About Jeanne Rooney

Jeanne Rooney is the Editor in Chief for South Boston Online.
5 03, 2024

It Takes a Community: Sister Maryadele Robinson

2024-03-05T09:19:17-05:00March 5th, 2024|Categories: Education, Featured|0 Comments

By Carol Masshardt Since age 19, Sister Maryadele, of the Catholic Charities Labore Center, has been guided by her faith, and that has led her, surely and through experience, to work with and on behalf of those suffering. “I was always close to the church where I grew up in Syracuse, New York, and learned so much from the sisters along the way, but it was when I saw them in action at a nursing home that I began to understand the meaning of God in action and lives. Faith isn’t just a Sunday morning thing,” she said. Many know Maryadele as the former Director of Labore prior to her “retirement.”  It may be less known that she returned to the ministry that has meant [...]

4 03, 2024

Family Emergency Shelter in Fort Point Raises Concerns and Support at Community Meeting

2024-03-04T08:54:58-05:00March 4th, 2024|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on Family Emergency Shelter in Fort Point Raises Concerns and Support at Community Meeting

By Carol Masshardt Over two hundred attended a zoom meeting on Friday evening to hear and question the plan for  20-25  families to move into 24 Farnsworth St. Leaders from the collaboration with the Commonwealth of Ma., represented by Lt. Governor Kim Driscoll and her staff,  the United Way, the  Unitarian/Universalist Association (owner of the building), the YMCA of Greater Boston, and the Black Refugee and Immigrant Community Coalition, were joined by elected officials, Mayor Michelle Wu, State Rep. David Biele, City Councilor’s Ed Flynn, and  Ruthzee Louijeune on screen. Lt, Governor Driscoll addressed the need for “overflow shelter” as the state remains committed to offering basic safety and services to families arriving from within and beyond the state, and the current capacity issues. Far [...]

16 02, 2024

Recreational Cannabis Dispensary Requesting to Extend Hours

2024-02-16T09:49:05-05:00February 16th, 2024|Categories: Business, Featured|Comments Off on Recreational Cannabis Dispensary Requesting to Extend Hours

A virtual abutters meeting (via ZOOM) is now scheduled for Wednesday evening, February 28, at 6 p.m. Last October, Native Sun opened for business on their premises at 115 K Street, at the corner of East First Street.  The actual entrance to Native Sun’s premises is at 538 First Street.  Native Sun is a licensed Retail Recreational Cannabis Dispensary – the first of three total cannabis dispensaries that will eventually be granted licenses in South Boston.   It is owned by a business called Holland Brands SB LLC; it received its license from the Boston Cannabis Board.  And as you know, “cannabis” is Latin word that means “marijuana”. Recently, Native Sun decided they must expand the hours they are open for business.  In order for [...]

14 02, 2024

Friendship Celebrated for Valentine’s Day

2024-02-14T08:22:11-05:00February 14th, 2024|Categories: Featured, Happenings|Comments Off on Friendship Celebrated for Valentine’s Day

Regardless of gender, age, background or ethnicity, there seems to be a universal pleasure in talking about friendship. It makes sense given that research has shown again and again that having a friend improves mental and physical health. In a culture enamored with a focus on romantic love, friendship is less the focus but a special and steadfast kind of love. Reflecting a popular trend, florists and restaurants are pitching to a broader concept of people to honor as having special meaning in our lives. The history of Valentine’s Day is believed to echo back to about 500AD when it became part of the liturgical calendar for the Catholic religion commemorating martyred saints named Valentine. From that point, legends abound with the symbolism of fertility, [...]

5 02, 2024

Kathy Lafferty: Community Leader

2024-02-05T08:42:58-05:00February 5th, 2024|Categories: Education, Featured|Comments Off on Kathy Lafferty: Community Leader

Observant and energetic, Kathy Lafferty, Executive Director of the South Boston Neighborhood House, was shaped by early experiences on the same streets she can nearly see from her office on H St. “I remember looking at Bob Monahan and Helen Alex and thinking, Wow, you can grow up here, and then stay and make a difference.” That was, and continues to be, appealing to a woman who has now devoted thirty years to an organization where she went as a child and in a community she knows well. Five generations of her family have participated, including her own two now college age children with husband, Shine Lafferty, also of several generations in South Boston. As the youngest of five, she remembers with delight her early [...]

26 01, 2024

Councilor Flynn Selected to Serve on National League of Cities (NLC) Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee

2024-01-26T11:30:53-05:00January 26th, 2024|Categories: News|Comments Off on Councilor Flynn Selected to Serve on National League of Cities (NLC) Public Safety and Crime Prevention Federal Advocacy Committee

Councilor Flynn was selected to join the National League of Cities (NLC) 2024 Public Safety and Crime Prevention (PSCP) Federal Advocacy Committee. The selection comes in addition to the recent announcement of his selection to the Universities Communities Council. Councilor Flynn will serve a one-year term and will provide strategic direction and guidance for NLC’s federal advocacy agenda and policy priorities on public safety. As a member of NLC’s PSCP Committee, Councilor Flynn will play an important role in shaping NLC’s policy positions on issues such as crime prevention, corrections, substance abuse, municipal fire policy, juvenile justice, disaster preparedness and relief, homeland security, domestic terrorism, court systems and gun control. He will advocate on behalf of the City of Boston, as well as for other [...]

24 01, 2024

Cafe Porto Bello Takes the Pizza Crown

2024-01-24T12:54:48-05:00January 24th, 2024|Categories: News|Comments Off on Cafe Porto Bello Takes the Pizza Crown

We asked, you answered. The top vote-getter in South Boston Online’s Best Pizza in South Boston poll is … Cafe Porto Bello! What makes the pizza so good? Donna Palermo, who works at the restaurant on East Broadway, breaks it down: The finest Italian ingredients Fresh secret recipe dough And, of course, it’s made with love Eslin Hill, a pizza creator, added, “I’m the guy who puts the magic on it.” Then there’s the side of amazing homemade sweet Vidalia onion dressing that people dunk their slices in.  Cafe Porto Bello owner Steven Costa has been making pizza since he was 13 years old and has created the restaurant’s recipes. He estimates they make 700 pizzas a week, with Thursday through Saturday generating at least [...]

22 01, 2024

Sharing a Love of Reading

2024-01-22T12:31:26-05:00January 22nd, 2024|Categories: Education, Featured|Comments Off on Sharing a Love of Reading

For South Boston’s Linda Chiaramonte, it started a dozen years ago when she spotted a flyer at the library. Literation’s, a program designed to help students reach reading proficiency by fifth grade was seeking volunteers to help students at the Boy’s and Girl’s Club after school program. “My husband was quite ill, and I had to stay close, but also needed something. And I thought working with children, which I hadn’t done, would be good when I was so absorbed in illness,” she said. “There is fun and energy with young people.” She has continued ever since. Ellie Sullivan started eight years ago, when she wanted to do something meaningful and local. Both Linda and Ellie had leadership positions through their lives, and though each [...]

11 01, 2024

Celebrating Three Kings Day, Community

2024-01-11T18:00:08-05:00January 11th, 2024|Categories: Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle, News|Comments Off on Celebrating Three Kings Day, Community

City Councilor Flynn and South Boston En Accion Host Event City Councilor Ed Flynn and South Boston En Accion Executive Director Mercy Robinson celebrated Three Kings Day with a well-attended community supper Wednesday evening at the West Broadway Community Center. “I’m honored to partner with Mercy on this wonderful Three Kings event,” Councilor Flynn said, noting it’s an important day, especially in the Latinx community. “I just want to say thank you, Mercy, for the great work you do in the community.” Mercy was happy to see everyone come out for the event. “When we come together as a community, when we get to know each other as neighbors, we have love for one another. We really are changing the structure of the community.” At-large [...]

5 01, 2024

Senator Collins Announces Appointments to the SBCDF

2024-01-05T09:40:03-05:00January 5th, 2024|Categories: News|Comments Off on Senator Collins Announces Appointments to the SBCDF

Senator Nick Collins recently selected LTC Tim Murphy, MANG and Mrs. Haley (Dillon) Walsh to his appointed seats on the South Boston Community Development Foundation (SBCDF). “Tim and Haley know the community well having participated in many of the types of programs SBCDF seeks to support whether in their youth or now as coaches and supporters. I have faith that they know where the needs are and can help guide SBCDF with their fellow membership and execute its special mission.” LTC Tim Murphy was born and raised in South Boston, MA and currently resides there with his wife, Leah and 3 kids, Thomas (9), Molly (7) and Maddie (5). Tim is a 2002 graduate of the United States Military Academy where he played hockey and [...]

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