by Dick Matulis

After a joyful Christmas party at the Sons of Italy Hall in December that featured a “Taste of Roslindale,” a sampling of foods from eateries that are Board of Trade members, the Board hosted its annual Christmas Party for youngsters at the South Side ABCD in Roslindale Village. Volunteers from the Board manned a charitable kettle outside of the Village Market that received generous responses from passers-by.

January’s Board of Trade meeting was an open forum of ideas and was catered by MJ’s Pizza and Subs and Ice Cream. There was a good deal of discussion about the placing of banners at strategic locations within the community, as well as about promoting the Board of Trade’s 80th birthday as an active entity. Plans called for a possible joint meeting with the West Roxbury Board of Trade at a later date.

On February 7, the second meeting of the calendar year was held at the Sons of Italy Hall, with Chef Marlon Hysi of Café Apollonia bringing some excellent food for our enjoyment. Chuck Weaver and Donat Aubuchon of Data Doctors on Centre Street delivered an informative presentation related to computers. This prompted a spirited question-and-answer period.

Chef Hysi was also on the speaking program. He outlined some of the ambitious plans at Café Apollonia for special events and fund-raisers. He also noted that their establishment had just received a license to serve cordials.

Sergeant Jameson and Officer Roche of Area E provided an update on safety in the area, and their report was greatly encouraging. Board of Trade member John Sullivan of “The Shopper” spoke on a fund-raiser that one of his charitable groups is contemplating and he provided some examples on the subject to our Board. Opinions were shared by longtime members and volunteers par excellence, Judie Leon of Travel by Judie and Bob Norberg, former executive at Charl-Marc Kitchens and Baths who is now a member of the Board of Directors at The Cooperative Bank.

Roslindale Village Main Street, through its executive officer Janice Williams, distributed literature which included its plans for the Third Roast of Mayor Thomas M. Menino scheduled for May 25 at the Cedars of Lebanon Hall in Jamaica Plain. It was noted that the Roslindale Community Municipal Building is scheduled to close for a year for extensive renovations. Primavera Restaurant, located on Walk Hill Street near the corner of American Legion Highway, was welcomed as a new member. A joint meeting with the West Roxbury Board of Trade is still being planned, so stay tuned for further updates.