FIREWORKS DRIVE BEGINS
Winthrop Fire Chief Paul Flanagan has announced that the fundraising drive for the Fourth of July Fireworks Show has begun. This is Flanagan’s fourth year in charge of the annual fireworks exhibition that is such a popular tradition in our town. Flanagan has worked hard and reached out to numerous businesses and residents, continuing the fine work that was done by the previous Fourth of July fireworks chairman, Lou Camacho. Atlas Provision Productions of Jaffery, New Hampshire will be providing the fireworks.
The annual fireworks show is one of the highlights of the early summer and the coordinated efforts of our police and fire departments in making this a safe event for families does not go unnoticed. We know the chief meets with the fireworks company personnel to make sure that all of the state’s safety standards are met.
We hope that residents will contact Chief Flanagan and help the town meet its fundraising drive so this superb community holiday tradition continues.
Flanagan stated this years production should out shine last year. Anyone interested in donating to Winthrop’s July 4th Fireworks please make checks payable to:
Town of Winthrop Fireworks
40 Pauline St.
Winthrop, MA 02152
More details on this July 4th 2015Â fireworks is to appear in next weeks paper.
SERINO NAMEDÂ ATHLETIC DIRECTOR
We understand that Winthrop director of athletics Matt Serino has had the “interim” removed from his title and is now the official Director of Athletics for the Winthrop schools. Serino has demonstrated his commitment to the position with his attendance at WHS athletic events, his support of the coaches, and his understanding of the important role that sports plays at Winthrop High School and in bringing the community together.
Serino grew up in a sports-minded family and saw his father, the late Christie Serino, rise to a position of prominence and high regard at the high school and collegiate levels. The long hours that Mr. Serino put in to his coaching and administrative endeavors paid off with great results, producing many victories, state championships, and his athletes competing at the next level.
Matt Serino has been a tremendous asset to the school system since his arrival as a teacher and he truly has the skill, the drive, and the vision to help lead all of Winthrop’s sports programs to the top of the Northeastern Conference.
Outside observers will be closely watching his first major decision, the selection of the new WHS boys basketball coach. There are some outstanding candidates for this coveted position (and truly with the limited number of head coaching position aren’t all head coaching positions coveted?) and Matt Serino, the selection committee, and Supt. of Schools John Macero will collaborate to interview and pick the right person for the job.
CONGRATULATIONS, MARK JENKINS
Congratulations to Winthrop High graduate Mark Jenkins on his appointment as the assistant video scout (coordinator) for the Charlotte Hornets of the National Basketball Association. Mark worked tirelessly in his internship for the Hornets franchise and his dedication and knowledge of basketball caught the eye of Charlotte head coach Steve Clifford, who asked Mark to come on board in a full-time capacity.
Jenkins will be reunited with Patrick Ewing, who is an associate head coach of the Hornets. Ewing was coached by Mark’s father, former Superintendent of Schools Dr. Steve Jenkins, who had the honor of being invited to Ewing’s Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
We’ll be rooting for Mark and the Hornets — except when they play the Boston Celtics.
DEMOCRATIC CAUCUS JUNE 3
Cathy DelVento, one of the outstanding leaders in the town, has informed us that the Democrats in Winthrop will caucus on June 3 at 7 p.m. at the Robert A. DeLeo Senior Center. The town’s Democrats will gather to select delegates for the 2015 Mass. Democratic Convention to be held in September.
Winthrop always has been a politically active town and politics is always in season locally. The successive Peter Gill-Jeff Turco elections for Council President were true barnburners and showed the interest that elections can generate here. The statewide gubernatorial election last year was another example of the town’s active political scene.
SUMMER BASKETBALL RETURNS
Thank you, basketball referee extraordinaire Paul Lundberg and Parks and Recreation Director Sean Driscoll, for restoring the Winthrop Summer Basketball League that became a nightly event for generations of Winthop hoop aficionados at the McKenna Courts in the league’s heyday. There is an important meeting on Tuesday, June 2 at which time league officials will decide whether to run high school and adult leagues for men and women.
So if you are interested in playing competitive basketball in the town, we recommend attending the meeting next week at the familiar basketball court on Walden Street.