About Jeanne Rooney

Jeanne Rooney is the Editor in Chief for South Boston Online.
5 05, 2022

Growing Kindness: Volunteers Prepare Mother’s Day Plants for Seniors

2022-05-05T13:53:09-04:00May 5th, 2022|Categories: Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Growing Kindness: Volunteers Prepare Mother’s Day Plants for Seniors

By Ginger DeShaney The mother-daughter duo of Karen O’Leary and Nichole Mikshenas are regulars at the Lynch Campaign Mother’s Day Plant Night.  Karen has been volunteering for this annual event for 21 years. “It’s fun,” said the Southie resident. “It feels like we’re doing something good.” A room full of volunteers gathered at Plumbers Local 12 Union Hall in Dorchester Wednesday night, May 4, to wrap foil around 7,000 plants and prepare them for delivery to seniors across the area.  “This is great,” Congressman Stephen Lynch said as he looked out over the room. “They’ve got it down to a science. It takes just a couple of hours.” That’s thanks in large part to Nick Zaferakis, the organizer/coordinator. This Mother’s Day event has been going [...]

30 04, 2022

All Aboard the BioBus! Next Stop: Discovery

2022-04-30T14:08:18-04:00April 30th, 2022|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on All Aboard the BioBus! Next Stop: Discovery

By Ginger DeShaney The BioBus was in South Boston Saturday, April 30, and will be back tomorrow, May 1, in conjunction with the City Nature Challenge, a four-day international bio blitz, said Rachel Vincent, a biological science technician with the National Park Service. In a joint effort between the New York-based BioBus, the National Park Service, Boston Harbor Now, and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, the bus is parked in Moakley Park across from the Carson Beach Bath House. The bus will be open tomorrow, May 1, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The City Nature Challenge started April 29 and continues through Monday, May 2. According to Rachel, the city challenge started in 2016 and Boston joined the competition in 2017. Hundreds of [...]

29 04, 2022

Look Who’s Cooking!

2022-04-29T11:00:24-04:00April 29th, 2022|Categories: Business, Featured|Comments Off on Look Who’s Cooking!

    By Carol Masshardt (This series will focus on local chefs) Moonshine’s owner/chef, Asia Mei, could be doing a million things successfully. A Boston College graduate in Biology and Economics with minors in Film and Education, Asia, 40, was a competitive gymnast and has enough sustained intellectual and physical energy to take on most any challenge. She is a keen observer even as she moves at an Olympic pace. “I had a revelation that people had a passion for what they were doing, and I only hoped that I would find something that was mine,” she said of her early experiences. It would not have been easily predicated that this oldest child or Chinese immigrant parents from Silicon Valley, California would be so totally [...]

28 04, 2022

Guardian Angels: Julie’s Honors Ann D’Auria, Dianne Driscoll at Spring Event

2022-04-28T17:44:52-04:00April 28th, 2022|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Guardian Angels: Julie’s Honors Ann D’Auria, Dianne Driscoll at Spring Event

By Ginger DeShaney Ann D’Auria and Dianne Driscoll are guardian angels for countless women and children at Julie’s Family Learning Program. “I marvel at their passion and their dedication. This is not easy work,” said Julie’s Executive Director Bob Monahan. “You have to have the right qualities as a staff person to be effective. Their commitment to the mission of Julie's is just extraordinary.” For their amazing work, Ann and Dianne will be celebrated as Angels at the Julie’s Spring Event on Saturday, May 7, at Florian Hall in Dorchester. “They came with all of the credentials, all of the passion, all of the full engagement in the mission of Julie’s, which really put them in the best position to be extraordinary,” Bob said of [...]

24 04, 2022

Making an Impact: Boys & Girls Club Promotes Four 

2022-04-24T10:13:11-04:00April 24th, 2022|Categories: Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Making an Impact: Boys & Girls Club Promotes Four 

By Ginger DeShaney  Jennifer Nunez, Angela Huber, Stephanie Greene, and Izzy Gonzalez are always there for the kids in Southie, providing a safe haven. “You know the phrase, be the person you wish you had when you were younger?” asked Stephanie. “We are trying to do that. “We want to make an impact on young people.” In recognition of their work ethic, talent, positive attitude, and heart, Jennifer, Angela, Stephanie, and Izzy have been promoted at the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club. “Living in South Boston, I see the kids in the neighborhood,” said Jennifer. “Knowing they have a safe place after school is important.” Angela added that some kids may not have a stable home life or a good support system. [...]

22 04, 2022

Sharing Her Gifts: Irinna Rosa Uses Her Experiences to Mentor Youth

2022-04-22T18:33:58-04:00April 22nd, 2022|Categories: Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle, Sports|Comments Off on Sharing Her Gifts: Irinna Rosa Uses Her Experiences to Mentor Youth

By Ginger DeShaney Through her participation in sports and her work with Boston Police Department District C-6, Irinna Rosa has grown into a confident young woman. As a tennis player and judo brown belt, Irinna has learned “confidence, leadership, don't be afraid to do things, and even though you are down, you always find a way to get out of your situation,” she said. “I have also learned that even though you're really stressing out, you should always give it your all and try your best at all times.” In turn, she mentors young people to try to instill those same traits and help them grow. “It just gives me joy helping people,” said the daughter of Isa and Francisco Rosa of South Boston. “Since [...]

1 04, 2022

Community Input Informs Moakley Park Design

2022-04-01T18:00:30-04:00April 1st, 2022|Categories: Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle, News|Comments Off on Community Input Informs Moakley Park Design

By Ginger DeShaney South Boston gem Moakley Park will be getting a shiny makeover, inspired by feedback from the community. The Moakley Park Schematic Design and Phase 1 kickoff were discussed at a virtual public meeting hosted by the City of Boston’s Parks & Recreation Department last week. The proposed changes – from adding an adventure park and a community garden to creating a premier baseball field and resiliency strategies to deal with climate change – have been inspired by several years of engagement with residents and stakeholders, which has opened up opportunities in terms of planning for the park and understanding what's really important to people, said Allison Perlman, project manager with the Parks Department.  “This engagement led to the collective creation of goals [...]

1 04, 2022

Youth of the Year: Owen Rogers Grateful for Boys & Girls Club Mentors, Guidance

2022-04-01T17:54:08-04:00April 1st, 2022|Categories: Education, Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Youth of the Year: Owen Rogers Grateful for Boys & Girls Club Mentors, Guidance

By Ginger DeShaney Owen Rogers credits the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club with helping shape the person he is today. ​​ “A lot of us who have been there since we were 6, we wouldn't be the people we are without the Club,” said the Edgerley Club’s 2022 Youth of the Year. “We wouldn't have any of these opportunities and resources that keep us in check … which is amazing. I can definitely say the Club is the best thing that’s ever happened to me. “It's been my No. 1 lifeline my whole life.” Owen said he was excited when he found out he won this prestigious award out of five applicants. “It's nice to be able to be a role model [...]

22 03, 2022

Together Again: Ollie’s ‘House Is Where the Heart Is’ Gala Back in Person

2022-03-22T15:03:06-04:00March 22nd, 2022|Categories: Featured, Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Together Again: Ollie’s ‘House Is Where the Heart Is’ Gala Back in Person

By Ginger DeShaney After pivoting to online events for the last two years because of the COVID-19 pandemic, the South Boston Neighborhood House’s benefit and auction will be held in person for a night of food, drinks, silent and live auctions, and dancing.  “This year we are super excited to be back in person,” said Kathy Lafferty, executive director of the Neighborhood House, also known as the Ollie. The House is Where the Heart Is gala will be held on Friday, April 8, in the Plaza Ballroom (with access to outdoor space) at the Seaport Hotel, starting at 6 p.m. Tickets are $125.  Because the online events were so popular, the gala will incorporate some virtual components this year. For example, the silent auction will [...]

16 03, 2022

The St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Hosted by Senator Nick Collins Returns Live

2022-03-17T07:35:05-04:00March 16th, 2022|Categories: Featured, Happenings|Comments Off on The St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast Hosted by Senator Nick Collins Returns Live

The annual St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast hosted by Senator Nick Collins returns live in-person after a two-year hiatus to the Boston Convention and Exhibition Center in South Boston with CBS Boston and Boston Neighborhood Network as media partners. “We are excited and grateful to be in person after two long and difficult years. The political landscape has changed both locally and nationally since I last hosted the Breakfast in person, so there will be some new faces but the same playful banter,” said Senator Collins.  “It is also a great day to showcase the rich Irish traditions of laughter and song, our nation’s immigrant roots, and the historical importance of the British Evacuation of Boston on March 17th, 1776.” The St. Patrick’s Day Breakfast will be held Sunday, March 20, starting 9 a.m at the Boston Convention & Exhibition Center. The [...]

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