Happenings

By Ginger DeShaney MaryAnne Miller’s backyard garden oasis on I Street is a haven for bees.  “Bees are our friends,” she said. “I love bees.” MaryAnne has myriad pollinator-friendly plants to attract the bees.  “I understand these are our friends that are too busy working to bother you. So you need to keep the bees going. “I’m obsessed with bees.” MaryAnne combines plants that she knows the bees like and that she likes as well, such as sage, salvia, dill, calendula, mini sunflowers, wildflowers, dahlias, lobelia, and Dusty Millers (in honor of her last name). “I've had many, many bumblebees, which makes me so happy,” said MaryAnne, who has lived in her I Street house for 45 years. Her garden is a retirement/pandemic gift to [...]

By Ginger DeShaney Kathy Provenzano says she’s no expert when it comes to gardening, but anyone walking by 105-107 Marine Road would beg to differ.  The front yard is an explosion of yellow with some pink and purple. It’s just gorgeous.  There are also garden embellishments such as a lighthouse, bird bath, and rock sculptures.  “I enjoy [gardening],” Kathy said. “I wish I knew more about it. It is what it is, I enjoy what I have.” And so does the neighborhood. Kathy doesn’t remember all the things she’s planted from way back when, but the evening primrose came from her friend’s husband’s mother and Kathy spread them around. “I’m just playing around out here,” said Kathy, who lives in a house owned by her [...]

By Ginger DeShaney The mother-daughter duo of Karen O’Leary and Nichole Mikshenas are regulars at the Lynch Campaign Mother’s Day Plant Night.  Karen has been volunteering for this annual event for 21 years. “It’s fun,” said the Southie resident. “It feels like we’re doing something good.” A room full of volunteers gathered at Plumbers Local 12 Union Hall in Dorchester Wednesday night, May 4, to wrap foil around 7,000 plants and prepare them for delivery to seniors across the area.  “This is great,” Congressman Stephen Lynch said as he looked out over the room. “They’ve got it down to a science. It takes just a couple of hours.” That’s thanks in large part to Nick Zaferakis, the organizer/coordinator. This Mother’s Day event has been going [...]