SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 PUBLISHED EVERY OTHER THURSDAY TT HEHE NN OROR TT HH EE NN DD EMAIL: [email protected] WWW.NORTHENDREGIONALREVIEW.COM [email protected] RR EGIOEGIO NN AA LL RR EVIEWEVIEW North End’s North End native named Michele Toper Police Superintendent wins Mayor’s By Phil Orlandella National Night Out event held at the Paul Revere Mall (Prado) at Garden Contest North End native and longtime North End Against Drugs Family Boston Police officer and detective Pride Week annual community Chuck Wilson has been promoted gathering. By Matt Conti to Superintendent. Mayor Martin Walsh had The North End’s own Michele Numerous people congratulat- many good things to say about the Toper took first place in the ed him on his promotion at the man born and raised in the North Porch, Balcony or Container cate- recent End and his dedicated work with gory of the 2019 Mayor’s Garden District A-1 Boston Police the Police Department over the Contest. As a three-time winner in years. the citywide competition, she was (GARDEN Pg. 2) North Square ribbon-cutting ceremony set for Sept. 23 By Phil Orlandella public art work by Ann Hirsh and Jeremy Angier A + J Art + Design A ribbon-cutting ceremony was a community partnership, for the new North Square and and advisory panel that contrib- the North Square Stories Public uted their stories, insight, time and Artwork will take place on energy to develop North Square Monday, Sept. 23, starting at 1:15 Stories! p.m. The square has been trans- The reconstruction of Boston’s formed into a beautiful historic First place winner Michele Toper, (second from right) oldest Square as an inviting new public area that abuts Paul Revere Michele Toper garden (above and top right) that took with Kolea Zimmerman (left) and Joseph Falinski gathering space and the site of the House and Rachel Revere Park on first place in the Porch, Balcony or Container catego- (second from left) received their awards from Mayor North Square Stories permanent the Freedom Trail. ry of the 2019 Mayor’s Garden Contest. Martin J. Walsh (center). NEWNC supports new rooftop and Old North request By Phil Orlandella six-story residential building with Old North Church, for capital nine units, six parking spaces and improvements, including crypt res- Two proposals were support- a roof deck were withdrawn in toration. The final design work for ed by the North End/Waterfront order to meet with abutters to the Washington Garden is under- Neighborhood Council (NEWNC) make some required changes. way. and one request was withdrawn A proposal by Mark Little The Church was seeking com- to work with abutters to make to construct a roof deck on an munity support on the design and required changes. existing 55-foot building at 8-12 construction plans and endorse- NEWNC also had a guest Battery St. was unanimously ment of a new application for CPA speaker Benjamin Adeyinka, approved by the Council. The cur- grant funding. Deputy Court Administrator, rent roof deck is apparently in dire Due to the October 14 Housing Court. need of repair, so the owner wants Columbus Day holiday, NEWNC Plans by Anthony Virgilio to to replace it with a new roof deck. has moved their monthly meeting raise the existing structure at 51 Also supported was a request to Tuesday, Oct. 15 at 7 p.m. Artist’s rendering of the North Square. North Washington St. to include a by Reverend Steven Ayers, Guide to Schools Special Section on pages 5-12 2 PAGE 2 REGIONAL REVIEW SEPTEMBER 19, 2019 ‘Congress shall make no law ... abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.’ BILL OF RIGHTS, Amendment I ENJOY THE FALLForum SEASON Despite the exceptionally wonderful and warm early-fall weather we have been enjoying recently, the calendar does not lie -- and the fall season squarely is upon us. For many New Englanders, autumn is our favorite time of year. Even the warmest of days are tempered by cool nights, bringing a crispness to the air that is devoid of the stickiness of summer’s languid humidity. All of us (especially those of us who are getting on in years) breathe more easily when the dew point is not in the oppressive range. Unlike summer, when the heat and humidity confine us to our air-conditioned homes, cars, and offices, fall beckons us to get outside and be active, whether we’re hard-core athletes or those who just like to take a nice walk. Fall also is foliage season, arguably the most-glorious time of year in our region, when splashes of color are everywhere, bringing us nature’s palate that is a feast for the eyes. The French philosopher Albert Camus put it this way, “Autumn is a second spring, when every leaf is a flow- er.” An autumn hike in the mountains of New Hampshire, Vermont, and the Berkshires truly is a Zen-like experience. However, as with everything in life, fall is fleeting. By this weekend, the leaves already will be turning color in far northern New England and the profusion of reds, oranges, and yellows will drift southward FROM OUR READERS over the ensuing few weeks. We recall being in Portland, Maine (when our children were younger and they were at a Columbus Day weekend HELP SUPPORT Each year, we were able to Francis House, thousands of men soccer tournament) and the leaves turned color seemingly overnight ST. FRANCIS HOUSE reach our goal of raising $20,000 and women have achieved greater during our stay. thanks to the support and generos- self-sufficiency as well as more Dear Editor, So enjoy the fall while it is here and take advantage of the all-too- ity of Olivia’s boss Jim Barry and fulfilling and stable lives. Over the last 15 years, The brief window of opportunity to create memories that will last a lifetime his wife Sheila. They would match You can make your donation North End Friends of St. Francis for ourselves and our families. what we raised, filling in any short before Wednesday, October 23, House have raised over $230,000 fall of the first $10,000. 2019 either online at www.stfran- for St. Francis House’s programs Not surprisingly, Jim and Sheila cishouse.org/northendfriends or and services through our annual Barry are being honored this year by check (made out to St. Francis Flea Market and Bake Sale, which at All The Way Home by St. House”) mailed to: we were unable to do this year Francis House for their lifetime Olivia Scimeca because of unforeseen circum- support of and generosity towards 21 Cleveland Place SEND US YOUR NEWS stances. This year, we want to join The North End Regional Review encourages residents to submit birth and the organization for over 30 years. Boston, MA 02113 together as a community and make I hope you will join us in com- Thank you so much your con- engagement announcements, news releases, business briefs, honor rolls, social an even bigger impact by collect- memorating the work St. Francis sideration – we appreciate your news, sports stories, and photographs for publication. Items should be forwarded ing donations to commemorate St. House does every day to provide support. Francis House’s 35th Anniversary stability and to remove barriers for Olivia Scimeca, John “JR” to our offices at 385 Broadway, Citizens Bank Building, Revere, MA 02151. – 35 years of rebuilding lives. We those experiencing homelessness Romano, Kathy Carangelo Items can also be faxed to 781-485-1403. The Independent also encourages read- are asking you to join us in sup- and poverty in Boston. Through North End Friends of St. porting St. Francis House’s All The generous contributions to St. Francis House ers to e-mail news releases to [email protected]. Way Home Fundraiser. The North End Regional Review assumes no financial responsibility for typographical errors in advertisements, but will reprint that part of the GARDEN (from pg. 1) advertisement in which the error occurs. Advertisers will please notify the also selected to be inducted in the of one of Boston’s first food tour for Storefront, Organization or management immediately of any errors that may occur. 2020 Hall of Fame. companies. Main Street District garden; and “I am honored to win first Coming in second in the Porch, John Ruiz of the Fenway for prize and to be inducted into the Balcony category were Joseph Community garden. In addition Hall of Fame next year!” said Falinski of Dorchester and of Kolea to Toper, the 2020 Hall of Fame Toper. “Gardening is my sanctu- Zimmerman took third prize. In inductees are Carmen Musto; R EGIONAL R E VIEW ary and it connects me to mem- other categories, the first place Johnson and Smith; Rick Kuethe - FOUNDED IN 1967 - ories and experiences. Nurturing winners included Miquel Rosales and Mobia. and watching something grow of Beacon Hill in the Shade gar- First Place winners received the PUBLISHER: Debra DiGregorio - [email protected] is soothing, healing and shows den category, Dominique Hurley coveted “Golden Trowel” award EDITOR AT LARGE: PHIL ORLANDELLA the power of nature. Vegetables, of East Boston for Small Yard from Mayor Walsh and all win- fruits and herbs provide a feast for garden; Megan Fox of Jamaica ners received prize packages from REPORTERS AND CONTRIBUTORS: my table and the tropical flowers Plain for Medium Yard garden; Mahoney’s Garden Centers and share beauty, color and comfort- Daryl Johnson and Rick Smith of the Boston Flower and Garden Seth Daniel, John Lynds and Cary Shuman ing scents.