend taking care of the dogs.)

“I had been looking for a good business,” he said. “I was looking for the right opportunity.”

Sandesh Prajapati, now his business partner, called him one day out of the blue and let him know there was a business opportunity he may be interested in.

“I looked at [the property] that same day and said, ‘OK, I’ll do it.’ I had no experience.

“I didn’t realize how bad I was at counting cash,” he joked.

“It’s a very good learning curve.”

When the landlords learned Dhar had never worked retail, they were unsure of how he might do in the business, Dhar said. “It took them four or five days to check up on me. I was losing sleep.”

Dhar, who is originally from Nepal, signed the lease and got to work securing licenses, meeting with vendors, stocking shelves, hiring employees, and learning the business.

Dhar has a degree in business administration from Framingham State University, which gives him confidence in dealing with people, working with numbers, overcoming challenges, and succeeding in what he puts his mind to. He is always thinking of new ideas and ways to make improvements.

“All of this is brand new to me,” he said. “It’s a learning process.

It’s a wonderful opportunity.”

His affable personality, can-do attitude, and love of learning serve him well in this venture.

“Did I want to open a business during a pandemic? I question it every day,” he joked.

“It’s tough right now, but it’s tough for everyone … but I’m optimistic.

I’m very hopeful for this place.”

Before opening, Dhar hired professionals to redo the floors, paint the store, and make sure all the coolers and freezers were in working order.

Dhar opened his doors Aug. 28.

His first customer was Rep. Joe Kennedy III, who came in for a Gatorade.

Dhar’s store is light, bright, spacious, and clean. Every customer is greeted as they come into this inviting space. There are refrigerators stocked with beverages; freezers filled with ice cream; snacks and candy galore, graband-go items, and so much more.

Dhar is quite proud of his coffee and wants people to stop by and try it.

He offers Sumatran and Colombian.

“The coffee here is great,” he said. “I want people to taste my coffee.” During September, Dhar offered free coffee.

Right now, a cup of Joe is just $1.

It’s only been a few months, but customer traffic has been increasing slowly but surely. Dhar has already gotten a pretty good base of repeat customers, his “regulars.” The most popular item right now is Red Bull.

People can also order items from Crossroads Mart through Postmates, GrubHub, Uber Eats, and DoorDash.

The other day, a customer ordered a can of Coke. There’s an extensive menu of delivery items, including ice cream, bakery, beverages, candy, dairy,

deli, frozen food, health items, pet food, sandwiches, grocery, and more.

Dhar has seen a steady increase in online ordering.

The newcomer has lots of ideas for continued improvements to the store, including adding more shelves and dedicating aisles to pet food, household products, tools, and electronics. “I want to make it easier for customers,” he said.

Dhar’s motto is simple: Provide great service and treat customers well.

“Everyone is treated with respect and care,” he said. “We see what they need … we are always helping people.”

Dhar makes sure he greets every customer. “It’s important to see what they need and how we can help them,” he said. “We want to give them a reason to come back.

“We want to provide a wonderful service that they remember.”

Dhar is thrilled with the location of his store. “The neighbors are amazing,” he said. “I’ve gotten very good support from them. I”m happy to be here.”

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Merry Christmas To All!

F

rom our Principal, Dr. Helenann Civian…This year we can all use some extra holiday cheer so the South Boston Catholic Academy Student Council hosted our first Holiday Spirit Week that began on Monday, December 14. The Student Council members decorated the hallways hoping to spread holiday cheer to all who are near! The students, faculty and staff dressed up to match the theme of the day! We started each day of the week with a Morning Sprite Week Sing-along led by our Music Teacher, Ms. Tynan and some of the Student Council Members. The Student Council, also, raised funds, with raffles, to be able to supply party favors to help all the students have a Christmas Party in their classrooms.

On Monday, December 14, 2020, the theme was to come to school dressed in your coziest Ch r ist mas/ Holiday jammies! Three of our Student Council Members in the 4th grade, started our Morning Spirit Week Sing-along off by

singing: Jingle Bells, Jingle Bells.

On Tuesday, December 15, 2020, the theme was to come dressed to school as either Santa, his elves, reindeer, or any other Santa related character. Four of the Student Council Members in the 2nd grade, started our Morning Spirit Week Singalong off by singing: Rudolf the Red Nosed Reindeer.

On Wednesday, December 16, 2020, the theme was: Dreaming of a White Christmas and we came dressed up in blues and whites to look like snowflakes. Some of the Student Council Members in the 4 th grade, started our Morning Spirit Week Sing-along off by singing Winter Wonderland. We had a school Mass, our Parochial Vicar, Father Christopher Boyle, was the presider and the 6th Grade class did a great job participating at this Mass while the rest of the students and faculty were able to watch this Mass in their classrooms that was livestreamed on the Parish Website. The 6th Graders also did a fantastic job

taking part in this year’s Christmas Pageant. They were able to record their Christmas Pageant, celebrating Jesus’ Birthday, so that the rest of the students were able to see this Christmas Pageant on their Smart Boards in their classrooms.

Since, Thursday, December 17 and 18, 2020, were snow days, we celebrated the traditional Ugly Sweater Day on Monday, December 21 and on the 22 we all took part in a Christmas Prayer Service.

A Big Shout Out to our Student Council Members, Class Representatives and to Ms. Eleanor Tynan for her guidance

with this year’s Student Council and to Ms. Sarah Hoisl and her wonderful 6th Graders, to Mrs. Denise Moriarty, our Director of Curriculum and Instruction and to all our wonderful families, faculty and staff who worked so hard to make this past school week extra special for all the students at South Boston Catholic Academy.

From all of us at South Boston Catholic Academy, we are all looking forward to Celebrating Jesus’ Birthday on Christmas Day, December 25, 2020 and we wish everyone a Blessed and Merry Christmas and a Happy and Healthy New Year!

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020

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THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

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11

A Common Walk

by Rick Winterson

N

ow that you have finished your Christmas shopping in South Boston and have left your gifts under your tree at home, please consider taking a “Common” walk. That means a leisurely walk on and around Boston Common to give yourself some mild exercise (still approved by the pandemic experts, by the way!). Plan to start your Common walk about 4 o’clock in the afternoon, so you can see the Common displays and Boston’s skyline while there is still some daylight. Then, after dark, you’ll be treated (and we mean “Treated”!) to the remarkable lighted sights all around the Common.

In South Boston, put on your face mask (of course), take the Red Line either from Broadway or Andrew, and get off at Park Street Station three or four stops later. An escalator at the north end of the Station will take you to the Park Street corner of the Common. In the sunset daylight, you can get a good look at the Christmas tree from Nova Scotia.

Then, while there’s still daylight, walk west and up the Common’s low hill where the Civil War Memorial sits on top. You’ll see a truly striking view of the skyline around Copley Square against the setting sun. Walk

Achingly beautiful violet lights, against the skyline over the Frog Pond. across Charles Street and through the Public Garden (also nicely lit up), then take a look at the incredibly lit, tree-lined walkway along the center of Commonwealth Avenue. Walk along the Comm. Ave. center strip for a few blocks, if you want – it’s an experience.

By this time, it’ll be dark, so return to the Boston Common. Walk ‘round the monument hill to the Frog Pond. Pause to take a long, long look across and around the Pond at the lovely violet Holiday lights, with the white Park Street Church steeple and Downtown Boston skyline in the background. Bethlehem’s stable, where the Holy Family took refuge for the Birth of Christ, looks out onto Tremont Street from the Common.

The Holy Family in a stable on Boston Common.

The Christmas tree from Nova Scotia will be lit by now. Well over 20 feet tall, the tree holds streams of countless colored lights. You might know that the Nova Scotia tree has been an annual gift from there for the last 49 years. It is sent to the City in gratitude for the Boston Red Cross aid we rendered to Halifax in 1917, after a hugely destructive explosion blew up what was then the entire Halifax Harbor and much of the town itself.

The Boston Common is more than just a “common” plot of greenery in the middle of Downtown Boston.

It is the nation’s oldest park, set aside in 1634 for the common use of all colonials in Boston. It was purchased from the Rev. Blaxton

(i.e., Blackstone), Boston’s first settler, who was living a holy hermit’s life on the Common. As a “Common” ground, it has been used for a pasture, a campground, (many) citizens’ protests, and local hangings on the “Hanging Elm”. Nowadays, the Boston Common’s 50 acres are part of Boston’s “Emerald Necklace”.

And as for the “Common” walk, an outdoor stroll for mild exercise is one of the very few outside activities still recommended by epidemiologists involved with COVID-19. But wear your mask and keep at least a six-foot Social Distance, of course.

Then, return refreshed to your home in South Boston and enjoy the rest of your Holiday Season.

The lighted Common Christmas tree, a gift from Nova Scotia.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, DECEMBER 24, 2020 THE PRINT EDITION

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