Sbol 08 17 17

THE PRINT EDITION

THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017

SUNDAY WEATHER

SATURDAY WEATHER 82°-69° Rain 50%

ND WEATHER

WEEKEND WEATHER

85°-65° SUNNY

VOLUME XVIIII - ISSUE 26

WinnDevelopment to Redevelop Mary Ellen McCormack Public Housing Boston Housing Authority designation begins major SATURDAY redevelopment of the historic South SUNDAY Boston housing community.

FRIDAY

W

inn Development Company, LP has been selected by the Boston Housing Authority to redevelop the first and one of the largest public housing developments in New England. Built in the 1930s, Mary Ellen McCormack (MEM) consists of 1,016 deeply subsidized apartments and row houses.

The proposed plan will rebuild the site into a vibrant mixed-income community with a thoughtful design that embraces the existing residents and connects with the surrounding neighborhood.

“The Mary Ellen McCormack redevelopment effort is another example of our commitment to

improving the quality of life for all Boston residents,” said Mayor Martin J. Walsh. “As the oldest public housing development in the city, MEM marks an important piece of our history and also serves as a significant example of how important and needed our public housing communities are. We must preserve this resource, and I look forward to this development becoming an even better resource and home for many. “ The proposed redevelopment would take place over four phases, paying close attention to the needs and concerns of relocated residents. The current proposal calls for a total of approximately 3,000 new units, including replacement continued on page 3

WEEKEND WEATHER

6th Annual Boston Seafood Festival on a Roll

FRIDAY SATURDAY SUNDAY

LEFT TO RIGHT: Ratnika Prasad, Joao Abreu, Bernard Sanchez de

Tagle, Katie Firth, Isabel Opice, and Marisa Rame at the Festival.

By Richard Campbell Sunday August 13th proved to be perfect weather for the Boston Seafood Festival, a rustic promotional event of all things seafood that draws New Englanders from the industry to entertain visitors to the South Boston Fish Pier. From the shucked shellfish, to witty chefs, and campy music-crowds soon

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gravitated to standing room areas that supported plenty of beer. Sponsored primarily by the Boston Fisheries Foundation to raise awareness of the state of the industry, as well as to promote products and services, the better part of the festival is local vendors offering their fresh seafood at cut rate prices. continued on pages 6-7

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

How We’re Creating Affordable Housing

By Mayor Martin J. Walsh

B

oston is a diverse city made up of residents of all backgrounds, all education levels and job sectors spread out over 23 neighborhoods. Some of us were born and bred here, some with families that have been here for decades, some received a wonderful education or job here and decided to make the move to this city. All these groups make Boston what it is today--a great city that’s full of great people.

But we have to do so thoughtfully. We have to build at a wide variety of income levels, to make sure that people of varying income levels have options for housing that are at the right price for them.

Together, this diversity makes us stronger as a city, and I believe that anyone who wants to live in Boston and make this city better should be able to afford to do so. And we know, a lot of people want to live in Boston these days.

Our housing plan, “Housing a Changing City: Boston 2030,” set out to create 53,000 new units of housing, across a range of income levels, by 2030. We recently released a new report that showed that to date, more than 21,000 units have been issued approvals and permits, and of those, more than 13,000 new units of housing have already been completed. Working together with everyone from affordable housing advocates and community residents to private developers, we’re beginning to see results that will benefit the entire city.

Our city is growing at historic rates. We will soon have more than 700,000 residents. But for many years, we have not been building enough housing to meet growth, and our increasing population.

When too many people compete for too few units of housing, the result is higher rents and sales prices. If we are going to make sure that Boston is an equitable city, we need to stabilize the market, and the only way to do that is to create new housing.

It’s critical that we create new affordable housing opportunities and preserve the affordable housing that we have. We’re building on the fact that Boston is a national leader in the creation of affordable housing. Nearly twenty percent of Boston’s housing stock is restricted to specific income levels, with the vast majority of these units serving low-income households. These restrictions also mean that these units of housing are protected from

the ups and downs of the market.

Even in the face of declining federal funds for affordable housing, Boston continues to create new housing for our low income residents. Since we started tracking progress on our housing plan, more than 1,600 new units for people with low incomes have gone into construction. Nearly 1,380 new units of affordable housing have been completed, and there are almost 1,130 more units in the pipeline.

We must also make sure that we are creating housing for our middle income population, because Boston’s middle class is integral to our success. We’re building middle income housing in two ways: by requiring developers to include deed-restricted middle income units in their market rate developments, and by working with private developers to find ways they can create housing at lower costs outside our more expensive downtown core.

Already, we have created more than 2,000 units of housing that have legal restrictions that will keep them affordable to middle income households for decades to come.

I’m confident that together, all of this new housing, at a range of incomes, will begin to relieve the

pressure that our growing population is putting on the market and that households at all income levels will have improved choice for housing options that they can afford.

To reach these goals, we are making sure that we harness the current building boom for the benefit of the entire city. Through policies like the Inclusionary Development Policy and Linkage, both of which require private developments to raise money for affordable housing, the city was able to allocate more than $54 million for affordable housing in Fiscal Year 2017 -more than $20 million more than we allocated in Fiscal Year 2015.

The result of all of this new revenue means that since 2014, our administration has been able to commit more than $100 million towards the creation of new affordable housing.

Boston is a city that takes care of its residents. Addressing rising housing costs is critical to preserving the diversity and character that makes Boston special. Our housing numbers show that we’re making progress, but there is still more work to be done. Our progress to date sets us up for continued success in the future, a future where Boston continues to grow stronger from its diversity and inclusiveness.

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CALL FOR RATES 617-269-5550 Correction: It Was MSGR. JOHN T. POWERS APTS. Chris Gregorio stopped in to point out an error to us that South Boston Online made in our last (AUG 10) issue, page two. Chris’s was entirely correct. In Online’s article “Ed Hamilton is 92”, we mistakenly reported the location of his Birthday party as the “Foley residences”.

In fact, the correct location was at the Msgr. John T. Powers Apartments.

We apologize to everyone concerned; that mistake was completely our fault. Chris also asked us to thank everyone for their cooperation at Ed’s 92nd: Cumberland Farms, the L Street Diner, and all those individuals who helped out before, during, and after Ed’s party.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017

panies CEO Gilbert Winn. “We recognize the property is old and therefore requires a major redevelopment effort. Our goal then, is to move through the formal approval process as quickly as possible while paying close attention to resident and community input.”

Winn Development... continued from page1 of all existing units, creation of workforce (middle-income) units, as well as market rate apartments and home ownership condominiums.

In addition, all units, regardless of affordability level, will be of identical quality and integrated evenly among the newly constructed buildings.

“We are excited and pleased with the selection of WinnDevelopment, LP for Mary Ellen McCormack,” said Tenant Task Force Executive Director, Carol Sullivan. “They heard us and listened to our ideas about how to make our development better; we are excited about this partnership and BHA’s choice.”

The WinnDevelopment plan was one of five proposals that BHA received in response to a Request for Proposals for the redevelopment in South Boston. A selection committee comprised of residents of the Mary Ellen McCormack public housing development and BHA staff reviewed proposals and interviewed all teams that submitted proposals. The Winn team received high points from the selection committee for its demonstrated model for strong resident partnerships and

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robust resident services, items which are a priority for existing residents at the site. BHA and the developer will kick off the design process by holding a series of resident and community meetings In the near future.

“Mary Ellen is a community that is near and dear to me; in fact I call it home,” said BHA Administrator Bill McGonagle, who grew up in the development. “Preserving housing developments by creating partnerships with developers who understand the value of community is key to maintaining our housing stock in this city. I am pleased with the selection of Winn and look

forward to working with the residents and the development team.”

As with previous BHA redevelopment efforts, residents will be offered relocation options that will include moves to other BHA public housing sites or Housing Choice/ Section 8 vouchers. Existing residents will have the right to return to the site after redevelopment.

“We are grateful for the chance to partner with the McCormack residents, the BHA and the City of Boston to redevelop this community into a first class mixed-income neighborhood,” said WinnCom-

BHA issued the Request for Proposals (RFP) for redevelopment of the Mary Ellen McCormack site as part of a wider strategy to upgrade and make sustainable its affordable housing communities in the wake of historic federal budget cuts. The creation of additional market rate and workforce housing will also further Mayor Walsh’s goal of creating 53,000 new units of housing by 2030.

Prior to issuing the Mary Ellen McCormack RFP, BHA issued a Request for Qualifications (RFQ) in November 2014, asking the non-profit and for-profit development community for ideas about how to preserve public housing units with decreased reliance on federal public housing subsidy, which has been shrinking for many years.

There is a copy of the RFQ and more information on the BHA’s funding situation in our FiveYear Plan on the BHA’s website.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Broadway – Both Old and New, Both East and West “Oh, East is East and West is West, and never the twain shall meet …” from The Ballad of the East and West, Rudyard Kipling, 1889

by Rick Winterson

F

irst, a bit of local history: Way back, Broadway was split into West and East Broadway at Perkins Square; the two east-west segments were (and still are) each about a mile long.

Over the years, West Broadway came to be known as “Big Broadway” because it was a much more popular place to go. East Broadway, even though it had its own movie theater and a bowling alley, was called “Little Broadway”.

Times changed, as they always do, and the attractions along “Big Broadway” began shrinking. For many reasons, East Broadway became the place to go. South Boston Online still makes its home here.

But over the past ten years, West Broadway has revived. It is popular and bustling once more. Now, East Broadway may be experiencing its own pattern of new growth.

One of these days, take yourself a walk along both Broadways. That’s two miles and 45 minutes or so of walking. South Boston Online has accompanied this article with a few photos that we hope contrast the old and the new things you’ll see. But experience them all for yourself – we couldn’t possibly squeeze everything into a single article.

Start at Broadway Station.

Notice that Amrhein’s, South Boston’s oldest restaurant (1890), nestles comfortably among newcomers like Stephi’s The Maiden, and Worden Hall. Look west to the skyscrapers in Copley Square; glance at the Gothic Sts. Peter and Paul Church, now containing striking condos – old mixed with new.

The new branch of the City of Boston Credit Union shares a wall with Rondo’s. Online wonders how many of the Credit Union’s

staff buy their lunchtime subs there. The residential developments up to D Street are many and still building. West Broadway is even the home of the Catholic Collaborative, a new type of Catholic Ministry Center covering many churches. And would you believe that Whitey’s Croke Park made “Best of Boston” this year? Ah, the old and the new.

From E Street to Perkins Square, there are too many new establishments to name completely, but credit is due to Sweet Tooth Boston for starting that trend to the west. The newest of the new includes Certified Meatball Company, Caffe Nero (“Black Coffee”), and GoGarbaj (opens in September). Check your pronunciation (Go Gar ‘BAJ) on that last one. But old favorite Cafe Arpeggio has been there a while, and it serves good ice cream as well.

Around Perkins Square, Salsa’s is becoming a sushi shop, as yet unnamed. And construction on Mike and Darlene’s news store/ lottery and Dunkie’s will soon bring us something or other that’s new. On your walk, climb the hill that begins East Broadway and note that old favorites Java House and South Boston Bowlarama are still there to greet you. Charlie Federico’s Bike Shop serves you at Emerson and East Broadway.

From there on, East Broadway becomes quite a mix of old and new, but relax, it’s a downhill trek to L Street. You’ll see locavore American Provisions, two blocks from the Stop & Shop anchoring East Broadway near L Street. Old South Boston favorites like Porto Bello and Cranberry Café are across East Broadway from the (much) newer Roza Lyon and Paramount. And there are always new nail shops. As a visible commentary on the times, note that Starbucks has moved in at L and East Broadway, while Bailey’s right across the street has closed. continued on page15

Amrhein’s, since 1890 – South Boston’s oldest place to celebrate.

Residences anchored by Broadway Lock on the left and the Orthodox Church to the right.

Sweet Tooth was a pioneer on West Broadway; now it’s a successful establishment.

Opened ten days ago, and yes, they primarily serve meatballs.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017

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Massport Awards Annul Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship South Boston graduate receives $5,000 award for college The Massachusetts Port Authority (Massport) yesterday announced the recipient of the annual scholarship honoring the memory of Tommy Butler, the long-time Massport Director of Government and Community Affairs and son of South Boston. The 2017 Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship was awarded to South Boston resident Thomas Bohan.

“We are thrilled to award Thomas with the Thomas J. Butler Scholarship. He has shown a strong commitment to following in Tommy’s footsteps with his service to his community and we wish him the best in the future.

He has excelled as both a volunteer and an advisor and that represents what we were looking for

when we established the scholarship in memory of our friend and colleague Tommy Butler,” said Massport CEO Thomas P. Glynn.

The Thomas J. Butler Memorial Scholarship is awarded annually to a student who resides in South Boston, is graduating from high school and has been accepted to an accredited college or university. Bohan is a graduate of Catholic Memorial High School, volunteers his time with the Stretch Walsh Gym where he mentors youth, assists with instructional basketball and youth counseling. He will be attending St. Anselm College and majoring in Political Science. In his essay, Bohan said “growing up in the South Boston neighborhood has taught me so much about family, loyalty, friendship and charity.”

Butler was the former mayor of the South Boston Boys Club, Youth Counselor and then Director of Little City Hall in

Charlestown, former president of the South Boston Citizens Association and member of the South Boston Irish American Society. When he arrived at Massport in 1987 as a manager of intergovernmental relations, he was a licensed social worker who had worked in the Boston Juvenile Court, and for the City of Boston.

To be considered for the

Thomas J. Butler Scholarship, students are required to have a minimum 3.0 grade point average and submit an essay of 1,000 words describing their career interests or how their community service has affected their outlook on life. Scholarship essays are judged by a committee made up of Massport employees and a representative of the Butler family.

Our New South Boston Branch is Now Open at 130 West Broadway!

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM SEAFOOD FESTIVAL...

continued from page 1 One of the most important items on the agenda is to get yourself some fresh oysters or cherry stones, and venerable John Nagle Company, founded in 1887, housed on the Boston Fish Pier, had a few shuckers on hand to deliver mouth-watering shellfish. Next stop would be to grab a good lobster roll, and here South Boston’s own Yankee Lobster proved once again to have the winning ingredients of big pieces of fresh lobster nestled in the hot buttery roll. Washing this down with a Harpoon IPA, and you’ve got the bases covered- or do you?

The cooking demonstrations had a more sophisticated audience, with limited seating and small stage appeal, the chefs created recipes that looked and smelled great, and people wanted to try, but sampling was limited. The shucking contest, sponsored by Manutuck Oyster Farm, certainly had more appeal to this seafood novice than the fish cleaning contest- no thank you from this spectator. SBO had a chance to interview Tom Lanigan, a professional shucker at the Harpoon bar, celebrating his 22nd wedding anniversary to Lori Lanigan, who are both veterans of the festival.

At the edge of every discussion about seafood was the frightening realization of the crisis the industry finds itself in, from over fishing to pollution, as well as the various efforts to bring about more sustainable aquacultures in New England. There were informational booths, like the Ask the Nutritionists table that assured me that it was okay to buy the farm raised salmon because it is less likely to have been exposed to pollutants.

Free sample drinks from Hubert’s Lemonades were offered up with glowing sweetness to the parched masses. The arts and crafts exhibits were limited, but enough to draw interest for a short period of time. Suzanne Fareri’s, framed

The Coventures Crew! glass pieces were a standout, as well as the metal creature sculptures by George Chambers. The Wheelhouse Rodeo Band provided blue grass with a foot stomping beats, ample plucking, dressed up pirate to milk every seaport cliché.

There was something not convivial about the mainstage planning- not big enough to be arena entertainment, and not intimate enough to support a gathering.

Too many vendors lacked originality that would put this over the top, and upgrades in ambience await some design magician.

I was looking for an oversized aquarium replete with a giant octopus. Part of this impression is it’s a festival that closes up shop before sundown, missing out on the glittery carnival appeal of the North End’s Fisherman’s Feast. By the time Ayla Brown appeared, things were winding down, and her sweet crooning seemed an appropriate swan song to the prematurely ending festivities.

Sculpture Art by George Chambers

Matt Byron & Lauren Stone Answering Nutrition Inquiries

Wheelhouse Rodeo provided down home bluegrass music.

Commodore Samuel “Weird Beard Hain, and Jeremy Fagiano Smee

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017

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SEAFOOD FESTIVAL... continued from page 6

Chef Juan Pedrosa cooking, from Yvonne’s, Boston

Lori & Tom Lanigan on their 22nd Wedding Anniversary!

Joe Nagle of John Nagle Seafoods offers oysters.

Artist Assistant Tracy holds glass work by Suzanne Fareri

Ella Harty & Rawiya Ali

Staff of Fishing Partnership JJ & Jake Bartlett

Free Hubert’s Lemonade!

Mayor Martin J. Walsh presents

Free food and entertainment-a magician, balloon animals, a bounce house, and more!

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

SB Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Recipients

L-R: Tricia Murray, Annie Coyne (Awardee - Ed Sheehy Sr. Memorial Award), Jack Sheehy (Sheehy Family Rep.), Tommy McGrath (Fund Trustee).

The 2017 Scholarship Grant Winners: Annie Coyne, Emmett Forde, Ethan Shaffer, Kerry Keaney, Aiden O’Toole, Sean Coyne, Nolan Rooney, Eric Lopes and Thomas Bohan.

The South Boston Sports Hall of Fame Scholarship Trust Fund Board of Trustees announced the scholarship grant awardees for 2017, the 23 rd year of our successful program. Due to the outstanding support from the South Boston Hall of Fame Members, business and fraternal groups, educational foundations, friends of the South Boston community and the success of our annual “Bob Nichols Memorial Golf Tournament”, the “Board” approved eleven (11) two thousand dollar (#2000.00) grants for 2017. One of the grants was funded by the “L” Street Brownies Association, one by the Massachusetts Port Author-

ity Charitable Giving Program, one by the Folan Waterproofing and Construction Co. of South Easton in memory of deceased members of the Folan and Feeney families, one by Sona Nichols in memory of her late husband and co-founder of the trust Bob Nichols, one by the South Boston Youth Hockey Association in memory of John Cunniff, two by the Ed Sheehy family in memory of Ed Sheehy Sr., one by BucciChallenge funded by John Buccigross and three (3) by the Scholarship Trust Fund. Since our inception in 1995 we have awarded total grants of two hundred and thirty three thousand dollars ($233,000.00).

L-R: Margaret Hurley, Dianne Lopes (M0ther), Eric Lopes (Awardee), Fred Ahern (Fund Chairman)

L-R: Ray Flynn (Fund Trustee), David Cunniff (Cunniff Family Rep.), Nolan Rooney (Awardee - John Cunniff Memorial Award), Tommy McGrath (Fund Trustee).

L-R: Kay Forde (Mother), Sona Nichols (Bob’s Wife), Emmett Forde (Awardee Bob Nichols Memorial Award) Moss Lynch (Fund Vice-Chairman).

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017

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LR: Chris Delaney, Bruce Shaffer, Noelle Shaffer, Ethan Shaffer (Awardee Hall of Fame Trust Fund Award), Laura Delaney (Fund Secretary), Johna Shaffer (Mother), Dan Snow.

L-R: Kathy Davis (Fund Trustee), Aiden O’Toole (Awardee -Folan Family Memorial Award), Rose O’Toole (Mother), Joe O’Toole (Father), Susan Woods (Fund Trustee).

L-R: Peter Coyne (Father), Lori Coyne (Mother), Tricia Sheehy (Sheehy Family Rep.), Annie Coyne (Sister), Sean Coyne (Awardee - Ed Sheehy Sr. Memorial Award), Jack Sheehy (Sheehy Family),Tommy McGrath (Trustee).

L-R: Lisa Keaney (Mother), Lola Carbona, Ed Buccigross (Fund Treasurer), Kerry Keaney (Awardee - Bucci-Challenge Scholarship Award), Little Princess, Amb. Ray Flynn (Trustee), Moss Lynch (Fund Co-Chairman), Joe Keaney (Father).

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Boston Comicon Invades Convention Center

By Richard Campbell

T

here is probably no building more suited to the Boston Comicon than the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center, with its strikingly similar design to the Star Ship Enterprise, space geeks would most certainly feel right at home at this Fan Expo. This past week August 11th-13th, a full scale invasion commenced, and no, I’m not referring to North Korea. With well over 50,000 fans and 500 exhibits, the Comicon draws exhibitors from all over the country, but my non-scientific poll would place the majority of the fans to hail from New England. One thing that is very apparent, besides the scale of the event, is that it attracts a pretty diverse audience. I was under the impression that the event would draw primarily children, but not somany adults were getting their geeks on, dressed in homemade costumes, attending “panels”, snapping selfies and waiting in long lines for autographs of their favorite artists.

Dominated by Fan Art (art that copies famous graphic novel and

cartoon illustrations, but is not by the original artists) comic book, and graphic novels, Comicon also features Cosplay- that is people dressed in costumes resembling their favorite characters. All sorts of fandom mediums were available for purchase: from video game demonstrations, anime, on the spot portrait artists, costumes, and t-shirts, tchotchkes, posters, swords, pendants, figurines, flooded the hallenough to fill several large landfills.

Anthropologists who discover the remains of these individuals are going to have their hands full, I’ve never seen such plethora of conflicting visual symbols and outrageous identities. While I was familiar with comic book superheroes like Superman and Batman, and serial money makers like Star Wars and Star Trek as profitable franchises, I never knew there was so much money in the subcultures invented by individual artists- but holy cow, talk about a profitable event.

There are also groups of artists who form their own quirky community, continued on page 11

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Giant wall art was on display, depicting Comicon favorites.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017

Comicon Invades Convention...

Graphic Novelist Daniel Cooney

Jack Sparrow toasting the events.

Fan Art painted on metal.

Steam Punker Lucas Merriweather

Graphic Novelist Philip Adams

Illustrator creating Portrats.

continued from page 10

Of more interest to adult readers who have past the Hulk and Spiderman phase, are the graphic novels. Here I do reveal my age when I say they strike me as being well produced comic books, but having read some of the “accepted” or “serious” versions of this genre, like Maus or Persepolis, doesn’t really qualify me to pass judgement on the trendier or zanier new materials. I met up with graphic novelist Daniel Cooney, who recently penned “Tommy Gun Dolls: Masked Maidens, Murder, Mayhem, and Bathtub Gin” a story of prohibition era burlesque dancers who fight the mob in San Francisco- that reminded me of the musical Chicago. Let’s just say that if edgy is the intended goal, Mr. Cooney has succeeded.

Another graphic novelist, Philip Adams was signing his most recent work, “Blood of the Summoned” that is billed as a paranormal thriller, and involves Anglo Saxon vampires.

Evidently, he did not sign his books in blood! I am afraid that though I have an interest in science fiction, the whole vampire, doom, zombie thing is too trite for me- but one could see the artistry in the graphic novel genres. Underneath a lot of schlock, there were some serious artists exhibiting work that approached fine illustration.

One might be amused at how enthusiastic these reveling fans are for their various niches in the Comicon world, but I began to get the idea that a certain amount of this fantasy was harmless escape from the real world. Given that situation recently, it is no surprise what a success these events are across the country.

like the Steampunks of New group members, “The Citizens of Antiford”, an imaginary kingdom of Steampunkers who take their craft more seriously than some people take their actual existence. The character “Lucas Merriweather Buford” is a pacifist, technological evangelist, and engineer, the producer of the Buford Automation Company. He sports his engineered mechanical arm for me, and introduces me to a lady who is more Alice in Wonderland than Steampunk.

Then there are the artists, from legendary comic book creators like Stan Lee, of Marvel Comics who helped create the Incredible Hulk, X Men, the Fantastic Four and Iron Man, as well as the not so legendary, but cult worthy movie actors like Anthony Daniels, who portrayed C-3PO in Star Wars, Gillian Lee of the recent Doctor Who fame, or Rocky Horror Picture Show’s Tim Curry.

Serious Illustrators dotted Artists Alley

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Star Wars has achieved cult status.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Gospel Night, 2017! At the Fourth.

“Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all the Earth: Make a loud sound, and rejoice, and sing praise.”

Ps. 98-4

by Rick Winterson

T

wenty-two years ago, in 1995, the tradition of Gospel Nights at South Boston’s Fourth Presbyterian Church began. Last Saturday evening, August 12, the 23rd Annual Fourth Church Gospel Night took place. This Gospel Night might have been the best one ever. An enthralled congregation – an audience, actually – clapped, sang along, jumped to their feet, and bore witness to the beautifully rendered Gospel music, a uniquely American creation.

A last-minute addition will illustrate how good last Saturday’s program was. Among his many accomplishments, Gospel singer and pianist Jetro da Silva once taught at Berklee. He also toured with Whitney Houston for many years. Last week, he was in Boston from LA, heard about Gospel Night, and offered his services as a soloist (both piano and vocals) and an accompanist. His wife Mina sang “How Great” with him. Rumor has it that Jetro may resume teaching at Berklee – let’s hope so.

The Roxbury Presbyterian Church Choir was another featured group at Gospel Night, accompanied by Jetro da Silva.

Their tuneful, melodic approach to Gospel was a fine counterpoint to the evening’s roster as a whole.

And you may know that the Pastor at Roxbury Presbyterian is the Rev. Liz Walker, a favorite of TV news viewers for many years before she took holy orders.

The duo who calls themselves “Devoted” is Edmond Bullock (yes, he’s one of the Bullock family’s singers) and Gisela Morgan Bullock – a mellow baritone and wide-ranging mezzo, respectively. How sweet they were.

Vocalist Mina da Silva Sings at Gospel Night.

The Summer Singers are local Fourth Presbyterian favorites, led by Fourth Church’s Pastor, the Rev. Burns Stanfield. The Summer Singers are so accomplished and exciting to hear that we can only mention some of the high points of their performances last Saturday. Lauren Basler soloed on “Every Day Is a Day of Thanksgiving”, accompanied by guitarist Tim Sanchez.

Bassist Andy Ward and Michelle Sanchez performed prominently, as did violinist Betsy Pabon and long-time Summer Singer Shorty Henry. Perhaps the high point of the performance was the multipart rendering of “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho”, arranged and emphatically conducted by Rev. Burns. It moved, “and the walls came tumbling down!”

Famous pianist Jetro da Silva and Rev. Burns Stanfield warm up the Roxbury Presbyterian Church Choir prior to Gospel Night.

Rev. Burns Stanfield vigorously conducts the lively “Joshua Fought the Battle of Jericho” in multiple parts.

Gospel Night closed with “The Love Tones” trio, who entered and walked up the nave aisle singing, accompanied by Nate Haywood. The trio members are Walter Cooper, Stephen Cooper, and Kenny Haywood.

As they neared the end of their inspiring set of Gospel music, the congregation came to their feet and raised their arms in witness.

Refreshments were served afterwards. All in all, it was quite an evening. Don’t miss Gospel Night next year. You’ll hear divine music that began here, and is still unique to America.

Nate Haywood accompanies “The Love Tones” trio – Walter Cooper, Stephen Haywood, Kenny Haywood.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017

The Fourth Church Summer Singers make a “joyful sound”, with Betsy Pabon on violin.

“The Love Tones” bring the audience members to their feet during the Gospel Night’s finale.

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Summer Singers Lauren Basler and Tim Sanchez – “Every Day Is a Day of Thanksgiving”.

The melodic Roxbury Presbyterian Church delights the congregation with their Gospel Music.

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THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017 SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM

Parking Available: Garage parking available immediately on Columbia Road $400. per Month Contact Tracy at 617-877-1791 Or email

tracyvineyard@gmail.com

EMPLOYMENT NOTICE S&R Corporation is looking for local experienced operators and laborers for our South Boston project. Please send us your resume or contact us at humanresources@sandrcorp.com for details. EOE. Females and minorities are encouraged to apply. Signatory to local operators and laborers unions.

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Though there are some select cell phone cameras that can meet this standard, many do not, and the pictures from them will not print with decent clarity. We accept the following image formats: jpeg, tiff, and pdf. We reserve the right to refuse images that will not print correctly, or are not considered appropriate for our publication.

SOUTHBOSTONONLINE.COM THURSDAY, AUGUST 17, 2017

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Broadway...East and West continued from page 4 And The Playwright has temporarily closed, as has the Boston Beer Garden. But they’ll reopen later this year, sporting names like “Boomtown” and “The Broadway”. Oh well, perhaps that will lead to more new enterprises along East Broadway. At this time, South Boston Online will have to say that West Broadway is once again “Big Broadway”. Perhaps we should arrange a South Boston Olympics between East and West Broadway in 2024. How about beach volleyball matchup with the two Broadways in Perkins Square, on sand trucked in from M Street Beach?

Cafe Arpeggio has been there a while and serves good ice cream.

American Provisions for locavore gourmets.

Stapleton Florists on East Broadway.

The old Molly’s, then The Playwright. And now “Boomtown”?

Still an old favorite place to go – Porto Bello.

Will The Boston Beer Garden morph into “The Broadway”?

Two more favorites: Cathe Walsh and her Cranberry Café.