News Briefs

Charlestown Neighborhood Council Development Committee Meeting Set for May 26

The Charlestown Neighborhood Council Development Committee will hold a public meeting on Wednesday, May 26, at 7 pm to consider the New England Development proposal to erect a new residential building at 201 Rutherford Avenue, which is located within the Bunker Hill Mall. The meeting will be held in person at the Knights of Columbus (<50% capacity; masks required), 545 Medford Street.

Charlestown Marina to Host American Cruise Line Again

The Charlestown Marina announced last week that after one year off, the American Cruise Lines (ACL) would resume its New England sailing schedule from the Marina this summer.

ACL will be operating at reduced occupancy levels to meet their safety guidelines. They will be docking at Charlestown Marina for embarking and disembarking for their seven-night New England cruise. As in the past years, the Marina said it had commitments from ACL management that they will minimize traffic to the marina. The Marina staff will be on-site during the loading days to ensure little impact on the neighborhood.   

The first cruise ship arrived in Charlestown on Monday, May 10, for a training/low occupancy seven-night cruise. On May 17, they began their cruises leaving on Mondays for the next five weeks. After that, ACL indicated it would evaluate demand.

Old Schoolboys Award 17 Scholarships for 2020 Annual Scholarships

The Charlestown Old Schoolboys Association is pleased to announce the 2020 winners of their annual Scholarships.

Scholarship Chair James O’Brien released the results of the scholarship process this week. They are as follows:

•The Jonathan Greatorex Scholarship was won by Joseph Griffith.

•The St. Florian Scholarship is awarded to Conor P. Kelly.

•The Edward Mahan Scholarship and the Mary Gill Flanagan are awarded to Gavin D. Kelly.

•The Ralph W. Brown Scholarship is awarded to John K. Walsh.

•The Bertha F. Brown Scholarship is awarded to John M. Reilly.

•The Francis and John McGee Scholarship is awarded to Dominic K. Slesar.

•Firefighter Patrick Kelly Scholarship is awarded to Rory T. Carrier.

•The Joseph Gill Scholarship is awarded to Edward C. Pistorino.

•The Robert, Ralph and James Smith scholarship is awarded to Joseph N. Flanagan.

•The Father D. Smith scholarship is awarded to Andrew M. Lavin.

•The Mark Bavis Scholarship is awarded to William H. Moody.

•The Robert Flynn and the Majestic Knights scholarships are awarded to Eoin G. Donovan.

•The John Boyle O’Reilly scholarship is awarded to Jeremy S. Shea.

•The Joseph, Mary Nelson Scholarship is awarded to Devin J. Gallagher.

•The James J. Cushman scholarship is awarded to Noel P. Gallagher.

•The Father Daniel Mahoney scholarship is awarded to Charles J. Page.

•The Palldeoes/Powers scholarship is awarded to Sean R. Wrenn.

There were 17 applicants for 2020, and congratulations to all.

May is Older American Month

In tough times, communities find strength in people—and people find strength in their communities. In the past year, we’ve seen this time and again in our communities as friends, neighbors, and businesses have found new ways to support each other.

In our 11 communities we serve, older adults are a key source of this strength. Through their experiences, successes, and difficulties, they have built resilience that helps them to face new challenges. When communities tap into this, they become stronger too.

Each May, the Administration for Community Living leads the celebration of Older Americans Month (OAM). This year’s theme is Communities of Strength, recognizing the important role older adults play in fostering the connection and engagement that build strong, resilient communities.

Strength is built and shown not only by bold acts, but also small ones of day-to-day life—a conversation shared with a friend, working in the garden, trying a new recipe, or taking time for a cup of tea on a busy day. And when we share these activities with others—even virtually or by telling about the experience later—we help them build resilience too.

This year, Mystic Valley Elder Services (MVES) will celebrate OAM by encouraging community members to share their experiences. Together, we can find strength—and create a stronger future.

Here are some ways to share and connect:

• Look for joy in the everyday: Celebrate small moments and ordinary pleasures by taking time to recognize them. Start a gratitude journal and share it with others via social media, or call a friend or family member to share a happy moment or to say thank you.

• Reach out to neighbors: Even if you can’t get together in person right now, you can still connect with your neighbors. Leave a small gift on their doorstep, offer to help with outdoor chores, or deliver a home-cooked meal.

• Build new skills: Learning something new allows us to practice overcoming challenges. Take an art course online or try a socially distanced outdoor movement class to enjoy learning with others in your community. Maybe you have a skill to share? Find an opportunity to teach someone.

• Share your story: There’s a reason storytelling is a time-honored activity. Hearing how others experience the world helps us grow. Engaging with family, friends, and neighbors can open up new conversations and strengthen our connections.

When people of different ages, backgrounds, abilities, and talents share experiences—through action, story, or service—we help build strong and educated communities. And that’s something to celebrate!

To learn more about what MVES has to offer older adults, please visit us at www.mves.org or call 781-324-7705.

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