Sharing Southern hospitality

Worcester Square, Blacksone/Franklin mingle

The South End's 16 neighborhood associations have been discussing joining forces on specific projects and events, some even considering mergers, and in that spirit of cooperation, the Worcester Square Area Neighborhood Association (WSANA) hosted neighboring Blackstone/Franklin Square Neighborhood Association (B/FSNA) at a social on Tuesday, April 17 at Southern Proper, 600 Harrison Avenue. WSANA president George Stergios estimated attendance at about 50 people.

Guests snacked on hush puppies, deviled eggs, pork rinds and other savory treats as they got acquainted and shared their interests and concerns. B/FSNA co-president Vadim Kuksin commented on the interaction between the two groups. "I think they are mingling well. This is the third time we've done a combination, so there are some familiar faces, which is nice," he observed.

Leaders from both groups talked about their organizations' efforts to give back to the community. Andrew Parthum, founder and co-chair of B/FSNA's college book and supply scholarship program, gave an update on the application process. Parthum explained, "We're looking for applications. The application is on the web site and we encourage South End high school seniors to apply."

Parthum added that the only requirement to apply is South End residency and the deadline is May 19. He encouraged interested students to download the application at www.blackstonefranklin.org. Stergios reported that WSANA donated $1,500 to the South End Branch Library from the proceeds of the raffle at the annual Worcester Square Christmas Tree Lighting.

"We've never done anything for the library, and they have plans to make it much better, much more accessible to more people, so we figured we'd give it to the library this year. It'll buy them some books!" Stergios said.

The heads of both groups reflected on the success of the social. Stergios observed, "I thought it went very well. We had more people than I expected, and I thought people mixed very well. I think we are going to try to do this once a year."

In terms of mingling among the two groups, Kuksin said, "We'd like to do more of this type of thing. We did a joint social with the Rutland Street neighborhood association, which was nice. These people are our neighbors just as much as the members of our group."

On future collaborations with WSANA, Kuksin said there was "nothing planned, but George and I agreed that we should do more things together." Looking ahead, Kuksin and Stergios previewed upcoming activities in their groups. Stergios said that future agenda items for WSANA include a presentation at WSANA's April meeting by Geoffrey Reillinger, founder and CEO of Compassionate Organics, which seeks to open a medical marijuana dispensary and eventually, recreational marijuana retail on Tremont Street in the South End, and a visit and update from state senator Sonia Chang-Diaz at WSANA's May meeting. Kuksin said that B/FSNA is planning a reprise of the popular Summer Soulstice festival in Blackstone Square in June. "We are figuring out funding with Washington Gateway Main Street."