Minutes of Meeting Held on Saturday, November 14 2009

Dan McCole was presiding.

                                                                                                                                                      

The minutes were voted on and approved.  Audrey Williams is being reimbursed for the extra food and coffee.  The amount was less than $50.00 so it was approved by the Board.  Dan McCole sent a letter to Jack Forbush regarding new monies for the SBAA.

 

Writer’s Night was held on the first Wednesday of the month which was Wednesday, November 4th.   There were 4 people who showed up at the meeting.  The Newsletter is ready to be printed.  Carol Masshardt and Ann Marie Norton are okay with the printing but will need funds.  It was agreed that extra copies should be printed.

 

A Social Get Together Party will be held on Monday, December 7th, at the South Boston Public Library.  Peter Golemme and Richard Coit will play piano at the event and refreshments will be provided.  Joanne Miller is looking for funding of about $100.00.  Dan McCole will be looking for Parade ideas at the meeting being held on Saturday, December 12th.  Norman Crump talked on Friday to Freddy Ahern about having an L Street Day to start in June.  A member suggested having a winter activity and having a sketching club inside at the South Boston Public Library.

 

The Poetry Reading went very well.  Another reading is tentatively planned for January in 2010 then again in April.  For the Portland trip, there were 4 attendees.  The group drove up together for the 2 hour trip.  They had dinner at DiMilo’s Restaurant which was affordable and the food was good.  I.M. Pei was a designer of the Portland Museum.  The group all took the tour of the museum.  On Sundays, there is a jazz brunch.  Dotty is planning a second trip in May but she needs to have at least 8 people.  The museum is easy and relaxing.  It includes a tour of a refurbished house.  Also there is a tour of Longfellow’s house. 

 

Norman Crump is opening a new gallery in the former recruiting office for the National Guard.  It is in the same group of stores as the Java House on East Broadway.  There will be a stroll on West Broadway on Wednesday, December 3rd.  In April, strolls are scheduled for the first Friday of the month. Dan McCole, Norman Crump and Robert Farrell will be participating.  One member suggested that poetry be combined with art as it is a slow time for poetry books.  Pauline Margarone, Marilyn Reisberg and Nancy Santry are all entered in the Abigail Adams event sponsored by the Quincy Historical Society and the Quincy Art Association.

 

Audrey Williams offered to get the membership list from Bill Frew in Colorado for Joanne Miller and Lorna Allen.  Dotty Morris’s interview was printed in the Boston Seniority for November.  Audrey Williams will scan the article and send it to the membership when she has an opportunity.  Dotty also wrote up her trip to Scotland for the paper.

 

Dan McCole with SoBACC is competing against Donna Brown and Reverend Burs Stanfield who have the funding for their project (Veteran’s Housing – Families and Vetrans in Transition).  Their funding is dependent on the veterans in transition.  However, the support services needed for these veterans are not present in the neighborhood,  The next meeting for SoBACC is on Monday, November 16th.  The next steps are to meet with the mayor.

 

Events as of 11/14/09

• Dan McCole is having a solo show at the distillery on Thursday, November 19th, from 6 PM to 9 PM.
• Writer’s Night will be on Wednesday, December 2nd, at 7:00 PM.  The location is at 29 Farragut Road which is the Farragut Office Building at Jerry Baldner’s office of Suite E.
• The Artists Social is planned for Monday, December 7th, from 6:00 PM until 8:00 PM at the SBPL.

The Artist of the Month was Jennifer Morris, the niece of Robert and Dotty Morris.  She has published two books so far.  One is a murder mystery, the Rosary Killer, and the other is a cookbook, Simply Homemade.  Due to the difficulties of getting a publisher, she has printed her own books

 

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, December 12th, at 9:30 AM at the L Street Bathhouse.

South Boston Arts Association                         Minutes of Meeting Held on Saturday, October 11, 2009

Dan McCole was presiding.

                                                                                                                                                      

The minutes were voted on and approved.  Jack Canavan made his report and reported that the total balance of the Treasury was $5,869.67.   Three new members were added at the SBAA Social held at the South Boston Public Library.

 

Writer’s Night was postponed to the second Wednesday of this month which was Wednesday, October 14th, at 7:00 PM. 

 

The Literary Gazette is accepting poetry, prose, photography and artwork.  The Newsletter is winding down and will accept articles and artwork.  Send to Carol Masshardt and Ann Marie Norton at carolhardt@comcast.net and amnorton1@verzon.net.

 

The SoBACC is waiting for the RFP Application to come out.  Due to a flood in the building, the application won’t be issued until December 2009 at the earliest or by February 2010 in the future. 

 

At the South Boston Street Festival held on Saturday, September 19th, Lorna Allen did well as did Deb Putnam.   The Poetry Reading which was held the week before on Saturday, September 12th, did well also.  Dotty Morris and Susan Mahan decided that this should be held twice a year in the good weather.  Good things were said about the event.  Deb Putnam also participated in the Quincy Art Festival which was held on Saturday, September 19th, and Sunday, September 20th.  Since she submitted her application in time, she was a participant in the juried show and won a prize.  Dan McCole and Pauline Margarone had work entered in the festival but missed the application deadline for judging.  At the SoWa Open Studios, Maureen Murphy sold some greeting cards.  She is also donating a painting.  Josie Lawrence almost had a sale but, since she did not bring the piece in question, she lost out on this sale and didn’t get the buyer’s name.

 

The Young At Arts are working on the Open Windows along West Broadway   The windows are being cleared and eventual be filled with art work.

 

It was mentioned that the Fort Point Open Studios was to be held next week on Friday, October 16th, Saturday, October 17th, and Sunday, October 18th.  It was also mentioned that the South Boston Open Studios is coming up on Saturday, October 31st, and Sunday, November 1st, from noon to 6:00 PM.  It will be held in the Distillery, King Terminal and the Norman Crump Studio.  Some of the artists participating include Dan McCole, Deb Putnam, John Provenzano and Norman Crump.

 

Dan McCole also asked the membership to participate in the Mt Washington 5k Bay Run/Walk as the bank has been a willing donor for the SBAA over the years and this race helps to benefit the Mount Washington Bank Foundation.  The 2009 race is the 4th Annual Run and it is hoped that it will surpass the amount raised from the prior year. It will be held on Sunday, October 18th.

 

 

Events as of 10/10/09

• Writer’s Night will be on Wednesday, October 14th, at 7:00 PM.  The location is at 29 Farragut Road which is the Farragut Office Building at Jerry Baldner’s office of Suite E.
• The Fort Point Open Studios will be held from Friday, October 16th, through to Sunday, October 18th. As Friday is a preview, the hours are 4:00 PM until 7:00 PM.   The hours for Saturday and Sunday are from 11:00 AM until 6:00 PM.
• The Mt Washington 5K Run/Walk is being held on Sunday, October 18th.
• The South Boston Open Studios is being held on Saturday, October 31st, and Sunday, November 1st.

Mary Dorion speaking for Dotty Morris about the Portland trip stated that Dotty Morris will send out details very shortly.  She stressed that, although the time to leave for Portland was set, there was flexibility with the details regarding returning alone or as a group.   She was planning the trip for Saturday, October 17th.

Mary Dorion also spoke about a senior craft festival that was going to be held at City Hall.  She has the details and instructions if anyone is interested.

 

Susan Mahan mentioned to the group that she had 2 poems published in an anthology.  She read the poems to the members.  Audrey Williams updated the progress of her husband’s shop.  There has been no advertising as yet, but there has been tremendous word of mouth from all over.  The shop, Williams Furniture & Collectibles, is located on 45 L Street between East 2nd and East 3rd.  Dan McCole wished us luck.  Audrey mentioned advertising when we hold an open house in the future.

 

The Artist of the Month was Robert Farrell.  He grew up in South Boston.  He wasn’t an artist but, then, he went to Hawaii wanting to learn to paint.  He came back to do art and teach kids.  He became disillusioned with the public school system.  He enjoys going out and sketching.  He has a bag that holds his supplies but also serves as a stool.  He always has a pad of paper that he sketches in with pen and ink.  If there is time, it becomes a watercolor.  This is something that he has to do.  He just has to get up and sketch.  His goals are to join and be good enough for the New England Watercolor Society and then from there be good enough for the Nationals.  Presently he belongs to the Cape Cod Watercolor Society.  He uses watercolor pencils.  He has twelve pieces of work at the South Boston Public Library during the month of October.  His website is robertfarrellart.com.  He was creative when he was younger using clothespins as his creative materials.  He especially thinks that having a Sketching Club is a good idea.

 

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, November 14th, at 9:30 AM at the L Street Bathhouse. 

 

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, July 11th, at 9:30 AM at the L Street Bathhouse. 

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South Boston Arts Association                         Minutes of Meeting Held on Saturday, June 13, 2009

Dotty Morris was residing.                                                                                                        

 

The minutes for May’s meeting were approved by the membership.  Jack Canavan gave the Treasurer’s Report.  As of May 31, 2009, there was a balance of $4,092.28.  His report was accepted by the membership.

 

It was mentioned that the Arts Affair deadline for entry was on July 7.

 

As Bill Frew was back, the membership reminder letter was discussed.  It was mentioned that the dues will be lowered to $20.00.  It was announced that Deb Putnam is on the South Boston Street Fair Committee.  The fair is scheduled for Saturday, September 19th, which is the week after our meeting.

 

Peter Golemme wants to raise money.  At his request of the Board, he was appointed the chairman for the Annual Sock Hop.  He will report on his progress to the Board.

 

There was some discussion about recruiting new members at the next Station 6 Meeting.  Some felt that this was not a good idea.  The focus should be on the proposal for the South Boston Arts and Community Center.

 

On Thursday, July 16th, the South Boston Public Library (SBPL) is having its annual Art Festival with Bobby Dunlap providing the music.  Deb Putnam also mentioned that there is an Art Market in Boston at the corner of Washington and Summer streets.  It is a place for artists to show their work.  There is a wide variety of work being shown.  There is a link on Deb Putnam’s website (www.dputnamart.com).

 

The Literary Gazette was presenting its 21st Issue of the South Boston magazine Saturday, June 13th, at the SBPL at 1:00 PM until 4:00 PM.  Prizes will be awarded for best poetry and best prose.  Refreshments will be provided.  Paul Conley mentioned that the next writer’s meeting is Wednesday, July 1st, at 29 Farragut Road in Jerry Baldner’s office.  The evening starts at 7:00 PM for two hours.

 

As to restarting the poetry forum, Dotty is planning on having a poetry reading at the South Boston Public Library.  At present, she has tentatively reserved the courtyard at the SBPL for Saturday, September 19th, from 1:00 PM until 3:00 PM but due to the Street Fair this date will probably change.  Dotty Morris also mentioned that her niece, Jennifer Morris who wrote the “Rosary Killer” has written another book titled “Simply Homemade” which can be purchased on Borders or Amazon.com.

 

Upcoming Events as of 6/13/09

• Writer’s Night will be on Wednesday, July 1st, 2009, at 7:00 PM.  The location is at 29 Farragut Road which is the Farragut Office Building at Jerry Baldner’s office of Suite E.
• The South Boston Street Fair will be held on Saturday, September 19th.

As there was no artist of the month, Bill Frew used this time to ask people for their ideas on how to draw back former members and attract new ones.

 

Suggestions included:

1) Dues being lowered (A reduction was approved by the Board).

2) Advertising the meeting in September.

3) Using advertising in the On-line and the Tribune.

4) Asking Dan to create a flier for new members that could be posted on the bulletin board of the large apartment complexes (with permission from the building association).

 

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, July 11th, at 9:30 AM at the L Street Bathhouse. 

Pauline Margarone was presiding.

 

The minutes for December’s and January’s meeting were approved by the membership.

 

Pauline started the meeting with a discussion on the Saint Patrick’s Day Parade.  In keeping with the green theme, MIT’s Solar Electric Vehicle Team will bring their solar powered vehicle, “Eleanor”, to the parade and it will be our entry in the parade.  There was a discussion on whether or not to put the vehicle on a flatbed but this was voted against.  Members were asked to consider marching in the parade beside the vehicle or in front holding the banner for the SBAA. 

 

In the meantime, on Friday, February 27th, there will be a reception in the Center of Lobby 13 at 3:00 PM to mark the introduction of “Eleanor”.  Our group could take a tour beforehand of the MIT Campus.  Rick Winterson will arrange it.  On Parade Day, Pauline will dress in green and Jane Crump suggested dressing in recycled materials.  The Fort Point Channel Theater Group, carrying their own banner, would like to march with us.  At the meeting, Pauline asked who might march in our own group.  Thus far, in addition to Pauline, Rick,

Harold Cunniff and Susan Mahan have volunteered.

 

The next discussion was on the “Arts in the Park”.  Pauline wants better signage for the Sunday, June 28th event with a banner across  Broadway at I Street and, on the day of the event, sandwich boards around the exhibit inviting people to come on over.

 

Dan McCole was up next to speak.  He had been to a meeting regarding the old police station at D and Athens Street behind the gas station and across from Burger King.  The South Boston Neighborhood Corporation (SBNDC) wants to create housing for veterans – 30 apartments for families and 15 for transitional veterans.  Dan emphasized that even though others including our group would want the space for other purposes such as an Art Center / Community Center, we should not appear as being against veterans.  Plans were not brought out and discussed.  It was hoped by many that this community center could house the South Boston Historical Museum, the South Boston Sports Museum, workshop rooms for teaching, a Gallery, a small store selling products of South Boston, a screen to show films and a place for visual arts.  He added that Natick has a great community center.  There are two garage bays plus the main entrance to the police station.  There is about 24,000 square feet to work with.  He can envision a stage, a kitchen, bathrooms and handicap access.  A center would need permanent staffing. 

 

This Community Center would require a large financial input (millions of dollars).  Grants would be needed.

This should be coalesced with the other groups.  We should check with the 2 theater groups in South Boston – the Actors Playhouse (George McDonough) and the Firefly Players (Mike Barrett).  At the next meeting, the community needs to be there.  This would include the South Boston Citizens Association (SBCA).  Bottom line, this building has always been in service to South Boston only.  This is not a done deal with the SBNDC.  We should try to provide another argument (non acrimonious) at the next meeting.

 

Carol Masshardt stated that the High School at South Boston is looking for volunteers to teach art to the children.  There is grant money that can be obtained. Rick Winterson argued that it is important that volunteers do step up because children need arts, languages and sports.  Jane Crump stated that Arts are not entertainment.  Some children are different from the others as their thinking is from the right brain as opposed to the left.  Arts help these children over this hurdle. The Arts also promote all types of creative thinking.

 

Rick Winterson is going to be in two upcoming plays.  The first engagement is at the Fine Arts Museum on the 2nd floor of the Egyptian exhibition.  The play, “Evening at Giza” was scheduled for the February vacation week at 11:00 AM and 1:00 PM.  Later on, he will be in the Men of Tortugas at the Appollonaire in Chelsea from April 17th to May 17th.  Times and ticket price haves not been announced as yet.

 

Upcoming Events as of 2/14/09 

• Writer’s Night will be on Wednesday, March 4th, 2009.  The location is at 29 Farragut Road which is the Farragut Office Building at Jerry Baldner’s office of Suite E.

Dan Connolly was the featured artist of the month.  He is multi-talented as he is a writer, a poet, a singer, and author as well as being one of the editors of the South Boston Literary Gazette.  He was also a former vice-president of the SBAA.  He talked about a book on war experiences that was being put together from the experiences of various soldiers.  There are 9 different sections that have gone through at least 3 rounds of editing and polishing.  He read to us from some of these sections. 

The first section that he used was entitled “Food”.  The first reading was his own experience in Vietnam as was the other reading.  Both of them fully conveyed the hardships that were faced.  Another reading in “Food” was from Patrick who had Iranian parents and was about Iraq.  The last reading was another one from Dave on his experience in Viet Nam and was in the “Surroundings” section.  He talked about Viet Nam from his point of view and what he had seen.  The idea behind this is that it might be an effective therapy for post traumatic shock victims.   The results would be published and would help us understand about the horror of war as well as the horrendous conditions that the soldiers had to deal with.

 

The next meeting will be held on Saturday, March 14, at 9:30 AM at the L Street Bathhouse

Writer's Night is moving this month from the first Wednesday,

February 4th, to the next evening Thursday, February 5th.

 

This Saturday, February 7th, there is good news.  At the South Boston Public Library beginning at 1:00 PM, the 20th Issue of the Literary Gazette (a South Boston Publication) will be presented to the public for the first time.  Prizes will be given for the best poem and the best prose.  Authors included in the issue will be reading their work. Refreshments will be provided making this an enjoyable Saturday afternoon.