A weekly recap of key events and items of interest to the Milton community:

A Family’s Grief

An incomprehensible tragedy befell the Revelus family last Saturday. The story, which received national attention, is well known to all. Following are comments made during the course of this sad ordeal:

“The fact that they decided to force their way in saved the life of this young girl. It’s pretty heroic.  . . . I still see the sadness in their eyes.” — Milton Police Chief Wells speaking about the officers who arrived on the scene

“The mother understands this was a tragic incident, as bad as it could be, but she is the mother of all three . . . They are all going to be remembered as loving children. What happened, how it happened, we may never know,” — Ernst Guerrier, lawyer and spokesman for the Revelus family

“I’m still going to cry,” she said. “I don’t think anybody’s going to be able to fully get over it.” —  Tashayla Martin, a 15-year-old freshman at Milton High School

“Please do come to the wake, to the funeral . . .it is your [the community’s] spirit that has helped them this far.” — Ernst Guerrier, lawyer and spokesman for the Revelus family

“The outpouring of support is not going away.” — Josh Brogadir, NECN correspondent

A Community’s Strength

At one point in last weeks conversation with Kevin Sorgi, the outgoing Town Treasurer, he hypothetically asked; “What is the town?” He was not referring to a specific geographic place; but a more abstract sense of community that he believes is so special about Milton, the community’s strength of character. (View Sorgi post here.)

It was on display this week. As the correspondent Josh Boradir noted, the outpouring of support in Milton for the Revelus family is not going away. A fund has been set up at Citizens Bank to assist the family (visit any branch to make a contribution to the Revelus Family Trust). Over 1500 people from Milton, Mattapan, and the Haitian Amercian community attended the wake for the Revelus children.

This community strength was also on display Friday night at the IBEW union hall in Dorchester where, by organizers estimates, over 700 people attended a benefit for Mike Madden, Milton resident and soccer coach. Town residents, members of the greater south shore soccer community, and his Verizon colleagues and co-workers were all present. Coach Madden is recovering from complications of back surgery which have left him with limited use of his legs. You can learn more at the Friends of Mike Madden web site here.

A Beautiful Library

The scene played out over and over again this past week end. People would enter the library alone, with families or in small groups and pause to gaze around. And then inevitably, they would break out in broad smiles’ asking each other, “Isn’t is just great?” Well, it is just great!

If you haven’t been already, Go! Tomorrow night, April 7th at 7:30there will be an evening of music featuring Marjorie Jeffries, longtime Trustee and advocate for the public library.

• Congratulations to the following Latin students for their academic excellence on the National Latin Exam. They competed with over 135, 000 students from all over the US and 11 foreign countries. They are Patrick Mullen, Lorenz Manker, and Lauren Sweeney – Silver Medals;  Sam Shepard, Alexandra Schiffman, and David Collins – Magna Cum Laude; and Michael Rodensky, John Huntington, and Maya Rosmarin – Cum Laude. Thanks to all the students who participated.
• On Wednesday, Sophomores in Group 10A will meet in the Library for their fourth  session of Group Guidance.  Mrs. Cove’s juniors in Group 11C will meet for Library Lab.  On Thursday, Sophomores in Group 10B will meet for Group Guidance and Mr. McPartland’s juniors in Group 11B will meet in Library Lab.
• Today is Red Sox Hat Day.
• Seniors:   Stop in guidance to pick up copies of the applications for the Boston Globe Scholar-Athlete Scholarship (due May 1) and the Milton National Little League Scholarship (due May 8).
• Seniors, please remember to bring in copies of ALL your College Decision Letters to the Guidance Office as soon as possible. Thank you.

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While Rene Castro was not an All-Scholastic. He is featured in one of the winter sports seasons special moments. Please see; “Boys night out at the Garden”

The All Scholastics are:

Boys Hockey All Stars:  Jack Brown and Kevin Joyce

Girls Hockey All Stars:  Mary Carmody and Brianna Kelly

Boys Basketball Super Team: Marcus McDermott

Div 2 Boys Basketball Coach of the Year: Sean LoPresti

Boys Track All Star: Paul Connor

Girls Track All-Stars: Emily Hughes and Cheryl Tran

Alpine Skiing All Stars: Inez Cambell and Zach Beaulieu

from Boston Globe

The crowd surrounded the three graves early yesterday afternoon, forming a sea of black that was at times a dozen people deep. Over the harmonies of Haitian folk songs and the drone of an excavator, came the sound of wailing. (read the full story here.)

Among the items and issues discussed by the Board of Selectmen in their meeting of 04.02.09 were the following:

Habitat for Humanity

Listening to a presentation from the local chapter of Habitat for Humanity, “an ecumenical, nonprofit organization dedicated to building simple, decent homes in partnership with families in need.”

This affiliate serves the 35 cities and towns south and southwest of Boston.

You can visit their web site here.

Abby Park Restaurant

Vance Welch updated the Board on his plans for the restuarant in East Milton. He has renamed the restaurant from Stone Park to Abby Park. He showed some menus designed by the local firm, Jackrabbit Design. He is currently planning to open June 15th.

Milton Yacht Club

Members of the Milton Yacht Club also say down to inform the Board of what they are up to. They have made some capital improvements in the structure they maintain. The Milton Yacht Club is located in Lower Mills (see map below). Many residents may not be aware that Milton even has a yacht club; but it is a great group. They provide the money, time, and energy to maintain the town owned property and building. They make the space available to other town groups.The Framers Market sets up shop down there and the Milton Players use the building for rehearsal space. This is civic minded group that is an asset to the community. The next time errands take you to Lower Mills, take a moment to walk down to the water and enjoy the view.

View Larger Map

from the Boston Globe

More than 1,500 people attended a funeral service today in Boston’s Mattapan section for two Milton sisters and the man who killed them — their own brother.

Samantha Revelus, 17, and Bianca Revelus, 5, were stabbed to death by Kerby Revelus, 23, last Saturday when an argument escalated into violence. Kerby Revelus was then shot to death by police. (read the full story here).

from NECN