Noble Journey Sculpture dedication held at Peace Garden
A traditional ribbon cutting ceremony for the Noble Journey Sculpture at Saint Leonard Church’s Peace Garden was recently held. Cutting the ribbon were: Dr. Anthony Cortese, Tom Damigella, North End Historical Society and Victor Passacantilli co-founder of the Friends of the North End (FONE).
Father Michael Della Penna, Pastor of the church held a Mass before the ceremonies took place.
An overflow crowd of current and past residents, donors and well-wishers turned out for the special event.
The sculpture was created by world renowned artist and sculpturer Nancy Schoen who also designed the “Make Way for Ducklings” in the Boston Public Garden.
Construction project creates egress safety problem
A petition and cover letter from Villa Michelangelo residents and manager Carol Santoro outlining concerns about safety stemming from the construction taking place in the North End on Salem Street and Snelling Place.
“This has been going on for 18 months and is a safety hazard for the elderly,” Santoro wrote.
“Villa Michelangelo and our only handicap accessible egress is being blocked.”
She is referring to debris tossed in the path of emergency access.
City Councilor Gabriella Coletta Zapata was the recipient of the letter and petition signed by most of the housing complex residents.
Still time to become a member of FONEL
There are only a few more days left for the Friends of the North End Library (FONEL), 25 Parmenter Street membership drive being held on Tuesday, October 30 at 6pm.
Volunteers are needed to support the library’s efforts to enhance the current and future programming offered to the community.
As a member, you can also be on the Library’s Board of Directors and assist with selecting programs of interest for the neighborhood.
General Contractor admits to yelling and using curse words to abutter
According to a Boston Police report, they responded to a call by Angela Aquilino of 1 Snelling Place, who claimed she was harassed by the general contractor Anthony Bellanti of the construction project taking place on Salem Street and Snelling Place.
Report noted that Bellanti stated “he did yell at the victim and said curse words but did not threaten her.”
“Aquilino verified that no bodily harm threats were made” but the suspect “did make her feel concerned for her wellbeing.
Actually, Bellanti stated “He was harassed by Aquilino making multiple calls to the city building officials and OSHA.”
He said he was “tired of Aquilino’s false claims and harassment for the past six months.”
Halloween Movie Night and Bingo Games
In Partnership, North End Cares and the Nazzaro Community Center held a “Halloweekend” at the Center on North Bennet Street on October 19 + 20.
Movie Night (19th) featured the showing of “Halloweentown” with pizza and popcorn.
On Sunday (20th) the annual Bingo was held at the Center from 1-3:30pm.
There were refreshments, door prizes, 20 Bingo games with a minimum of $50 in prizes.
Rep. Michelwitz FOCCP guest speaker
State Representative Aaron Michelwitz will be the quest speaker at the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) quarterly meeting on Tuesday, November 12 (6:30pm-7:30pm) at the Mariners House, 11 North Square, 2nd floor.
Rep. Michelwitz, Chair of the House Ways and Means Committee is a life-long resident of the North End and has served in the House since 2009.
During his 15 years in the House, Rep. Michelwitz has served and chaired on many committees.
His District includes the North End, Waterfront, Chinatown, South End, Downtown Leather District, Bay Village and portions of the West End, Beacon Hill and Back Bay.
FOCCP contends that Aaron is a strong supporter of his constituents and one of the most hands-on representatives in the State House.
FONE held 52nd reunion
Friends of the North End (FONE) held their 52nd annual reunion with an over crowd of 110 former or current North End residents flowing into Spinelli’s.
The special event is held to recall and celebrate growing up in Little Italy of Boston.
Participants told stories of the old days, some true, some questionable at the celebration that turned back time.
Father Michael Della Penna praised the way residents strive to support each other in this close-knit community they called home.
The pastor at St. Leonard Church was recognized for his efforts to get the statue of Christopher Columbus placed in the church’s beautiful Peace Garden on Hanover Street.
As usual, the reunion was a great time.
NEWRA elects officers
The North End/Waterfront Residents’ Association (NEWRA) at its October 10 monthly meeting held election of officers.
Elected were: President Cheryl Delgreco, Vice President Jean Crampton, Secretary Kirsten Hoffman, Treasurer Branden Conway and Sergeant at Arms Gretchen Gallager.
NEWRA conducts monthly meetings on the second Thursday of each month at the Nazzaro Community Center, 30 North Bennet Street.
The public meetings are held to discuss and vote on proposals and concerns relating to the community.
Illuminated receives prestigious award
Illuminated, a non-profit that stewards the Old North Church has received an award of excellence from the American Association for state and local history.
The award honored the Illuminated for new programming that shines a light on the overlooked stories of the church’s early black and indigenous congregation.
The leadership in History Award is now in its 79th year and is the most prestigious recognition for achievement in the presentation and interpresenation of the state and local history.
In addition, the church is making some big accessibility upgrades and improvements to ensure all visitors regardless of physical problems can participate in the nations semiquincentennial celebration.
National Parks Service has made a grant of $1.7 million towards their work.
Happenings at Armenian Heritage Park
Reconfiguration of the Abstract Sculpture creating a new shape recently took place at the Armenian Heritage Park on the Greenway.
A crane lifted, pulled apart and reshaped the two halves of the sculpture creating a new shape symbolic of a new life.
Friends of the Park also held a Tea and Tranquility event featuring Bif Joe the Storyteller.
Participants enjoyed a lively performance, luscious cookies provided by Modern Pastry and refreshing citrus spitzer.
Through out November 4th grade classes, including the Eliot School in the North End, with their teachers from 12 Boston Public School will visit the park.
The schedule visit is the second lessons of the three-part curriculum, Geomerty As Public Art: Telling A Story inspired by the park’s geometric fortunes.
Daffodils at Columbus Park this November
Friends of Christopher Columbus Park (FOCCP) Gardening Club had a successful and wonderful season due to all of their volunteers.
The Club has held their last weekend of the year, but advises that a daffodil planning day will be held in November.
This season has included adding shade-tolerant hydrangeas in the shade garden and moving and dividing the hostas.
The gardens are still going strong with spirer, roses, cleomes and annuals still blooming