“Our fear of death is like our fear that summer will be short. But when we have had our swing of pleasure, our fill of fruit, and our swelter of heat, we say we have had our day.”
By John Donne

John Donne was right on when he said the “swelter of heat.” One of the TV meteorologists mentioned the other day that every July day to date this summer has been at least six degrees warmer than normal. I dread the upcoming electric bill because we go from our living room air conditioner to the one in the bedroom. We have a big cat-litter tray on the porch under the big living room unit that catches the drips from the overworked machine. Hubby has had to bail out the water in the tray several times so it will not overflow. He puts the excess water on the plants. By the way, we now have a small, but beautiful, rose bush with five pure white roses on it. Our yellow bush is still in bloom and looks lovely across the pathway from the white bush.
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Since I wrote about Mary Vinciguerra’s 80th birthday at the Beachcomber in last week’s column, I also must mention that Hubby and I were at the Beachcomber several weeks before that. On Sunday, June 23, those of us who had gone to the Irish Village in May decided that we would go to hear the McTeggarts, who would be playing at the Beachcomber that afternoon. We were joined by fellow travelers Eileen Collins, Marie Schallmo. Phyllis Hartford, Peggy Gorman, Nell Joyce, Evie Dunne, Dolly Farquharson, Diana Scarborough, and Caroline Innello. The gals, mostly from Keystone, sat at one long table. Before Mike and Jim began to play, they looked over at the long table. Mike said, “It looks like the Last Supper.”
Mike and Jim played many of the songs that they had played for us down the Cape. We sang along to “Dirty Old Town,” “Black Velvet Band,” “Lovely Leitrim,” “The Irish Rover,” “Charlie on the MTA,” “Caledonia,” “The Unicorn,” “Boston Rose,” (where we waved “Goodbye” with our napkins), “Whiskey, Whiskey,” “Sweet Caroline,” and “Hey, Wife.” We all laughed as we sang that song. The McTeggarts will be at the Beachcomber on July 28. Come on down and enjoy them.
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By the way, at Mary Vinciguerra’s special birthday party at the Beachcomber last week, everyone was sorry that her cousin Ciss Casey was not present. She is recovering from a broken hip after a fall. I must mention how Mary and another of her cousins, Bea, dance so beautifully together, especially to the Irish tunes. I also must mention that daughter Sue came with us. Her birthday was the following day. The McTeggarts played “Happy Birthday” to her.
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Please keep in mind the Wednesday Evening Concerts on City Hall Plaza, which begin in less than two weeks. The first concert, on July 24, will feature The Stylistics. The second, Disco Night, will feature Boston favorite Stardust, on July 31. The third, Aug. 7, will present Michael Dutra in “Strictly Sinatra.” The fourth, on Aug. 21, will feature Charlie Thomas and the Drifters. The final show, on Aug. 28, is Roberta Flack evening. All the concerts begin at 7 p.m. There are plenty of chairs, especially for seniors. It is wonderful, sitting under the stars, listening to terrific music.
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You must go into the Adams Corner Store (Gerard’s) to see a magnificent photo by Bill Brett showing the recent double rainbow over BC High. It is breathtaking, Bill. You were in the right place at the right time!
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Hubby and I always attend the yearly meeting of the Fields Corner Community Development Corporation. This year’s event was held at the Ditson Street senior house on June 26. We walked into the meeting room of the building and were greeted by Barry Mullen, our friend who had invited us. Barry is the assistant to the director and the group’s community outreach liaison. Corporation president Donna Finnegan gave both of us a big hug. We took our usual seats, about half way down. The room looked very festive for the Fourth of July. There were Japanese lanterns hanging from the LED overhead lights, many of which were red, white, and blue. There were red, white, and blue banners on the doors and walls. The paper napkins on the dessert table had a beautifully vivid flag printed on each one. There was a very pretty Tiffany-style lamp on the head table. Barry had discovered the lamp and brought it into work.
Ellen Mason, the head of the FCCDC’s board of directors, kept the official proceedings light and funny on that warm evening. She and Donna called our friend Barry to the microphone. He told us that there were 63 streets in a newly formed Neighborhood Watch. Capt. Sexton, from District C-11, also spoke. He urged those present to get to know their neighbors and to be more aware of what is going on in their neighborhood. The captain said he had a good relationship with civic associations and he applauded actions like those of the Sunday Evening Walking Group in Ashmont, whose members get together each Sunday and walk throughout their neighborhood.
Director Donna then announced that the speaker for the evening, Sen. Linda Dorcena Forry, was unable to be present, as had been announced. She was in session at the State House. Linda sent one of her very able aides, Janice Blemor, to speak for her. Janice gave us the phone number to Linda’s office: 617-777-1150 (a brand new number). I was delighted to speak with Barbra Trybe when the meeting had ended. Barbra told me that she is working on a big project. I will tell you all about it as it gets closer to the time when it will be held. I kidded Barbra about her singing group, the Black Catholic Choir, which gave a wonderful concert in May that we had attended because my Cousin Kathy is also in the choir. (She is the red head.) As we drove home from the Fields Corner CDC Meeting, we agreed that the meeting made for a very pleasant evening.
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I was so sorry that Hubby and I were not able to attend the annual Pope’s Hill Association’s Lawn Party, held on McKone Street on Sat., June 29. We were attending a lovely wedding. PHNA Pres. Phil Carver sent me a list of the worthy recipients of the awards. The first to be given out was the 2013 Good Business of the Year. Hani El-Shurafa, of the Tedeschi Food Shop on Neponset Avenue, was the recipient. I hear such nice things about Hani and how he helps neighborhood activities, particularly when local kids are involved. Thanks, Hani, your help does not go unnoticed. Mike Doyle received the 2013 Good Neighbor of the Year Award. Mike has made St. Ann’s CYO basketball program the pride of Dorchester. Sorry to say, this is Mike’s final year at the helm. The final award was named for our late PHNA treasurer. The Jack O’Connor Man of the Year Award went to the pastor of St. Ann’s Church, Neponset, Father Sean Connor. Fr. Sean was given the award for his hard work, devotion, and overall commitment to the parishioners of St. Ann’s Church as well as the greater Neponset community. I am sure there was a large crowd at the Lawn Party, especially because of Fr. Sean. We wish him much success and happiness in his new parish in Weymouth.
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I am usually up early on Saturday mornings. I make coffee early and sit in the living room, watching ME-TV, which is Ch. 292 on Boston’s Comcast Cable. From 6 to 7 a.m., there are two episodes of “The Green Hornet.” First of all, I love hearing Al Hirt as he plays the theme of the Green Hornet show. He is terrific playing that piece so quickly. Then I sit and watch the two shows. Both are quite good. Van Williams plays Britt Reid, the newspaper publisher and the Green Hornet. Kato is Bruce Lee, who was to become very famous in later years. “The Green Hornet” was seen in the late 1960s. If you are up, watch the show. I think you’ll enjoy it.
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I noticed in St. Christopher’s Bulletin that the Notre Dame Montessori School is celebrating its 40th anniversary this month. The school is located in the basement of St. Christopher’s church. Congratulations are sent to Sister Elizabeth, the founder and director of the school, and her excellent staff, who teach pre-schoolers.
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Here is an “Independence Day Prayer” that I saw in St. Ann’s Church Bulletin: “On this Independence Day, we are reminded of all those who have sacrificed for our freedom, following the example of your Son, Jesus Christ. Let us not take our freedom, both physical and spiritual, for granted. Lord, today, bless those who have served and continue to give their lives for our freedom. In a special way we pray for those service men and women from Saint Ann Parish. With favor and bounty, meet their needs and watch over their families. Help us live our lives in a way that glorifies You, Lord. Give us the strength to be a blessing in someone else’s life today, and grant us the opportunity to lead others into the freedom that can be found in knowing Christ. Amen.”