About Jeanne Rooney

Jeanne Rooney is the Editor in Chief for South Boston Online.
31 12, 2018

First Night Celebration – Including Two Rounds of Fireworks!

2018-12-31T09:18:57-05:00December 31st, 2018|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on First Night Celebration – Including Two Rounds of Fireworks!

Before we can welcome 2019, the city first needs to send off 2018 in true Boston-fashion at its annual First Night celebration.  Since 1975, Boston has rung in the new year with ice sculptures, live music and fireworks at its First Night event. More than 200,000 people are expected to attend this year’s celebration, according to Boston Mayor Marty Walsh. From where to watch the fireworks, to when headliner Chadwick Stokes is expected to take the stage, here’s everything you need to know about First Night Boston 2019. All First Night events are free and open to the public.  You can catch most of the scheduled events in Copley Square and Back Bay.  First Night festivities start at 12 p.m. Monday, Dec. 31 and last [...]

28 12, 2018

A Christmas Celebration:  St. Paul’s Boys Choir

2018-12-28T10:48:29-05:00December 28th, 2018|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on A Christmas Celebration:  St. Paul’s Boys Choir

by Rick Winterson (Photos by Teresa DeAmicis)   Last Sunday afternoon, December 23, “A Christmas Celebration” took place in the Gate of Heaven Church.  It featured the singing of the Choir of St. Paul’s Church, which is located at the beginning of Mt. Auburn Street in Harvard Square, Cambridge.  The Choir is an integral part of the St. Paul’s Choir School, a middle school for boys that trains them as choir singers.  When trained in singing, and then combined with adult voices, the Choir can sing complex and challenging choral works of great beauty.  Their works include many Christmas songs and carols.  Such was their presentation of “A Christmas Celebration” this last Sunday. John Robinson was the Director; Jeremy Burns provided the organ accompaniment.  Stephanie Scogna [...]

27 12, 2018

Join the “L Street Brownies” for the Annual New Year’s Day Plunge

2018-12-27T09:45:06-05:00December 27th, 2018|Categories: Featured, Happenings|Comments Off on Join the “L Street Brownies” for the Annual New Year’s Day Plunge

On Tuesday, January 1, 2019, at 9:00 a.m., one of Boston's oldest traditions will continue with an estimated 600 people plunging into Boston Harbor for the annual “L Street Brownies” New Year’s Day Plunge.  The plunge is hosted by the L Street Brownies at the BCYF Curley Community Center, 1663 Columbia Road in South Boston, “M” Street entrance.  Due to the tide schedule, it will start at 9:00 a.m. Other information you should know:  Doors open at 8:00 a.m. and close at 10:30 a.m.; Participants should arrive dressed for the water as the men’s and women’s locker and shower rooms will not be available until after; Water shoes are suggested due to shells and rocks left by the tide; Pets are not allowed, please leave your [...]

26 12, 2018

2018 Christmas Heroics: 600 Served; More Than 200 Unexpectedly

2018-12-26T16:28:17-05:00December 26th, 2018|Categories: Featured, Happenings|Comments Off on 2018 Christmas Heroics: 600 Served; More Than 200 Unexpectedly

by Rick Winterson      There have been Christmas Dinners served to the people of South Boston for the last 35 years.  These are such joyful occasions, one can only hope that these Dinners continue to be served for at least 135 years more.  This custom began with the late Msgr. McDonnell (popularly called “Fr. Tom”), who enlisted the help of Frank Kelley, a retired Marine Mess Sergeant.  Fr. Tom was inspired by the stories of feasting in Luke’s Gospel, which he called “the Hospitality Gospel”.  The Dinners were first held in the old St. Augustine Hall; they now take place every Christmas Day in St. Monica Church Hall. This Year of Our Lord 2018 was the 35th Anniversary of these Dinners.  And it was [...]

21 12, 2018

100 guys/100 Women Bring More Than Their Wallets

2018-12-21T10:56:14-05:00December 21st, 2018|Categories: Happenings|Comments Off on 100 guys/100 Women Bring More Than Their Wallets

By:  Tara Kerrigan Hayes   Proving that the generosity of spirit is alive and well in Boston, this year’s Giving Tuesday was the perfect night to hold the 100 Women/Men Who Care’s annual Fundraiser. To date, The 100 Guys/100 Women Who Care groups have made a significant impact on local charitable organizations donating over $100,000, and they have no intention to stop any time soon. Graciously hosted by The Black Rose, this year’s fundraiser featured live music by The Lewis Brothers, with Irish whiskey tastings sponsored by Tullamore Dew, complimented by hors d’oeuvres to make for a festive evening to celebrate 100’s mission of collective giving. Yet the focus of the night remained ever present – the quest to find the right organization that would [...]

21 12, 2018

A Marian Manor Update

2018-12-21T13:25:09-05:00December 21st, 2018|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on A Marian Manor Update

by Rick Winterson      Marian Manor is in transition. The Manor is one of South Boston’s best-known landmarks – for its location and imposing structure on Dorchester Street below Thomas Park, but mostly for the excellent nursing care that it has offered for decades.  You are probably aware that the Manor was once the Carney Hospital, some 50+ years ago.  Changes in all medical care, including the Manor’s nursing care for the elderly and for swift recovery from acute medical problems, continue as well. One change that affects Marian Manor is the progress being made in effective at-home care for the elderly.  The Manor’s current clientele number 226, a significant drop from their capacity of 376. Please make no mistake.  This is a positive [...]

20 12, 2018

SLYK Shades – A Chronic Illness Survivor’s Transformation

2018-12-20T12:06:27-05:00December 20th, 2018|Categories: Featured, Lifestyle|Comments Off on SLYK Shades – A Chronic Illness Survivor’s Transformation

By: Tara Kerrigan Hayes   Your world can change in an instant. That’s what Josh Fitzmaurice of Sandwich, Massachusetts learned last year, when life as he knew it came crashing down with the flick of a doctor’s pen. As a young, successful accountant, Josh seemingly had it all, until he visited the doctor to investigate neck pain and was prescribed Meloxicam. That night Josh was rushed to the ER, (with what felt like a heart attack), where he was diagnosed with a nocturnal panic attack and was sent back to his PCP. That’s when he was handed a prescription for benzodiazepines. Like so many others, he trusted in his doctor and took the benzos (in this case, Ativan), which ultimately would come close to destroying [...]

20 12, 2018

‘Tis the Season for Giving

2018-12-20T10:25:05-05:00December 20th, 2018|Categories: Featured, Happenings|Comments Off on ‘Tis the Season for Giving

by Rick Winterson   Excel High Football Team Enjoys a Year-end Christmas Lunch at Tony C's, Courtesy of the Seaport's Cronin Group LLC Yesterday noon, the Excel High School 2018 football team met at Tony C’s in the Seaport.  The team’s eleven-game season had closed out on Thanksgiving Day last month.  It was now time for a celebration.  What better place could there be to celebrate a sporting season than in the elegant Grill Room of Tony C’s, which is located in the South Boston Seaport at 250 Northern Avenue (corner of D?). Tony C’s is owned by Jon Cronin, the Principal of the Cronin Group LLC.  In addition to being a prominent local property owner and developer, Jon is noted for his philanthropic efforts in and [...]

17 12, 2018

Kindness Kits (and Much More) at Aloft and Element

2018-12-17T14:18:50-05:00December 17th, 2018|Categories: Featured, Happenings|Comments Off on Kindness Kits (and Much More) at Aloft and Element

by Rick Winterson  Aloft Boston Seaport District sent us an interesting e-mail last week.  As a team-building Holiday activity, Aloft asked its staff at 401-403 D Street to assemble what they are calling “Kindness Kits” for free distribution to those in need around the South Boston area.  Their staff put together hundreds and hundreds of these kits, which were distributed to anyone who needed them or wanted to distribute them. Aloft still has about 100 of their Kindness Kits on hand and left over.  They asked South Boston Online to let the community know that the kits are available.  If you would like to obtain one or more of these to give to people who need them, you are welcome stop by the front desk [...]

17 12, 2018

BPD Mourns Death of Former Commissioner Francis M. ‘Mickey’ Roache

2018-12-17T13:56:52-05:00December 17th, 2018|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on BPD Mourns Death of Former Commissioner Francis M. ‘Mickey’ Roache

In Memoriam: Today, on Monday December 17, 2018, the members of the Boston Police Department pause to mourn the passing of former Boston Police Commissioner Francis M. "Mickey" Roache. Commissioner Roache was appointed to the Boston Police Department in 1968 and served as Police Commissioner from 1985 until 1993. Commissioner Roache continued to serve the city as a member of the Boston City Council from 1996 through 2002. After his time as an at-large councilor, Commissioner Roache went on to become the Suffolk County Register of Deeds, a position he held until 2015. We ask that you join with us and keep the Roache family in your prayers as we thank our former commissioner for his service to the City of Boston.

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