Dear Members and Friends:
Whether it’s Thanksgiving, Friendsgiving, or a Day of Giving, we hope you take time to gather and give thanks.
Oh, and of course, there’s the feasting, parades, football, road races, and shopping.
Fenway Cares turkey distribution, 150 turkeys! And thanks to Samuels, the FCC, and Fenway Cares.
Talking Turkey (day). Some fun facts on the holiday…
Annual celebrations of the fall harvest span the world’s cultures, continents and millennia.
Our New England tradition goes back 400 years.
Much of what is known about the Pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving comes from a letter dated December 1621 by Edward Winslow, one of 102 people aboard the Mayflower who sailed to Cape Cod in November, 1620 to settle in Plymouth that December. By March, they had a treaty with the Wampanoag allowing them to live in their territory. By the fall, 50 Pilgrims had perished, weakened from scurvy and pneumonia, leaving 22 men, 5 women, and 25 children to celebrate the first harvest Thanksgiving with the Wampanoag. Wilson wrote that the event lasted 3 days.
A tradition begins.
In 1623, Governor Bradford called for a religious fast. Fasting and thanksgiving became common practice in New England. In 1789, George Washington issued the first US government Thanksgiving proclamation calling on Americans to express gratitude for the end of the war of independence and ratification of the U.S. Constitution. In 1817, New York became the first of several states to adopt an annual Thanksgiving holiday, celebrated on different days. Alexander Young rediscovered Winslow’s letter and made it famous in his 1841 book Chronicles of the Pilgrim Fathers. Governor Bradford’s papers, stolen by the British during the Revolutionary War, were recovered in the 1850s, and inspired magazine editor Sarah Josepha Hale to campaign for a national Thanksgiving holiday.
A national holiday.
In 1863, during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed the final Thursday in November as a NATIONAL Thanksgiving holiday to foster unity. American football games being played on Thanksgiving Day dates back to 1876, shortly after the game had been invented, as it was a day that most people had off from work. The first Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade was held in 1924 to kick off the Holiday shopping season, with Santa at the end. In 1942 President Roosevelt designated the fourth Thursday in November (which is not always the last Thursday) as Thanksgiving Day, as he wanted to extend the holiday shopping season a week!
For upcoming events, please read on….
THE WEEK AHEAD
WINTER CLOTHING DRIVE
This year, in partnership with the Boston Public Health Commission and the Fenway Civic Association, the Fenway Community Center will host a Winter Clothing Drive. Please bring new or clean, gently worn clothing and shoes – new warm winter clothing is especially encouraged. New undergarments and socks will also be accepted.
Drop off at FCC, 1282 Boylston Street (enter on Jersey Street):
Monday and Tuesdays 11/22 through 12/19 @ 12-4pm
Thursdays from 11/30 through 12/21 @ 12-7pm
Saturdays from 12/2 through 12/16 @ 10am-12pm
Wednesday, November 22, 3:30 p.m. Fenway Cares – Food Distribution
Upcoming Dates (3:30 p.m. start – as supplies last)
WEST FENWAY: 11/29 | 12/13 (Home deliveries*except below)
EAST FENWAY: 11/22 | 12/6 (*Home deliveries for Morville House and Church Park)
To ensure that we can provide food to all who need it, choose one site only – either East Fenway or West Fenway – to pick up food and to follow the site dates indicated below. Note: pick up at either location is not available to those who sign up for delivery. We thank everyone for this cooperation!
West Fenway – Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston Street (enter at Jersey Street), every other Wednesday: November 29, Dec. 13 etc.
East Fenway – Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road, every other Wednesday: November 22, December 6, etc.
Volunteers are welcome to sign up for all dates and both locations! To sign up, visit our Fenway Cares Volunteer Sign up Form
To learn more, visit: https://fenwaycommunitycenter.org/fenway-cares/.
UPCOMING
Wednesday, December 6, the Annual Fenway Tree Lighting
Tis the season! Every December, it’s become tradition for the Fenway neighborhood to come together to kick off the holiday season at theFenway Tree Lighting. This year, the lighting will take place on Wednesday, December 6 and the Fenway Civic Association isseeking volunteers who are willing to help support the event. Responsibilities may include event set-up, serving refreshments, welcoming and engaging with neighbors, wayfinding support, etc. Volunteers will be rewarded with a gift card!
There’s always incredible energy throughout the entire neighborhood on this day and participating is a wonderful way to spread holiday cheer alongside community members. If you are interested in participating, please respond to this form by November 30th.
Wishing you a wonderful holiday season!
ONGOING
Winter in The Fenway
The Rink 401 Park
M–F: 3–9PM SAT: 11AM–10PM SUN: 11AM–8PM
The Fenway Tree Farm
OPEN DAILY: 9 AM – 9 PM @ 1400 BOYLSTON STREET
Muddy River Restoration Project Check the website for more information: www.muddyrivermmoc.org
DEVELOPMENT LINKS for BPDA – PROJECTS
Visit BPDA’s website to see details on development projects. You can search by neighborhood, and by Project/Plan Status.
“Letters of Intent” 645 Beacon Street
“Under Review”: 409 Huntington Avenue, 2 Charlesgate West, 142-146 St. Mary’s Street, 1400 Boylston Street, and in neighboring Back Bay: Belvidere Student Housing (converting Sheraton Hotel south tower into student dormitory)
“Board Approved” are clear to proceed – currently listing TEN projects
See you around!
Promoting a vital and sustainable neighborhood
Fenway Civic Association 