Letters to the Editor

Clarification

Dear Editor,

I want to correct the information printed in the Winthrop Transcript last week regarding the letter I wrote to the Town Council which was read at the meeting on January 19, 2021 by Town Council President Philip Boncore. The article, written by Laura Plummer, and published on Thursday, January 27, 2021, stated that I accused Ms. Honan of using the event as a “publicity stunt”  as she was a new councilwoman which I did not say or mean. It also stated that I did not share my neighbor’s enthusiasm, clearly an assumption not originating from my letter but from the obvious opinion of the reporter.

Diane Sands

Supports Delvento

Dear Editor, 

As former Winthrop Superintendent, I believe Alicia DelVento is the best choice for public education in the upcoming special election. I trust her to work hard for the place we both call home.

Born and raised in Winthrop and a graduate of Winthrop High School, Alicia’s respect for strong public education is homegrown. She has vowed to fight for robust funding and sponsor legislation that gives teachers and students the support they require to thrive — before, during, and after school.

Our schools face immense challenges from the COVID-19 crisis, and there has never been a more critical time for teachers, students, and families to have advocates like Alicia in government. She has the relationships, drive, and experience — among them aiding Massachusetts House Committees on Ways and Means and Health Care Financing, serving as Democratic State Committee Woman for the 1st Suffolk & Middlesex District, and on Winthrop’s Charter and Ordinance Review Committee.

My wife Trudy â€”Director of the Winthrop School of Performing Arts â€” and I applaud Alicia’s commitment to comprehensive education, helping students reach their potential artistically, athletically, and academically. We love our Winthrop schools, and we know Alicia does too. 

I encourage a vote for Alicia DelVento in the March 2 primary election.

John Macero

Winthrop Superintendent, 2011-2017

WINARC: A Year in Review

WINARC provides recreational and educational activities for special needs children and adults in the communities of Winthrop, Revere, East Boston, and Chelsea. Above all, 2020 was indeed a chal-lenging and unprecedented year for the WINARC board in terms of scheduling programs for our participants. Given the restrictions imposed by the COVID 19 virus, in-person group activities end-ed at the beginning of March and were replaced by virtual ones. The following is a summary of the programs that were run in 2020.

During January through March, weekly Special Olympics was supervised by coach, Jim Fabiano, at the Gorman School gym. The activities included: stretching exercises, relay races, basketball and soccer. Bowling at the Elks and the Cottage Park Yacht Club was held each Saturday with the board members and parental volunteers assisting the participants. WINARC on the Road went to Dave and Busters restaurant for a fun night out. Also, WINARC participants enjoyed a family movie night at the DeLeo Senior Center. 

There was a hiatus of activities during the spring and summer where the WINARC board met virtual-ly to conduct business and to plan on-line and socially distanced events for the rest of the year. In August, a Zoom Get Together for WINARC family and friends was held. In September, several partic-ipants and their families enjoyed a beautiful day-sail around Boston Harbor sponsored by the Piers Park Sailing Center. In October, a Fun Friday event, Virtual Craft Night, was held with board mem-bers delivering craft materials to everyone in advance. On Halloween night, there was a drive-by pick up of Halloween treats followed by a virtual Halloween dance party. Continuing the Fun Friday events in November, a “Little Bit of This and That” Zoom program was presented. Celebrating the Holiday season in December, a holiday sing-along took place, and then right before Christmas, Santa and Mrs. Claus delivered gifts to participants as their parents and group home staff transported them to the pick-up site. A series of monthly virtual events are being planned for 2021 starting with a Zoom Valentines Dance in February.

The WINARC board would like to thank all of the community organizations that donate their space for our activities. We’d also like to thank all of the people who contribute physically and financially to our program (parents, students, businesses, community volunteers, and local officials). We truly appreciate your needed support. We look forward to another year of activities for our participants and hope that 2021 brings some sense of safety and relief for us all.

Ralph Tufo

WINARC Board Member