News Briefs

Winthrop Parks and Rec February Vacation Camp

The town with one of the most enjoyable and well-attended summer camp programs in the state is holding a version of that camp next week.

Sean Driscoll, Winthrop’s director of parks and recreation, said the department will be holding a February School Vacation Camp on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday (Feb. 22-24) at the Parks and Recreation Department.

“Included with the camp, there will be bas-ketball and arts and crafts the whole week, it’s almost like our summer camp,” said Driscoll.

Also happening inside the former Middle School Gymnasium on Pauline Street will be an open gym program in coordination with the Winthrop Police Department on Tues-day, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.

Looking ahead to April, Driscoll has sched-uled a visit to Fenway Park for a Boston Red Sox game.

“I hope they’ll be playing baseball,” said Driscoll noting that Major League Baseball is currently in a lockout, the first work stop-page since 1994-95.

DCR’s February School Vacation Week 2022 Programs

The Department of Conservation and Recreation have are holding several events at local beaches and at the Belle Isle Marsh. All Programs are free and open to the public. An adult must accompany children. Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Dress for the weather including possible ice on the ground. For more information call (781) 656-1485 or email [email protected]  

Belle Isle Marsh Reservation  

Location: DCR’s Belle Isle Marsh Reservation parking lot, 1399 Bennington Street, East Boston 

Saturday, Feb. 19 

An Oasis for Birds

7:30–8:30 am  

Explore DCR’s Belle Isle Marsh & vicinity, which are known birding hotspots with a total yearly bird count of about 265 species. We will travel on foot on easy level terrain in search for Snowy Owls and other raptors, native sparrows, finches, and waterfowl. Expect to move to different locations by car or bicycle. Appropriate for Adults and Teens. Co-sponsored by the Brookline Bird Club and the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh. Note that this program meets every month of the year on the 1st & 3rd Saturday of the month except when occurring on State or National Holidays. 

Wednesday, Feb.  23 and Friday Feb. 25 

Winter Wildlife Detectives 

1:00-2:00 pm & 2:15-3:15 pm  

Can you imagine living outside the entire winter like the coyotes do at Belle Isle Marsh in East Boston? Join a DCR Park Interpreter as we explore the trails of the Marsh searching for signs (tracks, scat and chews) left by the wild creatures that are active during the winter. Appropriate for all ages. Co-sponsored by the Friends of Belle Isle Marsh. 

Revere Beach Reservation 

Location: Meet at DCR’s Revere Beach Reservation on the lawn and nearby beach at Eliot Circle. On the day of the event, look for the lawn signs “DCR Public program today. All are welcome.” 

Thursday Feb. 24

Saturday Feb 26 

Winter Beach Safari

10:00-10:45 am & 2:00-2:45 pm  

Did you know that razor clams can rapidly burrow deeper into the sand when disturbed by predators? Join us to learn about the fascinating lives of animals of the seashore and to discover the new treasures of animal shells that have washed up on the beach. Appropriate for all ages.

Mask Mandate for Public Masses to be Lifted on Feb. 28

As of February 28, masks will no longer be required at public Masses in the Archdiocese of Boston.

Priests, Deacons, and Extraordinary Ministers of Holy Communion are no longer required to wear masks during the distribution of Communion, but the pastor may continue to require it if he wishes to do so.

Masks will also not be required in Parish Faith Formation programs as of February 28.

If a pastor decides that it is not yet time in his community for a dropping of a mask requirement, based on his knowledge of the needs of his particular community, he may continue to require the wearing of masks in his parish.

If the local municipality continues to require the wearing of masks in public places, the parish must comply with those regulations.

Parishes are still required to maintain, mark, and communicate a portion of each worship space as being reserved for those who wish to wear masks and social distance.

Parishes are also encouraged to continue to exercise and encourage caution in all parish activities.

U.S. Holocaust Memorial Museum Seeking Holocaust-Era Artifacts

The United States Holocaust Memorial Museum will present a live virtual program for New England residents on Wednesday, March 9, from noon to 1 p.m., as part of its ongoing efforts to rescue the evidence of the Holocaust.

As event chair, former Museum Council Member Michael P. Ross will provide introductory remarks. A former Boston City Councilor, Ross is the son of the late Stephan Ross, who survived 10 concentration camps and was liberated by American soldiers at Dachau.

“Despite the challenges presented by the COVID-19 pandemic, the Museum is in a race against time to collect Holocaust artifacts and oral testimonies,” Ross said. “The Museum is now focusing its efforts within the New England region and is offering specialized one-on-one appointments for people interested in donating artifacts or researching their family history.”

During the March 9 program entitled “Preserving Holocaust History: Collecting Artifacts and Researching Fates,” the following presentations will be made:

• Fred Wasserman, acquisitions curator of the Museum’s National Institute for Holocaust Documentation, will explain the Museum’s rigorous process for reviewing, acquiring, and conserving Holocaust artifacts, such as photos, letters, diaries, films, testimonies, and other objects that document the Holocaust, enabling the Museum to teach this history with authenticity and relevance to every new generation.

• Diane Afoumado, chief of the Museum’s Holocaust Survivors and Victims Resource Center, will explain the process of conducting personalized research on family history during the Holocaust.

Immediately following the March 9 program, the Museum will offer participants the opportunity to schedule personal appointments to discuss donating artifacts to the Museum, contributing oral testimony, or requesting assistance researching family fates.

To RSVP for this free program, advance registration is required:

ushmm.org/events/new-england-collections

For more information on the program, interested participants may contact the Museum’s Northeast Regional Office at [email protected].