Looking Back at the North End for 2012

North End Patch began before I arrived as assistant editor in September. So the following are my particular favorites from the last four months.

Meet Your Neighbors was a way for us to let people in the community know more about the people who live and or work in the North End.

Jessica Glassman, who worked at the North End Waterfront Starbucks, said her friends and co-workers told her it took forever to go anywhere with her in the North End because she stopped to talk to all the people she knows.

 Amy Hand, a founding member of Responsible Urbanites For Fido (RUFF) told us she looking for over a year to adopt a dog.

The North End resident finally saw an online photo of Jake, a nine-month old puppy living at The Forever Rescue Home Foundation in Tennessee. 

We met Dom Campochiaro -- an electrician, photographer, coach and civic leader -- at the unveiling of Tony DeMarco’s statue.

Dom said he wouldn’t live anywhere but the North End.

“I have family here, friends and I’m deeply committed to the North End Athletic Association,” he said.

We also met young professionals who have recently moved to the neighborhood. Krista Robinson is a public relations executive, political activist and volunteer tutor.

Krista thinks the North End is a perfect neighborhood for her.

Crime

On a regular basis, North End Patch receives news from the Boston Police Department but – even before making contact with the officers -- we learned about a cannoli robber at Bova’s on Salem Street.

Ralph Bova, who is one of the partners, said he wasn’t in the bakery at 3:05 a.m. when an Irish tourist – who police later identified as 25-year-old Robert McTernan – pulled out a 12-inch knife and demanded a cannoli.

The family-run bakery, open to the public 24 hours, was doing well after the robbery despite the frightening early morning incident.

Businesses

The North End's unique businesses bring people from all over the world to this neighborhood. So we wanted residents and readers of the site to take pride in their community.

Katia DeStefano at Café Paradiso began helping out at her family's cafe as soon as she was able to walk.

In June 2012, Cafe Paradiso celebrated its 50th anniversary. 

On November 14, we published a story about Caffe Dello Sport.

Mivan Spencer, who is the grandson of owner Angelo Cattaneo, told us many locals come into the establishment to relax, see their friends, read and catch up on neighborhood news.

On November 21, we discovered Michelle Nguyen, owner of Hanover Street Cleaners, is from Vietnam.

She came to the United States in 1992 with her parents. Michelle's sister arrived in the 1980s.

The love of clothing and how to fix it runs in Michelle's family.

"My older sister has run a dry cleaning shop in Beacon Hill for 20 years," she said.

Michelle has a prosperous business as well. She does alterations for Rag & Bone's Newbury Street shop.

In November, we met Kerri Platt who has owned The Wine Bottega for the past four years.

A resident of the South Shore, Kerri received an undergraduate degree from Yale University in 1998.

The shop is located at 341 Hanover Street.

Earlier in the month, we visited joi Salon and Spa Escape located on Atlantic Avenue a few doors down from the North End Waterfront Starbucks.

Ever since she can remember, owner Erica Harris was interested in beauty.

At the beginning of October, we visited V. Cirace & Son, Inc. -- which we were told is the oldest family business at the same location since it was established in 1906.

Set back on a quiet corner of North Street, this wine and spirits shop also offers specialty foods, handcrafted Italian ceramics, gift baskets and gift liqueur bottles.

Now run by the third generation, Jeff Cirace and his sister, Lisa, maintain the philosophy set by their grandparents over 100 years ago that always focuses on quality, selection, friendly service and knowledge.

Politics

On November 3, Scott Brown campaigned with former New York City Mayor Rudy Giuliani in the North End on Day Two of Brown's "People Over Party" Bus Tour.

Hundreds of supporters (as well as some sign-holders for challenger Elizabeth Warren) were at Mother Anna's, located at 211 Hanover Street at 2:00 p.m. to see Brown and his family, along with Giuliani step off the bus onto Hanover Street.

One Election Day, November 6, we met Jason Fedas who said for a few days it looked like he would not be able to help his mother vote in this election.

His mother was in the hospital and wanted to go to the polls with an absentee ballot but had received an application for it.

Jason received the absentee ballot and his mother was able to vote.

Sports

In October, Tony DeMarco unveiled a statue of himself at the corner of Hanover and Cross Streets in the North End.

A large group of people came to honor the “fame, the flame, the fury of Fleet Street.”

The statue -- designed by Harry Weber who also sculpted Orr’s and one for quarterback Doug Flutie -- is in the perfect spot, said several speakers at the ceremony: right at the gateway to the North End.

Tony took stand at the end of the ceremony -- before pulling the cover off his statue -- to thank family, friends, fans and all who made it possible for the statue’s placement in the place he was raised and worked to become a boxer.

North End Patch was also lucky enough to find a sports writer who publishes 4^th & Forever when the Patriots play.

Gerry Stewart sends us analysis of quarterback Tom Brady, the other members of the team, their coach and how the offense and defense perform against the various teams they face. 

Community Heroes

On September 6, we learned how Tony Pezzano, owner of Café Pompeii on Hanover Street, took care of the victims affected by a four-alarm Cooper Street fire that took place late at night.

Death

On December 11, Michael Mercogliano, died.

The owner of Mike’s Pastry on Hanover Street, he was called “Mike.”

A few days later, people in the North End spoke admiringly about the effect he had on their lives and all the Italian businesses in the Boston area.

North End Library

At the end of October, we met Jennifer Hawes, the children’s librarian for the branch located at 25 Parmenter Street.

Jennifer did not learn chess when she was growing up.

Now, however, she is picking up how to play from younger people.