Printed in the Spirit of the Mid-Town Journal and the Phll Oddo ·School of Journalism: If You Can't Say Something Bad About Somebody -Lie! (This was supposed to be the original legend in 1984, but Raymond was scared Phil would beat us up.) VOLUME 16 NO. 3 .SEPTEMBER 2000 James Campano, Editor/Publisher •:• Email: [email protected] •:• . (6i7) 628-2479 Jim Campano's West End Story Reprinted from The Wall Street Journal, August,23, 2000
was parked in Haskell's Garag~ at and to a headstrong slog to reclaim hom~es were old. Maybe I wouldn't left to the weeds. On it, the city of 'By Barry Newman Chambers and Barton. Jimbo and some comer of his old furf. But have lived there all my life, but I Boston decided to build a mixed Staff Reporter of his buddies jumped the fence, after 42 years, Mr. Campano still could still have walked the streets, income apartment house. The The Wall Street Journal hacked off the exhaust pipe, broke su}?sists in what might be called a bought a slush on the corner. building would house a newspa the gear levers and poured plaster state of psychic homelessness. Maybe I. wanted to leave, but I pe!-office and a West End museum. BOSTON-The West End was into the gas tank. Two weeks later, 'The whole West End-you could· wanted to come back, too." . And some West Enders thrown out a neighborhood of five-floor walk t h e walk it in five minutes," he says Vocationally, Mr. Campano sells decades before would get a chance ups that was bulldozed off the map crane now. "But there was so much newspapers from 5 a.m. to 10 a.m. to go home. ' of Boston between the summers of was in packed into it. It seemed like it every morning down in the Bos It was a gesture of redress that 1958 and 1960. The city evicted t h e went on forever." ton subway. Avocationally, he is made Mr. Campano and his bud 7,000 people, mostly Italians, Jews street at He sits on the recliner in his liv ward captain, television personal dies feel copacetic. Many people and Poles-working-class immi night, ing room. The air conditioner is on. ity, newspaper editor and keeper of expect redress for many things, grants and their children-without t w 0 the curtains drawn. "Getting the archives in the old West End, a lately, and some deserve it. They offering them other plac~s to live. cops on plucked out and put somewhere neighborhood of the mind. And that call it closure now. But this was a It sold the land to a builder who guard. else, a young person, you get all was all he could imaginably have long way back, and Mr. put up a private enclave of luxury Jimbo shook up," he says. "A _piece of been, until an opportunity arose Campano's redress is yet to come. ' hit it you ps, aies: It's like-a hole in almost 15 years ago tojump the His expectations for yesterday's with a your memory." fence between the ephemeral and West Enders have tangled with the End was called slum clearance at Molotov He pushes _the cat off the coffee the real. entitlements of today's poor. Old first, then urban renewal, and then cocktail. Jim Campano table. '' Not everybody thought Real as in real estate. Of the old wrongs against his class have had a crime. In an era when city plan " Lit the West End was heaven. West End's 52 acres, one lot mea to share a small cup of closure with ning meant demolition, few other up the whole street," he says. Maybe they got piCked on. The suring 70,000 square feet had been West End Story, P'!-ge 8 American neighborpoods were so "Have you ever heard the sound a ruthlessly erased. Boston's maps Molotov cocktail makes? It goes, today show a blank along the woomph!" Father Groden's Glass House Charles River between Beacon The millenia! Jimbo still has To tilL' hlit(lJ: Hill and the North End where the some hair, minus the grease. He \1: ll~lllll' i\ RIL'ilie· :\e·dd. I alll a hhd; I]LIIl ~lild a I()J'Jlle'J' \\e· ... t 1-.ndc'J. West End streets used to run. wears shorts, sneakers and polo \lte'lle';ldille' tilL' 'tm: ~lhClllt Jim Cllll]1~11Hl I' tile· \\all Stre'L't .l(liJJ'JUI. l_\_\j~J!_lJj!fu__!!llended Bostonians under 40 hardly know shirts, and lives with his wife in a ill- FatlwL(; roclt·u·, -.;tatt·mt'IJb that__\ \'e-.;t E1Hh·•·-.;_\\_l~B'-Til<,:i~h. it existed. Jim Campano still can't frame house in the inner suburb of believe it's gone. .Somerville. They have two grown As a carpL'lllL'r h: tr;lde·. I 11a' tile· \1111.' hl.1cJ... llLIIl (lJl the· joh ~It \\L''l Lnd I'I;IL"l'. I \\;1 ... h1re·d In April 1958, when the wreck children. Many old West Enders alll'r Jilll C~llll]1~11l(l hrou~IJt llll' t(l tile• de'\c'l()pc·(.., ;ltlc'llti()Jl th~lt ~~.., ;1 hi~1CJ... 111;111 ;IJllli
The West. Ender,. nOw's the time-$' 10 Per.. Year <(l[qe ~est ~n~er P. 0. BOX 413 SOMERVILLE, MA 02144 (617) 628-2479 .
.. .;:· ~ .. ,' ' ~· ...-...... :. .• . "' -.. PAGEl SEPTEMBER 2000
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Staff: Editor.....•...... ••••.•.•.••.•. .JAMES CAMPANO Co-Founder.••••••••••••••• ! ...... RAYMOND J. PAPA
All letters, articles, and photos submitted to this publication become the property of The West Ender. Jim Campano is the only person authorized to accept memorabilia for The West Ender Remember, the West Ender is·a one man operation; mistakes will be made, but call or write and they will be co"ected. Announcements St. Joseph's. Mass for The West Ender Vuieo Newsletter, Jim Campano (I) Host and Joe Fortunato, Director, discuss the making of the Video Newsletter on a recent shoot. Deceased West Enders St. Joseph's Mass For deceased West Enders will be held on Remebering the Roaring Twenties Oct.29 at 11 :30 a.m. for more information call the rectory at I noticed from reading our West Ender that th.ere are one or two of us nonagenarians still around. 617-523-4342. After the Mass a reception is held downstairs Amazing! We have lived so long and .seen so much. There may have been notable decades, but the in the hall and everybody has a good time. one that impressed me was the "Roaring Twenties." · A lot happened during that time: The grim WWI had ended; People were relieved; Our boys were back home: Sadly, a lot didn't make it. - ' ' English High's 50th The girls were called Flappers. We bobbed our hair, rolled our stockings and danced the Charles ton. We were considered very bold and daring. Irv!ng Berlin wrote a beautiful song for his bride called "Always." It was played at most weddings for the bride and groom's first waltz. ·It was · A volunteer committee from the 1950 graduating class of the nation's played at my sister Lucy's wedding. The Hon. Joe Russo conducting and choreographing. oldest public high school, The English High School, Boston, is looking The Lone Eagle was the first solo flight across the Atlantic with just his cat and a sandwich. Big for 530 classmates for a Golden Anniversary Reunion on September celebrations were had when he landed in France. Also, in New York a big ticker-tape parade was 28, 2000, at Lantana's in Randolph, Mass. If you have any information held. In Boston, people were standing in line waiting to shake his hand -my friend and I included. about present addresses and phone numbers or even possible where What a thrill! He was tall and slim and a little on the shy side. abouts, please contact: He was nothing at all like the movie with James Stewart, "The Spirit of St. Louis." The "Sheik of ·Santo J. Aurelio Araby" left a lot of brokenhearted females when he entered the pearly gates. The movies began to 436 Mystic Street talk then with a tearjerker called "The Jazz Singer" with AI Jolson. He popularized two songs: Arlington, MA 02474 "Mammf' and "Sonny Boy". The latter song was so touching that most mothers nicknamed their (781) 643-7777 *Fax (781) 643-3993 *Email: [email protected]. baby boys "Sonny." ' The stock market crashed towards the end of that decade. A lot of investors lost their shirts; some jumped out of windows. As if that wasn't bad enough, the Great Depression reared its ugly head. That was the time of the bleak and dismal thirties. These are jus~ a few of the highlights of the DONATIONS "Roaring Twenties';. 2000 West Enders Century Club . The following people have given a donation to the West Ender in -M. Foti the last quarter The following West Enders have contributed $100.00 or more to our cause in 2000 We salute them! Now is the time to send your check in the amount of$100 .00 ifyoz Eleanor Intravaia Pat & Dick Walsh Looking are interested in becoming a member of the 2000 West Enders Century Club. Anne & Bundy Sherman John Short, O.C.D. for candlepil1 Joseph Leece Anthony Mantia Frank Privitera Domenic T. Longo Albert Cohen Richie Testa Josephine Polcari bowlers for Robert E. Catalano Frank Celeste · Jane Fennell Joanne Scialdone Mary Peluso this fall. William MacCauley Dr. Edward Naiman Nino Parisi Camella LoPresti Barry Shulman Joesph Russo Jr. Robert J. Vatalaro Nicholas Bova Mary Vendetti Kathy Corso Call John O'Connor Victor Terranova Marc A. Lipsitz Iiene Kortright Salvatore De Gregorio (617) 327·328E Vincent Raso Donald Zerendow Ralph Saya Bruce Guarino H.L. Nagliri Col. Alan Gropman Charlotte Ploss Leonard Nimoy Nina Alessi Joan Mihaich if interested. West End Bowling League Carole Shrier Alec & Marie The George Brenner Association Frances Paone Alexander Bernard J. Condelli '-' .. . .,. .. SEPTEMBER 2000 PAGE3- Remembering Hayes Gordon, a West Ender Down Under Dear Mr. Campano: A few months ago a matter came to my attention in relation to a Gordon, The Man and His Dream"- and after much urging he himself wrote ''Acting and boylwodfriend. He and I were both born in the West End. He lived on Brighton Street, I on Performing," a book acclaimed as one of the best on the subject. Phillips Street. We attended Boston sclwols and neighborlwod lwuses into our teens and The event that led to the discovde the rounds of community centers and neighborhood then, mysteriously it seemed to me, we were lost to one another. The facts as they later were houses in and around Boston searching out talented children between the ages of eight revealed produced what I consider to be a compelling success story -possibly one that has and twelve offering them, with the consent of their parents, a free vacation for the entire not yet cone to light here - until now. Here it is. summer, on his estate. As supervisor, he selected a husband and wife team from Harvard and from the neighborhood houses several counselors each specializing in a specific 1-:le was 79 when he died on October, 1999 -just ten months ago. subject. The first of those chosen was a par Australians remember him with reverence for his nearly fifty years ticularly gifted young man who had a magnifi of dedication to the art of theater. The Order of the British Empire cent baritone voice, was versed in science, was awarded him by the Queen of England was but one of the many trib clever at slight of hand magic and with a warm, utes paid. He performed, produced, directed and taught in a country friendly personality. His name was Hyman far from his own and, in the opinions of many, is considered the per Gordon. Both being products of Boston neigh son who revolutionized theater in Australia. borhood houses, he and I were friends and he Hyman Gordon was born and spent his boyhood years in a tenement asked me to join him and other counselors to on Brighton Street in the West End of Boston. He was a poor kid of spend the summer on the Ipswich Estate. immigrant parents who, luckily, found his way to the Elizabeth Peabody Hymie, as he was known to his friends, when House. He joined the science and dramatic classes- that proved to have he entered the theater, adopted Hayes as a more provided the foundation for the rest of his life. Needing to provide for suitable. first name and went on to become -the his mother, he attended the Massachusetts College of Pharmacy and person described above. Evenings when there went to work as a.pharmacist. At age twenty, he accepted a better pay was little ·else-to do, I did pencil sketches of ingjob with a large chain pharmacy in New York, placing him close to Hymie and· some of the campers as in the en the theatrical district where he was able to audition for parts in musi closed photocopies. Hayes was seventeen at the cals·such as the one he got in "Oklahoma.: Before leaving Boston he time. had been infatuated with a girl who lived a few streets away. She too That summer was the last time we saw one was pursuing a career in the theater and when they met in New York another. At the outset of World War II we both she helped the fledgling find an apartment. Her name was Ruth Ro went into the Air Corps ~ but in different-direc man. tions. After my discharge in 1945, I wondered He had a wonderful baritone voice, was getting parts and making what had become of him - why was he so hard good headway when he fell prey_to · the evils of the McCarthy era. to find? Now, too late, I know. My wife Alice Refusing to sign their loyalty oath· or to betray friends by giving up (formerly Alice Short, sister of John Short who their names, he was blacklisted and unable to work. Having been in has been for more than fifty the chorus of "Oklahoma," he was acquainted with Richard Rogers years Father Redemptus, a and Oscar Hammerstein and so came to know Oscar Harnmerstein 's son Bill. A New York Carmelite priest stationed at agent for an Australian theatrical company had been asked to fmd a baritone to play the Holy Hill in Hubertus, Wiscon lead in "Kiss Me Kate" to tour in that country. She offered the part to Hayes and Bill sin) heard of his death in an Hammerstein urged him to take it. obituary delivered by his Fresh from parts "that he had played in New York such as the ones in "Oklahoma", · nephew over a local public ra "Brigadoon" and "Show Boat," he now had the leading role in "Kiss Me Kate" in faraway dio station. We obtained a copy Australia. In subsequent roles as a swashbuckler he displayed excellent swordsmanship of the program and the radio and was asked by fellow actors to teach them to fence. After matinees he held fencing station also put us in touch with classes as well as classes in act- Hayes' nephew who, in nim, ing -for it became apparent that put us in touch with Hayes' he also excelled as an actor and daughter Katie wh~ lives in vocalist. His training under great New Jersey and she directed us teachers, such as Lee Strasberg to Hayes' wife Helen in Aus back in the States, now stood tralia. him in good stead. In Sydney he The biography and the book soon became the leader of a on drama were difficult to lo group of actors and fmally, prac cate here since they were pub tically single handedly, built a lished in Australia. Helen sent theater in the round on Sydney's both to me with a tape of songs waterfront which he named the by Hayes (some of them duets Ensemble Theater. Hayes pro with famous o~ra star Eileen duced, directed and starred in Farrell) which she put together many musicals such as "Kis from a collection of Hayes' re- met", "Fiddler on the Roof', cordings. "Annie" and a list too numerous In her most recent letter to me Hayes wife Helen reported about the acting school to mention. which had been begun in the late 1950s, "We are still keeping it going but it remains to As the acting school grew he be seen whether it will survive without the great man." . devoted himself more and more I suggest that the name of Hayes Gordon would add lustre to any list of stars of the to teaching, for now teaching West End. had become his passion. As his -Fred Press fame spread a biography of his life was published - "Hayes PAGE4 SEPTEMBER 2000 Anyone know who tJte girls are? Donato will run for Hi Jim, ! . This picture will surely bring back memories for some. I can't remem ~ I . state Rep from 38th ber the girls' names, but standing left I to right are Dicky Rano, Sam (Sam r -. Spade) Palermo, Jinutzo, Roy Middlesex Mazziota, unknown girl, and Charlie Alito. Medford City Council Presi Kneeling (I'm not sure of the dent Paul J. Donato has officially girls), Sal Cucinotta, Chili DeFranco announced his candidacy for the and Johgn (The Muft) Paleo. This, Democratic Primary for State I believe, was taken by me, year Representative from the 38th unknown. Let's identify the girls! Middlesex District in this fall's Ed Solano of Wall St upcoming elections. (now Peabody) The 38th Middlesex District in Paul}. Donato cludes nearly all of the city of be strengthened by the great ini Medford and one precinct in Ward tial response that I have received Three in the city of Malden. in Medford, but also from my THAT RAGGED OLD FLAG The seat is now held by six friends and neighbors in Malden term State Representative and who reside in the district. ~· I stopped one day, in a little old Town-Peaceful and quiet, but sorta run down former Medford City Councilor Donato explained that he in~ Rows of park benches ran round the Town Square-But the carpet of grass, was a little thread bare Anthony Giglio, who recently tends to keep the seat Democratic. - . announced his decision not to "I am enthusiastic, as chairman On the old Town Hall roof, which had started to sag-was an unpainted-pole, with a ragged old Flag seek reelection. of the Medford Democratic Ward on one of the benches, sat a little old -man-leanin' on his cane, with chin in his hand In the past, Donato has served and City Committee, of my abil Right fine momin," said I with a grin. He smiled up at me and lifted his chin "Mighty glad," said he, "to as member of Medford's school ity to keep the seat in the ranks of have you around, must be the first time you've stopped in our Town" committee from 1971-1975. He the Democratic Party," he said. then served on Medford's City Donato explained that he I allowed that it was, and started to stare, at that Ragged old Flag, so tattered and bare Council from 1975-1985, during knows he'll be tackling a wide He caught my glance, and with a trace of a brag, He said' "We're mighty proud of that "Ragged old Flag" which he served concurrently as variety of issues that face the It's colors are faded, threads a bit bare-but Washington carried it, 'cross the wide Delaware Mayor under the former Plan E Thirty-eighth District. And Adams, and Hancock, Jefferson too-all stood in salute to its "Red, White and Blue" form of city government for six · "Education, Health Care, Wa . . - years. He rejoined the City Coun ter and Sewer rates are three ma Gettysburg, a bullet of slag, left a big gaping hole, in that Old Ragged Flag; Sherman and Grant , and even cil in 1994 and has served as jor concerns I will concentrate on old General Lee, had a hand in that flag -and keeping it free Council President since 1999. if elected," said Donato, "and I It waved in the breeze, when FranCis Scott Key, wrote the "Rockets Red Glare", "Oh Say Can You See" "With enthusiasm and confi am also confident that my expe Big Teddy Roosevelt,- with courage and will, c~ed that Old Ragged Flag, to the top of San Juan Hill dence, I announce my candi rience as member of the Medford dacy," Donato said. "I (look for School Committee will provided As the years then rolled by, to that big World War One ward) to the opportunity to bring me much insight into the needs -The old Ragged Flag, felt big Bertha's gun local issues to the state govern of public education." Bob Cataldo Presents ment." "I look forward to meeting as And when the guns stopped, that Donato said he feels confident many residents of the district as Old Ragged Flag waved-while a Singles Dances Ne"· England in his ability to mount a strong possible during the course of the Bugler played ''Taps" over the (Formerly Royal American Singles Party) campaign. "(I believe) that it will Flanders Field graves cam ai n," added Donato. TOPDJ -TOP40 DANCE- SMOKE FREE 2000 \VES'f ENI)ERS It kept right on waving, in old check your local calendar listings World War II, that Ragged Old l\IEl\IOI{IA.L CIRCLE .Flag, with its Red. White and Blue AMERICAN LEGION HALL The following West Enders have contributed $100.00 or more in And then Iwo Jima, Okinawa, 357 Great Road (Rts. 4-225), Bedford , MA memory of their loved ones in 2000. Now is the time to send in your Japan, On to Korea and then .128, to Exit 31B. , Hall is 1 mile on left Vietnam donation to be included in the 2000 West Enders Memorial Circle Spm to Midnight -Admission $6 -$7 After 8:30 In memory It was defiled and insulted, by a ~4 11 Plll ll ,tlll~.._' lrllll h]- ~~.:;; -liJ(f(l \\\\\1 ltl\ r], 11\~1 .._,!r''-llr •],..., t..\1)11 Of Saul Brener from Ben Brener & Anne & Bundy Sherman crazy old man, when that Ragged ~()( I , \ dull \tn--'1~...·-.. 11 111'!) lh.. 'tt\ll'' J),ltlt Ptl/l" P ttlf'~ ... 't J) •, "1\ ... li r t ... ·1i Old Flag, was seized in Iran Of Joseph J. Sicuso from Josephiine Polcari & Frances Sicuso Of Charlie Collins from Joan (Collins) Mihaich Then it came home, cross turbu • FINE WINES • SPIRITS • lent seas, where government • MICROBREWS • Of Sidney Shrier from Carole (Real) Shrier distrust, dragged the Flag to its • IMPORTED CHEESES • knees Of Phylis and the Cohen Family that has expired: Harry, Joe Joe & Tootsie from Frances Paone The Wine Cellar So you see, stranger, somehow we AT DOWNTOWN CROSSING Of Irene Minichiello from AJ Minichiello and family all knew-that Old Ragged Flag, would sure pull us through Of Rose Marie Freccero from her husband Lawrence Freccero, And I·been a thinkin', I maybe (617) 542-1043 Gaetano and Josephine Pribvitera (617) 542-4637 40-42 WINTER ST. should brag-for I'm mighty ARNOLD VENTRESCA BOSTON, MA. 02108 Of Joseph & Anita Russo, Donald & Sylvia Grey, Joseph Solano damn proud, of that Ragged Old & Moe Guarino from VIncent & Dototh Russo Flag SEPTE:MBER 2000 PAGES WEST END LETTERS Brings back memories Keep up the good work Please keep the West Ender Dear James Campano; coming as it brings back many Keep up the good work. I love pleasant memories reading your West Ender. Mary Peluso -Nina Alessi Love to hear from: Please send J one Blackstone ' Dear Jim; Classmates Please send me the June West Ender. Regards from Dom Paulo. Dear West Ender; -Hass Lack I was interested to read the let ter "Class of 58 Blackstone Jr. High." Will always have the I was a graduate of that year, and in 1941 a graduate of Girls High . West End I also lived at 58 Leverett St. Many thanks for all the joy you Would like to hear again from have brought to me and all "West classmates ofthat year. Enders". -Camee/la Lopresti I have saved all my newspapers and continue to read them over and Worth keeping over. As long as we have you and all memories alive the people who care, we shall al Dear Editor; ways be part of and always have I've enclosed a check to renew our beloved West End. my subscription for the West -Nina "Zizzo" Schifone Ender. It's a small price to pay to keep CQver to .cover ,.. in touch (so to speatc) with a lot of ' fond memories. I;m sending in my renewal sub- Truly. scription. I would be upset if I -Agnes I wanow didn't get the paper to read from cover to cover. There certainly is no place like the former West End. · that overseas in Europe with the Keeps recycling had the good fortune of being Wondering about brought up in the good old West childhood friends -MariannaArdito U.S. Gov't. from 1960. I was in Dear West End Frienqs; Naples, Rome, Palermo, Frankfort, As old West Enders, Joe and I End. Sincerely, Hi; . and Vienna, Austria from where I look forward eagerly to your next Sorry for the long delay. I grew Hopes to make a was transferred to P.R. in 1967 . I publication. After we absorb every Joe and Ceil Franchina up on Garden St. And S. Russell reunion was delighted to hear from her. article, we pass it along to family. · St. and often wonder what hap Dear Mr. Campano; Her husband Maxie and I were So it keeps recycling. Show of support pened to some wonderful child We enjoy the West Ender and very close. He was a fine gentle It seems like your efforts keep Thanks for the usual trip down hood friends: getting to read about memories of man and we had a lot in common. hitting against a brick wall, but memory lane. When the West Roberta (Block) Curtis long ago. Our hearts will always I see you have me on the donation never stop trying! Maybe one day Ender arrives, everything is put 01i Nancy Hickman be in the West End. We live Quite list. "they" will admit their mistakes. hold! Keep up the great job. Maureen Gregis a distance from Mass. Maybe Enclosed is my check for Keep up the good work of reach- -Kathy D. Melrose someday we will be able to go to $100 so you can put me on the ing out to those of us who · 21 North Russell St. '44-'58 P.S. Also lots of others too numer one of the reunions. Keep up the Century Club list. ous to name. I recently walked good work. Sincerely, SUBSC.RIBE TO THE WEST ENDER Garden to. Russell St., the·Phillips -Stan and Ann Narenkiewicz -Dominic T. Longo St. playground etc. so many good P.S. Hello to Sara Kravitz $10.00 PElt YEAR memories. ------~·--~------~----- 1 Fondly, · Made a connection 1 FORM Distance makes the I THE WEST ENDER SUBSCRIPTION I -Joanne (Indelicato) Scialdone Dear Jim; I 0 I would like to s.ubscribe to The West Ender for the year 2000. I I just got your June issue of heart••• I . I · Please send us your let the West Ender in which I saw Enclosed is my renewal check I Q Enclosed is my dalation of $ I for the West Ender. Always glad · ters with your experi my letter to you which you en :~~ : titled HELLO Kravitz. Appar to receive it. I have lived in ences. We could run ently Sara Kravitz saw it which Florida for the past twenty years. :A~re~ - : newspaper articles but prompted a phone call to me to say But there was never any place I · I like the West End. Keep up the I I YOU are the strength of hello-after so many years. I have Mail check to: The West Ender 1 good work! 1 our newsletter. been in P.R. since 1967 and before 1 P.O, Box 413 . I -Harold Kaplan -Jim Campano 1 Somerville, MA 02144 1 • - ~ ·- ~ · -- . ~ , -~ ...... ------~ . .... --... ~<# PRIVITERA FAM·ILY SCHOLARSHIP Pro-minent West End Fa-mily Continues The Sons of Italy Foundation's 12th Annual was the Master.of Ceremonies. Awards Gala was held on May 25th, 2000, at the Among the highlights of the, evening was the National Building Museum in Washington D.C. presentation of the "Privitera Family Perpetual The. gala w~s attended by over 1,000 people, Scholarship." The award was presented by West including PRESIDENT CLINTON, who gave the Enders FRANK AND JEAN PRIVITERA to keynote address. Baseball great Tommy Lasorda .JAMES A.FIORELLI of Virginia Beach, Virginia. AWARDED AT WASillNGTON .D.C. GALA A Long-Standing Tradition of Giving Fiorelli attained a 4.0 G.P.A. and was a National the entertainment for the evening. Merit Scholarship fmalist. The Privitera Perpetual Scholarship was established Auto racing great MARIO ANDRETII was given in 1997 with a $100,000 contribution to the Sons of the "Education and Leadership Award; Actress . Italy Foundation. It created a peq>etual annual schol CONNIE STEVENS received the coveted "Hu arship to be given to a needy student of Italian de manitarian Award"; Singer Vic Damone provi~ed scent in order to perrpetuate Italian culture. PAGES SEPTEMBER 2000 . Boston's housing policies man dated marketing to minorities. Jim CaiDpano Continues -His Crusade to Keep · West Enders got dibs on just 100 morning's take, he says, "I never The Boston Redevelopment apartments, mostly high-priced [·~ thought this was my life's work. Authority woke up and remem ones. the West End Alive The way I was brought up, some bered that a comer of the West End "Years ago, we were asked to West End Story life has a link to the West End's thing bad happens, you get over it. was empty. The man who built pay the price of"the new Boston," from front page. exceptional impact on academia. In 1959, as the West End died, Charles River Park held the rights Mr. Campano would tell to a City Other pl~ces fell to the wreckers, he joined the Coast Guard, got out but had never touched the lot. In Council hearing. "Now we are older wrongs against a race. but this one was special-its quickly and was on his stoop the 1987, the authority claimed it. The asked to pay the price of segrega "We've been bulldozed twice," wipeout took place on the front day the wreckers reached it. His builder went to court; in 1992 , he tion. When do we stop paying?" he says, driving his Subaru toward stoop of American thinking about mother moved to rented rooms in lost. And then Boston made its His Old West End Housing Boston. "At least in '58 they were cities. Somerville, just north over the gesture of redress. Corp. sued, arguing reverse dis honest about it. They just threw us Before the West End came river. At 24, he got a factory job. It had been 36 year~ since the crimination. An old state statute out." Crossing the river, he looks down, a· sociologist named Her He married, bought his house. At city handed out a pamphlet in the seemed to give West Enders a right left and says, ''That was a dump. · bert Gans studied its working-class 36, he went into wallpapering. lri West End that said, "Every resi of return, but no such right can We used to go with BB guns to ethic. He called the neighborhood 1984, the year that business dried dent in the .area will be rehoused eclipse civil rights. In 1998, they shoot rats." Ahead, a grove ofbal "a good place to live," and con up, Mr. Campano got an idea. in good housing." They never lost. conied buildings rises behind a fa demned its condemnation. His He started a newspaper, and were, of course. "The tragedy lies ''They were trying to say that the mous sign: "If you lived classic, "The Urban Villagers," called it the West Ender. "I,always there," says Richard Hynes, iilaw fair-housing rules shouldn't ap here ... you'd be home by now." To appearetl in 1962, and made the thought I should do something," he yer whose father, John B. Hynes, ply,'' says Msgr. Michael Groden, those evicted to make way for the West End's fate "the best-known says. "I never knew what." It came was mayor of Boston then. So now who heads the archdiocese hous- Charles River Park estate, the sign atrocity of urban renewal," says to him that summer. He had dug the city decided to put a good . ing office. He was a target of the is infamous. Alexander von Hoffman, an urban up 125 West End friends for a re building in the West End and in suit and has taken some lumps in Mr. Campano parks in the lee of historian across the Charles at Har union. Afterward, he put some reC vite the West Enders it had evicted Mr. Campano's columns. "If a high-rise. A Beantown Trolley vard University. ollections into a mimeographed to live in it. · they'd had their druthers,'' says shoots by on tour; not much colo . While the program faded, other newsletter and mailed it to the On his mailing list's merits, Mr. Msgr. Groden, "the place would nial history here. A street leads to sociologists ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Campano was have been for white West Enders." a concrete path curving through concluded, as n a rouna out way, t e power 0 named head of From his living room recliner, shrubbery. Past gardeners mulch Marc Fried did Mr. Campano says, ''The easiest ing a fir, Mr. Campano follows it in 1945, that "a [the West End] over Jim Campano's ~~~s:;s~:;~ way to make us look bad is to call into the precincts of his childhood. sense of spatial life has a link to'the West End's an official par- . us racists. Let them. I hung out His father was Italian, a knife identity is fun ticipimt in the with black guys." It's twilight. grinder. He died _when Jimbo, the damental to hu exceptional impact on academia. project with two Kathy, his Irish-Italian wife, clears youngest of nine children, .was man function Other places fell to the wreckers, partners, Keen pasta bowls_from the dining table. three. His mother, who came from ing." Development ' "'Oh, they did·suckerust'says Mr. Lithuania, went on welfare, then It has taken but this one was special -its Corp. and · Campano. He checks his watch. worked in a hospital kitchen. She time, but all · Boston's Ro Time to get in the car and gt;) on cooked pasta except at this attention wipeout took place on the front man Catholic television: - Easter,when it was sausage and to loss of iden stc;»op of American thinkin·g about Archdiocese. West Ender Video Newsletter, in beet soup. The family lived in ·6 tity has given They planned to its 12th year, airs once a month on 0 rooms on the second floor of aten Mr. Campano put up a build locar access stations. Mr. ement on Poplar Street. It was big a new sense of ing with 183 co Campano has invited a politician and sunny, and when they were who he is. people who showed up. operative apartments -106 of from Medford, Paul Donato, to the forced out, the rent was $29 a. . Morning rush down in the sub Soon, 2,000 old West Enders them government-subsidized. Somerville Studio for a half-hour month. way at Davis Square: He stands wanted it. A printer buddy volun Cost: $29 million: chat. They chew over the taste of "You started hanging on the in front of a brick wall, newspa teered to set it in type and run it Mr. Campano wanted to call it Baldini's cold cuts and soak in streets early," says Mr. Campano. pers piled at his feet. Throngs pass. off on newsprint foUr times a year. West End Village; that was nixed memories of the Leverett Street He played punch ball, shined Turnstiles churn. He dips to a Circulation grew to 4,250. (too crude) in favor of West End Baths. When the show is over, ·- shoes, went to settlement-house paper, folds it, makes change. He The West Ender was packed Place. But his group did get a they cross the street to the Irish camp. He enrolled in trade school, has had a bypass; the legs are ·with memories. Letters: "It was pledge for a storefront museum, Eyes Bar. then dropped out because his bud weak. Sunday morning, and I was frying offices for the West Ender, and a ''There's still West Enders out dies did. "When you left the West A man approaches and says: eggplant... my mind went back to chunk of money to run them. At there,~' Mr. Campano says over a End," he says, "you went with your "You:re on TV. How's the show another Sunday morning, and my the 1994 ground-breaking, Sen. Coke: "Problem is they don't be crowd." going? I forget your name, uh, mother was frying eggplant..." Edward Kennedy said, "the whole lieve anybody anymore." The path curves past St. _Jimmy!" Pictures: '.'Al Raso's going-away fabric of this city was lost" when Mr. Donato has tomato juice. Joseph's church, the one landmark Another man comes up, intro- · party at Blinstrub's Village on Oct. the West End feil. In his speech, "At this stage of life," he ventures, left standing. Poplar St. began a ducing himself as an architect. He 14, 1958." Obituaries: Sonny Mr. Campano called West End ''People would not be looking to block away and sloped toward the says, "Jim's a real steady guy who Nutile, who "spent a great deal of . Place "a vindication." move back. They'd like a memo Charles. Mr. Campanci turns down takes a position and plays it." He time at the Wonderland dog track". He never guessed that at the rial. How about a plaque on the an incline, passing ~ tennis court buys a Globe and slaps Jim on the And bitterness: ''The devastation building's dedication four year's Casino Burlesque site?" and a "No Dogs on Grass" sign, back. wrought upon us years ago is in later, he wouldn't ~ welcome on Mr. Campano brightens. "I used stops at a bed of pansies in front "I talk to lots of architects," delibly etched in our minds ... We the premises. to go there. I'd sneak in." of a building called Two Mr. Campano says after the rush will never forget!" To Mr. Campano, what hap "Give us a mea culpa. " Hawthorne Place, and says, , walking the few blocks to his That is one snippet among many ·pened was yet another broken "I'm a hard head.~' says Mr. "Here. ~· house. "I get invited places." He from the pen of Jim Cainpano. "I promise. He had come to think Campano. "Deep inside, I feel He knows where he is. He can lectures at the Massachusetts got over my hate by writing it out," that old West Enders would get the this thing hasn't played out. feel it. It's his front stoop. Institute of Technology, shows he says. "Then I realized that piek of all the apartments in West Things may change." In a roundabout way, the power slides at the Boston Historical So people were reading me." People, End Place. Not so. Federal fmanc Mr. Donato looks into his glass of this place over Jim Campano's . ciety. In his kitchen, counting the it seemed, in city government. ing plus a court decree aimed at Continued on next page SEPTEMBER 2000 PAGE9 Ji01 Ca01pano's West West End Story Campano. "I'm divisive. " Every afternoon, as on this one, End From preceding page Mr. Campano and Frank Privitera and says, "Probably not." meet in Somerville for pastry at By the time the 183 apartments LaContessa. Mr. Privitera and his in West End Place were sold, only son, Phillip, have sued to get the Haunts museum and newspaper deals en about 25 went to West Enders. Mr. The Harvard Gardens on Cam forced. Now, they're trying tone Campano got as chance to buy at bridge Street was perhaps the best gotiate a compromise. market price (well over $100,000) beer parlor in the West End. Over but decided he couldn't afford the The builders, Frank Privitera 90o/~ of their customers were beer monthly costs. At the dedication, · says, have agreed to allow a mu drinkers. I remember one night a seum in West End Place after all. he and some pals picketed. Then woman came out of the ladies's came the worst news: The build It would be run by a new board that room screaming. It seemed that ers, smarting at the suit, had can Mr. Campano would have to fight during the night, she became ill celed the rest of to control, and went in the ladies's room to the contract. even though vomit. While doing that, her den There would be "The easiest way most of the tures loosened up and fell into the no office for the stuff that for them to make hopper. Now she was looking for West Ender in would go someone to retrieve them. West End Place us look bad is to into the mu Who can beat Danny's Variety seum is in and no West call us racists. at the foot of Joy Street for a place End museum. Mr. Cam to meet your friends and enjoy a The project's pano's cellar. Let them. I good cup of coffee? Danny's was other partner, He could be like a miniature supermarket. Bob Kuehn of hung. out with in charge of Whatever you needed, Danny.had Keen Develop publishing black guys." it. One day a man came into the ment, is sorry: "materials" store and threatened to take all his "I'm fond of for the mu- -Jim Campano clothes off -which ~e did! Stand Jim," he says. seum-but ing there in the nude, he was physi "He's sustained a neighborhood 40 not a newspaper called the West cally escorted out and landed .in the years after the bri~;k and mortar . Ender. . middle of Cambridge Street. Former West Enders, Mr. And Mrs. Jim. Trlngiile on a recent existed. But he just has to blame "I'm walking away from it," Another great place was Bob wedding trip to Dallas came across this sign. Wrote Mr. Tingle: says Mr. Campano. He sits in the --....____som~ can't say, OK, the Feeney's Grill and Bar. Always "But Jimmy wiU always say, there was only one great West End, glass is three-quarters full, let's pastry shop with arms folded, sun fine food and drinks. A great place that one located in the heart of Boston, facing the beautiful Charles drink a toast." glasses on. The West Ender's read to watch sporting events on TV; River." ership is down to 1,100: he does Why did h~and a building this was the place if you were a exclusively for WestErulers-when, , all the work himself now. But gambling person and looking for · great for skinny dipping. We a big ego thing and lots of fun. It in the end, few came forward to that's not the point. The museum action. It reminded me of the called the place "Lumbago seemed like who had the most luck fill it? Frank Privitera, one of Mr. board could censor his 'materials." sitcom "Cheers" -where every Beach". was a fellow called ''Tar Baby." Campano's buddies, says: "It was One more unfriendly article could body always knows your name. At the foot of Staniford Street - Imagine the look on the mothers' the noble thing." mean eviction-again. Also, they all knew ali about your where it meets up with Lowell and face when these kids would bring Since he picketed, Mr. "They want to gag me," he says. sex life! Merrimac Streets, there was an is home their clothes to be washed. Campano hasn't been to West End "I'd rather sit in my cellar, dirty as This goes a while back on land. There was a trough for the There was a field at the foot of Place, but he takes time one day it is, and call them names. Know Bowdoin Square, where the tele benefit of horses, a water fountain Leverett Street facing the Regis to look around. It's I Q floors high, what I mean?" phone building now sits. There with cold, fresh water and a urinal try where we played ball. ·The · with cast-stone bays and an arch Frank Privitera does. was a theatre called ''The Olym "for men only." Imagine what the ground was hard and full of way leading to a courtyard. In "Where we come from, they pic"; we called it "Nickel Dump." Women's Societies would say pebbles and broken glass. God front of the empty store where don't do things like that." Mr. It costs five cents to get in, and about that today! forbid you fell while playing - the museum was supposed to go, Privatera sips his espresso; the every Saturday was "Double There was also amateur night at you'd end with something broken. he bumps into Tony DeMarco, builders, it seems to him, don't Header Day." They sat two kids the Lancaster Theatre, good for That's the reason we called it 'The who KO'd Johnny Saxton at grasp the West End ethic. "Jim's in a seat. lots of laughs. Our gang attended Brokies." Boston Garden on April 1, 1955, just a bomb tosser to them," he Who can forget the Bowdoin the first game the Boston Celtics The West End had two great and became welterweight cham says. "He used to put torches to Square Theatre? We used to sit in played when they formed the NBA Deli's: Klaman'sonNorthRussell pion of the world for two wrecking machines. You ever hear the gallery. That was all we could at the Boston Garden (They lost Street and Barney Sheaf on Spring months. that sound? The drink Molotov afford to get in. We were so close to the Providence Cavaliers). Street. You could always afford a "How ya doing?'" Mr. invented? Give 'em that sound, to the ceiling lights that if we So Margin Street had baloney on an end with a two cents DeMarco says. Jirnbo." stripped down to the waist -which Cassandra's Bakery. Also, every plain, which cost a grand total of "I'm not wanted here," says Mr. Jirnbo says, ''Woomphf' we often did- we could almost get summer they had 'The Feast of the seven cerits! a tan. Madonna". A great time was had The last, but not least: The bas 2000 \VEST ENDER (;()LD CLUB Again, going back awhile, at by people attending. It would ket games and dances played at the Keany Square there was a lumber wind up on Sunday night with the West End House and attended by The following West Enders have contributed $500.00 to our cause for yard. We frequented there, be climbing of the greasy pole. At just about every West Ender on · 2000, aimed at keeping alive the spirit of the West End. . cause in the back of the yard there the top of the pole sat, I believe, a Saturday nights. was a platform where you could ten dollar bill. It was for whoever Submitted by Freddie Ferrara, FRANK PRIVITERA do some diving and swimming; . made it to the top. It was West Roxbury PAGE 10 SEPTE:MBER 2000 A letter, a report In Memory Of .. .and a poem.to boot! Dear Jimmy; Thank you for doing such a good job with Dear Jim: bringing back fond memories of the West End. I'd like to submit a short article and a poem My dad, Charlie Collins, passed away in 1981; for The West Ender concerning the year 2000 re my mother, Irene Collins is 92 years old, and union of the 1946 St. Joseph 8th grade class. The she really looks forward to reading the West poem is actually a lyric I wrote to be sung to the Ender. tune of" When the World Was Young. "Frankly, Thank you for all the memories, I think it could apply to just about any graduat -Joan Collins Mikaich ing class in the last 60 years. I gave it a valiant try at the reunion. Since I'm still alive, I'll assume To all the West Enders; they liked it. Thanks for your help. Recently I was able to spend some time with -Bob Vatalaro a few of the old West Enders. One was Gloria Roswell, GA. Leone and also Kathy and Maureen Deasy (their maiden names). We had a lovely day together. It was such a pleasure being with them. Also, a memorial for my sister Phyllis who passed away last November and the rest of the Cohen family St. Joseph Eighth Grade that have passed on, my brother Harry, Joe Joe and l'ootsie. All that's1eft is my sister Rita who Class Has Reunion is 92 and my brother Frances who is 79 and myself (81 ). The years do fly. Keep up the good On June 3rd, several members of the 1946 St. Jo work It's a pleasure reading the news of the seph 8th grade graduating class held their fourth re West End. union at the Hill Top restaurant in Saugus Mass. At Thanks again, tending were: Frank Fisichella, Nat Noel, Stanley -, -Ji'raoc~ Cohen Paone Zwirble, George Leary Jr., Dominick Raso, Joe Paci, + . Santo Aurelio, Charlie Intravaia, and Bob Vatalaro. Dear West Ender; Spouses attending were: Carol Fisichella, Jean Noe, It is with great sadness that I inform West End Dhun Zwirble, Kathleen Leary, t>oitieRaso, Barbara - family and friends that in February 25, 2000, Paci, and Josephine Aurelio. Sidney Shrier died from complications due to It is interesting to note that the alumni from Loui- · diabetes. siana, Georgia, Florida, and New York State have Sid loved talking about the West End aild made every reunion with the exception of one mem loved this newspaper. ber who missed one meeting. It speaks well of the Sid and I both grew up in the West End. We . lasting friendships forged at St. Joseph in the West married and lived there until it was tom down. End. The enthusiasm of the group produced old and He leaves two daughters, two sons and four new anecdotes, several laughs, and a great deal of grandchildren. nostalgia. One member described the camaraderie . -Carole ~Real) Shrier best when he said, "We just didn't go to school to gether, we grew up together." It was obvious that the Dear West Ender; group had a wonderful time,.and is looking forward This donation is in memory ofSaul Brener. to their next reunion which will be enlarged by three members who could not make it this year. He will be missed by all who knew him. -Anne and Bundy Sherman + In memory of: Law Offices of Joseph J. Sicuso, age 72 of Everett, formerly of Hale Street in the West End, on June 18th, Thomas F. Colonna 2000. · Beloved husband of Marie (Caprio) for 48 years; {ather of James of Revere; John of • Auto Accidents • Work Injuries Stoneham and Adele of Medford. Loving grand father of four grandchildren.' Brother of • Slips and Falls • Wrongful Death Josephine Polcari, Frances Sicuso of Medford • Real Estate Closings • Wills, Estates and Trusts and Salvatore Sicuso of New Port Richey, Fla. Late son of Carmela and Sebastino. Brother FREE CONSULTATIONS of the late Carmela (Melina) Doroenic and Charles Sicuso. ·16 Bradlee Road 99 Walnut St, Suite A He was also a member of the Turf and Mer Medford, MA Saugus, MA cury Clubs in the West End. , .ThankYou, (781) 395-2834" (781) 231-4900 -Josephine Po.lcari and Frances Sicuso, Medford SEPTEMBER 2000 PAGE 11 MEMORIES Clockwise from top: · THE BOSTON COMMON1942 (I tor) Salvatore ''St. Louie" Spinale (de ceased), Joe Leece, Bill Scalisi, Joe D'Ambrosio • EARLY 1940s Mercury Club ' Members in front of 179 Cambridge St., Boston • • SUMMER 1953, GLOUSTER (I to r):Joe Leece, Leo ·· ·Cipriano, Charies . "Bunky" Puzzanghera, Vinny "Woshie" Noe (deceased), Tony Pusateri, Joe Sarcia (deceased) PAGE 12 SEPTEMBER 2000 Former West Enders Busines~ Directory Your $30.00 donation for an ad on this page DAVID A. LEONE will allow us to continue ATTORNEY AT LAW to keep alive the "Dedicated to Service" (781l 648-2345 LEO~E & LEO~E Spirit of The West End! 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Somerville, MA 02145 (617) 884-5901 PHILIP J. PRIVITERA SOMERVILLE, MASS. 02143 . · (617.) 623-5510 , ·. , .. " ' . ./'.