Lifestyle

  By Richard Campbell The long history of the Boston Common may be obscured to contemporary visitors who wade at the Frog Pond, take merry-go-round rides, or picnic on the lawn- but it has a history as a place of dissent that continues to echo down to this day.  What is America’s oldest park began as a 42-acre private cow pasture, owned by a hermit English Clergyman William Blackstone (Blaxton) who received a patent for the property three years after the arrival of the Pilgrims, in 1623.  Blackstone suggested to original settlers in Charlestown’s fetid swamp- who were suffering from a shortage of potable water- that they should cross what was then the peninsula of Shawmut to settle on the Boston side. Shawmut in Indian [...]

by Rick Winterson The 200+ “Boston’s Bests” list from the Improper Bostonian magazine has just been published. One of the South Boston winners is none other than CAPO at 443 West Broadway. Specifically, they were recognized as Boston’s Best New Addition for their new basement “Supper Club at CAPO” (see IB’s page 98). It’s a bit of a throwback to rooms where funky jazz and other night club entertainments were presented; their supper food continues in the hand-crafted, classic Italian tradition, as do their drinks. The Supper Club at CAPO now has become a South Boston place that’ll compete with Wally’s on Mass Ave., the Beehive in the South End, and Ryles in Cambridge near Somerville’s Union Square

by Richard Campbell At noon this past Friday opening ceremonies for Sail Boston took place under the rotunda at the Boston Harbor Hotel, with a series of fitting tributes by stakeholders as well as presentation of the colors by different regimental outfits, and speeches by distinguished guests. The US Coast Guard Band played the national anthem and patriotic songs, as dignitaries from around the world saluted Boston. Maria Stephanos was the MC for the event, providing humorous anecdotes along with gracious introductions. After an opening salutation and prayers, the Vicar of the Old North Church, Reverend Stephen Ayres, gave his blessing of the ships and included an urgent plea to protect us from our enemies that gave a momentary solemnity to the occasion. Michael Mooney [...]

By Rick Winterson Last Saturday was memorable beyond imagining. “Sail Boston” began with a day-long “Parade of Sail”. It brought back the other Tall Ships events, even as far back as America’s 200th Birthday in 1976. The viewing location covered by this article is Boston Harbor’s North Jetty, part of Massport. Another major viewing point in South Boston was set on Castle Island. Despite a late start (due to the fog) and a generally cloudy day, it was an absolutely spectacular display of majestic sailing ships – 54 in number – as they proceeded from Broad Sound, around Deer Island, onto the President Roads, and into the Inner Harbor. The arrangements – especially security – deserve mention. Shuttle buses whisked spectators from around South Boston [...]

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 [...]