Happenings

By Ginger DeShaney   “I’m not even really a volunteer,” Lauretta Brennan said.  But many people in South Boston beg to differ.  Dawn Marie Gullage, one of four people who nominated Lauretta for South Boston Online’s new feature, Volunteer Spotlight, said Lauretta is worthy of the recognition. “She is a single mother who works hard to raise her son, yet is always giving back to the community,” she said.  In Beth Nagle’s nomination, she said, “Lauretta Brennan is always giving and helping out any way she can!” According to nominator Melissa Mcauliffe, “Lauretta Brennan is amazingly kind and always going out of her way for the people of Southie.” And Deborah Omalley concurred that Lauretta is always helping someone out. Even though Lauretta is not an [...]

By Ginger DeShaney The smiles were ear to ear. The laughter was infectious. There was pure joy at seeing a new tattoo or touching a lobster. It was the perfect event at just the right time. Last week’s Playdate at the Beach, sponsored by the South Boston Neighborhood House and Save the Harbor/Save the Bay, featured games, crafts, music, food, and so much fun for all ages.  “I think it’s great,” said mom Melissa Hankowski. “It’s perfectly planned ... It’s low-key. It’s exactly what the kids need.” South Boston Online stopped by Pleasure Bay for last week’s beach event, the second in a series of four Playdates. The next Playdates are Aug. 19 at the McCormack Bathhouse at Carson Beach and Aug. 26 at Pleasure [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Sisters Courtney and Chelsea Mulligan and Vi Thai are spending this summer taking care of the plant beds and picking up trash along Broadway, planting flowers and caring for gardens, and cleaning up the area for the Farmers Market. But this is way more than just a summer job for these Youth Ambassadors.  It’s preparation for their futures: in education, in confidence, in the workforce, and in their communities. “We believe they can ... run the world,” said Linda Doran, Youth Program Coordinator of the Youth Ambassadors Program at the South Boston Community Health Center. “It’s nice to have supportive adults who have that thought, too. A lot of people think teenagers are nothing but a bother and useless. When you treat [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Artists Allison Maria Rodriguez, Franklin Marval, and Carolina Aragón are doing their part to bring attention to climate change. Because climate change is an urgent matter, “it makes sense that artists will be responding to that,” Allison said. “The climate for climate art is good because there is a lot going on and there’s a lot at stake,” said Carolina. Artists have the capacity to reach a lot of people through their work. “That’s an artist’s superpower,” she said. The trio talked about their art Wednesday night via Zoom during the second talk in the WeSPOKE Gallery series. “Art, Climate, and Boston” was moderated by Donna Brown, executive director of South Boston Neighborhood Development Corporation and a SPOKE board member, at the [...]

The true spirit of Southie was on full display at the Peace Picnic Wednesday. The Monica's Kitchen event at St. Monica's brought neighbors together to share a meal and build community. It was all about eating together and being together. Monica's Kitchen provides food support for the neighborhood year-round. In addition, every month the Kitchen holds Peace Breakfasts (winter), Peace and Pasta Spaghetti Dinners, and Peace Picnics (summer) where "individuals and families ... gather with us for community meals where peace and goodwill are shared and seeds of neighborly friendship and concern are sown," according to one of the church's bulletins. On Wednesday, burgers, hot dogs, salads, chips, cookies, and watermelon were served to attendees. The Boston Police Department ice cream truck provided cold treats [...]