Despite
the sometimes heavy and
unceasing rain,
the Upham's Corner Main
Street Urban Safari was well attended and a great success. A
couple hours before starting time 10 volunteers from Target Stores and
other Main
Street volunteers helped set up the tents and covered walkways loaned
to UCMS by the Chinatown Main Street. A great big thank you to
them for their help.
Revelers soon arrived under colorful
umbrellas and well protected from the rain - fans, supporters,
residents, little kids and big kids alike. The band
was excellent, the food delicious and the mood uplifting and nostalgic
as the group bid farewell to its executive director for the last four
and a half years, Zachary Cohen.
At-Large City Councilor Felix Arroyo and District 7 Councilor Tito
Jackson spoke like the politicians they are with
congratulatory remarks and praise for Upham's Corner and Upham's Corner
Main Street. They were right to say that the community is
enthusiastic, dedicated and forward looking. They were also right
to
focus on the tenor of the businesses as a reflection of the overall
health of Upham's Corner.
Felix Arroyo emphasized the importance of
volunteerism. He thanked Zach Cohen and all the volunteers that
have
made this organization effective, then turned his focus on the
businesses themselves. "Locally owned businesses and local
shopping are
important to the health of the city of Boston" he said. "The Main
Street
organizations are important because of their assistance to the small
business districts throughout the city. This is particularly true
for
Upham's Corner Main Street."
Tito Jackson talked about the SNI neighborhood walk that had taken
place the night before. "I have to say that you people do it up
proud. At least 40 people showed up for the event. It is a
testament
to the connectedness in this community." Then he changed
topics. "My job today is to come up here and talk about
giving. Times
are
tough, donations are down but it's now when your donations are most
important. Consider giving to Upham's Corner Main Street because
of
the great work they are doing."
Matt Bruce, Pres. Upham's Corner Main Street recognized Bridget Curd as
the Main Street 2010 Volunteer of the Year and Only One Design, boutique
dress shop on Dudley Street, as the Main Street Business of the Year.
Councilors Tito Jackson
and Felix Arroyo
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Bridget Curd - UCMS
Volunteer of the Year for 2010
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Joan Tighe shared "How much I have
enjoyed working with Zach over the
last couple years. What particularly impressed me was the level
of
passion he brought to the job and what a great difference that made in
his efforts with the organization."
Bob
Haas said that he was "so happy to thank Zach. UCMS would not be
anywhere near what it is today without Zach's devotion to the Executive
Director's job. It is a job that isn't paid enough yet demands a
lot and requires the active participation of volunteers. Zach is
skillful about getting people to volunteer and feel appreciated about
their contributions. Furthermore, Zach happens to be the most
organized person I have ever met in my life. He has managed to
pare
down the stored paperwork to only what is important. So I would
say
that Zach has modeled the Main Street director's job.
Upham's Corner Main Street is where it is today because of you, Zach,
and it's
going to go way way beyond what has been - again because of you.
You've
really started the engine. Thank you Zach."
President Matt Bruce
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Vice-President Joan Tighe
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Board Member Bob Haas
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Zachary
Cohen stepped forward and thanked Matt, Bob and the whole group.
"Four and
half years ago when I first started this job, I had no idea what I was
doing. I had
been working in a psychiatric hospital and this was all new. I've
had
to learn it all on the job, and I never could have learned it without
people like Bob. There are incredible people in Upham's Corner.
The Board of Directors have helped me in so many
ways. The Upham's Corner community is so passionate, such a
diverse
group of people with so many different backgrounds but who all care
about this neighborhood and who have been willing to put in ridiculous
amounts of time and effort .
At the beginning I knew that I wanted to set up the organization
up for the day that I leave. The challenge was how to bring Main Street to the
next level for the next executive director. Hopefully I have done
that. I am so excited for the next person coming in, to see the
impact
they will have with this Board of Directors. Hopefully some of
you
will join the board to add your own impact on the neighborhood.
Main
Street has been my passion and I thank you all for what you've given
me. This has been a life changing experience. I
would never have been able to move to the next step without your
support. Again, thank you."
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Exec Director Zachary Cohen |
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