Historian Hope Shannon's book talk draws a roomful of storied South Enders

Former South End Historical Society (SEHS) director Hope Shannon, who left town last year to pursue studies at Loyola University of Chicago, is back in Boston for a couple of weeks to promote her book, Legendary Locals of the South End, a collection of portraits and profiles of the neighborhood's colorful and influential people and places. Shannon's May 16 talk and reception at United South End Settlements (USES), one of the landmarks covered in the book, drew about 100 people, including a cross-section of figures that embody the neighborhood's continually fascinating story. The book is part of Arcadia Publishing's Legendary Locals series, with photos of living local luminaries Mel King, community-gardening leader Betsy Johnson, longtime community activist Frieda Garcia and pedestrian-safety advocate Ann Hershfang gracing the front cover. Spotlighted within the pages are personalities of today such as Joanne Chang of Flour bakery and Myers and Chang and resident Jovita Fontanez, the first woman and Latina to head the Boston Election Commission, as well as past movers and shakers such as Christopher Hayes, a community-safety organizer and tireless board member and volunteer with an array of community-service institutions. Among the guests was South End News columnist Alison Barnet, who is also making the rounds of libraries and other venues promoting her book, South End Character.

The event began at 6:30 PM with refreshments and mingling before Shannon took to the podium to talk about her work here in Boston, transition to Chicago and the development of the book, followed by a reading and question and answer session. In her remarks, Shannon recounted the hectic time last summer when her husband and she hurriedly relocated for his new job and the start of her Ph.D. program at Loyola University while she was still enmeshed in her work on the book and with SEHS. She remarked, "The book took on a new meaning for me. It was no longer just a book about neighborhood history, it became part of my time working in the South End, a really important period in my life."

Guests at the talk who carry the banner for the neighborhood's past include Gloria Ganno, who grew up in a section of the South End called the New York Streets, a section of the South End that was razed through eminent domain for the urban renewal campaign that began in the 1950s. Ganno, who is half Lebanese and half Italian, is typical of that district's melting pot of Italian, Greek, Lebanese, Syrian, Irish, Jewish and African-American neighbors who lived, worked and started families together. Ganno lived on Florence Street, a neighbor of Mel King, before moving to Harrison Avenue when her family's house was slated for demolition. Ganno now lives in Hyde Park but remains active with SEHS and is an articulate and entertaining storyteller of her childhood in fondly remembered neighborhood. Richard Shibley, whose father Frederick is profiled in Shannon's book as editor and publisher of the notorious Mid-Town Journal from 1938-1966, still lives in and serves the neighborhood as Chairman of the Ward 9 Deoocratic Committee and as a voice keeping alive the memory of the South End's Syrian and Lebanese community.

An unexpected voice of history at the reception was 14 year old Siobhan Hayes, a fifth-generation South Ender whose cloud of bright-red curls, fresh face and exuberance belied her poised and articulate manner in recounting her family's place in local history. Hayes Park on West Canton Street is named for James Hayes, Siobhan's great-grandfather, but on Friday night, Siobhan and her family attended to celebrate the inclusion of her grandfather, Christopher Hayes, in Legendary Locals of the South End. The rising freshman at Boston Arts Academy beamed with pride as she recounted her grandfather Christopher Hayes's achievements as organizer of Boston's National Night Out and the first director of Boston Police Department's Neighborhood Crime Watch; his posthumous Arthur Howe Award from the Ellis Neighborhood Association for service to the neighborhood in 2010; and his significant contributions to institutions including the Pine Street Inn, Drop A Dime and Boston Children's Hospitals Jimmy Fund, where he set a record for blood platelet donation, donating weekly over 700 times. Speaking of her grandfather's commitment to community safety, Siobhan recalled him telling a neighbor, "You can either sit and be afraid in your own home or you can take your community back."

Jean English Gibran and her husband, artist Kahlil Gibran, both are profiled in Shannon's book. Kahlil Gibran, cousin and namesake of the well-known poet and author of the profit, was born in Chinatown and moved to the South End with his wife Jean in 1964. His sculptures enhance several of Boston's parks, including the recently opened Childe Hassam Park near Dartmouth Street and Columbus Avenue. Jean Gibran is included for her work promoting women's place in history, notably as one of the founders of the Women's History Trail as part of the Boston Freedom Trail.

Readers who are enticed to learn more about the South End's dazzling yet down-to-earth cultural, artistic and social history need not be disappointed that they missed Shannon's May 16 USES event. Shannon will give another talk and reading at the South End Branch Library, 685 Tremont Street, on Tuesday, May 27, while Alison Barnet will appear to talk about her book and vivid recollections of her 50 years in the neighborhood on Thursday, May 22at 6:30 PM at Haley House Bakery Café, 12 Dade Street in Dudley Square, and on Friday, May 23 from 6:00-8:00 PM at the Piano Factory Gallery, 793 Tremont Street.