Yearly Archives: 2016

Spanish class at South Boston Catholic Academy is much more than learning the Spanish language, it is also about exposing the children to different Hispanic cultures, showing them how the Spanish varies from one region to another and from one country to another and colorful traditions, games and festivities that occur in Hispanic countries, children learn the differences we have between countries and the similarities we have between people.  Children learn the names of the parts of the body by playing Loteria (Mexican bingo) and traditions such as All Souls Day, in Mexico it is dia de los muertos (Day of the Dead) held on November 1 and 2 with food, music and altars.  This is done in honor and memory of loved ones.  Our [...]

The first annual Stephanie Uftring Memorial Scholarship Walk took place on Saturday, November 5. Over one hundred walkers showed up at the Columbia Yacht Club to participate in this event while honoring the memory of this lovely lady. Stephanie Uftring was a lifelong South Boston resident who lost her battle to Colon Cancer in 2014. She was only 48 years old. She grew up in Boston Housing and was proud of her upbringing. She attended Saint Augustine Grammar School, Sacred Heart High School, and Johnson and Wales College. Education was important to her. Stephanie worked hard during the day and as a waitress at night. She always had a smile on her face and became well-known for calling her beloved customers “Lovey.” Stephanie was the [...]

South Boston is a neighborhood that values its veterans.  Highly. In a literal sense, there were Veterans Day observances all over South Boston.  The Thomas J. Fitzgerald Post (VFW, #561) made its annual march, which formed up promptly 9:30 a.m. last Friday morning, November 11.  Led by pipers, this march concluded at St. Brigid Church, where a Memorial Mass for South Boston’s veterans was said.  The JROTC detachment from South Boston High School also took part. The “Fallen Heroes” memorial observance took place in the Seaport/Waterfront District that morning.  Patriot Homes, the development in the old South Boston Police Station for housing needy veterans, opened and was dedicated that morning as well.  The sponsoring agency of Patriot Homes is the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation [...]

Mayor Martin J. Walsh today joined Congressman Stephen Lynch, the South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation and Caritas Communities, Inc. to celebrate the dedication and ribbon cutting for Patriot Homes in South Boston. The more than $12 million redevelopment of the former City of Boston D6 police station will create 24 new affordable apartments for veterans.   "Our veterans who have fought to uphold the values of American freedom deserve access to safe, affordable housing," said Mayor Walsh. "By working with South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation and our partners, we were able to transform an underutilized City-owned property into housing for veterans. Through this project, we are one step closer to housing all our Boston veterans."   The 16,979 square-foot development included the rehabilitation of the [...]

On Thursday evening, November 10, at the Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, Sister Maryadele Robinson and Billy Higgins, were recognized by The Charitable Irish Society as recipients of the Silver Key Award; for their commitment in helping new immigrants “meet their potential and to contribute to the rich fabric of American life…” Established in 1737 by merchants and traders, with Belfast backgrounds, this society is the oldest Irish Society in the Americas. The purpose of this organization is to “provide aid and assistance to newly-arrived Irish immigrants in the Boston area as they face the multiple challenges of adjusting to and assimilating into a new city and country.” Always inspired by their motto of “With Good Will Doing Service” this society’s mission of assisting immigrants in [...]

   It takes more than a single photograph to capture the effect of a so-called “Supermoon”.  The orb itself, viewed alone without any surrounding scenery, is huge and brilliantly tinged with perhaps a bit of orange.  Whether that’s caused by smog, moisture, or atmospheric refraction is a good question. But certainly, the Supermoon last Sunday and Monday came as close to Earth as our satellite ever gets – 221,000 miles away instead of its normal distance of 238,000.  That’s 8% or 17,000 miles closer.  Travelling 17,000 miles on Earth would take you from Boston to the North Pole and then down the Pacific side of the globe all the way to the South Pole. The reason for the Supermoon coming close to Earth is simple [...]

   Something over two years ago, many of Boston’s movers and shakers decided to perpetuate the name of the Honorable Raymond L. Flynn, elected Mayor of the City of Boston from 1984 until 1993 and then appointed Ambassador to the Holy See – the Vatican – by President William J. Clinton until 1997.  To accomplish this honor, the 30-person Raymond L. Flynn Commission was assembled; it was co-Chaired by Rosemary E. Sansone and Francis J. Doyle, Esq. The Commission went to work immediately.  To perpetuate the name of Ray Flynn might seem to be a task that’s easily accomplished – he’s already (and still) well known by most of Boston’s residents and those who work here.  However, a substantive monument in Ray’s honor required careful [...]

Partners with the Tierney Center and Boys Club By Kevin Devlin On October 19, Doc Wayne Services Inc. was named Beyond Sport’s 2016 Sport for Health Award Winner at the Summit and Awards event in London. Sponsored by Comic Relief, over 2,150 entries from 145 countries were considered for this coveted award. Doc Wayne’s Chalk Talk Group Therapy initiative was awarded this honor for “being an innovative way of delivering group therapy to at-risk youth,” said Doc Wayne Youth Service’s Inc. Chief Operating Officer, Rebekah Roulier, “…and for confronting the stigma surrounding mental health.” The Joseph M. Tierney Learning Center in South Boston on Mercer Street was Doc Wayne’s first site for the Chalk Talk program. Doc Wayne is now also working with the South [...]

New aquatics director realizing her passion By Kevin Devlin She started her new position as the aquatic’s director for the South Boston Boys and Girls Club last February and is enjoying the experience. Her name is Chelsea Phelan. Chelsea is the daughter of Thomas and Debbie Phelan. She also has an older brother named Thomas. She grew up in the city of Havre de Grace in the state of Maryland. Havre de Grace is located in Harford County at the mouth of the Susquehanna River and the head of Chesapeake Bay. The city is named after the French port city of Le Havre which was once called Le Havre de Grace. Chelsea went to the local high school and played on the varsity soccer team [...]

Acknowledging Mylah James By Kevin Devlin On a monthly basis during the schoolyear, the South Boston Neighborhood House, aka the Ollie, recognizes youngsters by announcing their “Student Spotlight” winner. These young members are spotlighted for their good behavior, being kind, caring and considerate, being attentive students, as well as just being super kids overall. Mylah James is the Ollie Spotlight winner for October. Mylah James, 8, is the daughter of Tiffany James. Her dad is Cornell, her stepdad is Cliff, and she has one sister and three brothers. Mylah is in the third grade at the James Condon Elementary School which is located on D Street. The Condon is “an innovative school serving students who reflect the rich diversity of Boston.”       The mission is to [...]