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Exactly at 12 Noon on Saturday, March 16, 2013, the bright yellow bus
arrived on Shirley Street to deliver Evacuation Day participants to the
site of their celebratory luncheon, the Shirley-Eustis House.
What a treat to see people (mostly men) dressed in the finery of the 1700's.
"How were the events this morning?" "They were wonderful, "said
one gaily dressed gentleman. "It was windy and cold outside.
Dorchester Heights and the tower were such a thrill."
He
added: "I prefer High Point. It's so much more
soulful." What years of experience, prior Evacuation Day
celebrations and other historic event tributes in the greater Boston
area must make their minds hum with a lifetime movie script that we can
only imagine.
The
morning's events took place in multiple locations, with our State Reps
serving as the event hosts: Reps Carlos Henriquez, Gloria
Fox and Nick Collins.
For a complete schedule of the Evacuation Day events, click here.
Participants came from organizations far and wide to participate in the events:
The spirit was jolly - almost like a country fair - with silly talk and
bantering filling the air as people waited for lunch to begin.
"Hello. I'm capturing pictures of people at this event." To
which the smiling face said: "You have to pay me
royalties." "With the money I make? Are you kidding?
I'll tell you how much I make - $1.00 per day. How much of that
do you want?" He was excited to recall his past and share that:
"That's more than I made on my first job which was $1.00 per week."
Another gentleman bragged about what he was doing to pass the time:
"I'm teaching them how to build latrines. They don't know how."
Jonathan Harrington, Lexington Minutemen
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Dan Moylan, Bostonia Allarum Companie
(Brookline)
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Ruedi Arn, Bostonia Allarum Companie
(North Brookfield)
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Suddenly, fife music filled the air. grabbing our attention in the
gentlest way. While the fife can have a somewhat shrill sound,
almost like a whistle, amidst the din of voices in the
Shirley-Eustis House, the fife sounded more like a flute from
heaven.
"Good
afternoon. I'm Rep Carlos Henriquez. Welcome to everyone
for being a part of an historical occasion that we celebrate every
year. Let us also recognize Rep. Gloria Fox, Rep. Nick Collins and City
Councillor at Large, Felix Arroyo." Councillor Yancey arrived a
little while later as well.
"Thank
you to all the groups that helped put this together. We saw the
high tower and where the large cannon were placed to shoot at the
British. The celebration continues here and on the lawn outside
with several important historical documents brought here today for all
of you history buffs." Then Rep. Henriquez closed his brief
welcome with a group chuckle: "I Always try to keep it short when
I am standing between the people and the food," at which point
everyone left the dining hall to get in line in the breakfast area
where the food was set up.
Photos of the Luncheon Event
In the photos below, descriptions were provided by Dan Moyloan.
We are so grateful for his help. Still many faces remain
unidentified. If you know who any of the people are, contact us
at UC News [uphamscornernews@gmail.com]. We will update the
photos quickly.
Also be sure to check out additional photos on the Uphams Corner News Facebook page.
Excerpted from the South Boston Historical Society Facebook Page
Thanks to the Mass Bay Credit Union and Yankee Bus for their support!
And thanks to the Shirley-Eustis House for having us--and State Reps.
Nick Collins, Gloria Fox, Carlos Henriquez, and Linda Dorcena Forry,
and Councilors Felix Arroyo, Ayana Pressley, and Charles Yancey for
joining us, along with the Lexington Minutemen, the Boston Alarum
Company, the Henry Knox Masons, and friends from the Roxbury Historical
Society.
South Boston Historical Society (Facebook page)
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Ruedi Arn, Bostonia Allarum Companie (North Brookfield);
Diane McCormack, Dorchester;
(front) Patrick Rosso, Freelance Reporter;
(rear right) ??
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Jonathan Harrington, Lexington Minutemen; ??;
Mr. Samuels, Knox Lodge of Masons
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Lasagna, mac&cheese,
chicken, rice and cape verdean
fish salad along with sandwiches. |
Mary Tuitt, chief of staff for Representative Gloria Fox
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Councillor Felix Arroyo and
State Rep Carlos Henriquez
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Betty Moylan, Bostonia Allarum Companie;
Joyce Stanley, Dudley Main Street
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John Allison; Phyllis Allison,
South Boston Historical Society
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A full house and lots of full plates
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Posted: March 17, 2013 Nancy J Conrad
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