The ABCD North End/West End Neighborhood Service Center (NE/WE NSC) held its St. Patrick’s Day celebration on Friday, March 15th, well in advance of the local parade and other festivities around the neighborhood! Over four dozen members of the community, almost all of them older adults from the North End and West End, feasted on traditional Irish corned beef and cabbage, salad, cookies, cupcakes, cannoli, and soda bread, the latter of which was made by Acting Director Julia Power, using her grandmother’s recipe, to balance out the Italian cannoli!
The NE/WE NSC extends heartfelt thanks to Eagle Bank, who annually sponsors this event. Gisella DiPaola, SVP Retail Banking Officer, from Eagle Bank on Hanover Street, and also a NE/WE NSC Advisory Board member, assisted with serving the meal. The offices of Mayor Michelle Wu, Senator Lydia Edwards, State Representative Aaron Michlewitz, and City Councilor Gabriela “Gigi” Coletta turned out with sweets to visit with their constituents.
Silke Evans, well known for her musical performances in the area, played Irish music and other tunes on the piano. Volunteer and former NE/WE NSC Advisory Board member David Roderick and Irene Pien, volunteer from Strada 234, lent a hand with much-needed serving and clean up. All in all, it was a delightful day spent in the drop-in center, with lovely food, conversation, and friends, for those who trace their roots back to Ireland’s shores, along with the “honorary” Irish for a day. Happy St. Patrick’s Day!