About Jeanne Rooney

Jeanne Rooney is the Editor in Chief for South Boston Online.
14 06, 2017

Real Stories Not Getting Covered Today by Press.

2017-07-20T17:04:08-04:00June 14th, 2017|Categories: Editorial, Featured|Comments Off on Real Stories Not Getting Covered Today by Press.

By Ray Flynn After attending my granddaughter's school play, "High School Musical" at South Middle School in Braintree the other day, one of the young students mother's came up to me and said, "Mr. Mayor, how did you like the show? Weren't the kids great? They really practiced a long time and worked hard." That prompted me to walk over to the front of the stage to tell the producer, one of the teachers and a couple of the students how much we all enjoyed the performance. Observing the look of pride on the faces of the children's parents faces made my day. Ok, I know it wasn't exactly a Broadway production of My Fair Lady so I won't get carried away. But for many [...]

14 06, 2017

Thompson Island Outward Bound: School on the Ocean

2018-11-27T13:06:36-05:00June 14th, 2017|Categories: Happenings, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Thompson Island Outward Bound: School on the Ocean

By Richard Campbell As a follow up to South Boston Online coverage of programs offered by Thompson Island Outward Bound, this writer went out on the sunny Thursday this past week to see operations up close and personal with the island staff. A little background for readers in order. From its early beginnings in 1626, before the establishment of Boston, the island in the Boston Harbor that bears his name, was “established” by a Scottish gentleman, David Thompson as a trading post for furs and fish. Originally inhabited by Neponset Indians, and undisturbed for nearly two hundred years after Thompson’s arrival, it found its mission in training students as the Boston Farm School in 1833, that then merged with the Boston Asylum for Indigent Boys [...]

14 06, 2017

It’s Officially South Boston’s Joseph “Dodo” Nee Collaborative Center

2017-06-14T10:23:10-04:00June 14th, 2017|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on It’s Officially South Boston’s Joseph “Dodo” Nee Collaborative Center

by Rick Winterson South Boston Online will begin this story with its ending first – not recommended journalistic practice, of course, but essential in this case. The news – the good news – is that South Boston’s Collaborative Center, which has done so much to help those suffering from addiction and substance abuse, has been officially named for Joseph “Dodo” Nee, a founder and key supporter of that organization. The sign rededicating the Collaborative to him now proudly hangs over the walkway leading up to its facility at 1226A Columbia Road (see photo). Look for it the next time you’re in the neighborhood. The Collaborative was founded an even ten years ago in 1997, in response to a wave of teenaged suicides. These suicides were [...]

8 06, 2017

SB Community Health Center’s Youth Ambassadors Partner with Habitat for Humanity

2017-06-08T10:48:35-04:00June 8th, 2017|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on SB Community Health Center’s Youth Ambassadors Partner with Habitat for Humanity

SB Community Health Center’s Youth Ambassadors Partner with Habitat for Humanity On a sunny Saturday during Memorial Day weekend a group of teens from the SB Community Health Center’s Youth Ambassadors Program spent the day constructing a home for a deserving family in the Boston area. Working side by side with the family and members of Habitat for Humanity, the teens helped with building the house’s second story by cutting and preparing the wood for framing . For the past twelve years the Youth Ambassadors program has engaged teens ages 12 -18 in community service projects, health education and art-based activities. Alumni from the Youth Ambassadors also joined the group and used the skills they’ve gained on past nationwide disaster relief service trips to Mississippi, [...]

8 06, 2017

Sail Boston Unveils Transportation and Access to Viewing Areas Plan for South Boston

2017-06-08T10:45:09-04:00June 8th, 2017|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on Sail Boston Unveils Transportation and Access to Viewing Areas Plan for South Boston

The long awaited Grand Parade of Sail, featuring over fifty magnificent ships from more than a dozen countries, will mark the official start of Sail Boston 2017. This free celebration of maritime culture and history unfolds in and around Boston’s waterfront from June 17 – 22, and the Parade of Sail on June 17 kicks off the five-day event in grand style. In anticipation of thousands of spectators along Boston’s waterfront, the City’s Police and Transportation Departments, along with the Coast Guard, Massport, MBTA, and representatives from Sail Boston, recently completed a series of public briefings in those communities that will experience the greatest influx of attendees to watch the Parade of Sail. To ensure everyone's safety and maximize enjoyment of this stunning spectacle, a [...]

8 06, 2017

Joe “Dodo” Nee’s Life Celebrated

2017-06-08T10:41:58-04:00June 8th, 2017|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on Joe “Dodo” Nee’s Life Celebrated

Joseph Nee, nicknamed “Dodo”, spent his life in community service, as a firefighter, family man, and ardent supporter of countless good works in South Boston. He was one of those rare individuals who both lead and willingly serve. Last Tuesday, the Boston weather couldn’t stop hundreds from celebrating Dodo’s life at the Lawn on D. His son Brian’s eulogy at the end of the evening’s program was especially moving. Jon Cronin, who sponsored Dodo Nee’s memorial celebration, and Fire Commissioner Joe Finn, with Dodo’s son Brian Nee (center). Brian movingly eulogized his Dad during the celebration’s program.

8 06, 2017

South Boston Catholic Academy News

2017-06-08T10:37:54-04:00June 8th, 2017|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on South Boston Catholic Academy News

In Ms. Emily’s PreK class - Lieutenant Tommy Cherry of Ladder 24 visited his son’s classroom at South Boston Catholic Academy. He was a special mystery reader, showed the children his fire gear and taught them all about fire safety. Ms. Kristen’s and Ms. Molly’s PreK classes were joined by Mrs. Donavan’s and Ms. Rice’s Third Graders for Friday Afternoon Book Buddies! Both Third Grades are paired with a PreK partner to read books and play with them, too. Each week the Third Grade students are so excited to meet with and "teach" their Book Buddies in PreK about reading and the PreK students are so happy to see their Book Buddies. In Ms. Samantha’s PreK class - Boston Police Officers, Allison Lane and Casey [...]

8 06, 2017

Excel High School Events

2017-06-08T10:33:52-04:00June 8th, 2017|Categories: Featured, News|Comments Off on Excel High School Events

As the school year comes to a close, Excel High School held two events in the past week.  Sports Night took place on Thursday evening, May 31 in the school assembly hall.  The various teams and coaches were called to the stage by Mr. Brandon Arthur and other staff members and presented awards and certificates.  The annual Knight Award for overall excellence was presented to senior Claudia Camacho.  The students and staff gave a hearty round of applause to Headmaster Stephanie Sibley as she ends six years leading the school.  She was presented a framed jersey.  The prom took place on Friday evening, June 1 at Lombardos in Randolph.  Many car-pooled in long dresses and tuxedos, arriving around 7 p.m. for an evening of dinner and dancing [...]

8 06, 2017

Knight’s Battalion Awards Ceremony

2017-06-08T10:29:19-04:00June 8th, 2017|Categories: Featured, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Knight’s Battalion Awards Ceremony

by Rick Winterson South Boston Online was honored to receive an invitation to the 2017 Knight’s Battalion Award Ceremony last Wednesday afternoon, May 31. It was an occasion filled with military courtesy, vivid colors, and achievement. Most especially, it was an afternoon devoted to honoring the JROTC Cadets, who have demonstrated their devotion to this program at Excel High School. The contingent of which all of South Boston’s EXCEL High School Cadets are members is formally named the South Boston Army JROTC Knights Battalion. “JROTC” stands for Junior Reserve Officers Training Corps; “Knights” refers to the historic name of students and their teams at EXCEL High School. The cadre of the JROTC Program at EXCEL includes Lt. Col. Anthony Hinson (USA, Ret.) and Sgt. 1C [...]

8 06, 2017

Getting Over and Getting Even: Quirky “Ripcord” Delights

2017-07-20T15:50:17-04:00June 8th, 2017|Categories: Featured, Lifestyle|Comments Off on Getting Over and Getting Even: Quirky “Ripcord” Delights

by Richard Campbell When we peek in upon the crazy world of Abby and Marilyn who find themselves roommates at the Bristol Place Senior Center, South Boston native Pulitzer prize winning playwright David Lindsey Abaire, brings genuine funny to the Calderwood Center, tinted with empathetic poignancy for his character’s dilemmas. The device is a series of revenge plots inspired by a mutual bet to win room rights; by manipulating the Senior Center staff, and relatives into off site episodes that reveal devilish, and sometimes shocking episodes, punctuated by a bevy of crackly one liners, amusing choreography, the story presents a heart rending cultural commentary on aging.  Nancy Carroll as Abby the sardonic, sarcastic, and understated wit brings verve and control to her embittered character whose [...]

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