Since Jenny Atkinson came to work at the Charlestown Boys & Girls Club in 1989, she has seen its membership reflect the changing face of the community.
“The housing developments have become much more racially mixed, and the gentrification of the town also happened during this time,” said Atkinson, who now serves as the Club’s executive director. “As the town became more racially and socio-economically diverse, the Club did, too.”
As the daughter of a member of the U.S. Air Force, Atkinson spent her childhood living in various locations throughout the country. She completed her first three years of high school in Anchorage, Alaska, before her father’s job brought the family to Chelmsford for her senior year. After graduating from Chelmsford High School, Atkinson earned an undergraduate degree from Harvard, where she majored in religion and minored in English, as well as a master’s degree from the Harvard Graduate School of Education.
Atkinson came to work part-time at the Charlestown Club as an undergrad. After completing her postgraduate education, she was named the director of education and art — a position she held until 1999. She then moved to Atlanta and went to work for the Boys & Girls Club of America. In this position, she helped develop youth programming for Clubs nationwide.
In 2003, she returned to the Charlestown Club as its executive director. While Atkinson said the Club has kept its focus on recreation, education and athletics, recent years have seen the addition of more technology programming, an expanded performing arts curriculum and the arrival of a social worker.
The Club also renovated its facilities on both Green and High streets since Atkinson came on board, but she is quick to point out that this was due to the work of the board of directors and staff that preceded her.
Atkinson said the number of children at the Club on a daily basis has grown in recent years with parents’ busy work schedules. “I think as more parents are working and working longer hours, they depend on us to make sure that their kids are in a safe, fun environment after school,” Atkinson said. Still, she said it’s a far cry from the time when hundreds of kids would line up outside the Club for weekend movies.
With the growing membership, the Club has also entered into partnerships with many organization that serve local youth, including the Charlestown Mothers Association, Charlestown MissionSAFE, Boston Centers for Youth & Families, Charlestown Against Drugs, the Charlestown Substance Abuse Coalition and many sports programs. Most recently, the Club joined the Charlestown Working Theater to offer drama and music programming that the Club otherwise couldn’t provide.
“A lot of partnerships with youth programs means we’re reaching more kids,” Atkinson said. “Now, we can better utilize our resources.”
Today, Atkinson also has a whole new outlook on the Club as a new mother. She currently lives in East Boston with her 4-month-old daughter, Sashi, and her companion, Jorge Osorio.
“I wondered if becoming a parent would change my perspective on the Club in any way, since it changed my perspective on just about everything else, Atkinson said. “But I’m still as proud of our fun and educational programs, talented staff and safe, beautiful facilities. I can’t wait for my daughter to be old enough to take advantage of what the Club has to offer.”

A meeting of the Charlestown Neighborhood Council Basic Services Committee last week sought to establish a Friends of the Charlestown Dog Park group that would garner support for a designated dog park in the neighborhood and help define the elements necessary to make it a success.
Approximately 30 residents turned out to the Knights of Columbus for the meeting, which was chaired by Basic Services Committee chairman Bill Galvin and attended by CNC Chairman Tom Cunha and Neighborhood Council member Kelly Tucker. This followed a June 26 Basic Services Committee meeting that explored the possibility a dog park, as well as a May 3 Basic Services Committee meeting regarding the Charlestown Preservation Society’s effort to secure money for improvements to the Training Field that quickly turned into a discussion about the need to set aside public land for a dog park.
As for the most likely site for a dog park, advocates are eyeing an undeveloped parcel of land located in the northwest corner of Paul Revere Park, which came at the suggestion of State Rep. Eugene O’Flaherty and is described by Galvin as “the biggest and best opportunity we have right now.” The approximately one-acre parcel, which is located beneath the Leonard P. Zakim Bunker Hill Memorial Bridge, is now under the jurisdiction of the Massachusetts Turnpike Authority but will soon be transferred to the Department of Conservation and Recreation.
On Monday, another meeting drew approximately 12 dog park proponents to a private residence on High Street. Those in attendance outlined the specifics of the proposed dog park, which include a chain link fence that would divide it into two parcels — one for big dogs, the other for smaller canines.
They also discussed drafting letters to the pertinent state agencies and elected officials to garner support for the project, as well as future fundraising efforts and the possibility of incorporating Friends of the Charlestown Dog Park as a legal entity.
Galvin will also present a letter drafted by the fledgling group at the CNC meeting tonight in the hope of gaining the Neighborhood Council’s support for the project.
Meanwhile, the Friends of the Charlestown Dog Park has also launched a Web site at www.charlestowndog.com.

CREDIT: Courtesy of Joe DeRoeve

PHOTO CAPTION: CYHA players and alumni are seen at last year’s event.

Charlestown Turkey Time Hockey was launched four years ago in an effort to keep Charlestown Youth Hockey Association players off the street on the night before Thanksgiving, but since its inception, it has evolved into an event that bridges generations of Townie hockey.
“The whole goal is to bring everyone together around the most family-friendly time, which is Thanksgiving, so that all the generations could connect on and off the ice,” said Joe DeRoeve, one of the event’s organizers who served as a CYHA coach from 2001 to 2005.
In its inaugural year, 25 Midget players ages 15 to 18 turned out to the Emmons-Horrigan-O’Neil Skating Rink on Austin Street to play for three hours of informal hockey. Participation nearly doubled the following year, which pitted current CYHA players against coaches and former male players ages 18 to 20.
DeRoeve said the addition of the older players and coaches was important because he had a noticed a disconnect between players at the time and those who came before them in terms of their relationships with each other and the coaching staff.
“The younger players were able to witness and understand the relationship that coaches had with kids who were a few years older than them,” he said. “It helped forge a better relationship with younger players and bridge the age difference between players.”
Last year, the event’s scope was broadened even more to include three generation of Townie hockey when it was opened to current female players ages 14 and up, as well as male alumni up to age 55 and females up to age 50. As a result, nearly 100 participants turned out for it.
“We understand the need to evolve to bridge all generation of people who wanted to play hockey from the Town,” DeRoeve said.
As for this year, DeRoeve said he hopes to see the same number of participants as last year. The event will also include kids activities and a deejay in an effort to make it “a more festive atmosphere,” he said.
And as always, Charlestown Turkey Time Hockey will be open to the public, free of charge.
“Please come by to see all generations of hockey players compete on the night before Thanksgiving,” DeRoeve said.
Charlestown Turkey Time Hockey takes place at the Emmons-Horrigan-O’Neil Skating Rink on Austin Street Wednesday, Nov. 21, from 4:30 to 10:30 p.m. The cost is $25 for adults to skate, $10 for students and free for current CYHA players. Proceeds benefit the CYHA. To sign up, contact Pat Owens at the Bunker Hill Barber Shop, 28 Common St., or Joe DeRevoe via email at JDeRoeve@comcast.net.

The 22nd annual Halloween Celebration, sponsored by the Monument Square Neighborhood Association, the Charlestown Mothers Association and the National Park Service, took place at the Bunker Hill Monument on Wednesday, Oct. 31. As part of the festivities, the Monument Square Wizard and the Tony Barry Band will led a Halloween parade around the Monument, followed by trick-or-treating.

PHOTO 1 CAPTION: Karen and Luis Tompros with their son Jack.

PHOTO 2 CAPTION: Andrew Hally and his son Jack.

PHOTO 3 CAPTION: Sebi Gueris dons his firefighter costume.

PHOTO 4 CAPTION: Andrea Garr (second from right) is seen with the Williamson and Shea children.

PHOTO CREDITS: Courtesy of Bill Durette

PHOTO 1 CAPTION: The seven Colton brothers are seen circa 1930s.

PHOTO 2 CAPTION: Howard Little (right) is seen meeting his brother, Curtis, on Guam in July 1944.

As we celebrate Veterans Day, we go back and reflect on the Second World War and remember the hundreds of brothers and sisters from Charlestown who served in that epic time.
There are four known families from Charlestown who had seven brothers that served in the Armed Forces during WWII.
One family, the Kenneallys, lived at 18 Elm St., attended St Francis School and had seven brothers serve in the Navy, Walter, George, John, Francis, James, Robert and Richard. Prior to the war, five of the brothers served on the same ship, the USS Harry Lee. But shortly after the U.S. entered the war, five Sullivan brothers from Iowa were killed on the same ship off Guadalcanal in the Pacific. After that incident, the Navy implemented a rule to separate brothers, commonly referred to as the “Sullivan Rule.”
At that time, three of the Kenneally brothers were serving on the USS Harry Lee, so the Navy transferred two of them off the ship. Walter Kenneally would go on and serve aboard the attack transport ship, the USS Thomas Jefferson. He was a Higgins Boat crewman who participated in four amphibious invasions in Europe and delivered troops to the beaches of Sicily, Salerno, in Italy, Omaha Beach in Normandy and Southern France. He also participated in the Invasion of Okinawa. Brother John would serve as Lt. Commander in the 1st Naval District, and George would serve on the two ships during the war.
Another set of seven brothers are the Kelleys of 244 Bunker Hill St. Two of the brothers lost their lives during the war. James Kelley, a U.S. Marine, died while trying to rescue occupants at the famous 1942 Coconut Grove nightclub fire that claimed 400 lives. Daniel Kelley, who was inspired by his brother James, would become a U.S. Marine with the 3rd Marine Division. He died fighting on Iwo Jima. George Kelly was an Army Lieutenant who fought alongside guerrillas in China. The seven Colton brothers are another set of Charlestown’s sons who served their country. Richard, Robert, Brian, Tom, James, Joseph and John all grew up at 22 Lincoln St. They are remembered as top-notch boxers during their younger years. Richard would serve aboard a PBY scout plane in the Pacific. Robert would serve as a Marine with the 1st Marine Raiders in the Pacific.
The Woods brothers of Baldwin Street came from a family of 11 and had seven brothers serve during the war. The Howard family came from a family of 17 and had five sons serve, John, William, Walter, Arthur and Herbert.
The six Ryan brothers answered the call, with one brother making the ultimate sacrifice, William, who lost his life fighting in France with the 5th Infantry Division. James would serve with the 296 Combat Engineers. Danny would serve with the Seabees in the Pacific, Edward on a troop transport ship. Charles would serve in Europe with the Army, and Bernard would later serve in Korea.
The four Todd and two Sullivan brothers, who all grew up in the same house at 2 Kingston St., are no strangers to military service. Captain Danny Sullivan was with the Americal Division. William served in the Pacific. Gene Todd was a paratrooper with the 17th Airborne who flew in a Glider during Operation Varsity, the airborne assault across the Rhine River into Germany. Frank and John Todd, along with John Sullivan, served with the Army in Europe. John served with 296 Combat Engineers, an outfit that included more than 50 men from Charlestown.
The six Hughes brothers, five Dobie brothers and five Murphy brothers from Sackville Street are among the other families who had the most brothers who served.
The four Flynn brothers served with pride. John was a paratrooper in the Pacific. Marty served with the Army in Europe and would win the Silver Star. Joe was with the 3rd Army, and Paul served in the Navy aboard the USS Saugus. Another set of four brothers are the Kyles from 55 Bunker Hill St. Frank was an aerial photographer with the 8th Air Force. He would amass a fantastic collection of photographs of the 453rd Bomber Group in action. Some of his photos are of Hollywood legend Jimmy Stewart, who served in Frank’s Bomber Group. Frank’s brothers Joseph, Robert and John would all serve in the Navy.
The Lowney family from Chelsea Street had the family patriarch, William Sr., serving in the Navy in Alaska with his three sons, William Jr., Edward and Robert. Robert was killed by a kamikaze attack while serving on a destroyer at Okinawa. Lowney Way in Charlestown is named in honor of him. His brother-in-law, William Dever, would also lose his life in the Battle of Okinawa.
The Quinn family had two brothers and a sister serve. Patricia and Nelson both served in the Navy and John in the Army. Patricia’s future husband, Myles, would serve with the Americal division.
Two families had one brother who was killed and one brother who was a prisoner of war, the Kellys and Aulds. Edward Kelly lost his life while serving in the Merchant Marines, when his ship was sunk in the Atlantic by a German U2 boat. His brother, John, was captured during the Battle of the Bulge and spent six months as a POW in Stalag 2A. Eugene Auld also was captured during the Bulge on Christmas Eve and spent the remainder of the war in Stalag 12B and 9B. His brother, James, would lose his life in the Pacific.
The Ropple brothers from Ferrin Street are remembered for William dying while serving with a Tank Destroyer battalion near the Elb River. He would lose his life on April 11, 1945, the same day FDR died. His brother Robert was Lt. Commander Cassin Young’s Orderly aboard the USS Vestal. He can remember standing guard over Lt. Commander Young’s corpse was killed when it was returned to the USS Vessel. The USS Cassin Young Destroyer, which resides in the Charlestown Navy Yard, is named after the Medal of Honor winner.
The Horrigan brothers are all Navy. Tom, Michael and John all grew up at 87 Washington St John, at 17, lost his life while serving on board the USS Indianapolis when it was sunk in the Pacific after delivering parts for the atomic bombs. The Charlestown hockey rink is named in his honor. Coincidentally, the house where John grew up on Washington Street was taken over by eminent domain to build the rink.
The Foley brothers were from Cross Street. Philip, an 82nd Airborne Paratrooper and one of Charlestown’s most decorated soldiers, would lose his life during the Battle of the Bulge but not before he made combat jumps in Italy and Holland. His brother Edward would also serve in the Army in Europe and his brother Robert would serve in the Navy.
The Rossetti brothers from 6 Oak St. are the Purple Heart recipients, with both brothers earning two of the military decorations each. Stephen was an OSS Officer in Italy and is one of the most decorated officers of WWII, having received the British Distinguished Service Order for Gallantry, along with numerous other awards. His exploits are the stuff of movies and worthy of a future story. His brother Philip served in the 1st Infantry Division as a first scout. Their sister, Olga, was a WAVE in the Navy.
Howard and Curtis Little from High Street are remembered for their military service. Howard served in the Army, and Curtis in the Marine Corps. They would both meet in Guam during the war. In Guam, Howard would give Curtis a samurai sword for his birthday. Howard was wounded by the sword in a fight with a Japanese officer. This incident earned Howard his first Purple Heart. He would earn another for being shot in the Philippines, then earn a third posthumously during the Battle of Okinawa.
The Isoms from High Street all served in the Navy. The father, Kelso Sr., was a Naval warrant officer that was called out of retirement at the outbreak of WWII. His son, Kelso, would serve on the Battleship Massachusetts and participate in the North Africa invasion. He would later go on and serve on a destroyer in the Pacific where his father would occasionally meet him, only to remind him to “keep his life jacket” on. Younger brother Carl was a Higgins boat crewman aboard the USS Auburn.
Laurence Brock was the 182nd Infantry Regiment’s chaplain who would ship out with the boys from the Bunker Hill armory to the Pacific right after the attack on Pearl Harbor. He was known to the regiment as the Father Duffy of WWII and stayed with the Regiment throughout the war. His brother Owen was a Lt. Commander in the Navy.
The Salvato family lost two sons in the war. Both grew up on Cambridge Street and served in the Army Air Corps. Francis was an instructor pilot and trained fighter pilots who went off and dominated the skies of Europe. He would lose his life in a flight accident, practicing aerial gunnery, in preparation for going overseas. His brother Candelora served with the 11th Air Force in the Pacific as a tail gunner aboard a B-25 Bomber. Candelora would lose his life when his plane was shot down over the Kurile Islands in Northern Japan while on a photo reconnaissance mission.
The Hamano brothers grew up at 62 Henley St. Kingo and Mango were two Japanese American brothers who joined up with the Army. Kingo played on the Charlestown High football team and was called the “Japanese Typhoon” because of his speed at running back. He also played hockey and baseball. He would go on and serve with the 442nd Regiment, the all Japanese outfit that became the most decorated Regiment of WWII. He would earn the Purple Heart and Bronze Star fighting in Italy.
His wife Kathleen, who is originally from Hawaii, reflected on her late husband: “This kid from Irish Charlestown with a Boston accent that had a liking for corn beef and cabbage was different from the rest of the boys.” Today, Kingo and Kathleen’s kids all live in California and, like their father, have a taste for the corn beef and cabbage.
Let’s not forget about some of the sisters that served, specifically the Hatton sisters from 358 Bunker Hill St., Ensign Mary Hatton and Lt. Catherine Hatton. Catherine served in India as a nurse during the war. Then, there are the two Durant sisters from Union Street, Catherine and Margaret, who wore their uniforms proudly.
The list of brothers and sisters is endless, but one thing that is sure: Whether it was WWI, WWII, Korea or Vietnam, Charlestown always answered the call to arms and served with distinction in each one of our nation’s conflicts.