PHOTO 1 CAPTION: Mayor Thomas M. Menino serves cookies to guest at the opening reception for the Learning Garden.

PHOTO 2 CAPTION: Learning Garden volunteers and supporters.

On Tuesday, Oct. 21, more than 200 community supporters joined approximately 400 Warren-Prescott students and teachers celebrate the opening of the school’s new Learning Garden at the corner of High and School streets.
“The Learning Garden replaces an unused asphalt covered space,” said Dr. Domenic Amara, the school’s principal. “It has long been our vision to revitalize that area of the school grounds. The Learning Garden is a learning tool with additional benefit bringing more ‘green’ to the school grounds and the neighborhood as a whole.”
Mayor Thomas M. Menino and Boston City Councilor Sal LaMattina were guest speakers. Both said they were pleased that the Learning Garden was such a school and community effort. The mayor said the Learning Garden project was an example of the great things that are possible when the schools and the community cooperate in a common effort.
Councilor Sal LaMatina said he was pleased at the amount of community support that the Learning Garden generated. But it was more than just support, since the community actually did the work, he said.
The mayor thanked two parents in particular for heading up the Learning Garden Committee, architect Stephanie Goldberg and environmental specialist Ruth Raphael, as well as extending his gratitude to local contractor Doug McDonald and Dr. Amara, for their hard work and leadership in the project.
Goldberg said she saw the Learning Garden as just way of demonstrating from the outside of the building some of the wonderful teaching and learning going on inside the building.
MS Tina Champagne, one of the school’s science teachers, said that students would be able to plant flowers that were native to the area in the garden, as well as grow vegetables. “The students will learn by doing,” said Champagne.
Dr. Amara said that the project was begun with a Small Changes grant of $5,000 from the mayor. The money was important, said Dr. Amara, but equally important was the trust that the mayor had that the school could make a positive change far and beyond the grant’s dollar value. Dr. Amara said that the Learning Garden would have cost about $ 65,000 to create if one added in all the donated materials and donated labor.

CAPTION: The Learning Garden at the Warren-Prescott School; before (left) and after (right).

What began as a modest project by school personnel and parents to bring a sustainable native garden to the grounds of the Warren-Prescott School has become one of the biggest community projects in recent memory, due to a collaboration between parents, school staff members and others in the community.
“The level of involvement cut across…representatives from every aspect of the school community and beyond,” said Dr. Domenic Amara, the school’s principal. “It’s the continuation of a many-year effort to make the outside of the building to reflect the quality of instruction of learning happening inside the building.”
Last spring, three parents, Stephanie Goldberg, Petra Eldh and Ruth Raphael, submitted an application on behalf of the School Side Council for a grant from the city’s Small Changes program that proposed transforming a barren, largely asphalt area at School and High streets into “a garden consisting of a variety of types of planting beds that will provide a hands-on, creative learning environment for students to plant, maintain and observe how small changes to their surroundings can have a great impact on the environment.” In response to the application, the city awarded $5,000 to the Warren-Prescott Foundation, a non-profit corporation that raises money to provide enrichment programs at the K-8 school that aren’t currently offered as part of the Boston Public Schools curriculum.
“The Small Changes grant was essential seed money, but it was also an indication to us that the mayor had faith in us to initiate the garden and go as far as we could with it,” Dr. Amra said.
The project received another boost following the recruitment of local contractor Doug MacDonald, whom longtime Warren-Prescott Foundation member Pat Simspon described as “a major force who was critical to making it all happen.”
“Doug was a nucleus,” Simpson said. “There would’ve been a garden [without him], but not of the scope and magnitude it has now.”
MacDonald soon enlisted the help of local residents Joe Bianco, Dana Walkup, George Morton and Bob Spencer, who all contributed free labor and sometimes worked up to 16 hours a day. Demolition Joe also offered to take the old asphalt away and lay new pavers for the walkway adjacent to the garden.
Others who worked tirelessly on the Learning Garden include John and Lindy Williamson, Pat Campbell, John and Tracy Shea, Nick and Allison Godfrey, Christine Amisano, Steven Fabiano, Joe and Amy Slesser, Sgt. Tom Lema of Boston Police Area A-1, and Cdr. William Bullard and the crew of the USS Constitution.
With volunteers donating labor and supplies, the Learning Garden, which had an estimated cost of $65,000, was completed far ahead of schedule for only $9,000.
“We’ve nearly completed the garden now, which we never though we would do,” Raphael said. “So many people came together, and without all these people and the community support, we’d never be where we are now.”
Goldberg added that because of the level of community involvement, the original design for the Learning Garden was modified to incorporate new features, including a cedar shed, a limestone walkway and an arbor-way with two benches that faces the garden. “I feel it’s completely exceeded our expectations,” she said.
Warren-Prescott science teacher Tina Champagne said the Learning Garden offers students endless possibilities from a learning standpoint. Her students have already researched the native plants and made labels to identify each variety, and in the spring, they will witness firsthand the life cycles of plants in the garden.
‘It also helps give kids ownership over the school,” Champagne added.
Meanwhile, Dr. Amara emphasized that the Learning Garden is just the latest phase in an ongoing effort to beautify the school. Past projects included the construction of a playground on Pear Street, a second playground between Pearl and School streets and the replacement of windows and a fence at the school. The next phase will include the rehabilitation of the front of the school.
“ “The whole renovation of the outside of the building started over 17 years ago when Pat Simpson began plans to renovate the Pearl Street playground,” Dr. Amara said. “It’s like a tradition to improve and update the building to make it a nicer place to go to school.”

PHOTO CREDIT: Steve Babineau

PHOTO CAPTION: Boston Blazers players Sean Morris, Mitch Belisle and Jack Reid sign autographs for fans at the TD Banknorth Garden. The expansion Blazers will begin their pro indoor lacrosse season in January and play eight home games at the Garden.

Professional indoor lacrosse games are fast, intense and exciting. The sport is built on long-standing traditions as it blends the speed and strength of box lacrosse with the finesse of the field game, creating a gripping combination of teamwork, skill, scoring and ferocity.
This January, Boston will welcome a new professional sports franchise when the Boston Blazers begin their inaugural season in the National Lacrosse League (NLL). All eight Blazers regular season home games will be played at the TD Banknorth Garden on Saturday nights from January through April.
As the Blazers establish the franchise with local fans, the club has been extremely active in its efforts to grow interest in lacrosse as the players and coaches frequently conduct clinics and participate in grassroots activities throughout Boston and New England. For at least the next two years, the Blazers will work closely with the Charlestown Lacrosse and Learning Center to give back to the community and introduce the neighborhood to the sport of indoor lacrosse. CLLC provides both educational services, as well as athletic opportunities through the sport of lacrosse to the youth of Boston.
“We’re very pleased to have the Blazers work with our students,” said Bob Cutler, executive director of Charlestown Lacrosse and Learning Center. “It will be great for our players and students to have additional role models that are succeeding on the professional level and have had success at institutions of higher learning.”
Google executive Tim Armstrong, who grew up in Littletown, Mass., purchased the rights to the team more than a year ago. The franchise is led by team president Doug Reffue who has brought the Blazers to life. To prepare for the upcoming season, the club quickly established a strong lacrosse operation and coaching staff, led by head coach and general manager Tom Ryan and his assistant Randy Fraser. Both Ryan and Fraser are former indoor lacrosse standouts with impressive playing and coaching resumes and experience at all levels of the game.
As an expansion franchise in the NLL, the Blazers built their roster through a series of draft picks and player trades. Ryan orchestrated key player personnel moves to acquire the team’s core players through selections in the NLL’s dispersal, expansion and entry drafts with the goal of signing players who play a non-stop, tenacious and physical brand of indoor lacrosse.
The Blazers very first game will be a road match-up against the New York Titans, scheduled for Jan. 10. A week later, on Saturday, Jan. 17, the Blazers will make Boston sports history when they face the Titans in the much-anticipated home opener. Before the Jan. 17 game, CLLC players and coaches will host a shoot around on the Garden Turf followed by a short game featuring Charlestown’s players.
As the Blazers prepare for the season, the club is active in its marketing and ticket sales efforts, reaching out to New England fans with a promise that ticket prices for a night out at a Blazers game will fit well within their budgets. “Boston Blazers pro indoor lacrosse is an exciting and affordable entertainment option for sports fans facing these uncertain economic times,” said Reffue.
The Blazers will offer area fans the most affordable professional sports action in Boston. Eight-game season tickets range from an affordable $40 for the season in a “Ring of Fire” upper level seat to $400 to sit right next to the glass. Individual game tickets and special “Universal Flex Plans” are available to fans looking to purchase tickets for two or more games.
The team will conduct training camp in November and December and features several prospects with New England roots. College All-Americans Sean Morris of Marshfield is a popular local star who will join the team’s high-energy offensive unit while his former UMass teammate, Jack Reid, will help anchor the defense. They are joined by Mitch Belisle, a former collegiate All-American selection from Cornell University who grew up in Cape Cod.
For more information about the Boston Blazers and tickets to future Blazers games, please visit www.blazerslacrosse.com or call 1-888-BLAZERS. Charlestown residents can purchase tickets directly from the Learning Center; a portion of these tickets will benefit the Learning Center and lacrosse programs in Charlestown. Fire Up!

PHOTO 1 CAPTION: The light pole dedicated in honor of late CBA member Bill Stievater outside of 121 Main St.

PHOTO 2 CAPTION: CBA board members hang up a wreath on Bunker Hill Street.

On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Charlestown Business Association continues its Adopt-A-Pole program, a longstanding tradition of decorating light poles around Charlestown to ring in the holidays.
“A lot of people really look forward to it because it signals the beginning of the Christmas season,” said CBA co-chair Tom Coots.
The practice dates back more than 20 years to the installation of light poles and brick sidewalks. At that time, Monument Square residents began decorating their area and were soon joined by their neighbors around the Training Field and along Warren and Soley streets. Under the guidance of member Bill Stievater, the CBA followed suit and began decorating light poles in the business districts of Main and Bunker Hill streets. Stievater continued to lead the effort by coordinating the effort and soliciting donations for it until his untimely death five years ago. Since then, the CBA dedicated a light pole in Stievater’s memory in front of McCullough Stievater Polvere, the law firm where he worked located at 121 Main St.
If you would like to adopt a light pole, you can pick up an application at many establishments up and down Main and Bunker Hill streets and drop them off with payment of $25 at The Cooperative Bank at 201 Main St. or mail with a check to Charlestown Business Association, P.O. Box 290303, Charlestown, MA 02129. You can also pay online securely at: www.CharlestownBusiness.com.

PHOTO 1 CAPTION: Charlestown Militia Captain Tom Coots displays an 18th century sash that was recently donated to the Charlestown Historical Society.

PHOTO 2 CAPTION: Darlen Wigton and (Lt. Col.) Paul O'Shaughnessey take a turn.

PHOTO 3 CAPTION: Denis Devlin of The Pipes and Drums of Bunker Hill and his cousin, step dancer Shaelyn Devlin.

PHOTO 4 CAPTION: Martin Butler, bodhran; Colm O'Brien, guitar; Sean Conners, fiddle; and Colin Sullivan, accordion.

On Friday evening, Oct. 17, more than 100 members and guests attended the first annual Charlestown Historical Society Membership Gala at the Battle of Bunker Hill Museum.
The event, billed as “an evening of surprise and celebration,” recognized the Society’s members and their association with the new museum.
In keeping with the Charlestown heritage and colonial history theme of the evening, attendees listened to traditional Irish and colonial music, watched Irish step-dancing and traditional eighteenth century dance and toured the museum’s exhibit halls.
Members were greeted at the museum door by Denis Devlin of The Pipes and Drums of Bunker Hill, dressed in full regalia, and escorted to the auditorium by volunteers from local living-history group, the Charlestown Militia Company 1775, Col. Thomas Gardner Regiment.
Once inside the museum, attendees mingled with costumed soldiers from The Lexington Minutemen, and His Majesty's 10th Regiment of Foot. Traditional military music was performed by Brian Flanagan and Ed Hurley of The Menotomy Fifes and Drums. Shaelyn Devlin, age 12, took the floor for a spirited exhibition of traditional step dancing.
Several important presentations were then made that contribute to the Society’s archives and ability to expand their presence in the museum.
Nolan Jones, president of the Middlesex Canal Association, presented the Society a collection of books and maps showing the 27¼-mile route and remarkable history of this “Incredible Ditch,” which connected the Merrimack River (Lowell) to Charlestown, and operated between 1804 and 1851.
Historical Society member Jim Conway made a presentation on the Society’s past influence on local, state and national events. He presented articles from the Charlestown Patriot newspaper dating back over 40 years, illustrating the history of the Society from its inception in 1962 to the present day.
The highlight of the night was the donation of a genuine 18th-century sash, worn by Thomas Wheat Sr. at the Battle of Bunker Hill. The bright red sash, made of silk and wool, is 112 x 11 inches and is in amazing condition. The sash represents a major contribution to the Society’s archives and will be permanently displayed in the museum in the near future.
Finally, in a surprise announcement, event chair George Morton and Charlestown Militia Captain Tom Coots presented Arthur Hurley, president of the Society, with an officer’s 18th-century Commander's Hat, complete with military cockade, in recognition of his efforts to maintain the Society as a focal point for the history of Charlestown and its residents.
After the presentations, the event took a much livelier turn with traditional Irish music. Members and guests were privileged to hear two members of Rud Eile play along with two other talented lads. Guitarist Colm O’Brien, who hails from Dublin and fronted the famed Celtic rockers The Prodigals", has now formed Rud Eile along with colleague Martin Butler, the 2002 USA bodhran champion.; they were joined by Sean Conners, who plays and teaches traditional Irish fiddle; and Charlestown’s own Colin Sullivan who plays accordion.
As the rhythm progressed, members were treated to several impromptu displays of 18th century dance and Irish jigs, as Darlene Wigton, Lt. Colonel Paul O'Shaughnessey, and Cap. Tom Coots took the dance floor. Darlene, a member of the Woburn Militia 1775 re-enactment troupe, not only graced attendees with her 18th-century elegance, but is also the highly skilled seamstress behind the troupes’ accurate period costume.
In the next several months, the Charlestown Historical Society plans to sponsor other events at the museum, including presentations on political, sports, colonial and military history. To join the Society, learn about archive opportunities or for information on upcoming events, call Arthur Hurley, President, at 617-242-2724, or visit www.charlestownhistoricalsociety.org on the Web.

Harvest on Vine food pantry of Charlestown was recently awarded a $3,000 grant from Project Bread, the state’s leading anti-hunger organization.
“Because of these dire economic times, food is more expensive and we’re getting more clients,” said Tom MacDonald of Harvest on Vine. “This money goes straight to buying food.”
In addition to the most recent grant, which MacDonald said was used to pay outstanding food bills, Harvest on Vine received a $2,700 grant from Project Bread earlier this year. That money was used to repair the ceiling of the food pantry after it was relocated to the rectory basement from the lower church, he said.
“We look forward to working with Project Bread again for the Thanksgiving basket giveaway,” MacDonald said.
The latest round of grants from Project Bread totaled $648,000 and was distributed to 92 emergency food services. In 2008, the organization has contributed a total of $909,559 for nutrition outreach programs. Boston agencies are among 400 emergency food programs in 128 cities and towns across Massachusetts to receive money from Project Bread, which supports food pantries, meal programs, food banks and food salvage programs.
The grants come from donations raised during Project Bread’s annual Walk for Hunger, the nation’s oldest continuing pledge walk. The 40th Walk for Hunger raised a record $3.8 million.
“Approximately 100,000 people are behind the money raised through the Walk for Hunger,” said Ellen Parker, executive director of Project Bread. “We applaud the corporate and individual sponsors, the 50,000 donors, the 2,000 volunteers, and the 40,000 walkers who turned out to help these Massachusetts programs.”