Dear Members and Friends:
Happy Thanksgiving!
A time to be thankful for family, friends and community. On Friday, if you’re in the Back Bay Fens – walk off that meal and drop in to the Shattuck Visitor Center (across from the MFA) for some complimentary cider and check out this lovely resource.
Our New England Thanksgiving tradition dates back 400 years.
The Pilgrim’s first Thanksgiving was documented in a letter dated December, 1621 by Edward Winslow, one of 102 people aboard the Mayflower. By March of 1621, the pilgrims had entered into a treaty of peace and protection with the great Chief Massasoit (born 1580 or 1581 in Montaup, Bristol, Rhode Island), leader of the Wampanoag Tribe, allowing the pilgrims to live in their territory. By the fall, 50 Pilgrims had perished, leaving 22 men, 5 women, and 25 children to celebrate the first harvest Thanksgiving with the Wampanoag. Massasoit is credited with helping the Pilgrims survive their early years in New England.
Wampanoag history dates back at least 12,000 years.
The Mashpee Wampanoag Tribe, aka the People of the First Light, has inhabited present day Massachusetts and Eastern Rhode Island for more than 12,000 years.
2024 – Brown University returns ancestral lands to the Pokanoket Wampanoag.
This November, Brown University transferred 255 acres in Bristol, R.I., to the Pokanoket Wampanoag Indian tribe, the original stewards. The land is the ancestral home of Metacom, the leader of the Pokanoket Wampanoag people who was also known as King Philip, and the site of his death in 1676 during King Philip’s War. Metacom was a son of Massasoit, the chief who first welcomed the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in 1621.
The Holiday Season
Save the Date for the annual Fenway Tree Lighting, Wednesday, December 4th (details below)
In the spirit of giving thanks, please consider volunteering, donations, or checking on a neighbor.
Call for Volunteers: we need 10 more people to help with the Tree Lighting event!
We’ve got a great crew but we need a little more help! Could that be you?
Help with set up, break down, and serving drinks and refreshments.
Event Wednesday, December 4th – 6 p.m.
Volunteer shifts: 5-6:30 or 6:30-8 or 5-8
We appreciate your support for this community event!
Sign up here: Fenway Tree Lighting Volunteer Form.
In the Spirit of Giving…
Now through 12/21, Winter Clothing Drive drop off at Fenway Community Center.
On behalf of the Boston Public Health Commission, the Fenway Civic Association and the Fenway Community Center invite you to donate new or gently used clean clothing and footwear during the Winter Clothing Drive, drop off dates and times on the flyer below.
Now through 12/6, TOYS FOR TOTS DRIVE drop off at TuftSMFA- 230 The Fenway. Channel your inner Santa Claus by contributing to the Toys for Tots Drive. Tufts University’s Department of Public Safety will be collecting donations of new and unwrapped toys for Toys for Tots. Not sure what to get? View this WISH LIST of recommended toys. Drop box at Boston/SMFA Campus, main entrance lobby, 230 The Fenway.
LOCAL TRAVEL was just made a little easier with MBTA Go, the new official app for live, public transit information in Greater Boston. Check live arrival times, track your vehicle, and learn about the latest service disruptions. (for iPhones, Android version coming in February). Get the app, catch that ride!
For more events, read ahead.
THE WEEK AHEAD
*DELAYED Tuesday, November 26, 10 a.m. – 11:30 a.m., CITY HALL ON THE GO: FENWAY-KENMORE Stopping by the new Edgerly Plaza by Whole Foods on Westland Ave *Schedule delayed due to equipment challenges, stay tuned for a new date!
Thursday, November 28, Thanksgiving Day
What’s open, what’s closed? It’s best to call and check before you go… but in general, CLOSED: Banks, Stock market, Municipal, city, state, federal offices, Libraries, Schools, Post Offices and home delivery, liquor stores
OPEN (but call to confirm); Movies, some restaurants, some convenience stores
MIGHT BE OPEN – CALL FIRST! Most retail and grocery stores.
PARKING: Meters are free with no time limit.
Daytime street cleaning canceled; overnight street cleaning is on a normal schedule.
TRASH: Trash and recycling pickups are delayed in some neighborhoods during the holiday week. To check your schedule, use the Trash Day app.
Friday, November 29, 10 a.m. – 4 p.m – Shattuck Visitor Center Back Bay Fens at 125 the Fenway, across from the MFA. Open Day After Thanksgiving
(Closed Thanksgiving) All are invited to stop by on Friday from 10AM to 4PM for some hot cider and conversation, with Emerald Necklace Conservancy President Karen Mauney-Brodek! The visitor center is both an educational resource about the parks and a gathering place for the community. A hub of activity, you’ll find a variety of free things to do in Boston parks at the Shattuck Visitor Center — from walking tours to talks and exhibits.
UPCOMING
Wednesday, December 4, 6:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m., FCA’s Annual Holiday Tree Lighting Hosted outside of the Kelleher Rose Garden, across from 77 Park Drive.
Join us for this joyful annual event! Friends, elected officials, food, music, parade of lights…. EventBrite Link to share and invite your friends!
6 PM – The official Fenway Tree Lighting begins! Hear from elected officials and neighborhood representatives, enjoy performances from Boston Children’s Chorus, and celebrate the holiday season with neighbors. Cider, cocoa, and refreshments will be served!
6:45 PM – Following the tree lighting, join in a magical luminary walk down Park Drive to The Fenway Tree Farm located at The Station.
7 PM – Cheers for a cause at The Fenway Chalet at The Station powered by Cisco Brewers or browse holiday greenery at The Fenway Tree Farm. Cisco will be serving their award-winning craft beer, wine, spirits, and wood-fired pizza. This season, a portion of the proceeds will benefit Fenway Cares, an initiative that first came together in March 2020 as six local Fenway neighborhood organizations joined forces to address food insecurity in The Fenway and have since distributed over 30,000 bags of free produce to neighbors in need.
This event is free, open to the public, and happening rain or shine. Perfect for families, friends, and anyone looking to soak in the holiday spirit.
Pre-Event Family Activities at Fenway Community Center
Join neighbors at the Fenway Community Center for a festive kick off to the Tree Lighting from 4:30-5:45pm, where families can make holiday crafts, spend time with neighbors, and take photos with the Red Sox’s Wally and Tessie.
Friday, December 6 – Sunday, December 8, SMFA’s 46th Annual ART SALE, 230 The Fenway – with Opening Reception Friday, 6pm.
The School of Museum of Fine Art (SMFA) Sale is just a few weeks away! The SMFA Art Sale has been the leading contemporary art sale in New England since its creation in 1978. Offering a diverse collection of works across all mediums, the sale showcases nearly six decades of immensely talented students, alumni, faculty, and friends of SMFA and raises critical funds to support the financial aid needs of current SMFA students. RSVP here to attend the opening celebration on Friday, 12/6 at 6pm.
Saturday, December 14, 11 a.m.-2:00 p.m., Fourth Annual Army-Navy Football Game, at Roberto Clemente Field, 400 The Fenway.
ONGOING
Mondays, 9-10 a.m., Age Strong Chair Yoga (virtual zoom class) Join the City of Boston sponsored free Age Strong Chair Yoga virtual class. Repeats weekly on Mondays through June 16, 2025.
Every Other Wednesday, 3:30 p.m.until done, Fenway Cares Food Distribution
Next date: 12/4 – at 2 locations:
West Fenway – Fenway Community Center, 1282 Boylston (enter-Jersey)
East Fenway – Symphony Community Park, 39 Edgerly Road
Volunteers are welcome to sign up for all dates and both locations! Volunteer
MGH/MBG Community Care Health Clinic – 2-5 p.m. on Fenway Cares dates, East Fenway, in Morville House, 100 Norway Street. Offerings may include blood pressure monitoring, blood sugar testing, COVID-19, flu, and pneumonia vaccines.
For ongoing cultural events, check the ArtsBoston calendar.
DEVELOPMENTS BY STATUS:
409 Huntington Avenue, 262 St. Botolph St., 142-146 St. Mary’s Street
Kenmore Hotel, Fenway Corners (West), Fenway Corners (North), Fenway Center, Boston University – Warren Towers Renovation, 819 Beacon Street,
601 Newbury Street, 20 Charlesgate West, 2 Charlesgate West, 165 Park Drive, 1400 Boylston Street, 1241 Boylston Street, 112-114 Queensberry St, 109 Brookline Avenue
See you around!
Fenway Civic Association 