South Boston Today May 26 2022

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The City Of Boston Warm Weather Plan For Mass & Cass In the City’s own words – You be the Judge – Will This Work ?

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he City of Boston is committed to meeting the needs of individuals impacted by substance use and homelessness, as well as the needs of the communities

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May 26, 2022: Vol.10 Issue 21

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

May 26, 2022

EDITORIAL

We Spoke Too Soon

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wo weeks ago, the editorial in this newspaper spoke positively about how the massive crowds that flooded South Boston’s Beaches on the first real heat spell were relatively well behaved in the 90 degree plus summerlike weather. And they were. Oh, there were a few minor incidents of rowdiness, loose dogs kicking sand, as they ran over the blankets of beach goers and the occasional complaints about excessive drinking. But there was no violence reported anywhere up and down our shoreline from Carson Beach to Pleasure Bay. Police kept a watchful eye on things and were there to assist and answer

questions and did a great job. It looked like this coming summer would be pleasant and safe for beach goers if the first hot day of the coming season was any indication.

Well, that was then. But what took place this past weekend changed everything.

The word went out via social media ‘Snap Chat’ message to teens all over Boston and well beyond that Carson Beach was where the party would be over the weekend and told all to gather at a specific time. And so, they came.

Thousands (police estimate) of obnoxious, rowdy teens and 20 somethings answered the call and descended on

our community en masse and proceeded to ruin the weekend for families with small children and everyone else who just wanted to enjoy a fun and relaxing day at the beach.

Had the invading throngs of young people come to enjoy the water, sand and sun they would have been welcomed.

No one would have cared.

Everyone has the right to enjoy the beach. But no. The brawls broke out; F-Bombs filled the air along with the sounds, flashes and smoke from exploding fireworks being set off in the middle of the crowded beach. Heavy drinking and drugs being consumed and sold openly

was going on everywhere.

What started out to be a calm, peaceful and pleasant day at the beach quickly turned into a nightmare and it took legions of police to finally contain and disperse the rampaging crowds of punks. Yes, you read it right. We called them punks.

Witnesses on the scene reported that they truly believed that, had the police not responded as quickly as they did and with the numbers they deployed, there probably would have been serious injuries or worse among the brawling teens.

The fact that when police did respond, they were met with insults and even assaulted by some (not all) of the disruptive element.

What last weekend’s riot-

ous scene has proven is that there is no guarantee that summer at Southie’s beaches will be calm this season.

Because there are those who think they have the right to act up, cause trouble and ruin everything wherever they go and whenever they feel the urge. It has also proven something else: The irresponsible calls to cut funding and even defund police by certain left leaning politicians and activists who should know better must be strongly opposed.

To the ‘punks’ who wrecked what should have been a perfect weekend at Carson Beach, find somewhere else to act up. Better still, If you can’t control yourselves in public, stay the hell home.

“The way gas prices are increasing; it might be eventually cheaper to hire someone to push your car” - Marco Rubio

South Boston Remembrance and Tradition For Memorial Day The Thomas J. Fitzgerald VFW Post 561 invites the South Boston community to join them in their annual Memorial Day Services.

When: Sunday, May 29, 2022 Time: 9:00AM - Assembly at Post Headquarters located at 715 East Fourth Street 9:30AM - Parade/March to Medal of Honor Park for the laying of the wreath ceremony at the Vietnam Memorial.

Bring a flag and line the parade route to remember those who are no longer with us. God Bless.

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John Ciccone

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Information Center The

Don’t Blame The Cops. Blame Certain Public Officials SOUTH BOSTON TODAY John Ciccone

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n a personal note, over the years, I’ve had a lot of close friends who were members of law enforcement.

Many still are. Some worked for local town and city agencies, others with various states’ police forces and even federal and military. All of them; every last one of them, are/were dedicated public servants devoted to keeping the peace and protecting those in need. Like most people who have cops as friends, I’m proud to know every one of them. They often are called upon to put their lives on the line to protect the public safety. As far as I and most people are concerned, they deserve our respect and very special praise for the job they do. This all brings me to, among other things, the incident at Carson Beach last weekend.

Most people saw the news. Literally thousands of teens and young adults and some older adults with them, descended on the beach in answer to a social media call to come out and party. The thing is, a lot of them had different ideas of what the word ‘party’ means.

They didn’t show up to swim in the ocean or play football or volleyball in the sand or even kick back and enjoy a couple of cool ones. They came to act up, cause trouble, threaten and intimidate families on the beach and even each other, depending on which of the different neighborhoods they were from. They started fighting, shooting fireworks into the crowd, breaking bottles and pretty much raised hell. The situation was getting so bad, it had all the markings of a developing riot. It became so volatile that police were called out in large numbers to disperse them in the interest of protecting innocent people.

Note: talk back to John Ciccone by email at jciccone@southbostontoday.com

Now you would think that just like most places, when police arrive in response to a disturbance, things would calm down and people would get back to behaving themselves out of respect for law enforcement. But it seems that in Boston and some other cities in Massachusetts, as well as some cities around the country, that’s no longer the case. In fact, just the opposite is taking place. Instead of calming down, the rowdies take a police presence as a challenge.

Cops are met with insults and threats, and even violence. They are assaulted and antagonized by disrespectful little asshats.

But why are they doing this and why is this kind of disrespect of police officers becoming more frequent in certain cities? The answer is, they do this because they know they can.

They know that the odds are, they can pretty much say and do almost anything they want to a cop and get away with it. And why is that?

Because so many liberal or ‘progressive’ politicians and yes judges too, have sent out that message.

We have elected officials who demand that police department budgets get cut or even defunded. And yet, these same politicians don’t go ten feet without a police escort to protect themselves. They attempt to pass laws that hamstring the cops from doing what they’re paid to do.

Often in disputes between criminals and the police; some officials actually take the part of the criminals and refuse to back the police just trying to do their jobs and keep people safe. The complaint so often heard by arresting officers and even some court officers who look on in dismay, is that when the criminals, especially teens, are brought in for committing crimes, they are out the door and back on the streets before

the arresting officers even finish the paperwork regarding those arrests.

A number of liberal judges seem to be adding to the problem as they release felons with but a slap on the wrist, if that, and let them back out to commit more crimes. We all remember former Suffolk DA Rachael Rollins, who herself showed contempt for the law, actually provide a list of laws on the books that she said she wouldn’t enforce. Reports of brazen crooks, walking into clothing and other stores grabbing and just walking out with arm loads of merchandise, because they knew they wouldn’t be penalized for it.

So many people, tired of the turmoil they see, are asking what’s going on. Why, they demand to know are some people doing whatever they want to in spite of the law?

The answer can be found by looking to some of those people who have been voted into public office and their lenient, so called progressive, attitude when it comes to doing their jobs and not backing up the police.

The blame doesn’t fall on the cops.

They are doing their best, but often have their hands tied by people who are not fit or in any way competent enough to do the jobs they were elected or appointed to do.

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

Window Into The State House

Window Into The State House provides our readers a synopsis of important issues of interest, past and current, that are being proposed, debated or acted upon by the Massachusetts Legislature. Many issues that are not related to local city government services are acted upon and have a direct impact on daily life. They are tax policy, transportation infrastructure, judicial appointments, social services and health, as well as higher education.

We will excerpt reports from the gavel-to-gavel coverage of House and Senate sessions by news sources focused on this important aspect of our lives.

These sources include a look ahead at the coming week in state government and summaries and analyses of the past week, re-caps of a range of state government activity, as well as links to other news.

-- Wu now says she actually has read the Rose report This one is just a head scratcher.

After stating during a television interview on WCVB that she had only read the redacted internal affairs report on disgraced Boston cop Patrick Rose, the Globe’s Emma Platoff reports that Boston Mayor Michelle Wu now says she’s actually read the full report.

Wu is chalking it up to poor communication skills, but her answer last Sunday seemed pretty clear.

City Hall subsequently declined to clear the confusion until yesterday. Hmmm.

-- Outrage and grief and calls for action after Uvalde As new details emerged in the Uvalde, Texas school shooting, the country mourned the loss of 19 children and two teachers killed in the horrific attack. The attacker reportedly sent direct Facebook messages prior to the attack stating his intentions to kill his grandmother and shoot up a school before carrying out his plans. In Washington, Democrats and Republicans also found themselves in a familiar place at a standstill over expanded background checks and

other gun control measures following a shooting.

-- Riley hopeful to avoid state takeover of Boston schools The Board of Elementary and Secondary Education heard hours of public comment Tuesday on a scathing assessment produced by the state of the Boston School Schools, including elected leaders, many of whom urged an alternative to receiverships. CommonWealth Magazine’s Michael Jonas reports the Education Commission Jeff Riley did not make a recommendation Tuesday a day after the report’s release, describing his hope that the state and city can reach a mutual agreement within a week on a path forward.

-- Wu puts out plan for Mass. and Cass as summer approaches With the weather warming up and the streets a more hospitable environment for the homeless, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu announced a “warm weather program” to address the ongoing problems with vagrancy, drug use and crime in the area of the city known as Mass. and Cass, reports the Globe’s Milton Valencia and Sahar Fatima. Wu

early in her administration cleared the area of tents and attempted to connect the homeless with city services and shelter. BUt as the weather warms up and people have return, Wu’s plan would, among other things, “expand the presence of a joint public health and police outreach team in the area; prioritize cleaning up the area through street cleaning, and sidewalk repainting and repairing; expand street outreach capacity to ensure people have access to citywide support at all hours; and reimagine a city-run engagement center in the area as a space focused on medical and social services.”

-- Sheriffs say $20M won’t fully cover free jail calls The House already voted to make prison phone calls free. The Senate will consider an amendment to its version of the fiscal year 2023 state budget in the coming days.

But GBH News’s Sarah Betancourt reports that sheriffs worry the $20 million set aside by the House to reimburse for those calls won’t fully cover the cost.

-- Planned Parenthood workers seek to unionize

May 26, 2022

As the country waits for the Supreme Court to formally decide the fate of Roe v. Wade, the Globe’s Katie Johnston reports that workers at the four Planned Parenthood clinics in Massachusetts are unionizing before the influx of patients from out-of-state puts more pressure on their ability to do their jobs.

-- SJC rejects ExxonMobile bid to toss Healey climate lawsuit The Supreme Judicial Court on Tuesday rejected a request by ExxonMobile to dismiss a lawsuit brought by Attorney General Maura Healey that accused the company of misleading the public and its investors of the climate risk posed by its fossil fuels. Healey called the ruling a “resounding victory” that will allow her to proceed with the case and “Show how Exxon is breaking the law and to put an end to the deception once and for all.”

The AP’s Alanna Durkin Richer has more.

-- Budget talks revive debate over civil commitments for drug use Massachusetts is one of several states that allows for the civil commitment of people struggling with substance addiction for treatment, but WBUR’s Deborah Becker writes that it may be the only one to use prison as the setting for some men to get treatment. With the Legislature weighing how to fund Section 35 civil commitments, Becker digs into how the system is working and whether there’s an appetite for change.

REP. BIELE HOSTS SOUTH BOSTON CATHOLIC ACADEMY AT STATE HOUSE

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tate Representative David Biele hosted the South Boston Catholic Academy Student Council for a tour of the Massachusetts State House followed by a luncheon. The Student Council consists of students in grades two through six, many of whom are siblings, and were accompanied by teachers and parent chaperones.

The students were welcomed to the State House with a tour conducted by the Office of Secretary of State William Galvin, which included Doric Hall, the Great Hall of Flags, Memorial Hall, and the Grand Staircase, as well as the history of Massachusetts.

The Massachusetts House of Representatives was in an informal session during their visit and welcomed the Student Council into the House Chamber as guests of Rep. Biele. During recess, students were able to sit at desks on the House Floor, ask questions, and learn about how the Legislature and state government.

“My favorite part was going into the House Chamber and being able to sit at the desks and ask questions. Thank you Representative Biele for having us,” said Aayush Patel, Student Council Treasurer. “It was a great opportunity to learn and expand my mind about what happens in the State House.”

“I was happy to provide the students the opportunity to tour the State House and learn about the history of our state,” said Rep. Biele “They were able to see firsthand a Massachusetts House of Representatives session and saw how local

government works. My office would be honored to schedule visits for local students and schools in the community.”

Anyone interested in a tour of the State House can contact Rep. Biele’s office at 617-722-2460.

May 26, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

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SEN. COLLINS PUSHES INCREASES TO PUBLIC SAFETY BUDGETS Massachusetts State Police, Environmental Police, Community Safety prioritized

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tate Senator Nick Collins and his colleagues in the Massachusetts Senate have made public safety a priority with the proposed fiscal year 2023 budget. The FY23 Senate budget proposal makes investments across the board on public safety, from $441.7 million for the Massachusetts State Police, to nearly $35 million for the Commonwealth’s municipal fire departments, to $11.6 million proposed for the Municipal Police Training Committee.

Senator Collins sponsored two Amendments, one that creates the Peer Support Trust Fund, administering $1 million in grants for state and local law enforcement, and a second that funds the Boston Regional Intelligence Center with $850,000 for upgrades and expansion. The Senator is also co-sponsoring several amendments aimed at improving public safety. These allow the State Police to hire retired officers for public safety roles, restore more than $2 million in

funding to the agency, and provide an additional $1 million to Environmental Law Enforcement.

Community-focused efforts give $13 million to the Commonwealth’s Shannon Grant violence prevention and intervention program, and more than $10 million to create a neighborhood gun violence prevention program. There is still time to offer feedback on priorities and legislative issues to Senator Collins’ office.

Please do not hesitate to reach out.

The U.S.S. Kearsarge Re-Dedication is June 14, 2022

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n May 19,2022, the U.S.S. Kearsarge was returned to her rightful place of honor at Marine Park, surrounded by beautiful green space and the serenity the park has to offer. She is most commonly known as the “Anchor” and has been out for restoration thanks to the South Boston Allied War Council who undertook this task as a show of honor and respect to the men on the Kearsarge and the South Boston community. She now rests upon a new granite base which will have a plaque installed for the commemoration. Please save the date, Flag Day, how appropriate!

To our men and women in uniform... past, present and future God bless you, and thank you.

Castle Island Association

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

Mass & Cass continued from front page

in which they live. This commitment includes the Mass & Cass area, near the intersection of Massachusetts Avenue and Melnea Cass Boulevard. During warmer months, more individuals spend time outside in the area, increasing needs related to public health, public safety, and quality of life. To meet the increased need, this Warm Weather Plan enhances the City’s strategies for supporting both individuals accessing services and the surrounding neighborhood.

What does this plan aim to achieve?

Together, the initiatives in this plan aim to have the following impacts on the neighborhood: 1. Improve public safety 2. Improve health and cleanliness 3. Reduce overcrowding 4. Prevent encampments from forming Which City agencies will contribute to this collaborative approach?

The City’s Coordinated Response Team (CRT) - made up of over 10 departments that respond to the needs of unsheltered individuals and their surrounding communities - will implement the Warm Weather Plan. The CRT includes the Boston Public Health Commission (BPHC), Boston Public Works Department (PWD), and Boston Police Department (BPD).

Strategies the City is implement-

ing in spring and summer 2022: 1.Promote public safety through BPD and BPHC Public Safety The Boston Police Department will continue to promote public safety in the neighborhood, through close coordination among the Street Outreach Unit, District C6, District D4, and District B2, as well as specialized units including the Bike Unit, Human Trafficking Unit, and Drug Control Unit. BPHC Public Safety will promote safety around the Engagement Center.

• By the numbers: 24/7 operations i. At any given day and shift, the BPD has multiple units operating in the Mass & Cass Blvd area ii. Daily collaboration among internal and external law enforcement agencies 2.Increase presence of joint public health and public safety outreach teams BPHC street outreach workers and BPD officers are working together on a team to help individuals transition off the street during scheduled cleanings, offering information about how to access other services and transportation.

• By the numbers: Since an April pilot, 2 BPHC outreach workers and 2 BPD outreach officers have conducted outreach together to help individuals stay safe and connect to services.

3.Prevent encampments Under the Homeless Encampment Liaison Protocol, the City provides advanced notice and

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offers individuals services before removing tents and temporary structures on City property. The Coordinated Response Team will continue to implement the encampment protocol citywide, to prevent entrenched encampments.

• By the numbers: The City is adding 4 staff to support the CRT’s Citywide Encampment Response and SerVice Engagement (CERVE) team with resolving all tents and temporary structures on City property.

4. Increase street cleaning The Boston Public Works Department will conduct street sweeping on Atkinson St. and Southampton St. to reduce litter and promote a healthy environment for all.

• By the numbers: Through an April/ May pilot, PWD has added street sweepings multiple times a week.

5. Promote safe environment for accessing services at Engagement Center Given recent events concerning public safety in the neighborhood, BPHC is enhancing safety procedures at the Engagement Center to ensure continuity of critical services, including essential supplies, medical and behavioral health care, and access to substance use treatment and support.

6. Increase parking enforcement The City has posted “no parking” restrictions on Atkinson St, to make the street safer for vehicles passing on the road and for pedestrians passing on the sidewalk and will enforce these parking restrictions.

7. Make the neighborhood more beautiful and walkable The City will enhance graffiti removal and repaint crosswalks in the neighborhood, to create a more welcoming, safe environment for all those who pass through the neighborhood, including residents walking to services and jobs.

• By the numbers: In April, the City repainted crosswalks at 3 high-traffic intersections in the neighborhood. • By the numbers: In the summer, the City will fund community art projects through the

MCM Properties

May 26, 2022

2022 Paintbox Program and other city programs.

• By the numbers: In the summer, the City will begin a bike network project that will improve pedestrian safety on Massachusetts Avenue.

8. Increase outreach The City will enhance street outreach citywide by increasing the number of outreach workers and increasing coverage of overnight hours, to ensure critical homeless + harm reduction services reach individuals who are on the street inside and outside the neighborhood • By the numbers: Increase outreach with 6 additional staff 9. Open new day centers outside of the neighborhood The City will support communitybased providers with opening new day engagement centers in other areas of Boston, to increase the availability of places across Boston where individuals can spend time off the street and connect with services.

• By the numbers: Two new daytime spaces will open in summer 2022 outside of the MassCass area 10. Provide transportation and referrals to day centers outside of the neighborhood The City is piloting transportation to day centers in other areas of Boston, to support individuals with accessing services like hot meals and linkage to care. This program will use “warm hand-offs,” meaning that City staff will accompany individuals in-person as they arrive at the new provider site.

• By the numbers: A van shuttle is offering transport to 4 day centers.

11. Strengthen supportive services at low-threshold shelter and housing sites The City will enhance the medical care and housing navigation available on-site at the new lowthreshold shelter and housing sites across Boston, to ensure individuals have access to critical services in the place they call home.

• By the numbers: The 180+ residents of the 6 low-threshold sites will have access to primary care, behavioral health services, and a housing navigator.

mcmproperties.com

May 26, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

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Memorial Day Is A Time To Remember Our Fallen Heroes

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SBT Staff

he above headline is taken to heart by most long time South Bostonians. And the good news is that so many of our new arrivals feel the same way about this sacred holiday. Oh, don’t get us wrong, there is plenty of room for barbecues, spending time at our local beaches and even travelling to get away for the long weekend – the unofficial start to the summer season. But the deeper meaning, the reason for the day is of course to remember, honor and pay tribute to America’s true heroes. They served our country in the armed forces and willingly put their lives on the line and often lost those precious lives.

This they did so that all Americans could enjoy the freedoms and

liberties that our nation’s brilliant Founding Fathers envisioned for us when they created that amazing and unique document called the Constitution of the United States. The Founders were far ahead of their time, and we reap the benefits of their foresight to this day.

In 2022, things are mostly back to normal after being put on hold for far too long because of Covid-19. The ways in which some people usually celebrated Memorial Day last year were all but suspended but it should not diminish the spirit and feelings that go into the true meaning of this federal holiday moving forward from here on. The traditional parades had been cancelled, religious services were on hold and the special cer-

Remembrance of Memorial Day As you visit the cemetery on this Memorial Day please do not remove the coins you may see left upon the headstones, they have a special significance.

The Meaning of Coins On A Headstone A penny, you stopped and paid your respects.

A nickel, you attended bootcamp with them.

A dime, you served in the armed forces with them.

A quarter, you were with the soldier when they were KIA.

emonies with color guards; pipes and drums were far fewer. But the pride and respect for those fallen heroes still remained in the hearts of the patriotic and it would take a heck of a lot more than any virus to remove that pride. And we see no reason; no reason at all, that the traditions should not be returned to normal m- permanently.

What special meaning and significance the long Memorial Day weekend holds for people would probably depend on who you ask. And as was stated above, there is plenty of room for celebrating with outdoor activities – weather permitting and happy gatherings with family and friends.

But the fact that most Americans, the vast majority, still understand that this holiday means so much

more, bodes well for our country going into the future. That the political atmosphere among some segments of the population; including many of this country’s political leaders and operatives seems geared to discourage patriotism and pride in our military, the country as a whole is not buying into that, and it looks like now that it never will.

Our fallen military heroes laid lives on the line, and many gave all to make sure that the United States would always remain strong and free. Without the sacrifices of the fallen and in fact all of our veterans throughout our history, our country would not exist today – its as simple as that. Let us all remember that this coming weekend and be forever grateful for their service.

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

The

Wine Guy

The Delicious, The Few, The Torrontes

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hile most wine drinkers, especially those who love only reds, are big fans of Argentina’s outstanding Malbecs, you’d be hard pressed to name a white wine that enjoys the same kind of name recognition and supportunless you enjoy Torrentes. It’s a grape that has a pleasant bouquet of Apricots and Jasmine on its nose, is medium-bodied and has a crisp, fresh finish. Until recently, it was consumed almost exclusively at home and in a few neighboring countriesno more. You’ll be able to find more brands of this pleasing white than ever before in the US market; here are a few to start you off….

2020 Zuccardi Torrontés Serie A Salta Argentina, ($14.99). Sebastián Zuccardi is an Argentine Midas with a mile-long list of praise, including 99- and 100-point wines and back-to-back “World’s Best Vineyard” honors. However, when I tasted his Serie A I nearly forgot about all of that because this wine was the surprise of the tasting, with its crisp and exhilarating character.

Torrontés is a grape grown almost exclusively in Argentina that combines the aromatic complexity of Riesling and the bone-dry palate of Sauvignon Blanc. Zuccardi’s version is energetic and textured.

Its freshly cut pineapple, mandarin blossom, starfruit, and herb aromas are as dramatic and striking as its mountain home. On the palate, it’s dry and medium-bodied but clearly refreshing, with tropical fruit and cleansing acidity on a finish that lingers until the wine compels you to take another sip. This might be

your new Summer Standard!

Phebus Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina, ($11.49). From Argentina’s northern region of Mendoza comes this crisp and refreshing, oak-free wine made from 100% Torrontes. A nose of fresh cut lemons with a hint of lime is followed by layers of citrus on the dry and refreshing palate.

Pair with ceviche and oysters. The higher these grapes grow, the crisper and more refreshing the finished product is. Lemoncake, squeezed limes and other citrus notes emerge and are accompanied by a lingering finish. The fresher the seafood you serve this one with , the better.

Santa Julia Plus Torrontes, Mendoza, Argentina, 2019, ($9.99), is also emblematic of the value that comes with this quality wine. With notes of rose, orange peel, white peach, fruit salad, chamomile, and other aromatic herbs, this wine shows fineness in its aromas and flavors.

Bodega Santa Julia was created in honor of Julia Zuccardi, part of the third generation of leaders from the Zuccardi Family. The Santa Julia winery represents the family’s commitment to producing the highest quality wines through sustainable practices that protect the environment and uplift the local community.

Sustainable practices include organic farming, compost production, bottling in lightweight glass, and solar power in the winery. With Santa Julia in your glass, you can be assured that you’re drinking a high-quality wine that respects the land.

Lastly, my final selection, while not Argentinian, is made right next door, in Uruguay Lastly, my final selection, while not Argentinian, is made right next door, in Uruguay. Pisano Torrontés Río De los Pájaros ($17.99). Unlike Argentina and Chile’s Andean peaks and sprawling valleys, Uruguay’s vineyard regions fill a landscape of gently rolling hills. The terrain inspired the country’s 19th century immigrants from Spain and Italy to plant vines, which flourished in the abundant sunlight and cool breezes from the Antarctic. In Uruguay, everything is on the BBQ and this wine is a frequent companion; seafood, poultry and especially the country’s vaunted Angus beef all provide delicious complements.

May 26, 2022

The Story of the Poppy The poppy flower only grows in the absence of other flowers and only in ground that has been churned. In perhaps the best-known poem of World War 1, when Dr. John McCrae observed poppies growing between the crosses on the soldiers’ graves, it inspired him to write the poem In Flanders Fields. The poppy has since become known as “The Flower of Remembrance” and is worn in memory of our veterans.

In Flanders Fields

BY JOHN MCCRAE

In Flanders fields the poppies blow Between the crosses, row on row, That mark our place; and in the sky The larks, still bravely singing, fly Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow, Loved and were loved, and now we lie, In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe: To you from failing hands we throw The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die We shall not sleep, though poppies grow In Flanders fields.

May 26, 2022

SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

St. Peter Academy Franklin Park Zoo and Animal Craze In-House Fields Trips

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t was all about the animals last week at St. Peter Academy. PreKindergarten through Grade 6 took their annual field trip the Franklin Park Zoo. It was a perfect weather day for observing and learning about the different animals. We are so

fortunate to have the Franklin Park Zoo in our city. The Toddler Program enjoyed an in-house field trip in the playground with baby farm animals.

The company “Animal Craze” set up fenced areas and brought chickens, bunnies, a baby pig, a baby goat and a

baby sheep. The toddlers had a blast holding, petting and learning about all the farm animals. Both field trips line up with the Science and “Things that Grow” curriculum that the Academy is studying at this time.

St. Peter Academy is now accepting applications for the 2022-2023 school year. St. Peter Academy is an independent, community-based private school and serves students from ages 15 months through grade 6.

SPA is currently accepting applica-

9 tions for the limited spaces available in the year-round toddler program (beginning at age 15 months) and for students in Pre-K (School Year and Full Year Programs), Kindergarten and grades 1-6. Financial Aid Available. Two Scholarships will be offered this year for applicants for Grades 1 through 6. Appointments for individual virtual tours can be made by contacting Maria Blasi, at 617-268-0750 or by emailing spa@StPeterAcademy.com.

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SOUTHBOSTONTODAY • www.southbostontoday.com

South Boston Catholic Academy News

Extending Our Learning Outside of the Classroom

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he Student Council visited the State House for a tour with Representative David Biele. Students toured the building, learned about its history and were recognized on the House floor. Thank you to Representative David Biele and to everyone at the State House for making this special visit possible for our Student Council members at South Boston Catholic Academy.

The 3rd Graders had a chance to visit a very important historical landmark in our Massachusetts

history, the Plimoth Pawtuxet Museum. Plymouth Plantation changed its name to “Plimoth Patuxet,” founded in 1947 the museum replicates the settlement of the Plymouth Colony, established in the 17th century in honor of the Wampanoag name for the region.

The 3rd Graders got to have a small glimpse of what life was like for the Wampanoag before the Europeans came to North America.

The students loved boarding the Mayflower ship. They learned that the Pilgrims had originally hoped

to reach America by early October using two ships, but delays and complications meant they could use only one ship. The Mayflower is one of the most important ships in American history. This cargo ship brought the pilgrims to Massachusetts during the Great Puritan Migration in the 17th century.

These pilgrims were some of the first settlers to America after they established the Plymouth Colony.

On December 18 they docked at Plymouth Rock, on the western side of Cape Cod Bay. Against great odds, they made the famous 1620 voyage aboard the ship Mayflower and founded the Plymouth Colony. The students, also, had a chance to see the Plymouth Village and learned how the pilgrims adjusted to life in Massachusetts.

Thank you to all members of the

May 26, 2022

Plimoth Pawtuxet Museum for making this such a memorable experience for our 3rd Graders.

The students in K2 had a fun and exciting day visiting the Franklin Park Zoo where they had a chance to see and learn all about the many different and amazing animals that live there. Some of the children’s favorite animals were the Tropical Forest Animals, Lions, Red Pandas, Bird’s World, Gorillas, Wallabies, Ball Pythons, Crocodiles, Kangaroos, Baby Hippos, and Baby Ducks. Thank you to all of the staff at the Franklin Park Zoo for helping our K2 students see and learn about the various animals the zoo has from all over the world. New families are welcome to email Mrs. Jamie Brown at j.brown@sbcatholicacademy.org for more information about South Boston Catholic Academy.

May 26, 2022

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This week,

Danny reacted to Steph Curry not getting the credit he deserves:

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re we about to get a Celtics vs Warriors NBA Finals? I sure hope so.

I don’t really like the Celtics’ odds in that series, of course. But it feels like a Finals series that’s been years in the making.

Boston’s suffocating defense against Golden State’s explosive offense. Give it to us. The basketball world needs to see it at least once while Steph Curry is in his prime.

Again, I’d take Curry over the Celtics any day of the week, if my money was on the line. That’s no knock on the C’s. That’s just praise for one of the best players I’ve ever seen.

Yeah, I said it. Curry is one of the best players in he history of the NBA. And I believe he deserves to be in the “GOAT” conversation, along with the likes of Michael Jordan, LeBron James, Bill Russell, and Kobe Bryant, to name a few.

It’s truly amazing to me how Curry doesn’t ever get put into this conversation by NBA analysts on the big stage. In fact, I just watched a segment on ESPN the other day, in which former NBA guard JJ Redick said he’d

rather have Luka Doncic over Curry with the game on the line.

What an absurd take that is. I get that Doncic is a beast, and is absolutely one of the top players in the league right now.

But you’d rather have him over Curry? To win a big game? Game is on the line, and you would pick somebody not named Curry to take that final shot? We truly do live in a wacky world.

“We’re talking about right now, 2022,” said Reddick. “Who would you rather have with the ball, with the game on the line?

It’s clearly Luka Doncic. Think about all the stuff that you have to do, all the people you have to involve to get Steph Curry a shot at the end of the game.

Think about all the action you have to run. You know what you have to do with Luka? Give him the ball, he’s gonna create a good shot. Size matters at the end of the game.”

Oh. Redick pulling out the “size matters” take on ESPN as a way to explain why he would choose Doncic over Curry is something else. Read that quote again. It’s almost as if he realizes he’s wrong midway through.

So, let me get this straight, JJ. You don’t think the best shooter the game has ever seen can “create a good shot?” What a brutal take. Almost sounds like he’s jealous. After all, Redick was known for his shooting and his shooting only. The more I read his quote, the more I can sense a bit of jealousy on Redick’s part. I kind of feel like Redick is comparing himself to Curry in this quote.

No, JJ. Maybe you couldn’t create your own shot and win a big game. But Curry can. Sure, the Warriors draw up plays to get Curry the best look possible when it’s called for in the final seconds with the game on the line. But the idea that Curry “needs” the Warriors to draw him up a good play in order for him to put a dagger in another team’s heart is just downright stupid.

I’ve watched Curry his entire NBA career. I was telling you 10 years ago that he was “must-see TV” as he broke out as an NBA superstar. Still though, it definitely seems like there are too many NBA analysts who don’t give him the credit he deserves.

And that’s just crazy to me.

Curry has three NBA champi-

onships with Golden State. NBA analysts will immediately point to Kevin Durant being part of two of those championships. But what people don’t seem to remember is that Durant had to join Curry’s Warriors to win a title, not the other way around. Curry’s Warriors won a championship in 2014-15, without Durant.

And in 2015-16, Curry’s Warriors beat Durant’s Oklahoma City Thunder in the Western Conference Finals in seven games. Golden State eventually lost to LeBron and the Cleveland Cavaliers in the NBA Finals, but the point remains, Durant went to go play with Curry. Curry didn’t seek out a way to go join Durant in Oklahoma City.

I’m not trying to knock Durant, much like I’m not trying to knock Doncic. I’m just trying to understand why Curry isn’t added to the “GOAT” conversation more often.

Perhaps when Curry is the NBA Finals MVP this year, he will be.

Sorry, Celtics. Jayson Tatum will get his title soon enough.

Just not this year.

Follow Danny on Instagram @ DannyPicard.

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May 26, 2022

SPORTS TODAY WILFORK Tweet ELECTED TO of the PATRIOTS Week HALL OF FAME

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also named first-team All Pro in 2012, and second-team All Pro in 2007, 2010, and 2011.

“I remember playing and later in my career, you know, I had teammates I played with and they would tell me like, ‘Man, you’re a Hall-of-Famer, I’m playing with a Hall-of-Famer,’” said Wilfork in a call with the media last week. “But honestly, I can sit here and tell you, Hall of Fame never drove me to be the best that I can. I never once thought about the Hall of Fame when I started playing football, and I never once thought about a Hall of Fame when I finished. That was just never on my radar because I love football, my passion was football, so anything else that comes with it comes with it.

But I’m not one of those players that says,’ One of my goals is to be a Hall of Famer.’ No, my goal is to be the best teammate I could be, win a championship, and win a football game, that’s it.

“So, now it’s full circle, now I’m done, and now I can sit back and now I can say, ‘Ok, I’m a Patriots Hall of Famer.’ I see what it means now, more than when I played. When I played, I never once thought about it, I was just saying, ‘What can I do to make my team better and what can I do to win football games, how can I train, what I need to work on, what I need to fix, what I need to be better at.’ So now that I’m retired and now that it’s right in my lap, it’s like now I can sit back and just

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SBT Staff

n just his first year on the ballot, former defensive lineman Vince Wilfork has been elected to the New England Patriots Hall of Fame.

Wilfork is the 32nd inductee into the Patriots Hall of Fame, and he becomes the sixth player to be selected by the fans in his first year of eligibility, joining Drew Bledsoe (2011), Troy Brown (2012), Tedy Bruschi (2013), Ty Law (2014), and Kevin Faulk (2016).

This year, Wilfork beat out former offensive lineman Logan Mankins and former linebacker Mike Vrabel.

“It’s my pleasure to announce Vince Wilfork as our 2022 Patriots Hall of Fame selection,” said Patriots owner Robert Kraft. “For more than a decade, Vince was a dominant defender in the trenches and anchored some of the best defenses in franchise history. His contributions on the field propelled the Patriots to four Super Bowl appearances during his 11-year career. He was a big man with an even bigger personality and a huge heart. He quickly became a fan favorite in New England. I look forward to presenting him his Patriots Hall of Fame jacket.”

Wilfork was drafted by the Patriots out of Miami in 2004, with the No. 21 overall pick. He played 11 of his 13 NFL seasons in New England, winning two Super Bowls with the Patriots. The Pats had a 123-35 record in the 158 games Wilfork played in.

He was a Patriots defensive captain for seven seasons, and was selected to the Pro Bowl five times. Wilfork was

WHATTOWATCH

think about everything I’ve done, my career, the people that I’ve helped, the people that helped me. I can kind of put it all in a bowl and just say, ‘You know what? I’ve accomplished something that many players probably want to have in their career.’”

Wilfork and Tom Brady are the only two players to have a Super Bowl ring in the Patriots’ two separate championship “eras.”

Patriots coach Bill Belichick acknowledged Wilfork’s legacy in a statement sent out by the team.

“Vince exemplified all the things that define football greatness,” said Belichick in the statement. “Vince’s rare physical ability was obvious, but

it was his professional approach to the game, his competitiveness, toughness and dedication to the team that set him, and several of his teams, apart. Vince Wilfork is an all-time great player.”

Wilfork finished his career spending two seasons with the Houston Texans.

But New England will always be home.

“One thing I’ve always loved was the fans,” said Wilfork. “I love Boston fans.I mean, they are like family.

Everywhere I went, my family went, it was fans everywhere and there was nothing but respect. Even when I played in Houston, it was totally different. There’s nothing like New England Patriots fans. I’m here to tell you that, and I love them.”