EVENTS

2021 SOMERVILLE/MEDFORD BLESSING OF THE FLEET ON THE MYSTIC RIVER

JUNE 22, 2021 THESOMERVILLENEWSWEEKLY LEAVE A COMMENT

By William Tauro

This past Saturday, the 2021 Annual Somerville/Medford Blessing of the Fleet Ceremony took place at the boathouse on the Mystic River in Somerville.

Dozens of boaters from Somerville and Medford participated in the event along with many elected officials including Medford State Representative Paul J. Donato and officers from the four boat clubs on the Mystic River.
Before the Blessing of the Fleet flotilla steamed up the Mystic to be blessed, an annual ceremonial breakfast was held and hosted by members of the Somerville Winter Hill Yacht Club. After the Blessing of the Fleet ceremonies wrapped up, the crowd of boaters headed over across the River to the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club located in Medford where they were treated to a scrumptious lunch followed by entertainment and a wonderful summer evening lobster and steak dinner.
Mystic Wellington Yacht Club, the hosting club of the event, also held turtle races which the proceeds of the charitable based races were presented as college scholarships to local children.
The Blessing of the Fleet is a centuries-old tradition that began in Mediterranean fishing communities. A local priest or member of the clergy would bless the ships taking off to sea, in hopes of a bountiful and plentiful season.

2018

Fishin’ With A Mission Event

July 31, 2018 thesomervillenewsweekly

Photos by Jimmy Deoliveira and Frank Santangelo

By William Tauro

The Fishin’ with a Mission Salt Water Striped Bass and Bluefish Fish Tournament was held this past Sunday at the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club in Medford.

This tournament is held annually as part of the Fishin with a Mission Autism Awareness Event.

Anglers from around the area fished this event to help raise money for the My Little Buddy’s Boat Charity that was created to help support local schools that specialize in helping children challenged with Autism and help create more Autism Awareness.

Thank you Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke and the Nashoba Learning group teachers for joining the festivities at the fishin’ with a mission Autism awareness event .

It was a great day of fun in the sun had by all for great cause.

The Mystic Wellington Yacht Club In Medford has been instrumental over the past years hosting this event while donating thousands of dollars and hundreds of volunteer donated hours to get the job done.

The Fishin with a Mission Autism Awareness Event raises thousands of dollars annually to help this great cause. If anyone would like to donate please go to www.mylittlebuddysboat.com to learn more.

Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund Presents $2,500 Donation to My Little Buddy’s Boat in conjunction with Fishin’ with a Mission, held at the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club

August 14, 2017 thesomervillenewsweekly Leave a comment

Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund presents $2,500 to My Little Buddy’s Boat.

Group photo: From left, Jerry Ramasci, Mass Bass Nation; Jim DeOliveira, Mystic Wellington Yacht Club; Medford Mayor Stephanie M. Burke; Trish DiSilva, Teamsters Local 25; Joe DiGirolamo and Harold Kepnes, both of MWY Club; Bill Asaro, Teamsters Local 25; Paul Moran and Paul Garland, both of the MWY Club; and (on boat) Mark Burgess and Eli Delaney, Mass Bass Nation.

MEDFORD and CHARLESTOWN, MA – August 14, 2017 – Today Mayor Stephanie M. Burke and officials from the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club and Mass Bass Nation helped Teamsters Local 25 recognize the My Little Buddy’s Boat foundation with a $2,500 donation. The donation was made in connection with the 5th annual Fishin’ with a Mission, held at the Medford yacht club on July 30, and featuring a day of fun, fishing and boating to support autism awareness. The adult striped bass and bluefish tournament portion was rescheduled to Saturday, August 19.

“We learned about this event and organization through longtime member, Bill Asaro, who volunteered for the event by giving boat rides to the families,” said Sean M. O’Brien, President and Principal Officer of Teamsters Local 25. “We couldn’t be more proud of the contributions Local 25 has been able to make within the autism community these last ten years, and when we learned about Bill’s involvement we wanted to help support the mission.”

Fishin’ with a Mission is an annual day of fun, fishing and boating to support autism awareness, that takes place at the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club. In addition to the bass tournament, there is a cookout, boat rides and games for children. The beneficiary, My Little Buddy’s Boat, was founded by Eli Delaney, as a way to connect with his son Luke who has autism. You can learn more about this organization at www.mylittlebuddysboat.com.

Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund has donated more than $4 million since its inception. Its major fundraiser is the annual Teamsters Local 25 Light up the Night Gala, which will take place again April 21, 2018. The Gala serves as a major autism awareness vehicle as well as a critical fundraiser for local programs that help children, teens and adults with autism or developmental delays.

In 2017, the Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund has presented more than $300,000 to local non-profits, including Autism Speaks, Braintree American Challenger League, Jason Roberts Challenger League, Liam Nation, Malden Challenger League, McLean Hospital Autism Program, Medford Invitational Tournaments, Norfolk County Sheriff’s Youth Leadership Academy, St. Francis Church in Memory of Thomas Beckwith, Stoneham Light It Up Blue, and Technology for Autism Now.

To learn more about Teamsters Local 25’s commitment to autism, please visit www.teamsterslocal25autism.com.

Group photo (by boat): From left, Jerry Ramasci, Eli Delaney, and Mark Burgess, Mass Bass Nation, with Trish DiSilva, Teamsters Local 25 Autism Fund

Group photo (check): Paul Garland, Harold Kepnes, and Jim DeOliveira, all from Mystic Wellington Yacht Club

2017 Fishin’with a Mission Autism Awareness Event

July 31, 2017 thesomervillenewsweekly Leave a comment

Photo:left to right Luke Delaney, Eli Delaney founder of My Little Buddy’s Boat, Medford (Captain ) and Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke and Mark Burgess- events co organizer and Mass Bass Nation representative

Photos by Elaine Tassinari, Jimmy Deoliveira and Joe DiGirolamo

By Joe DiGirolamo

Medford Mayor Stephanie Muccini Burke, The Mystic Wellington Yacht Club, the Mass Bass Nation and My Little Buddy’s Boat would like to thank everyone that came out to support the 5th annual Fishin with a Mission Autism Awareness Event that was held this past Sunday at Mystic Wellington Yacht Club Inc. in Medford.

The day began at daybreak with the Annual Fresh Water Bass Fishing Tournament. Anglers from across New England gathered to fish the Mystic and Charles Rivers to help support the event as well as attempt to crown this year’s Bass Master Champion of the Rivers! The crowds were not disappointed at the weigh in as they witnessed Chip Servant and Randy Phillips take this year’s title with a combined fish weight of 15.77lbs. of largemouth bass. Great catches for these waters! Please note: all fish caught at this event were returned safely and unharmed at the conclusion of the event to the respective rivers where they were caught from.

The Salt Striped Bass and Bluefish Tournament unfortunately had to be rescheduled to a future date due to the National Weather Service’s small craft warning and high wind advisory issued prior to the start of the event. Stay tuned though because within the next few weeks reigning champs Mystic Wellington Yacht Club will be squaring off with Winter Hill Yacht Club of Somerville and Riverside Yacht Club for the “Battle on the Mystic” to determine who will be this year’s winners of the Salt Water Stripe Bass and Bluefish Tournament!

However, the real highlight of the day was the Autism Awareness Event itself! Many students from the Boston Higashi School , the New England Center for Children, the Nashoba Learning Group as well as many other children and families challenged with autism had the opportunity to enjoy many fun activities such as fishing, a waterslide, bounces, crafts and games. Members of the Mystic Wellington Yacht Club and Riverside Yacht Club offered boat rides to over 150 children and their families. Unfortunately some of these families have never had the opportunity to experience some of these fun summer activities like this until now!
The day also included a barbecue for everyone and Chef Joe Carli from Posto Restaurant of Davis Sq in Somerville was on hand with the Posto wood-fired pizza food truck offering delicious pizza creations to all!

Due to the great generosity by all the attendees and many donations to this event, thousands of dollars were also raised to help create Autism Awareness and help aid the schools previously mentioned. If anyone would like to donate and help this great cause please check out www.mylittlebuddysboat.com to learn more.

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