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Review by Off the Shelf correspondent Karen Klein
Reading Stephen Honig’s fifth book of poems, Burn-Out, this reader is struck by the author’s voice. He is conversational, addressing the reader directly, telling us if we seek certainty, don’t read his poems in Section 1 About Myself which he admits is “much confused.” He is an astute observer of self and the ordinary dilemmas of being an aging human, caught in our historic period and this United States. Sometimes laconic, dismissive, wry, he always questions without getting or giving answers, but sometimes good advice. One such is “be careful when you choose to clean your closets basements/attics back rooms … you are asking for a dialogue with time. “
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Thomas DeFreitas was born in 1969 in Boston. He was educated at the Boston Latin School, and attended the University of Massachusetts (Boston and Amherst) for two years. His poems have appeared in Dappled Things, Ibbetson Street, Pensive, Plainsongs, and elsewhere. Thomas’s first chapbook, Winter in Halifax, was published in 2021 by Kelsay Books. A resident of Arlington for the last twelve years, Thomas is a member of the Academy of American Poets, the New England Poetry Club, and Arlington’s Bee Hive Poets.
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Following interviews with three finalists, School Committee declined to offer the position to any candidate.
In a series of deliberations last week, the Somerville School Committee voted to immediately reopen the application process for a new Superintendent of Schools. The School Committee hopes to select a new Superintendent by July 2023, in advance of the new school year. In November 2022 the School Committee selected the Massachusetts Association of School Committees (MASC) to help lead the search process. MASC will be retained for the reopened search process.
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On Tuesday, February 14, Somerville High Girls Varsity lost to Cambridge Rindge and Latin School 26–67. Emma Benevento (3), Liana Orantes (5), Helena Easton (23), Alana LaGreca (25), and Dania Ramadan (33) were all 5 senior girls honored for their dedication to the SHS girls basketball program before the game.
On Tuesday, February 14, Somerville High Girls Varsity lost to Cambridge Rindge and Latin School 26–67. Emma Benevento (3), Liana Orantes (5), Helena Easton (23), Alana LaGreca (25), and Dania Ramadan (33) were all 5 senior girls honored for their dedication to the SHS girls basketball program before the game.
— Photos by Alex Fredette. For more photos of the game visit alexfredette.smugmug.com
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Park closures required during maintenance
The City of Somerville’s annual Parks Tree Health Program is set to begin this month to promote healthy tree growth and help preserve Somerville’s urban forest. Now in its fourth year, the Parks Tree Health Program is designed to go beyond routine maintenance. Led by the Public Space and Urban Forestry Division, the program involves a comprehensive health assessment of parks trees by a certified arborist, proactive maintenance work, and development of long-term maintenance recommendations. This spring, 232 trees throughout seven parks will be assessed and maintained through the program.
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On February 13, more than 50 people, including 16 children, were displaced by an apartment block fire on Highland Avenue. Fortunately, everyone got out safely, but significant challenges remain for our neighbors and students who cannot return to their homes. More than 13 city departments and a half-dozen partner agencies mobilized to set up temporary shelter, food, and other supports, but your help is needed for what comes next.
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The City of Somerville Housing Division is holding a public hearing to obtain public input on its draft Allocation Plan for more than $1.6 million in funding from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The city has been awarded funds through HUD’s HOME Investment Partnerships American Rescue Plan Program (HOME-ARP). The HOME-ARP program provides funding to reduce homelessness and increase housing stability across the country.
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August 6, 1957 – February 2, 2023
Jean Antoinetta (Reppucci) DeAmato, a former resident of Somerville and Medford, MA passed away at her home, February 2, 2023 in York, ME.
Jean was predeceased by her beloved husband Michael, her high school sweetheart, and is survived by her sisters Theresa Vignolo of Derry, NH and Diane Hysler of Eastport, ME; and her brothers Louis Reppucci of Derry, NH and John Repucci of York, ME; many loving family members, and too many dear friends to count.
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(L to R) Leila Smee, Ultraviolet Gates, Alice Gamache and Leo Ellsworth.
Four students to play in Eastern District Music Festival; Two Students Also Selected to Perform at MMEA Annual All–State Concert
Somerville High School students are representing SHS and the Somerville Public Schools at the state level, thanks to the Massachusetts Music Educators Association (MMEA). In November 2022, student musicians auditioned successfully to participate in the MMEA Eastern District Music Festival. In January, four SHS students joined students from 30 cities and towns across the state to rehearse with master clinicians and perform a beautiful yet challenging repertoire. Representing SHS were Leila Smee (chosen for Orchestra), Ultraviolet Gates and Leo Ellsworth (chosen for Band), and Alice Gamache (chosen for Chorus).
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