Dedicated to being the collective conscience of Urban Renewal and Eminent Domain in Boston VOLUME 16 No.4 DECEMBER 2000 James Campana, Editor/Publisher • Email: [email protected] . • (617) 628-2479 The Controversy Continues Memories of liberal Richie Nedd's Letter To the Editor: hypocrisy My name is Richie Nedd. I am a black man and a former West Ender. While reading your article about Jim After reading the story about Jim Campano in the Wall Street Journal, I was totally offended by Father Groden's statements that Campano's career, I was reminded of an West Enders were racists. incident that occurred while I was a young As a carpenter by trade, I was the only black man on the job at West End Place. I was hired after Jim Campano brought me to the teenager growing up in the West End. developer's attention that as a black man and a former West Ender, I should be working on the job. Hank Shnay, the originator of 'Slush,' and I was let go after only three weeks on the job, leaving an absence of Afro-Americans on the project at West End Place. a West End legend, would frequen~y pack From my view as a black man, the only racists associated.with West End Place were the developers. a number of us in the back of his Slush -Richie Nedd Van and take us on an adventure out to ' . the suburbs -where we could go for a swim and maybe raise a little hell . The West Ender then received this letter •from -Bob Kuehn: On this_ particular Sunday, we found Dear Editors: ourselves at Walden Pond. It was a beau In your last edition, you published a letter from Mr. Richie Nedd stating that he was the only minority tradesman employed during tiful day for a swim. We were a typical the construction of West End Place; and he was laid off after only a brief period. West End gang made up of many differ I do not know the details of Mr. Nedd's particular circumstances. However, I do know that his statement about minority employment ent nationalities, with just one thing on is incorrect. As documented in reports to the Boston Employment Commission, West End Place exceeded goals during construction as our collective mind -to jump into the pond follows: and cool off. '· Resident . ; 7l,J~hours [email protected]% - ne p(nil was crowdedthat day and ev Minority 38,382 18.9% eryone there seemed to be having a great Women 4,407 2.2% time. That was until we jumped into the Total 203,192 hours 100.00% water. what happened then waS quite as tonishing. Everyone near us left the wa In addition, West End Place entered into subcontracts with minority-owned companies total_ing over $1.3 million with women~ ter to head for dry land and just gaped at owned fmns in the amount of about $200,000. Thank you for the opportunity to correct the record. us as though .we were from Mars. Sincerely It didn't take too long for us to figure Robert H. Kuehn, Jr. out what was going on-one of our num RHK/dmp ber was Black, and every time he went into the water, they got out; each time he Richie's Answer got out, they went in. . I often recall this incident t?ecause it il I called RichiC?. and he said he was only talking about the carpenters and reiterated his statement that there were no black carpenters lustrates the hypocrisy ofthe liberals. Re on the job. member, this incidenttook place at a bas When I called Bob Kuehn about the carpenters, he said he was sure there were a lot of minority carpenters on the job but separate tion of liberal thinking -Concord, MA- and figures for carpenters were not available. I asked why Richie was let go after three weeks and not rehired. Bob ~id he did not know. at a liberal shrine -Walden 'Pond. I also asked Bob if they had a list of former West Enders who had been hired at West End Place fulfilling the requirement that West So don't ever allow any of those 1iin Enders be given preferences on jobs at West End Place. He said he was sure they had some, but hiring figures were not available for ousine liberals to call West Enders racists former West Enders. because we foolishly trusted them. We know where the true racists are, don't we? •Arnold Ventresca If you haven't renewed your subsciption to The West Ender., now's the time -$10 Per,Year <(fi4t ~tsf ~nbtr P; 0. BOX413 SOMERVILLE, MA 02144 (617) 628-2479
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Staff: Editor•.....•••••••.•••••••.•..•••.••.....• · .J AMES CAMP.AN 0 Co-Founder••.••••••••••••••••••••••••• RAYMOND J. PAPA All letters, articles, and photos submitted to this publication become the proo/rty of The West Ender. Jim Campano is the only person authorized to accept memorabilia for The West Ender {~'ISig _ns 2000 West Ender Gold Club The following West Enders have contributed $500.00 to our cause for 2000, aimed at keeping alive the spirit of the West End. FRANK PRIVITERA An island off of Booth Bay Harbor, .called Fishermtln Island, was relited by the George Brenner Associotion for a week in July to get away and just relax together. It turned out to be an unforgettable experience. The picture was Ulken in front of the mansion at sunset. Pictured are (1st row, I tor) Vincent Russo, George Gilboy, Paul Senecal; (2nd row, I tor) Col. Alan Gropman, Jackie Gropman, Dorothy Russo, Cornelia KeUy-LaCambria, Luco LaCambria, George MinichieUo, EUen MinichieUo; (3rd row, I tor) Sal Pustizzi, Barbara Senecal, Anthony LaCambria, Adele Brenner, Ben Brenner Dear Jim; A few years ago we started on days everyone pitched in. After reading your story in The the right tract by eliminating many As soon as the boys could walk A Coinpliinent and a West Ender, I can understand your of the old cronies from our con they went selling papers or shin disappointment and frustration gress. The people need to take back ing shoes. My brothers did it. It with what went on in the West End the country by getting more in was all family. Like the Three Correction and the disappointment you re volved in political activities and Musketeers " All for one imQ one Dear Mr. Campano: cently suffered. Some years ago I continuing the proeess to eliminate for all". I was overcome by the full page, attended one of the reunions and those politicians who do not serve One of the reasons why I am highly professional" treatment talked to several of the past resi the true interest of the people and writing this is because I noted a which you devoted to the article I dents ahd they were dishearten that this country by demanding from drastic decline in the readership. sent you about Hayes Gordon. they lost their place in the West our representatives that they do Why? One of the reasons I think There was, however, one glar End. They seemed to have never what we wish or they are out. Jim, is because you do not print enough ing error which I hope you might found their pleasure of living and you have helped in the process by letters. Most of us are frustrated consider rectifying in a future is community outside of the West creating awareness amongst your writers . When we see one of our sue. The ftve drawings I sent you End. readership how people can be letters in print it really makes our were of four young campers ages As we know, the West End was swindled by so-called do gooders. day. What's the use of writing? 8-10 and one of Hayes Gordon at a cross section of races and reli In Texas they have a phase, ::Another thing: if some of the sub age 17. The three shown with the gions all living and interacting to " Remember the Alamo". The scribers would volunteer to help article were of a few of the young gether and getting along very well. People of Massachusetts should you it would make it easier. I no sters and mistakenly referred to in The real Hayes Gordon There probably is not an area in shout "Remember the West End". ticed in the article that you have a box at the bottom of the article this country today that is like the Don't be to disheartened. You many irons in the ftre. I could do as "Some sketches of Hayes Gor here an important element is miss West End community model. have brought pleasure to many some typing for you (just call). don at 17, done by Fred Press ing. This is how it should have read In the days of the old West End people and have helped people to Never the less, you are doing a when the two attended a perform with the missing part underlined. the people were taken in by the fmd old friends through the West great job. I hope God gives you ing arts camp together." Unfortu 'The event that led to the discov developers and politicians. In Ender. In many ways you help us and yours good health so you can nately the one drawing portraying ery of all of this is in itself of in today's environment that probably maintain that sense of community. continue. Hayes Gordon was not shown. terest. In 1938 a wealthy philan would not happen because of the Thank you for a job well done. Regards, Enclosed is a duplicate - notice his thropist by the name of Louis strength of knowledge and how Your old friend, Domenica Foti. name lettered at the lower left cor Aeeasj Shaw who had an estate best to· use the political system. Richie Te"anova ner as it was on the one previously in Ipswich on the north shore of Most of the politicians that were Editor's Note: We love to print sent. He and I were both seven Massachusetts made the rounds supported by the people in the letters -it is our lifeblood. Unfor teen then and were counselors at a of the Community Centers. etc, West End let them down and that Dear Jim, tunately, we do not get many let camp for talented 8-'10 year old ~ includes some of the very great lib Just fmished reading that very ters. We encourage everybody to campers and not a camp for the Sorry for the confusion for erals and conservatives of today interesting article about you in the write, but only get a dribble. So, performing arts. which I am probably responsible. and yesterday. Those who talked Wall St. Journal. Nine children - once again, please everybody, send At the right side of the page the With much thanks, about wanting to do well for us, your mother must have been a us your thoughts, memories and ftrst line of the paragraph begin Respectfully, but never did when we needed them. saint. On the other hand, in those pictures! ning 'The event that led to -" and Fred Press Forty years ago Boston's West End was destroyed in the name of pro ress. Today the their homes live in a 'neighborhood of the mind' and keep the ~~!!!!!!!W~~A~!!!!!!!N~!!!!!!!T~!!!!!!!E~D~~~!!fil past alive by telling stories tive equivalent to phantom-limb syndrome. ers and vests pla:y By Andrew Weiner. They tell their stories to each other when- games like Kick the ever they're at pastry shops and drop-in cen- Wicket and Buck- Jim Campano stands in the D~vis Square ters, at reunions and get-togethers. Many of Buck; hunchbacked Jim Campano subway station doing what he's don~ each those who've moved away communicate peddlerS hawk ice from morning for the past 15 years: selling news- through The West Ender, the quarterly news- pushcarts; old women papers and telling stories. In a weathered letter that Campano has edited for the past in black dresses lean barn jacket, Campano almost blends into the 15 years (A companion TV show is broad- out their windows to brick wall behind him. His dark snap-brim cast on SCAT, Somerville's community-ac- chat while a hurdy- · cap is pulled down nearly to his glasses, aitd"" cess channel.) gurdy serenades them his regular customers give him a wink or a Today the West End exists only as what from below. grin as they collect their papers. His voice Campano calls a "neighborhood of the Such scenes were is low but lively when he talks about grow- mind." The long-demolished street corners only the backdrop for ing up in the West End, the Boston neigh- and tenement blocks have been kept alive the drama of a remark borhood that was wholly demolished 40 through the concerted efforts of old West ably rich and public DEAD OR ALIVE! years ago during the heyday of urban re- . Enders to !'eep telling their stories. You street life. The players, newal. (Its boundaries were Cambridge could say that the people who grew up there Campano says, in For fighting for our rights, West Street, Storrow Drive, Billerica Street, and continue to live in the past -a vital, colorful, eluded characters like what is now New Chardon Street-it's now necessary past. Heaps of rubble and wreck- Doc Seganksy, a dentist rid Place has a restraining order the site of the 'iF YOU LIVED HERE, age have been painstakingly reconstructed who ran a numbers YOU'D BE HOME NOW sign.) He into a virtual neighborhood, a cotiimunity game in his spare time. out on Jim Campano ... hopscotches quickly between stories de- of memory that transcends both history and Back issues of the West scribing the sights and smells of the old geography. If you lived there, you'd be home Ender are filled with Dangerous criminal that he ·is aeighborhood, the corner where he used·te -:. ~. - , , - · ,, , . . stories. about Tabasb ~ hang out, the characters who used to pass West Enders often say things like, "It was nik, an itinerant kook by. Occasionally he pauses and turns wist- a whole other world back then." Though this who played musical instruments picked neeessitated tax hikes, and the businesses that ful, caught up in remembering a time and is true of any neighborhood, the West End from the trash, and whose voice was so hadn't left the city were desperate to lure place that are now long gone. really was a different world -all the way up sweet that local synagogues would ask him middle-income families back downtown. So it comes as a surprise this morning to its demise. The West End was a classic to sing during holiday services. The early 1950s were also the glory days when Campano starts telling the sabotage immigrant- neighborhood on the model of What you can't see in the photos, though, of urban renewal. In practice, such projects stories. There's the one about the time he New York's Lower East Side: a labyrinth of is the close network of informal ties that held were little different 'from what had earlier and his buddies tried to topple Concrete slabs narrow streets lined with densely packed the !leighborhood together. Everybody knew been called slum clearance. But city plan onto a wrecker's crane. Or the time they rows of five- and six-story walk-ups. These everybody else. Almost everyone belonged ners at agencies like ~e Boston Redevel poured plaster in its gas tank. His favorite, tenements were inhabited initially by Irish to a fraternal association or a storefront club. opmentAuthority used a new vocabulary of though, is the time he hit a crane with a immigrants, then successively by Italians, The West Ender House, one of the largest modernity, technology and progress. They Molotov cocktail. He sweeps his arm in Jews, Greeks, Poles, Russians, and Alba of these and a forerunner of the Boys' Clubs, had the example of recent projec.ts in Chi front of him as he mimics the loud sucking nians. Whereas Boston's other neighbor claimed more than 600 members at its peale. cago and Philadelphia, and the promise of noise his firebomb made when it ignited. hoods steadily transformed themselves into The West EQd, it seems, was not just a funding from the Department of Housing Flashing a grin, he asks slyly: "I can still be ethnic enclaves, the West End featured un neighborhood but a way of life. In fact, the and Urban Development. a radical, right?" paralleled diversity among its 20,000 in- sociologist Herbert Gans held up the West So it was that the residents of the West In a city that trades heavily on its own habitants. End as a model of cohesive community in End found themselves standing between a past, the story of West End is seldom told Frank Lavine grew up there. The son of his 1962 book The Urban Villagers. For cash-strapped city and a potential windfall. except by those who once lived there. The Jewish Lithuanians, he was able to spend th~ too young to have IQ)Qwn such a place, \lith $11 million in federal funds at stake, official account is that the old neighborhood the first six years of his life speaking noth the stories inspire a kind -of imaginary os who was going to say that the run-down ten just got in the way. Tens upon hundreds of ing but Yidgish. "My famiiy lived in a little talgia for an impossibly enviable past. But · ements of the West End weren't a slum? Not run-down tenements were sitting on a patch shtetl," he says. However, tolerance in the for those who lived there, it's still hard and Mayor John Hynes, who said at the time, of prime real estate, and the unfortwiate con- community made it possible to straddle the painful to believe that it's gone. Asked to "Our problem with urban renewal is that it sequence was that some people had to lose Old and New Worlds, maintaining traditions describe his memories of the West End, doesn't move fast enough." Not the banker their homes. Besides, that was all a long time while learning respect for other cultures. former resident Sam London hesitates and who described the neighborhood as a "can ago, long enough that people should have "People talked about the melting pot, but we declines. "It was so different, it's unreal," cer," called for a "Municipal hysterectomy," gotten over it by now. lived there," he says. he mutters ruefully. and claimed, "there's only one was for the ButaskanyformerWestEnderandyou'll Jim Campano agrees. "I don't want to If the West End belonged to a different West End to go -down." learn that some people don't find it so easy make it sound like heaven, but we all did Boston, so too does the story of its demoli The city decided to replace the neighbor to forget. You'll hear plenty of fond memo- get along," he says. "If I could figure out tion, an event former residents would later hood with a series of upscale apartment tow ries, but you'd also hear bitter stories of bad what it was, I'd bottle it and sell it." call ''The Taking." It was a time, in the de ·ers. After the project's top bidder pulled out, and broken promises, of hurt feelings that Looking at old photographs of the neigh cade following World War ll, when the city's . the contract was awarded to Jerome refuse to go. Listen to enough of them and borhood, it's not hard to understand why center was stagnating as suburbanization Rappaport, who, it turns out , had served on you might start to believe there's a collec- West Enders are so nostalgic. Kids in knick- gained momentum. Declining population THE TAKING, Page 10 nr 1 br -e HI W§J IWJH ow•Jrr. Obituaries Isabel c. Arria, 96 Benedetta, "Betty" ·- Alexander A. ·r In Memot:Y Of~ Candy Packer Milton (Mike) Sarver (LoB Iondo) Levine, 83 from Len and Sadi Sarver Isabel C. Arria, 96, of Medford, died on Napoli, 80 Alexander A. Levine, 83, of Atlanta and September 19 in the Lawrence memorial formerly a longtime resident of Boston Josesph Salamone Hospital in Medford after a lengthy illness. Benedetta "Betty" (LoBlundo) Napoli, a . passed away March of this year in At from Frank V. Miscioscia Born in Boston, Mrs. Arria was a Medford longt~e Medford resident passed away at . lanta. Mr. Levine grew up on Beacon Hill and retired at age 77 after 30 years of ser resident for many years and formerly of the Shrewsbury Nursing Home in Isabel C. Arria Boston's West End. She worked for many Shrewsbury. She was 80 years old. vice from Jordan Marsh. He was a mem years as a candy packer at Schrafft's cand~ Mrs. Napoli was born in Boston, the ber of both the West End House and the from Sain Arria in Charlestown. She also worked as a sales daughter of the late Liborio and Maria Hilltop Club. He is survived by his wife, clerk for Woolworth's in Boston. Catina (DiGregorio) LoBlundo. She.was Sylvia WerberLevine; daughter and son She was the wife of the late Concetto retired from the· Lawrence Memorial Hos in-law, Gail and Lawrence Reid; grand Theresa Russo, Arria. She is survived by four sons: pital in Medford, where she worked for sons, Jay Evan Reid, Scott Marshall Reid, Salvatore F. Arria of Winchester, Santo P. many years in the kitchen. · all of Atlanta; and brothers, Charles 89; Active in Arria of Clinton, Thomas P. Arria of Malden, Mrs. Napoli lived in Medford for the past Levine of San Francisco, Robert Levine and Anthony J. Arria of Melrose; two daugh 44 years and was formerly a resident of of Boston. school reform and ters, Pauline Bottari and Marie E. Arria, both Brighton Street in Boston's West End. of Medford; 23 grandchildren and 31 great She was the wife of the late Frank S. grandchildren. Napoli and the mother of Marie E. Richard teniJis, educator Internment was in the Oak Grove Cem . of Princeton, Frank Josephl'llapoli of New etery in Medford. York City, NY, and Linda Ami Cervera of Trained as a social worker, Mrs. Russo Revere. Mrs. Napoli was the grandmother participated in the settlement house of Cheryl Robillard, Sheila Lo~: David movement, working at the North End Cervera and Steven Cervera, Jr. Union and various locations in Eastern Stephen J. She was the sister of Arigie Venezia of Mass. Later, she found a new career in Woburn, Anna Cogswell ofFloriwl: Frances· education. As president of the Boston Sansone, 86, LoBlundo of Somerville and the late John Latin School PTA 1960-61, she cam LoBlundo and Freddy LoBlundo. paigned actively for educational improve Mrs. Napoli was the great-grandinother ments, bringing problems directly to the local restaurant attentionofthen-Ma}«).r John.Colijns. At of Katie. '-:""· ' -~: - > • the tim,e she was teaching learning-dis owner abled children at the Hosmer School in Men1orial Circle Watertown, a post she held for over 20 Stephen J. Sansone Of Boston and Lex The following West Enders have contribu years. ington, a local restaurateur, died on Sep $100. or more in memory of their loved ones In 1972, she made an independent, tember 3 of heart failure at the Health in 2000. Now is the time to send in your dona comparative study on learning-disabled South New England Rehabilitation Hos tion to be included in the 2001 West Ender Me children in British primary schools. . Un pital in Woburn. He was 86. morial Circle til 1997, she continued to volunteer to Born in the West End section of Bos Theresa Russo from the Minichiello and teach reading in elementary schools. ton, Mr. Sansone was a lifelong Boston Russo families. A resident of Beacon Hill for sixty-four resident. Salvatore Abramo from Ann-Leona years before moving 'to Gulfstream, FL, In 1960, he opened "Sansone's" restau Donovaro. , Mrs. Russo was the founder of the Bea rant in the West End of Boston, which The Toronto, Constanza, C~mperchio and con Hill Tennis,Club in 1967 arid ran its quickly became one of the most popular Moltemy families from Phyliss (Toronoto/ program for many years. restaurants in the area. He also had af Noltemy) Budreau. . ' · Born in Boston, she was the daughter filiations with Boston area businesses Gaetano and Josephine Privitera. In Memoriam of the Mass. s·pa restaurant owner Car such as Dave and Steve's Deli on Stuart Saul Brenner from ~n Brenner & Anne mine Minichiello. She graduated with a Street, Ann's cafe on Causeway Street, & Bundy Shennan. SALVATORE ABRAMO B.S. in Education Psychology from Bos and Spring Lane Tavern on Spring Lane. oseph J. Sicuso from Josephine Polcari 1999 -Augsut 7-2000 ton University in 1933 and received an After closing his restaurants due to ur & Frances Sicusci. · . M.S. in Education from Lesley college in ban renewal in Boston's West End, he Charlie Collins from Joan (Collins) t would I give to clasp your hand, 1960. moved to Lexington. Mr. Sansone went Mihaich. your cheerful face to see; . She was a member of the Mass. Asso to work as an administrator with former Sidney Shrier from Carole (Real) Shrier. o hear your voice and see you smile, ciation for Children with Learning Dis state Treasurer Robert Crane's office. He Phylis and the Cohen family that has that meant so much to me. abilities. She was also a member of the held that position for more than 10 years. expired: Harry, Joe & Tootsie from t's been one year that you've been gone, League of Women Voters, the Boy Scouts In 1996, he moved back to the West End, Frances Paone. it always feels like more Auxiliary, Committee (Old South into a local nursing home, where he reJ Irene MinichieUoJrom AJ MinichieUo and t tim.e I pray that you found peace Church), Friends of the Public Garden, sided until his death. family. Mass. Committee to Further Outdoor with those who passed before. Husband of the late Rose M. Rose Marie Freccero from her husband Recreation, and the New England For (Picciarelli), Mr. Sansone is survived by Lawrence Freccero, Gaetano and estry Association. a daughter, Rosemarie E. of Lexington, a Josephine Privitera. Lovingly remembered and·sadly She leaves a son, J. Edward of Ithaca, former Boston city councillor, a son, Joseph & Anita Russo, Donald & Sylvia missed by wife, Anna and family; NY; a son John Paul, of Coconut Grove, Michael S. of Waltham; and many nieces Grey, Joseph Solano & Moe Guarino from -Leona, Jim and granddaughter FL; and two grandchildren, Joseph and and nephews. Vincent and Doroth Russo. Erica. Silviana of Ithaca, NY. DHmber MTQE li~IENPER rag ; Memories live on Questions about· broken I read Mr. Campano's story of the West . promises End. The Bakery on S. Margin St. was next To The West Ender, Letters to Karp it was·Cassaro's. There was another · Write to us at: The West Ender, P.O. box 413, Somerville, MA 02144 What has happened? Is there a West End one on the comer of Hale and S.Margin, St. Museum in our future? I have not heard or Silvestro~s. read of any progress in what I believed to Early memories remain Thanks a million The good times we had in the West End. be the goal of The West Ender. On Sundays my father had the man that To The West Ender: Dear Mr. Campano: Wasn't there a promise made by the worked for him put the truck on Hale St. I look forward to every issue of this de Thanks a million for all the years you have Mayor of Boston to don!lte a room in the and we invit~ anyone who wanted to go to lightful paper. I was born at 53 Barton St. been sending The West Ender. I look for Lowell apartments to the West End Mu the beach, mostly we went to Gloucester although our family inoved to Malden when ward to receiving your paper in the future. seum? Especially at the end of the fishing fleet. I was five years old, I still have some memo . Very Sincerely, I'm confused. The present trend is that My father put a canvas on the clothesline ries of the West End. Keep up the good work. Anna Mae Smith there will be fewer and fewer readers and on the roof under which we picnicked and Sincerely, less and less people who car~ about the West Sarah Kravitz sometimes made slush we had the pail to End Museum. make it. I hope that good news is forthcoming on ~ere were two benches -one on each side P. S. Hi, Dominic Longo. Thank you for Coffee and memories the West End Museum and that those of us of the truck, and in the middle he put to that very nice tribute to my beloved husband, Keep the paper earning! Everything stops West Enders remaining will live to . see it mato boxes together so someone could sit Max(Star)Kravitz. He was a great guy and when my paper comes, I sit with my cup of become a reality. there. Around this time, kids went to the my son (Jerry) and I miss him very much. If coffee and reminisce! -Salvatore Ferraguto large stores and got the boxes furniture came he were alive, he would enjoy reading The -Irene CoUyer in and cut the wood to put in the cellar to West Ender. Kind regards and good heaith Ed. Note-The Mayor of Boston, Lowell to you and your family. use for the stoves to heat the house. My fa Sq. Assc., and Maloney Properties keep re ther would bring the tomato boxes in the fusing to hOnor the land disposition agree Always alive truck and anyone ment that says we should have the museum Many thanks who wanted them and office spaces. Many thanks for The West Ender -it brings in our hearts Peo >lc Lookinn For Peo >!!' could have them. back many old and fond memories. Keep Hi Jim; If On September 23, 40 years after frrst exchanging wedding vows, Frank and Jean Privitera decided to celebrate their successful and happy union. It was a gala fit to honor their forty years of wedded bliss. Over 700 guests were in attendance at the Park Plaza, an of them decked out in tuxedos and gowns. It was a study in el egance -from the elaborate ice sculptures to the delicious hors d'oeuvres. Frank and Jean greeted their guests, which included many prominent people from an walks of life: from politicians and upon business leaders to judges and many West Toni-Ann, Frank, Jean, Jeannine, Andrea and Frank, Jr. Enders. As the guests feasted on shrimp, oys ters, and an array of assorted delights, the wans slowly slid open to reveal an el egantly decorated Grand Banroom. It was gorgeously adorned with floral displays and decorative balloons . •The guests settled4nto the baUroom for an evening of fme dining and great enter tainment. Dinner consisted of salad, soup, pasta, filet mignon, white and-red wine, and a fine array of sweets. As the diners ate, they were treated to performers sing ing classical opera. After the guests had stuffed themselves sufficiently, the entertainment began. First the dynamic Tony Orlando sang and danced his heart out, enchanting and en ergizing everyone in the audience. Then Comedian Don Rickles and singer Tony Orlando joined the guests Don Rickles came out and insulted every Phll & Sany Ternullo (Hale St.) one -including Frank Privitera, who took cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before the after their performances for pictures and photographs. (I tor) Jeannine Privitera, Frank, Don Rickles, Tony Orlando it all in stride. The men received a miniature crystal Big Ben clock and a silver ice bucket for the ladies. When all the entertainment and celebrating was over, a massive sweet table appeared and the partygoers who stayed had a late night snack or took the sweets home with them. West Enders, in attendance included: Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Mignosa, Phil and Sandy Temullo, Charlie Cherlemi, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Russo, Tillie and Sal Purpua, Mary Curro, Carlo and Jennie Caccia, Jimmy Logrippo, Frank and Mar garet Spinale, Peter Athanas, Vinny Loguidice, Jimmy Nutile, Josephine Silvestro, Joe and Dell D'Ambrosio, Dominic Saia, Peter Privitera; Dom Spinale, AI Raso, Ralph Silvestro, Dickie Spinale, Peter Limone; Lou Caccia and Peter.Privitera. · THEIR 40th ANNIVERSARY Over 700 guests at Park Plaza Gala Event -- aiide~ k»£e1:ber again: (l tor) Dominic Saia and Peter Privitera Hale Street Girls with Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Russo· (Green Street)i (l tor) Tillie (Spianle) Pur.pua, Mary . (Petrella) Curro, Jennie (Spinale) Caccia, Pauline and Joe Russo (l tor) Publisher Jimmy Campano, Peter Athanas, Vinny "lnzie" Laguidice, Frank, Jimmy Nutile, and Jimmy Logrippo Enjoying Cocktails and hors d'oeuvres before dinner (35 different kinds ofhors d'oeuvres were served). Seated: Mrs. Charlie Cherlemi; Standing (I to r) Josephine Some West Enders toast the honorees: (I to r) Lou Caccia, Ralph (Spinale) Silvestro, Mrs. Margaret (DiMare) Spinale, Frank with his boyhood 'Best Silvestro, Carlo Caccia, Sal Purpua, Charlie Cherlemi, and Joe Mrs. Jennie (Spinale) Caccia and Mrs. Mary (P~) Friend' from Hale Street, Russo. · CuiTO, all fonnerly from Hale St. in the West ·End ''Dickie" Spinale ' ~ .., ,;. . . ·' i f. 8 .I ,. WE WEST JNDEM lksembe· ?DOO English High School, ·class West End of 1950, Celebrates Reunion Couple strikes success with Myst~ry Series Former·West Enders Dorothy and Sidney Rosen have written a mystery novel. The Rosens are the husband and wife team behind Belle Appleman, the spunky Jewish widow who is the heroine of their mystery seri~s. The first in the Belle Appleman series, Death and Blintzes, met with high acclaim, and Death and Senator Ted kennedy canipaigned in Medford and Somervlle Strudel reads with just as much during the recent general election. Shown above, Kennedy hi~torical flavor and suspense. greets Attorney Frank Privitera, Jr. with a firm handshake~ The Class of 1950 of English High School, Boston, the oldest p\lblic Sidney Rosen was born in high school in America, contained 528 graduates. Since 1950, that class Boston in 1916, ana grew up 1...------ had never had a reunion. But thanks to an extremely dedicated Reunion in Boston's West End -the set and Mount Holyoke, the · nojs, where Sidney has a pro Committee of nine members, which included a West Ender, Santo "Joe" ting for Death and Strudel. Rosens lived and worked in .fessor at the University of Illi- Aurelio, who served as Chairman, 79% of those 528 graduates were Graduates of Umass Amherst Boston before moving to Illi- nois since 1958. accounted for in the last year and a half. The breakdown was 289 lo The Rosens are a gregarious cated, 127 deceased, and 112 missing. couple -their 1986 Death and Their reunion fmally came to fruition on Thursday, September 28, Blintzes tour inchided an ap 2000, whe.n 217 persons attended the Golden Anniversary Reunion of pearance on The Today Show, the Class of 1950 at Lantana's in Randolph, Massachusetts. All attend FRANCIS D. PRIVITERA and National Public Radio in ees received a souvenir cup, a souvenir pen, a demographics sheet, and Boston is planning an inter ATTORNEY AT LAW a complete list of the whereabouts of all 528 grads,. plus a list of the view. names .ofthe 112 missing grads. A fabulous time was truly had by all Anyone. wanting more infor~ BARRISTER'S HAU and guess what? Many of the attendees want to have another(reunion ! • _ mati9n on, the Ao~en's novels 59 UNION SQUARE soon! SOMERVIU£, MASS. 02143 can contact Allison Liefer at ei ther (312) 751-7300 or (800) 248-7323 REVERE ALUMINUM 744 BroadWay, Revere, Mass. • FINE WINES • SPIRITS • (781) 289-3448 • MICROBREWS • • Low-E-Glass • IMPORTED CHEESES • • Storm Windows • Storm Doors • Door Canopies Tbe Wine Cellar • Vinyl Siding • Porch Enclosures AT DOWNTOWN CROSSING (617) 542-1043 (617) 542-4637 40-42 WINTER ST. ARNOLD VENTRESCA BOSTON, MA. 02108 Longtime West End resident ROSALIE L. WARREN was honored at Suffolk University on the occasion of her lOOth birthday. Rosalie Law Offices of was presented with a tote bag (above) commemorating the event. Rosalie has both a bachelor's and graduate degree from Suffolk. Thomas F. Colonna Ir------~ THE WEST 'ENDER SUBSCRIPTION FORM I • Auto Accidents • Work Injuries I '0 I would like to subscribe to The West Ender for the ye~2000. I • Slips and Falls • Wrongful Death : 0 Enclosed is my· dohetion of$ : • Real Estate Closings • Wills, Estates and Trusts ~~~ I I Address ______l FREE CONSULTATIONS I I 16 Bradlee Road 99 Walnut St., Suite A 1 Mail check to: The West Ender 1 Medford, MA Saugus, MA 1 1 P.O. Box 413 (781) 395-2834 •(781) 231-4900 I Somerville, MA 02144 I ~------~ MERCURY CLUB Then & Now ' . Dinner at the "Hilltop Steak House" during the Mercury Club Reunion (I tor): Phil Privitera, Joe D'Ambrosio, Frank Privitera, Lou Caccia, Sal Purpua, Augie MERCURY CLUB 1941-42 Picture by Vincent J, Tringle (deceased) Michaels · ' t;:p..; \ . ' d> .. .. ~ . . , Apocryphal or not, these stories suggest to the community. To this day, those dis In 1992, the BRA reclaimed the parcel THE TAKING how deep and lasting was the damage done South End. Nor was the story lost on advo from the original developer and announced FromPage3 to the community. " To this day, those dis cates like Jane Jacobs, who helped block a its intention to build a complex of low-and Hyne's election committee. The new placed feel hurt; West Ender Hy Escott·calls plan to clear a swath of Lower Manpattan middle-income apartments. When Charles River Park would be nothing like it "the worst thing that ever happened." The for a crosstown highway. Yet despite the Campano and other former West Enders an urban village: fliers for prospective resi sociologist Marc Fried spenJ sev_eral ·years dow'nfilll of .urban-renewal policies, their were invited to participate in the planning, dents touted the availability of valet services with West Enders researchii.lg the"psych,o iu effects are still felt in such problems as it appeared that the city might finally be and wine storage, and the advantages of pri logical effects of their dislocation. " Mote, tbe,ctirrent city.wide housing crisis. . awarding them some measure of redress. vacy and in-town shopping. than 90 percent showed symj:>toins of de-~ ·. Perhaps the JOOSt important consequence They understooq that displaced former resi Before long, the city had completed the pression. Fried .concluded that ~opesiye · was the formation, during the 1980s, of a dents would have a prominent place in the · findings it needed to condenin the West End neighborhoods provide residents .witJ(a feel literary forum in which former West End new development, and they secured space and seize properties by eminent domain. ing of rootedness that is essential in main- · residents could come together again, if only for a museum and new West Ender offices. Residents greeted news of the plan with dis taining a sense of identity and purp{>se. the on the printed page. West Enders had been But fair-housing law held that first dibs on belief. Even their representatives were study also helped establish the notion that meeting informally at club and camp re space in the new West End place would go dumbfounded. As Frank Levine recalls, people can grieve for the loss of something unions, but they lacked a more-regular to minorities, meaning that West Enders local pol Joe Lee declared simply, ''They other than a loved one. means of communication. In 1984, were left with the higher-priced units. wouldn't dare." For years after~!he demolition, traiilloads Campano followed up a reunion by send Campano and the Old West End Housing Lee was wrong. At the beginning, only a of West EndernWmld return to the area each 'ing a typewritten newsletter to about 100 Corporation claimed reverse discrimination few West Enders trickled out of the neigh weekend to frequent the stores they once friends. Circulation soon swelled, especially and sued under a state statute, but lost. borhood, but soon the 7000 remaining resi- patronized. Former resident Raymond Papa after a 1986 reunion diew more than 2500 About two dozen West Ender took apart .. dents realized that they were alone in their ments, but many others felt they'd been sold opposition to the project. Recalls Campano, out again. Hard feelings abounded. "We were against this whole juggernaut: ... _ Onlyhalf . t~e fromer West Enders acto- . . Campano used The West Ender to launch HUD, the BRA, the ma)tor, the developers, attacks against the developers and their part the papers, and the Archdiocese." Lavine, ally received ;relocation payments, 'Which . ners in the Boston Archdiocese. In the fall who was instrumental in th~ Save the West averaged just $69 per family. The.new ~~t, the plans for the museum and the news End Committee, is more succfuct: "We were paper offices were put on hold.Although at pissing against the wind." apartments ~ere priced way out of reach, torneys have been working to effect com West End residents had been promised fair promise on the.museum, it appears unlikely compensation for their property, relocation and the city-~ubsidized housing -in recently that The West Ender will exchange editorial payments, and decent affordable housing for freedom for office space. Regardless of all who needed it. Still, many simply re constructed projects- was deemed no what happens, though, Canipano and the fused to go. When the city stopped collect majority 9f his fellow West Enders seem re ing trash they began leaving in larger num replacement for the old neighborhood. . signed to disappointment. A museum would bers. Finally, in April 1958, the city for help them get the historical recognition they mally seized homes and businesses by emi feel they deserve, but what they really want nent domain. A month later the wrecking recalls standing on Causeway Street and people to the Wonderland Ballroom i~ Re~ . is for the old neigbbor i1ood''tO'never have crews moved in. Within three years, the staring at what used to be his block, trying vere. been taken i~ the first place. Nobody can West End had been razed: homes, shops, to remember what went where as if he co~ld Before long, The West Ender was arriv give them that, but neither can anyone de churches, even the streets were gone. All bring back the past through sheer force of ing quarterly in the mailboxes of more than stroy the neighborhood they've rebuilt in that remajned was some 50 acres of empti imagination. 4000 families. Only you can't exactly call their memories. ness. Decades after the demolition, surviving it a newspaper, since its contents hav.e been REPRINTED FROM If there was somewhere we all could have West Enders still feel that they lost not only given over almost entirely to recollections THE BOSTON PHOENIX moved to together, we would have," their houses, but their home. Interviews of the past. Headings like "Do You Remem Campano explains. Instead, the displaced taped during the 1980s testify to this sense ber?" and "Down Memeory Lane" loom - DECEMBER 1, 2000- families were forced to take housing wher of profound loss. Many express variations over photos of the old neighborhood. Po ever they could fmd it. Some moved to East on a common them: "Something of me went ems and stories are offset by a steady num DONATIONS Boston, Dorcehster, or Mattapan, others to with the West End." One middle-aged ber of obituaries. Somerville or Medford. Lavine calls this woman eerily confesse§, "For 30 'years I The real core of the West Ender is its let scattering a "diaspora." "Where could we have felt like I had no past." Another speaks ters section, a feature one reader calls "my The following people have given go?" he asks. "We didn't know anybody of how dislocation breeds a sense of limbo. regular dose of inspired nostalgia." People a donation to the West Ender in outside the West End." "I still have the feeling that I'm waiting." write in from all over the country to share the last quarter Only half the former West Enders actu- · ''The worst thing," says Jim Campano, "is recent news and ask after old friends. Many ally received relocation payments, which av not being to walk around the old neighbor- letters, though, are simple acts of remem Miffii Graney Bill & Carol Wood • eraged just $69 per family. The new apart hood." 1 brance: they tell who used to frequent which James Alnieia Rocco Laffarello ments were priced way out of reach and the Ttme couldn't restore lost memories or lunch counter, or which stop stood where. Mercury Club Bruce Guarino city-subsidized housing -in recently con grant impossible desires, but it did provide One recent letter is solely a list of nick Judith Viera Peter K. Toli structed projects- was deemed no replace certain consolations. One was the rework names: Meatball, Matzoh. . .Ball,' Yishka,. Barry Shulman M,ary Marchesini ment for the old neighborhood. "It was pain ing of eminent domain law to require suffi Beppy, Lovey, Bony, Limpy, 'Ragman, and Sam Arrla · ·Irene Collyer fully clear," says Lavine, "that we had tieen cient relocation payments, affordable re more than 200 more. (There were no re Charles RuSS() Florence Bre81ouf sold out." placement housing , and counseling for peats.) The repetitive '~I remembe(' in these The realization came as people struggled those displaced. Another was that the Tak letters sound almost like the chanting of a LeonardSarver Choney Naglin · to adapt to new surroundings that seemed ing quickly became known among urban spell, as if by standing together in a m.agic .Arthur Athas Phillip Riseman harsh and unfamiliar. The transition was es planners as a glaring example of what not circle, the West Enders could revive the past. · Frank Miscioscia Richard Vivilo pecially difficult for the elderly, many of to do. Vowing that no one should have to · But while the tone of the paper is mainly Richard Catania Salvatore Purpua them first-generation immigrants who were suffer what the West Enders did, commu one of friendly reminiscence, bitterness is Estelle Corin Edna.F. Jacobson now ill-equipped to adjust to such change. nity activists derailed planned renewal seldom far away. And during recent years, Salvatore Gilbert Joseph Toronto Many people have long believed that many projects in Allston, the Fenway, and the the West Ender has played a part in a con -Rose· M. Fodale Charles R. Fiore of the deaths immediately following there Apocryphal or not, these stories suggest troversy surrounding the last remaining plot location were caused in large part by grief. how deep and lasting WI!S the damage done of cleared land from the old neighborhood. Marie Walsh . ' .. --~ - THE WEST ERND VIDEO NEWSLETTER: A recent sbow highlighting St. Joseph's. · Church. Pictured (I to r) are Roy LaPointe, Jim Campano, Fr. Gabe, Ann Lazzaro, VUllly Raso, and Tom Simmons West enders, all of them. Can you name them?. I Bob Catalano Presents ! Singles Dances Ne\v England (Formerly Royal American Singles Party) TOPDJ -TOP40 DANCE- SMOKE FREE check your local calendar_ listings _ AMERICAN LEGION HALL 357 Great Road (Rts. 4-225), Bedford , MA 128, to Exit 31B. , HaD is 1 mile on left 8pm to Midnight -Admission $6 -$7 After 8:30 _)+ l l lllll D .tll'-.\.0 LJ!II ld~_,.,:.::;_~l)(l() \\\\\\[i\),tl.lllh.' lh.• til'-11 1 ·k'lll!ll ~1111+ \d u ll S1 11~k' llo1' ll "lllll,, l l ll<>l 1'11/c' l''"i'•'l ll:," 1\,''11'11 •• 1 ...... • ·-·...... • • ICE SI\.ATING CLASSES • • 17 M..D.C. Rinks • • 7 Lessons • $90 Child • $100 Adult • • Starts Soon . • • • • (781) 890·8480 • •• www.lccalll.aUDgcla ..ca.com • • Bay State Ice Skating School • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • VmcentRaso Col. Alan Gropman CENTURY CLUB Giganti ln~urance Agency efollowing West Enders have contributed $100.00 or inore to our Kevin McGrath 787 Broadway • Everett, MA 02149 ause in 2000. We saulte them! Now is the iime to send your check in Domenic T. Longo he amount of $100.00 if you are interested in becoming a member. Frank Celeste Complete Insurance Richard Terranova Sam MarineUa Dr. Edward Naiman Service Paul & Joyce Dembicki · Albert Cohen Robert J. Vatalaro . Auto · Commercial · ·Fire Frank Privitera. Jane FenneU Victor Terranova ·Homeowners · Life ·IRA's Robert E. Catalano Nino Parisi Donald Zerendow ·Health William MacCauley Nichoolas Bova · · Charlotte Ploss LUCIUE GIGANTI Tel: (617) 387-8400 Joseph Russo Jr. Marc A. Lipsitz West End Bowling League C.I.C. Fax. (617) 389-7554 John O'Connor RalphSaia The George Brenner Assoc. Beth & Marshall Arkin Leonard Nimoy Bernard J. Condelli Former West Enders Business Directory CBT CRUISE BY TOM DAVID A. LEONE • ATTORNEY AT LAW Santo J. Aurelio Cruise Coniultant 436 M.Piie Siren "Dedicated to Service" (781) 648-234S LEO~E & LEO~E ~MAOZ474 FAX (78 1) 648-2S44 637 MASSACHUSETTS AVENUE Plto•• 781-643-17n RES. 643-9700 ARLINGTON, MA 02174 888-278-6558 FAX: 978-921-0587 National Insurance Concepts Malcolm Zimmerman Marilyn J. (Longo) Barrett, G.R.I Director of Marketing Residence: 245-9021 RELO Coordinator CONSTANT SERVICE with East Brook Executive Park Connie (Giuliano) 20 Eastbrook Road • Suite 103 A Full Servic~ Agenry ·Christopher J. Barrett Slauenwhite, CTC Dedham, MA 02026 {7.81) 32!)-0770 FAX (781) 320..()410 Pmitknt Realtors · 73 Albion Street Wakefield, MA 01880 25 Russell Sr., Woburn, MA 01801 (781) 933-8880 Res. (781) 729-9382 Fax (781) 933-6735 JOSEPH RUSSO 781-~5011 Funeral Home, Inc. Since 1926 FORE · {781) 396-9200 Tl-tE) u G HT SM • 2 Spacious Chapels r:[IJ iiisl. Funeral Planning .. . • Centrally Located Before the Need Arises ~'-1""" FAX: (781) 391-2912 • Air Conditioned 390 MAIN STREET DELLO RUSSO MEDFORD, MA02155 • Ample Parking OFFICE (781) 396-8000 R:JNERAL SERVICE, INC. • Pre-Arrangement RES. (781) 272-4548 ROY J. SCARPATO Counseling PRESIDENT 306 Main Street • Medford, Massachusetts 02155 • 24 Hour Service Sales • Residential • Commercial • Rentals • Management • Appraisals 814 American Legion Hwy. Roslindale, MA 02131 (617) 325-7300 Tel. 781-665-3504 [email protected] The Boston Synagogue Fax 781-979-0532 Formerly the North Russell Street Shu/ Proudly remembers.Jts West End roots in supporting The West Ender The Boston Synagogue @ Charles River Park 55 Martha Road, Boston, MA02114 (617) 523'-0453 442 MAIN STREET Elizabeth ASTAMember MELROSE, MA 02176 Peabody House TEL (617) 666-0300 STIUGOING CHARLES SCIMECA STRONG AFTER iOO YEARS! !Boj_ton Cfomato Co., ifnc. PRIVITERA, PRIVITERA & PRIVITERA Packers • Distributors • Commission Merchants ATTORNEYS AT LAW 117 NEW ENGLAND PRODUCE CENTER ELIZABETH · CHELSEA, MASSACHUSEtTS 02150 FRANCIS D. PRIVITERA PEABODY HOUSE JEANNINE PRIVITERA BARRISTER'S HALL 277 Broadway 59 UNION SQUARE FRANCIS D. PRIVITERA, JR. Somerville, MA 02145 (617) 884-5901 PHILIP J. PRIVITERA SOMERVILLE, MASS. 02143 (617) 623-5510