City Councilors approved a resolution in support of voluntary recognition for Somerville Workers United

By Harry Kane

The Somerville City Council proclaimed its approval of labor unions, saying they are “critical to workplace and economic justice” in a resolution that supports the voluntary recognition of Somerville Workers United (SWU).

Retiring Winter Hill Bank CEO Sandra L. McGoldrick.

Winter Hill Bank announces that President and CEO Sandra L. McGoldrick will retire after more than three decades of leadership, and that Executive Vice President and Chief Lending Officer Thomas P. Sullivan Jr. has been named her successor.

McGoldrick, who has served as President and CEO since 1992, has guided the bank through decades of change while preserving its identity as a community institution. A lifelong Somerville resident, she has remained deeply engaged in civic, nonprofit, and business organizations throughout the region.  Following a wonderful celebration with colleagues, customers, community partners, and friends, Winter Hill Bank is honored to recognize McGoldrick as she retires as President and CEO after many years of dedicated service.

By Harry Kane

Water and sewer rates are rising across Massachusetts as a result of EPA-mandated infrastructure upgrades and operational costs. In the City of Somerville, both water and sewer rates are likely to increase by 15 percent this fiscal year.

The city’s Health and Human Services Department will kick off Pride Month with the annual Pride Flag Raising ceremony on Thursday, June 4, at 5 p.m. on the City Hall concourse (93 Highland Ave.). Hear remarks from Mayor Wilson, the LGBTQ+ Services Division, and youth representatives from Somerville’s LGBTQ+ community. This year, the city will also welcome former Mayor Dorothy Kelly Gay, who raised City Hall’s first Pride Flag.

The third annual New England Hong Kong Festival took place on Saturday, May 30, at Seven Hills Park in Somerville to celebrate the culture, food, and creativity of the Hong Kong community across the region. Hosted during Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Month, this year’s festival brought together 40 local vendors, artists, and community groups offering food, gifts, and interactive activities.  ~Photos by Bobbie Toner

Another year passes, and we pause at this time to congratulate and honor the hard-working students who achieved their goal of successfully completing their courses of study at their respective high schools and colleges.

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I absolutely love salads during the summer months. We have a small garden in our yard and usually just grow tomatoes and herbs. But this year, we added zucchini and cucumbers to the mix. Needless to say, we had an abundance of great vegetables. About 50 tomatoes, some picked already, and some still growing on the vines. Many zucchinis, I was able to make zucchini bread and zucchini meatballs, all meatless of course.

I had the privilege of interviewing the accomplished poet and respected Boston/Cambridge/Somerville literary figure, Michael T. Steffen. Steffen has a new collection out titled I Saw My Life. His publisher (Lily Poetry Review Press) writes of this collection:

Susan Tepper is a widely published poet, and an accomplished playwright.