Opinion

Community involvement a good New Year’s resolution

A great way to begin the New Year is to make an honest attempt to get involved up close and personal with the North End/Waterfront neighborhood and give something back to the community which is a terrific place to live, work and enjoy.

Volunteering sometime will go a long way toward helping to make the non-profit community agencies and organizations continue to create a difference in the life-style of the community.

There are several community meetings held monthly that strive for a better neighborhood.

In addition, many organizations that are in existence are dedicated to providing neighborhood programs, activities, events and endeavors that would welcome assistance.

Being part of the neighborhood is rewarding in many ways. Give it a try!

TONE makes 20K donation to community organizations

Several North End organizations were presented donations from the Taste of the North End (TONE) at a dinner held at Lucia Ristorante on Hanover Street, hosted by Donato Frattaroli, who organizes the popular benefit event.

This year TONE donated over $20,000 to local non-profit organizations that services the North End on a daily basis.

Receiving funding were: St. John School, Eliot School, North End Against Drugs (NEAD), North End Athletic Association (NEAA), Saint Leonard Church, Saint Stephen Church and the North End Music and Performing Arts Center (NEMPAC).

TONE has become a traditional benefit event that deserves credit for being a good neighbor.

Another Toys For Tots success

A North End/Waterfront holiday tradition continue this season with a Toys For Tots Party, hosted by Toni Gilardi at Gibson/Sotheby’s International Realty on Commercial Street.

Family, friends, clients and members of the neighborhood enjoyed cocktails and food provided by Toni Gilardi and Bricco Salumeria.

Many toys and donations found their way to Commercial Street making the endeavor another success.

Street Cleaning stops for winter months

Mechanical Street Cleaning in the North End has ended for the time being.

No more hustling to move vehicles in time for the sweepers to pass by and no more ticketing and tagging for a while.

            However, the large amount of construction in the community still takes away many spaces and hopefully there is not a repeat of last year’s snowfall which basically cripple the community.