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Six Archbishop Williams High School students from South Boston were among the 124 graduates at the Braintree school’s 65th Commencement Exercises on Thursday, May 25. Front from left: Deirdre Grealy, Baileigh McCarthy, Jaelyn Kenneally. Rear: Brendan Toland, Matthew Hogan. Not shown: Christian Roche.
by Rick Winterson History counts. This year of 2017 is the 200th Anniversary of Eastern Bank, which is the largest mutual bank in New England, and which has a branch in Perkins Square at 470 West Broadway. In addition, May is Small Business Month. America’s small businesses have historically been the key source of job growth in the U.S., as well as becoming the seeds-and-roots of many high-technology global corporations. So it was fitting that South Boston’s Eastern Bank Branch had another of its Annual Business Appreciation Evenings, hostessed and emceed by Michele Hart, Vice President and Branch Manager. In addition to her professional accomplishments, Michele is a Southie resident, the wife of Jack Hart, and the mother of four daughters. Small businesses from all [...]
District Two City Council Candidate talks issues with residents, businesses; volunteers knock on 3,000 doors BOSTON, Mass., May 22, 2017 – Ed Flynn and a team of 50 volunteers hit the streets of South Boston and the South End over the weekend, taking the District Two City Council candidate’s unifying message to thousands of residents. “This election is an opportunity for the city of Boston to elect leaders who will work collaboratively to ensure the city continues to thrive economically while creating new opportunities for all residents,” Flynn said. “I am that type of leader and look forward to reaching out to all corners of Boston to address the important issues impacting all of our lives: economic development, jobs, public safety, housing, schools and transportation. Our [...]
By Richard Campbell Massachusetts Fallen Heroes Patriot Week got a pretty fine kick off on Armed Forces Day this past Saturday, with a celebration on Lawn D in South Boston outside the Boston Convention Center. The 2nd annual Patriots Festival brought thousands of supporters who came to honor the fallen, Gold Star Families, troops in service, veterans, and naturally friends and family of all the troops. The headliners Tyler Farr and Eric Paslay bands were opened by a number of well-known local groups- each with their own distinctive styles- and then the headliners rocked young boisterous fans who sang out lyrics by heart well into the evening. The National Guard, Army, and Coast Guard, were the most visible service members with soldiers on hand. Some [...]
by Rick Winterson Retirement parties are joyful celebrations – perhaps the single most joyful way to say “Goodbye” to a much-loved individual. Such was the gathering in the Seapoint Ballroom that celebrated the retirement of Mayra Rodriguez-Howard, one of South Boston’s many angels. Mayra was best known locally for her work at the South Boston Community Health Center (the SBCHC). Her creation, if you will – the Youth Ambassadors of South Boston. Her accomplishments are far too many to describe in just a few words, but you could see from the variety of well-wishers who showed up how much Mayra will be missed. There were her colleagues from the SBCHC, of course, especially Linda Doran. Activists like Helen Allix and Ed Flynn were on hand; [...]
Richard Campbell This weekend to mark the 100th anniversary of the birth of John F. Kennedy, the museum and library that bears his name is holding a series of events, some educational, some pure fun, and others in memorial. For the fading generation of World War II seniors, and their children, Kennedy left an indelible impression, from his fast ascendency as a young Senator to office of the president, to his tragically short lived term; it is both inspiring and heart breaking to know that world of dignity under pressure, and hope fill aspiration that was the new American century. The interest and admiration for the Kennedy legacy is not misplaced, for though there are detractors, anyone who has lived in Massachusetts within the past [...]
The Thomas J. Fitzgerald Post #561 of South Boston (Veterans of Foreign Wars) will host their annual Memorial Day exercise on Sunday, May 28. Veterans of the post, along with elected officials and the Excel High School JROTC cadets, will gather at the post at 9:15AM (at 715 East 4th Street) and march to Medal of Honor Park and then return to the post for a brief speaking program and lunch. The public is invited to attend and join us. "Memorial Day is a day of remembering those veterans who have paid the ultimate sacrifice for our country," said Ed Flynn, Commander of the Thomas J. Fitzgerald Post VFW. "Our country will never forget their duty, courage and sacrifice. We honor them and our Gold Star Families that gave [...]
by Rick Winterson The neighborhood of South Boston wears many guises. Not the least it is a place of beauty, and when called for, it’s a place of protest as well. Both of these particular roles were reflected last weekend in two recent fine art exhibits. One exhibit at the Medicine Wheel’s Spoke Gallery (110 K Street, second floor), another at The Distillery Gallery (216 East Second Street, lower level). Medicine Wheel’s Spoke Gallery is the site of a striking exhibition of eight large works by John Provenzano, who has his own studio in South Boston’s King Terminal. John’s medium is acrylic on canvas; the dimensions of his painting generally exceed six feet. His creations are brilliantly colorful semi-abstractions, which also contain [...]
South Boston Citizens’ Association President Thomas E. McGrath has announced that Edward Flynn of the U.S. Navy (Retired) will serve as General Chairman of the Association’s 2017 Evacuation Day commemoration by the SBCA Executive Board. “The executive board and I look forward to working with Ed, to ensure once again the success of this unique community celebration, the commemoration of the British evacuation of Boston in 1776,” said McGrath. Eddie is a lifelong resident and active member of the SBCA his entire adult life. His dedication to the South Boston Citizens’ Association and the neighborhood of South Boston will continue to make it a great place for all who live here. We are honored to list him as a member, and even prouder to [...]
By Rick Winterson During this Year of Our Lord 2017, and the next, 2018, World War I (WWI) and all its events will reach the century mark. Constant nation-to-nation controversy in Europe flared into WWI in 1914. The incident that began it was the assassination of the Archduke of Serajavo. Nearly 100 years ago, on Friday, April 6, 1917, President Woodrow Wilson asked Congress for approval to declare war on Germany. It was granted. WWI ended 19 months later on Armistice Day (now Veterans Day in the U.S.), November 11, 1918. As the century mark approaches for this historic conflict, South Boston is preparing to memorialize the part played in that War by the residents and happenings of, in, and around South [...]
