Photo1: ACE certified trainer Mark Edward shows Constitution Inn Executive Director Joe Nogelo how to maximize his workout on the Expresso bike.

Photo2: Alison Cunha and Stephen Chaisson take advantage of the line of new Precor elliptical cross training machines at the Constitution Inn YMCA.

The Constitution Inn YMCA Wellness Center has seen a dramatic increase in memberships since its expansion was completed in December. The YMCA transformed a maintenance area and a meeting space into a state-of-the-art wellness center.
The equipment room was moved from the basement to an area twice the size, and now, with twice the exercise apparatus. The price tag of $270,000 has paid for an airy and expansive first-floor wellness center flooded with natural light that would be the envy of any big-name fitness chain. However, unlike the big chains, everybody seems to know each other here. Staff and members greet each other by first name, and if one tries to leave the building in inclement weather without the proper attire, he or she is chastised in the friendliest, familial manner.
The Wellness Center has been furnished with the latest flooring, designed specifically for the rigors of weights and exercising and some of the most modern equipment available. Joe Nogelo, executive director of the Constitution Inn YMCA and Greater Boston YMCA director, said, “All of the equipment is brand new, and we made a point of leasing it to insure that we have the most up-to-date machines at all times.”
A new addition is Expresso bikes, equipped with monitors that allow users to pedal along to different video games and compete against friends or a “ghost” of one’s own best time. The monitors also allow riders to watch TV or listen to music as they exercise.
There are also a number of Precor treadmills and elliptical crosstrainers with Cardio Theater attached, allowing members to use headphones to tune into the TV station of choice as the broadcast is shown on one of four widescreen LCD monitors, or they can simply use it to plug directly into an MP3 player.
For strength training, there are free weights by Precor, a Smith machine, dumbbells, barbells, new benches and a Matrix Functional Trainer, which has many facets.
The expansion/renovation was seen not only as a way to improve the facility for existing members, but also to make room for the growing member base. “Since we merged with the Greater Boston YMCA two years ago, we’ve almost doubled our membership,” said membership director James Cimmino.
Cimmino added the Constitution Inn YMCA is a part of the community, a place where people can come to get well, fit, or just to burn off stress after work. “Most of the staff here are local staff. We try and hire local people. We’re Charlestown’s YMCA; we’re here for the people,” he said.
An adult membership, for the Charlestown branch alone, is $39 with no contract and includes access to the Wellness Center, the basketball courts, the full-size pool (with a lifeguard always on duty) and also classes in the aerobics room such as yoga, pilates, stability ball and body sculpting. For those who feel that they can’t afford the monthly rate, financial assistance is available on a sliding scale, based on income. “We are here for the community, we’re nonprofit and we don’t want to turn anyone away from getting healthy,” said Cimmino.
And for those who feel overwhelmed, the center has an ACE (American Council on Exercise) trainer who gets participants oriented and show them how to use any of the equipment, until they feel comfortable on their own.
The Wellness Center’s hours are Monday through Friday, 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. and weekends from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Photo1: Richard Gray, husband of Olivia Browning of Charlestown owner Abby Gray, stands by a display of Vietri gift items available for sale and for bridal registries.

Photo2: A wedding cake created by Kate Dagle, pastry chef, Wildflour Catering. It is alternating layers of carrot cake and marble fudge cake with butter cream frosting. The accents are shaved cocoanut, candied tangerine peels and whole tangerines on top.

Photo3: A brides bouquet of white roses, miniature calla lilies, vendella roses, white hydrangea and cream-colored lisianthus, complimented by a groom boutonniere of white rose, and a maid of honor bouquet of burgundy and pink miniature calla lilies and matching boutonniere as arranged by Bunker Hill Florist.

WITHIN THE CONFINES OF THE square-mile community we call home, Charlestown offers everything a couple could possibly need from soup to nuts (or Italian wedding soup to Jordan almonds, as the case may be). Both new businesses and old offer multiple choices for every aspect of a wedding, and for those who are eco-conscious or just prideful of their hometown, local is always better.

Olivia Browning
of Charlestown
Although Olivia Browning of Charlestown only opened its doors at 20 City Square in November, the store has already established itself a go-to place for the bride and groom to-be.
Owner Abby Gray has quickly made a name for Olivia Browning of Charlestown in Charlestown and beyond through a media blitz of print and radio ads and a series of in-store events. “I want folks to realize that their neighborhood business is committed to making their wedding and event perfection,” said Gray, “Our registry services and variety of gifts is unique.
Gray offers an array of gifts and services for couples looking to their “big day” perfect, from full event planning to “welcome bags” for the bridal party. Custom invitations printed by Dauphine Press on Crane & Co. paper are available. Bridal registries are also available and include high-end items such as Italian designed Vietri tableware and handmade gifts by Mariposa. Registries may also include custom gifts, gourmet gifts, decorative pillows and many other items on display at the City Square boutique.

Wildflour Catering
Located out of a side office of Biga Breads at 50 Terminal St. in Charlestown, Wildflour Catering offers professional wedding catering without the attitude. Amy Hudon, social sales representative, is the personable wedding go-to person at Wildflour.
Coming from a background at the Ritz-Carlton, Hudon is no stranger to fine dining, where she learned to never say no to a customer. “Caribbean and Indian food is very popular right now,” Hudon said, “or if a bride has a recipe she loves from her great-grandmother, we’ll make it. There is no reason to say no.”
In the year and a half that Hudon has been working for Wildflour she has secured 45 weddings out of the 52 tastings she has overseen. All of their food is prepared fresh, the bread is baked onsite and their wedding cakes are masterfully created by pastry chef Kate Dagle.
Hudon will help a couple with as much as selecting fine linens, china, silverware, service, bartending and every gastronomical delight needed for the wedding or as little as providing a single item, such as the cake. Whatever one’s wedding need is, Wildflour is equipped to handle any size wedding for 10 to 1,000 guests.

Bunker Hill Florist
Joseph Shadroui of Bunker Hill Florist has been keeping brides happy for many years out of his 1 Thompson Square florist shop. With the help of his staff and wedding specialist Larry Bowling, he tries to take everything into consideration to help make that “special day” special. “Flowers are an accessory, like picking out the shoes,” said Shadroui. “I often ask the bride to wait until she has the dresses before picking the flowers.” Shadroui will then visit the wedding site often to take in the décor and lighting, to help guide the palette.
For those who want their flowers to be more “green,” local or regional flowers can be the best choice, when in season. If not, then they can be imported though Fair Trade growers.
We do it all, weddings for $500 or $15,000,” said Shadroui.

Commandant’s House
Located within the Charlestown Navy Yard, the Commandant’s House is a picture-perfect spot for a wedding. The Georgian mansion commands a brilliant view of the Navy Yard, the USS Constitution and Boston Harbor, along with its skyline. The mansion can handle small or large weddings with access to the gardens during warmer months, and tents can be utilized to maximize the number of guests. “The Commandant’s House on the waterfront in the Navy Yard is a national treasure, with sweeping views and period charm, and is part of the US National Parks,” said Leana Gallagher, managing partner of the Commandant’s House.

A few weeks ago it was reported that a new billboard went up in Sullivan Square without community input. Since then we have been informed that eight double sided billboards are going to be placed in the area between the Gilmore Bridge and Sullivan Square. When we say double sided what that means is there will be two billboards per pole or in other words sixteen billboards. The way it appears to be set-up is eight billboards are for the traffic on I-93 going south and eight billboards will be higher up the pole and higher then I-93 are for the traffic going north.
When Executive Director Ed Farley on the Massachusetts Outdoor Adverting Board was asked if these signs would be lit he said he wasn’t sure. These billboards are all located on MBTA land and were approved at a June 12, 2008 Outdoor Advertising Board meeting. Executive Director Farley admitted that they didn’t notify community people, organizations or the local newspaper that this meeting was taking place. He did say the city building department knew about the signs.
Representative O’Flaherty, State Senator Galluccio and Congressman Capuano were all surprised to learn of these billboards coming to Charlestown. State Senator Galluccio sent an email to MBTA General Manager Grabauskas with a copy to the Mayor, Representative O’Flaherty, Congressman Capuano and City Councilor LaMattina requesting an immediate response why there was no community involvement.
Senator Galluccio also stated that he shared the community’s vision of Rutherford Avenue becoming a vibrant pedestrian-friendly mixed use district. His immediate reaction is that a significant number of billboards along this roadway would have a detrimental impact on that long-term goal.