The 2019 Polar Plunge
by Rick Winterson Was the 2019 Plunge actually South Boston’s Polar Plunge No. 150? A (rough) calculation indicates this might be the case, although confirming that was so would be very difficult. In any case, many hundreds of Plungers showed up, despite the rain that fell the night before. It was heartening to see so many folks [...]
Cold Hands, Warm Heart!
South Boston Probation Officer Barbara Loftus and 5th graders at Joseph Tynan Elementary School have teamed up to spread holiday cheer and warmth to Boston’s homeless and senior citizens as part of Cold Hands, Warm Heart, a lesson in empathy. Loftus and her Probation colleagues will go to the school, located at 650 E. 4th Street, to pick up the [...]
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. [...]
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, [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]