THE PRINT EDITION
THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2018
VOLUME XIX- ISSUE 61
2018: A Key Anniversary Year in South Boston History The Year of 2018 will see (and has already seen) a number of historic a l ly impor ta nt anniversaries in South Boston – our neighborhood and hometown. South Boston needs the help of each and every one of our readers to ensure we observe and celebrate our history, now and in the near future. South Boston Online hopes you had a pleasant and enjoyable Fourth. The Fourth of July, or Independence Day, if you wish, is the nation’s “day off ”. Hereabouts, the Fourth climaxed the City of Boston Harborfest. Hundreds of thousands on the Esplanade personally viewed the Boston Pops Concert, followed by absolutely gorgeous fireworks. And billions watched our celebration worldwide on various social media. But please note that South Boston has already observed the 100th Anniversary of our entry into World War I on April 6, 1917 (“The War to End All Wars”). That memorial event took place
Cooling Off At Condon
a year ago, in April, 2017, at our Excel High School. Furthermore, South Boston annually celebrates Evacuation Day, as we did this year on March 17, with a week of observances and a massive Parade. But were you aware that exactly 250 years ago (Summer, 1768), British troops first occupied Boston, which then led up to the original Evacuation Day eight years later? South Boston Online has published a series of articles on the St. Augustine Chapel and Cemetery on Dorchester Street at Sixth and Tudor. The Chapel was erected in honor of Father Francis Anthony Matignon, Boston’s “Pioneer Pastor”. Fr. Matignon died 200 years ago, on September 19, 1818, after serving as the Pastor of all of New England (yes, all of it!). Ground was broken for his chapel in 1818; it was consecrated on July 4, 1819, so there will be memorial observances that extend
Despite the scorching temperatures outside, visitors of the Condon Community Center have been enjoying the indoor pool. The BCYF Condon is also a City of Boston cooling center. Join in as the CCC gears up for summer with a new schedule and added recreational swim times. Stop in to 200 D Street today!
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THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2018
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Andrew Square Development – the Last Chapter?
A Choo & Co. drawing of the proposed six-story structure at Dorchester and Preble Sts. by Rick Winterson If you have been to Andrew Square lately, you are sure to have noticed several changes. With six major thoroughfares meeting – Preble, Southampton, Boston, Dorchester (Street), and Dorchester (Avenue, two-way) – it has become South Boston busiest intersection by far. And please cross it cautiously, even if you have to wait some minutes for the lights to change your way. Four of the six lots formed by the Square’s triple intersection have been built up. A fifth lot, formed by Boston Street and Dorchester Avenue where Andrew Square Auto Glass once sat, is in now the planning and approval phase of a plan to build residences there. There’s only one lot left to be developed. Last Thursday evening, the first
community meeting for developing the sixth and final lot was held. This is the lot formed by Preble and Dorchester Streets. A three-decker, South Boston Nails, and small, closed variety store sit there now, along with parking spaces. A planter and memorials to Russ Waterman and John Mullen are in the angle of the sidewalk that goes around this lot. The meeting attracted about 20 abutters; it was hosted by Dave Matteo and Dave Winick of Cedarwood Development. Several preliminary drawings showed their early developmental plans Basically, a six story residential complex was presented by Cedarwood as its initial proposal. This will have 35 residences on the top five floors (five or so would be affordable). The ground or street-level floor would be some combination of retail/commercial. Matteo and Winick promised flexibility as their proposal becomes finalized, and they promised that the memorials at the end of this lot would be preserved and protected. The inevitable questions about parking were put forth – the development’s first iteration contained no spaces. The many comments were wideranging, but they seemed to
center on having a quality dining establishment in the ground floor commercial space. Both Matteo and Winick had been involved with the well-regarded Publico establishment at 11 Dorchester Street, corner of West First.
The reaction to the proposal was generally favorable, but there are many steps to go before approval. As the Andrew Square Civic Association (ASCA) motto states, “We care about the Square!”
Cedarwood’s Dave Matteo and Dave Winick conduct a community meeting on the Square.
Residents attending the meeting
The lot at Dorchester (Street) and Preble proposed for development by Cedarwood.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2018 Continued ftom Page 1
Anniversary Year
over several months into mid-1819. And the Chapel will be restored, as will the Cemetery where it sits. And of course, Sunday, November 11, will be the Centennia l A nniversar y of Armistice Day. One hundred years ago, in 1918, the First World War came to an end – at 11 a.m. on the eleventh of November, the eleventh month of the year.
Later on, Armistice Day morphed into Veterans Day. We hope to see many, many memorial observances at all of the veterans’ posts around South Boston. Enough said about 2018. We ask you to willingly support all of the observances during this historic anniversary year of 2018. There will be various fundraisers – please be as generous as you can. But most important, please take part in all of these observances. Show up personally for all of them. They will be especially meaningful during 2018. A word to our many newcomers. You are welcome here. You bring a real flair to South Boston. And by now, you know how delightful life in South Boston can be. We are all privileged to live in “America’s urban hometown”. So please take part – we would love for all of you to join us at all of our 2018 observances and celebrations.
Ward 6 & 7 Democratic Committees to Host State Representative Candidates
David Biele
Matt Rusteika
Tuesday July 10, 2018 6:30 - 7:30pm Curley Community Center 1633 Columbia Road South Boston, MA 02127 Next Tuesday beginning @ 6:30pm the South Boston Ward 6 & 7 Democratic Committees will host the candidates for State Representative @ the Curley Community Center. The candidates will have the opportunity to express their views and positions of their candidacy to Committee members for endorsement.
All are are welcome to attend!
Senator Collins Hosts BLS Baseball Team at State House
“It was an honor to host my alma mater’s baseball team at the state house last week to recognize them for their achievements. It was particularly special because I coached one of the players, South Boston’s Coleman O’Toole, in little league. He’s headed off to college next year. His family is undoubtedly proud. South Boston should be too,” said Senator Nick Collins
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Being Social: Hardy Wallace at Social Wines By Richard Campbell Some wine tastings are low key events, but not when Hardy Wallace, the natural wine guru and co-founder of Dirty & Rowdy Wines comes into town. Social Wines on West Broadway has wine tastings every Friday, and this past Friday Wallace showed up to promote his natural wines. Besides the general complexity of making wines that don’t use chemical tricks, the stories about his travels through Napa wineries, and experiments with various grape varieties revealed the high wire act it is to be a small creator of coveted wines. It is a bit like gambling to be the David in a state of Goliaths. With a series of successes celebrated in Food and Wine, Vine Pair, New York Times, Bon Appetite and well, you get the idea- you’d expect the guy to be less than down to earth. Perhaps he might even be a wine snob. Not so. He was filled with anecdotes about his creationsand not one iota braggadocios about the difficulty of creating the purer wines. He showed an almost boyish enthusiasm for the scientific aspect of creating wine in an unconventiona l manner. Needless to say, this observer was a bit baff led by the chemistry lessons, but in short: doing without sulfates and other chemicals makes wine creation a heck of a lot riskier. One would think such success would mean that he hadn’t had any slumps, but he explained he does have what he calls his “wall of shame”, that is vintages that didn’t cut the mustard. The story of the two broke guys from Georgia who started Dirty & Rowdy has a simple premise: do it differently and better. His business partner Matt Richardson was a foodie from Atlanta, and Wallace (who has Massachusetts roots) would bring wine to their dinners. This idea that wine should be shared with food and judged similarly for its purity and taste is fundamental to their label’s success. Wine should go with that
Zach Lieberman, Olmstead Wine, Eileen Elliot, Operations Director, Alex Malecki, Asst. Wine Buyer, Pete Waite, Bar & Spirits Director. are reasonable and often really spicy fried chicken, might be their to cheer him on, as well as Food interesting. You can tell they mantra. There is something at and Wine Critic Ellen Bhang aren’t pre-chosen by a vendor, once ordinary and extraordinary from the Boston Globe. Some unlike many wine stores. The about their theories. people think natural wines idea that someone can help you All the better you say when could be a f lash in the pan, get that right wine for dinner he pulls the rabbit out of the hat but others see the beginning should make people go a little with his 2017 Mendocino Chenin of a genu ine movement. out of the way to find something Blanc. For him personally that The proof is in the drinking, really nice. That they can afford year was a disaster from lasting and that so suddenly his wines to do so is kind of revolutionary. out California fires to personal have coast to coast fans. Some If you are tired of people who illness, and so that wine was a of the PR around natural wines can’t tell you why a wine is game changer in more than the is hype, like with natural foods, good to go with a particular method of its creation. It is clean but when the wine exceeds meal, then the Social Wines and has a surprising little kick expectations of standard vintages staff may become your new best of acidity with an easy-going people start to take notice. In buds. Speaking of which they finish. I had heard of Semillon one sense the movement is taking also carry a full line of beers! grapes before, but not the French wine making back to its roots, Mourvedre- these are not grapes with a determination to see Americans frequent. And yet wine not tied to extra chemicals. Wallace made them his staples in This should be welcomed, but what most wine people warned one has to figure that risk, fear would be a novice mistake. It’s of change, and big economics lucky it worked, he purchased come into play. The natural wine tons of Mourvedre grapes for movement heralded by a small his reds that are 100% whole group of innovators has made an cluster fermented- no chemicals. impact in California, so someone Like his kick ass labels, and like Wallace would not surprise his aw shucks, “just taste this people at a wine store in Napa and compare it to this…”, or or Sonoma-but to show up in his unconventional fermenting the beer capital of the east coast, process- he striped the snobbery South Boston, reveals something. of old world traditions away Perhaps Social Wines is on a wave for the client to really enjoy the to surpass more trendy stores wine. Dah. Why has this been in the South End or elsewhere! Clever engraved look labels so hard for other wine experts? The nice t hing about sport the owners in wild Relatives and friends from near Social Wines is that the picks circumstances. and far showed up to the store
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2018
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The cool time zone Beer Wall.
Toasting to the new Dirty & Rowdy wines.
Ellen Bhang, Boston Globe Food & Wine Critic, Hardy Wallace, Co-Founder of Dirty & Rowdy Wines, joking a bit while customers line up.
Michael Atamanuk, Ani Mikitarian, Michael Abramowitz, Allison Langh, Jennifer Langh, Brian Hunt.
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District Hall Holds Venture Café Night
The enchanting Jackelyn Dacanay with Art of Fate Jewelry.
By Richard Campbell A few hundred people showed to see the latest local start-ups and some venerable Seaport organizations at the recent Café Night, Wednesday night June 27 in District Hall. There was a smaller event by past standards, but no less interesting for its variety of vendors. High tech vendors, like real estate tracking software and video platform software blended with more down to earth tables sporting custom jewelry. These meetings are also social events that make a perfect mid-week mixer for that time when you are itching to give your week extra dimension. The main audience is millennials hoping to make it big with new concepts, but there are also established organizations with “older” business people in attendance as well. On the top of the list this week was Edit Mate (editmate.com) a webbased video marketing solution that was demonstrated by Scott Stratford, the Co-founder and Managing Director. There’s more flash in this presentation than in the whole evening, but the interesting thing is it looks like it really works. First, you can sign up for free and upload short profile videos to be edited to get the full demonstration. Basically, the platform has a dashboard that allows you to create a profile, upload projects, and consider use for them in different channels or apps. The interface is designed to be ultimately very simple and is pretty intelligently done. Of course, you are shooting the video in question, but the Edit Mate team has experienced editors to put it all together, (post processing) and make your project ready for eager consumers to see your work. Anyone with a small business that wants to spike up their audio-visual
potential might consider this platform. An interesting group that has specific relevance to South Bostonians is Courbanize, (https:// courbanize.com/home) a Boston based company that created a platform for real estate developers to communicate with prospective stake holders (neighborhoods impacted by development).Their product is already up, and I used it to see community input for the gigantic Mary Ellen McCormack Redevelopment project. The logic here is that Courbanize provides a platform for communication online. You can make suggestions about projects happening in Boston, or anywhere that they have a client, by signing up no charge. The team seemed enthusiastic and well prepared, not to mention ultra-friendly and smart. On the individual level Erin Madore displayed a distinct enthusiasm while promoting her yoga school, Grounded Warrior. (www. groundedwarrior.com) She is a certified Personal Trainer, who teaches yoga, is a Raiki Master, and offers various levels of training, touting the motto: “Support, Accountability, Motivation.” This may seem like old bones talking, but I think her work is suitable for someone who is a little further advanced than the average casual exerciser. With the kind of flexibility and pep she’s achieved, I have no doubt that she can take a person to that next level. Talk about flexibility! With a quiet passion for jewelry and home goods, the enchanting Jackelyn Dacanay, displayed works from her fledgling company Art of Fate Originally from Rhode Island, Ms. Dacanay launched her company based upon environmental sustainable design. She trained at the Fashion Institute of Los Angeles and wasted no time to create a business centered around fashion forward design in the modest price point. In the larger organizational paradigm, Body Recog Pro, (http:// bodyrecog.com/pro/) represented aby Anita Busic, the founder and Molecular biologist presented a program of detailed complexity, heavily researched, and a little frightening for Mr. Pudgy who might be discovered as containing a slacker BMI. This would seem to me the domain of personal trainers and physicians. Ms. Busic, who hails from Croatia, won the Female Startup of the Year Award in Adria, for her body
scanning and tracking app, “BodyRecog is an application that assesses a person’s health risks for cardiovascular diseases, diabetes and cancer, based on their body type and body shape.” The premium version of the Body Recog Pro Scanner is available on both the Apple and Google store platforms. Based in Newton, Massachusetts, Body Recog Pro adequately represents the new field of digital medicine. The Society of Arts and Crafts had a table set up with some baskets to introduce patrons to their gallery in the Seaport District, which has become
a go to place for art and gifts among South Bostonians. Their website: (https://www.societyofcrafts.org/) also includes a shop. Are you being invited to a wedding a:nd frustrated with finding something beautiful and interesting for the bride? There shop at the gallery is filled with artful pottery, ceramics, fabric art, sculptures and fine wood worked items. The Cover Up: Donna Rhae Marder and Infinite Vibration: Niho Kozuru are on view over the Summer at their Seaport Gallery. Stay tuned for our review.
The Courbanize Team
Erin Madore Demonstrates Yoga.
Carrie Weinstein & Molly Nelson Regan from Society of Arts & Crafts.
Anita Busic, the founder of Body Recog Pro.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2018
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Meet Terry Dorilas, New Mass Bay CEO
The bright, welcoming lobby at Mass Bay Credit Union at 147 West Fourth Street.
by Rick Winterson South Boston’s Mass Bay Credit Union now has four bricks-and- mortar sites. Two of these locations are here in South Boston. One is the head office at 147 West Fourth Street between A and B Streets. The other South Boston location is at 409 D Street in the Seaport near the Convention Center. Mass Bay also has two full-service suburban locations at 181 Main Street in Everett and 1250 Hancock Street in Quincy. All Mass Bay customers may use any of the four sites for their banking needs – whichever one is most convenient. And in addition, Mass Bay has a new CEO (Chief Executive Officer). Her name is Terry Dorilas. She possesses extensive professional credentials, both from Mass Bay and from her prior experience, which she obtained over more than 30 years in varied financial services. Her educational background includes an MBA (Masters of Business Administration) from the Eccles School of Business at University of Utah. Terry already has direct experience at Mass Bay Credit Union itself. She joined them five years ago as their CFO (Chief Financial Officer) – obviously, a key position with a credit union. When John Thomas, who was Mass Bay’s CEO until this year, decided he would retire, Terry spent a year as his COO (Chief Operating Off icer) at Mass Bay, while learning all aspects
of the business. She introduced a new service concept called Interactive Teller Machines (no lines!). Two months ago, Terry took over for John. By the way, that is an example of a key business strategy called “succession planning”. It is vitally important for businesses to have such a plan, especially for a service business like a credit union. As another “by-the-way”, John moved to Boise, Idaho, where he has family. Boise has become a real growth city, in part because it a beautiful area where the cost of living is low. Many are moving to the great Northwest, leaving the West Coast and its high costs behind. Terry was full of praise for John and his succession plan. More than once during this interview, she said, “John left Mass Bay in a great position – a very good financial position – strong on capital funding.” And if you are unfamiliar with the business term “succession planning”, well, it’s almost exactly what Bostonians like Danny Ainge and Bill Belichick have done for the Celts and the Pats. Only that’s called “the draft” or “trading”. It’s all about building a strong team for the future, like Mass Bay has. During this interview, Terry mentioned some figures. About two-thirds – 65% - of the MBTA and Mass DOT employees are members of Mass Bay. In addition, about one-third of Mass bay’s members come from the surrounding community, many of them from South Boston. What’s even more interesting is Mass Bay’s growth – approximately 1,000 net new members join Mass Bay each year, for a 5% growth rate. And even so, Mass Bay has just 70 employees. Mass Bay is actually a small business, and small businesses are a major part of the American economy. And even though business figures are an important part of Mass Bay’s story, CEO Terry Dorilas insists that her loyalty and efforts are related to people. She will maintain firmly loyal to the member base formed by MBTA /MassDOT employees.
She also states that Mass Bay’s community outreach is critical to Mass Bay’s future. She plans to work towards making Mass Bay a full service financial partner to the community – this community itself and the people who live here will be her key focus. She asked that South Boston Online mention the Mass Bay Credit Union Charitable Foundation, which supports local causes. The Foundation gives every dollar raised to these causes – nothing is held back to cover expenses. Please consider registering for their next fundraiser, a golf tournament on Tuesday, August 14, at the Cape Club in Sharon, followed by a gala reception and dinner (Register
Online: https://birdeasepro. com/MBCU18; by Email: m br a d le y @ m a s s b a y c u .or g ). In her spare time, Terry is an avid reader. She and her husband enjoy traveling, especially cruising in the Caribbean. We’ll close by quoting her – “Our focus … will be on improving member experience a nd continuing to make a difference in the community.” Recently, Jeremiah P. Ahern , who is Mass Bay’s Chairman, said, “We are excited t have Terry take the reins of our great community-centered organization.” In response, Terry says, “I’m really excited to continue the Mass Bay tradition.” It appears that Mass Bay Credit Union is in good hands.
Terry Dorilas, the recently appointed CEO of Mass Bay Credit Union.
The imposing façade of the Mass Bay Credit Union on West Fourth, between A and B Streets.
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Medicine Wheel Celebrates by Rick Winterson Medicine Wheel Productions, founded in 1991, is now in its 27th year serving the community of South Boston. Highly visible examples include youth employment programs, “Hand in Hand” with the Boston Police (here and in East Boston), World AIDS Day observances, and bringing back No Man’s Land, a combined sculptured walking path, native species garden, and “urban wild”. In recent years, Medicine Wheel Productions has held an annual celebration and fundraiser in June. It is called “Turning the Wheel”, symbolizing both the concept of the medicine wheel, with its curative powers, and the many sayings about wheels and their symbolism in the Western World – e.g., “Just put your shoulder to the Wheel.” The 2018 “Turning the Wheel” gala was held in South Boston’s Westin Boston Waterfront Hotel. The date was Thursday evening, June 13. And it was quite the event! One of the most enjoyable parts of the evening was the entertainment, which was performed by friends of Medicine Wheel. First up were the” Sunset Kings”, a suburban quartet consisting of vocals, guitar, bass, and violin. The crowd especially responded to the Sunset Kings’ version of “Hallelujah!”, that iconic song by Leonard Cohen. The dance troupe was a trio from the KAIROS Dance Theater (Boston), an eclectic contemporary dance company. They were accompanied by a marvelous violinist – Emily Stewart. Directed by DeAnna Pellechia, KAIROS performs in an emotionally charged way that penetrates into deeply human truth and experience. The Westin Boston locale was elegant. The reception area floor space was used to exhibit some 108 original, 50 inch by 50 inch paintings by Medicine Wheels young artists. These enjoyed a brisk sales effort. The refreshments served were outstanding, as was the service that the Westin provided. The sumptuous buffet they served in a private dining room fittingly ended the entertainment, and led
Bill Stoddard is named Medicine Wheel’s “Man of the Year, 2018”, as Mark McGonagle, BPD Commissioner Bill Evans, and Michael Dowling look on.
into the awards presentations, which was the high point of the 2018 “Turning the Wheel” gala. There were four people honored with very well-deserved Awards: The first award was the Medicine Wheel’s 2018 “Woman of the Year” Award. This went to Ife Franklin; it was presented to her by Michael Dowling, the Artistic Director if Medicine Wheel Productions. Ife has been a professional artist and community activist for more than 25 years. She began her art education, learning black-and-white photography while at high school in Washington, D.C., where she was born. She entered the Art School at the Museum of Fine Arts, relocating to Boston in the late 1980s, where she met her mentor, Stanley Pinckney, an artist in “adire”, a traditional West African art form. Ife owns and operates “IfeArt”, a studio that creates sculpture, installations, drawings, collage, photographs, and fiber art. In her own words, Ife feels it is her destiny to create and use her voice to convey her passion for art and her “love of freedom, peace, and justice”. Next, the Medicine Wheel 2018 “Man of the Year” Award was conferred on William “Bill” Stoddard. The honors were performed by Boston Police Department Commissioner William Evans. Having Commissioner Evans confer this Award was particularly fitting, since he is a strong supporter
of Medicine Wheel’s “Hand in Hand” program that brings working Police Officers together with youth from all over Boston. Awardee Bill Stoddard has been in community service for just over 40 years, beginning in 1977 at the Condon Community Center. Bill’s work with Medicine Wheel began back in the ‘90s; it involved the (then) new No Man’s Land project. He is now the Executive Director of the Police Athletic League (the PAL),
and he still supports Medicine Wheel, specifically “Hand in Hand”. Two other Medicine Wheel Awards were conferred upon Carly Craig and Damarius B., both of whom had come down with “the bug”, and could not be present at “Turning the Wheel”. Carly is a mother, studying to be a licensed professional, and not to put too fine a word upon it, she’s in recovery. She first encountered Medicine Wheel working io their Serenity Garden in No Man’s Land with Cushing House; she now teaches a meditation class at her family’s summer camp. To quote her, “… what a blessing it is to not just be alive, but to feel alive.” Damarius B. has an unusual story to tell. Last year, while working in No Man’s Land for Medicine Wheel, he came across some racist, hatefilled graffiti. Instead of ignoring it, or becoming angry, he made friends with young people from the neighborhood, who “hang out” in No Man’s Land. They were involved in the vandalism, so he asked them, “Why do you destroy the place where you live.?” As a result of Damarius’s neighborhood diplomacy (and courage), the vandalism has stopped.
Welcome to the 2018 “Turning the Wheel” at the Westin Boston Waterfront.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2018
The “Sunset Kings” are in from the ‘burbs for “Turning the Wheel”. Their signature song: “Hallelujah”, by Leonard Cohen.
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Michael Dowling honors Ife Franklin as Medicine Wheel’s “Woman of the Year, 2018”.
Check in at Medicine Wheel Productions’ “Turning the Wheel”
Michael Dowling, Artistic Director, welcomes his classmates from B.U. (Pam, Laurie, Lura) to Turning the Wheel” on Thursday evening, June 13.
Guests Barbara and Kathy respond to the art and to the vibe at “Turning the Wheel”.
Join us on lovely Richardson Park at Edward Everett Sq. in Dorchester to celebrate the neighborhood of “that big giant pear” and its first annual Pear Square Art Fair! Over a dozen art vendors will be making and selling their work in the shade of the Richardson Park fruit trees with crafts including handcrafted leather, copper, pottery, fused glass, painting and more. Enjoy food vendors and live musical entertainment all afternoon including pop musician Dan Rico from Chicago, local rock band Spelling and other musicians from the Dorchester area. The historic James Blake House will open its doors for a fascinating historical tour. In the early evening watch the amazing Boston Typewriter Orchestra and other live performances. Please join us and experience the fine art, music and fun our neighborhood has to offer.
Kairos Dance Theater performs at “Turning the Wheel”. The violinist is Emily Stewart.
The Pear Square Art Fair is presented in partnership with Dorchester Art Project, The Oleana Foundation, The Dorchester Historical Society and The Dorchester North Neighborhood Association.
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SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM
South Boston Student Volunteers in Camden, New Jersey Peter Welch of South Boston, a junior at Boston College High School, spent a most satisfying week, from June 17 to June 23, working at the Blessed Oscar Romero, S.J. Center in Camden New Jersey, one of the poorest and most racially isolated cities in the nation. We lc h w it h 8 of his cla ssmates a nd under the guidance of BC High English teacher, Kevin McLain and Mrs. Mary Sullivan of the BC High Student Affairs s t a f f, bu i lt re l at ion s h ip s with the poor of Camden. Their service took many conventional forms: volunteering at the South Jersey food bank, boxing buffer ingredients for poor people recently recovering after being discharged from the hospital; supervising, assisting, and engaging with dementia
Photo: L to R: Mary Sullivan, Thomas Keady, Coleman Gillis, Francis Thompson, Peter Welch, Brad Parillo, Jon Merrigan, CJ Martin, Pat Massman, Chase Congdon and Kevin McClain. patients of the Abigail House. One day they travelled to the Cathedral Kitchen to serve meals to the homeless and hungry. The boys also set up bowling lanes for wheelchair-
The Mass. Department of Transportation and the Mass. Department of Conservation and Recreation
bound, sport enthusiasts at the Inglis House; they gave hand massages to some very grateful, a nd of t e n s u b s e qu e nt l y very sleepy, seniors at Mercy Neighborhood Ministries; and played dominos against some ruthless sharks at the STARS Adult Medical Day Care Center.
“Wit h t he boys’ comfor t infringed upon,” said McLain, “ I am pleased to report that their reliance on each other and, more importantly, the peoples we have engaged with has bolstered all spirits and turned our hesitation into something productive and something good.”
Keeping Cool on Frog Pond
Invite you to a
PUBLIC INFORMATION MEETING regarding the
Day Boulevard Targeted Safety Improvement Project (State Police Driveway to Farragut Road) Wednesday, July 18, 2018 - 6:30 PM – 8:30 PM Curley Community Center 1663 Columbia Rd, South Boston, MA A public information meeting will be held regarding proposed targeted safety improvements along William J. Day Boulevard from the State Police Driveway to Farragut Road. A Road Safety Audit (RSA) of the corridor was conducted in February 2018; these safety improvements will focus on implementing the recommendations identified in the RSA for the corridor. The Curley Center is accessible. To request language or access accommodations, please contact MassDOT’s director of Civil Rights at 857-368-8580, TTD/TTY 857-368-0603, Fax 857-368-0602 or by email at MassDOT.CivilRights@dot.state.ma.us. Ø Please share this notice with others who may be interested in the project.
Youngsters from Boston and beyond cool down in the spray pool at the Boston Common Frog Pond minutes after it was turned on during the opening celebration on June 29. The Frog Pond spray pool is open daily from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. until Labor Day and managed by The Skating Club of Boston. For further information, please call the Frog Pond at (617) 635-2120.
SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, JULY 5, 2018
Librarian Frances Francis to Retire
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Two Car Collision
Frances (Francie) Francis is retiring from the South Boston Branch Library, which is part of the Boston Public Library system. During her long career with the BPL (42 years, 19762018), Francie was a power of example to us all. Through her front line management style, she personifies what Library public service and access means to the South Boston community and the community at large. Through the years, she has constantly and meticulously planned and organized countless Library events, functions, and displays, such as her classic film series (previously announced with her own artful, hand-written, amazing monthly posters), and annual events that included the Summer Art Festival, the Fall Fair, the Gibbons Lecture, and many more. She was always reaching out to South Boston by providing a venue for participation and involvement – Artist of the Month space to exhibit local artists’ work, use of the Lecture Hall for authors to give book talks, and a place for anyone in the community with something to share. Her interactive leadership style with the Staff, encouraging and supporting their creative ideas in community outreach, made for a very supportive team-focused and dynamic work environment. Through all of her years here, during the inevitable difficulties, hardships, and challenges, Francie’s unfailing integrity (interlaced with her humor and wit!) enabled us to carry on , move through, and be better for it – continuing to provide the best possible public service at the South Boston Branch Library. Thank you for all your exemplary public service through the years. “Fare thee well” in your retirement, Francie. NOTE: Francie’s last day is today, Thursday, July 5. If you are free, please stop by this afternoon around 3 p.m. to bid her goodbye in person.
Two cars collided in the intersection of Dorchester Avenue and O’Connor Way last Sunday evening. No serious injuries were reported, although one person was ambulanced to the hospital. Apparently, both cars entered the intersection, made contact, and veered into the corner building. The nearer car took out a light pole.
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