Lifestyle

By Ginger DeShaney Cam Murphy Jared Frith, 15, really enjoys being a member of Boyz II Men at the South Boston Neighborhood House. “It doesn’t feel like any other program,” he said. “Cam is super chill, but not too chill. It’s almost like being at home but way more fun.” Cam Murphy is the Boyz II Men coordinator. “I definitely want this program to be a place where they learn independence,” he said. “I try to not be overbearing or overcontrolling. I want them to have these experiences where they can learn. “I want them to have that ability to grow. When they move on from this program, they'll be going off on their own a little bit.” Boyz II Men is a [...]

By Ginger DeShaney For Women’s History Month, the Condon Community Center Girls Group honored inspiring local women for their contributions. The girls created a bulletin board “celebrating women who embrace our community.” “It’s people within the community,” said Girls Group member and Condon CC school year staffer Keara Wilbanks, a student at Boston Latin School. “When you hear Women’s History Month, you think of celebrities. But these are not celebrities. They are more relatable.” They are the faces we see in the community, women who live here, women who give back.  “They are not celebrities,” agreed Barbara Caputo Kelly, Program Supervisor, BCYF Condon Community Center, “but they are celebrities to us.” Debra Flaherty, Condon CC staff assistant, said it was important for the girls to [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Do you ever wonder what it’s like falling under? Do you ever dream to succeed but you don’t? It don’t matter. ’cause the weight of the world is on your shoulders but nothing can bring you down. Is it wrong, is it right, but it don’t matter; what matters is right now. These are the opening lyrics of the original song “What Matters,” written by preteens Tiara H, Ella M, and Salamata B, members of the Edgerley Family South Boston Boys & Girls Club’s music program.  What matters, what matters is that we've got each other … When the world feels heavy and you feel lost, make sure one thing is clear: Don’t you worry about tomorrow; today you’re here. Tiara performed [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Andrea Antonucci has started a new tradition, transforming her Christmas tree into a St. Patrick’s Day tree. She got the idea from a post by Jenn Nauyokas LaMountain on the Southie Community Bulletin Board.  “Around that time, I was going to take down my tree but I didn’t want to,” Andrea said. Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, she was home all the time and wanted to keep the tree up so she could continue to enjoy it.  “I knew I could use some of my Christmas ornaments,” she said. She repurposed green, gold, and white Christmas ornaments. She also had Ireland ornaments that she had bought for her mom but got back when her mom died.  Andrea bought Irish ornaments from Southie’s [...]

By Ginger DeShaney A steady stream of cookie lovers came through Girl Scout Troop 70040’s Drive-Thru Contactless Cookie Booth Saturday (March 6) in the Gate of Heaven parking lot.  Troop Leader Courtney Scott called the event a great success and noted there will be another Drive-Thru next week (site to be determined) and one at the end of the month. “This was our first time doing this,” Courtney said. “The Girls Scouts suggested it because we can’t sell at storefronts. “It’s drive-thru, contactless, and socially distanced.” The girl scouts on hand -- Emily Burton, Phoebe Scott, Josephine Lydon, Amara Ings, and Mia Dimaggio -- all had a great time. Customers drove up -- or walked up -- to one end of the parking lot to [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Rain couldn't keep people from celebrating the national holiday that is Sullivan's opening day! By about 3:30 p.m. Saturday (Feb. 27), the Southie landmark had served more than 1,200 customers, said Kizito Paganini, director of operations at Sully's. "It's always sunny at Sullivan's," said Kizito, "but it's not always sunny at the Island." The lines weren't long but there was steady business all day. Joe Gateley of Southie looks forward to this day every year. "It's an institution," he said, noting he's been coming to Sully's for about 40 years. He was thankful that Sully's stayed open through December 2020 and is happy to celebrate this "holiday." Joe will be bringing a bit of Sullivan's to his son and his family in [...]

By Ginger DeShaney  The swim team at the Edgerley Family Boys & Girls Club South Boston has been working out and practicing ... without a pool.  And while that’s been a challenge -- along with the COVID-19 pandemic -- it hasn’t deterred these determined members. The boiler for the pool went out several weeks ago but because of the pandemic, it’s taking a while for it to get fixed, said Tia Ferrie, the Club’s aquatics director and swim coach. So while Tia and the members wait patiently for the pool to reopen, “We switched pool workouts to dry land workouts,” Tia said, noting they usually do a lot of dry land training anyway.  The workouts include calisthenics, rope jumping, and other exercises. The last 20-30 [...]