Rick Winterson

By RICK WINTERSON Twenty-five years ago, on Sunday, May 1, 1991, the Rev. Burns Stanfield stepped into the sanctuary of South Boston’s Fourth Presbyterian Church on Dorchester Street, where he had just been appointed as pastor. Thus began a historic transition period for the church, as it grew and prospered, became an integral part of the South Boston scene, added a parish center next door, and developed a well-deserved reputation for music and the performing arts (Burns is himself a talented professional musician). Last Sunday, May 1, the church dedicated its annual fundraiser to Burns, his dedicated community leadership, and his highly successful tenure as the pastor of the Fourth. It was exactly 25 years to the day after Burns took up his calling here [...]

By RICK WINTERSON There was a pleasantly insistent buzz in John Hancock Financial’s stunning fourth floor atrium last Thursday evening. It was a gala crowd of South Boston’s staunchest supporters. Everyone anticipated the service award, to be conferred upon Sr. Maryadele Robinson, as she approaches her 30th year at South Boston’s Laboure Center. Fr. Joe White asked for a blessing, “Lord God of All Creation.” And how rare is applause after a benediction? Well, it happened at the Laboure Center’s Spring Reception last Thursday. Without the slightest exaggeration, a glorious spirit pervaded the crowd of guests and the very air all around them. Bob Kelly, the chair of Laboure’s advisory board, emceed the fete; his first speaker, Catholic Charities President Deborah Rambo, extolled Sr. Maryadele’s record [...]

Sunday, May 1, saw Polish-Americans parade from Our Lady of Czestochowa Church to the Polish-American Citizens Club on Boston Street, where a block party took place. Other Polish heritage organizations were honored guests at the celebratory event. The locale of the festival is now officially known as “The Polish Triangle.” Sources claim that it is one of the oldest Polish enclaves in America. -Rick Winterson The crowd assembles for the 2016 Polish Fest at Our Lady of Czestochowa Church on Dorchester Avenue in South Boston. (Photo by Rick Winterson) The Polish Center of Discovery and Learning in Chicopee were honored guests at the 2016 Polish Fest. (Photo by Rick Winterson) Picturesque Polish folk garb wearers line up for the procession [...]

Kay Walsh from the Action Center (South Boston FAN/CAN Advisory Collaborative) is assisted in Saturday’s drug take back by Rodolfo, Judy and Kenya of the South Boston Youth Council. The drug take back is an effort to collect and destroy unused prescription drugs, so that addictive medicines don’t make their way into the hands of dealers and users. It’s simple – just bring unused medicines to the collection point. The police department – in this case, South Boston’s Station Six commanded by Capt. Joe Boyle – will then make sure these drugs are destroyed. -Rick Winterson

Derby Day is one of the most widely viewed sports celebration in America, so why not enjoy it right here in South Boston this Saturday, May 7? The South Boston Collaborative Center is hosting its annual Kentucky Derby party from 4 to 7 p.m. at Barlow’s Restaurant (241 A St., in South Boston’s Fort Point District). This is a fundraising event that supports the collaborative’s efforts to stem the opioid/heroin plague that seems to be engulfing the young people of Boston and Massachusetts. But like all fundraisers in South Boston, this will also be a great time. The admission is just $20. You’ll get a complimentary first drink, along with continuously passed hors d’oeuvres as only Barlow’s can prepare them. There’ll be raffles, gift, and [...]

By RICK WINTERSON There are two stories here: To begin with, a staunch South Bostonian named Marjorie M. Gibbons endowed an annual series of lectures to be given in her memory at the South Boston Branch Library.  These have taken place in the spring of each year since 1981; the 36th Annual Gibbons Lecture is at hand. It will be Thursday, May 5, at 6:30 p.m., in the Public Room of the South Boston Branch Library at 646 East Broadway. Everyone is welcome. There is no charge. Second, George LoCascio, a local naturalist, will deliver the 2016 Gibbons Lecture that he has entitled “A Beautiful Dismissal: The Unnoticed Nature of South Boston.” Specifically, the topic of his talk will be his “Wildflowers of South Boston” [...]

By RICK WINTERSON Saturday, April 16, was the closing day for three exhibitions in South Boston. It has become a custom in local galleries to mark these closings with what might be termed “retrospective celebrations.” Medicine Wheel’s Spoke Gallery closed out its most recent show, expertly curated by South Boston’s Kathy Bitetti.  The exhibition was named “On the Line.” (It was reviewed by South Boston Online in our Feb. 11 issue.) There are two galleries in The Distillery, which has really become a thriving artists’ colony on 516 East Second St. The closed shows in Proof Gallery and the main Distillery Gallery were entitled respectively “worlds within worlds” (Philip Fryer, Faith Johnson, Trevor Powers) and “Post Gay?” (The Boston LGTBQIA Artists Alliance - BLAA). Both [...]