Swan Boat Experience

July 11, 2019 by cryan.com

The Swan Boats in the Boston Public Gardens is a great way to experience Boston. Hop on board and enjoy a few minutes around the Boston Public Gardens.

Six Things to Know about the Swan Boat Experience

• The Boston Public Garden's lagoon is very shallow - maximum 3-feet deep. This is why you won't see any life jacks on the boats.
• This is a very short ride - about 12 minutes. The total duration depends on the number of boats in the water and the number of passengers on each boat.
• Each Swan boat has six rows of benches, with room for 2-adults and 2 small children in each row. Rarely will they fill the boat in each ride - as they don't want to crowd people in.
• The line for the Swan Boats move pretty fast. It's about a 10-minute wait from the trash can - just outside of the stone circle.
• Pro-Tip: You'll want to sit on the right side of the boat so that you can pay attention to the island as you go around it. You'll have an opportunity to see nests and babies around the island. Keep an eye out for turtles.
• Tickets are good forever. Cost $4 for adults and $2.50 for Children over 2.I would recommend getting some extra tickets as a souvenir when you return to Boston. (If you're a local, it makes for unique stocking stuffers or birthday gift!) The Swan Boats accept MasterCard and Visa - I believe they were once an all-cash business. (In 2016, the ride was $3.50 for adults and $2.00 for children)

Shallow Water

This is what the lagoon water looks like in the early March 2018. As you can see the lagoon is very shallow:

Sailing the Charles River

July 4, 2019 by cryan.com

One way to enjoy Boston is to take on the views from the Charles River. Certainly, you can do this by the Boston Duck Tours, but it would much more adventurous and rent a sailboat.

• Cape Cod Keel Mercury which carries 4-person ($89 day)
• Rhodes 19 which can hold 5-people ($119 a day)

Some Key Rule on Rentals

• Sailing is limited to the Charles River Basin between the Mass Ave bridge and the Longfellow bridge.
• Lifejackets are provided and must be worn at all times.
• Must be able to swim 75 yards.
• Prior experience is required, candidates are interviewed by the dockmaster on duty.
• Minimum rental age is 18 years old. Guests under 18 may crew with parent or guardian permission.

About Community Boating

Five things I Learned About Community Boating

• When the non-profit Community Boating first open in 1946 it was America's only public Yacht club.
• In 1956 they had 51 boats. Today they have 63 Centerboard Mercuries, 20 Keel Mercuries,2 RS Venture Connects, 4 Rhodes 19s, 7 Sonars, 6 Ideal 18s, 12 Lasers, 18 E420s, 30+ Sit-on-Top Single/Double Kayaks, 20+ Windsurfers, 15+ Stand-Up Paddleboards.
• Every March the Community Boating house has an early season open house. It's a great way to learn about their summer sailing program.
• During the July 4th Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular you can get reserved seating at the Boat house! It's the only public reserved seating event on the river. People that attend the event get to watch the Pops on Jumbotrons, enjoy Ben and Jerry's Ice Cream, face paintings and much more.
• There is no on-site parking. The nearest parking lot is the Mass Eye and Ear Infirmary. If your taking public transportation, get off at the Charles/MGH Red Line station.

Elm Bark Beetle Trap

June 27, 2019 by cryan.com

As you walk around the Boston Public Gardens you may see a strange white box on some of the Elm Trees. This is Elm Bark Beetle trap. The beetles transmit Dutch Elm disease which have been killing trees.

Six Things I learned about the Elm Bark Beetle

1. The Boston Public Commons use to have a lot of Elms trees but many of them had to be cut down because of the Elm Bark Beetle.
2. There's only two known natural predators to the Elm Bark Beetle: Woodpeckers and Wasps.
3. The beetle is originally from Europe and was first spotted in 1909. By 1933 the beetles were spotted in seaports of Boston, New York and Philadelphia.
4. The Friends of the Public Garden removes ailing trees to prevent the spread of the disease. (Several trees near the Park Street Station were removed because of the Dutch Elm disease.)
5. You can learn a lot more about how to Identify and Manage the Dutch Elm Disease on the United States Department of Agriculture document.
6. In 2010, one of the oldest Elms Trees in New England had to be cut down because of the Dutch Disease: https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/Gardening/2010/0112/New-England-s-oldest-elm-tree-to-be-chopped-down

Text of the Sign below the Beetle Trap

Kip Tiernan Memorial

June 13, 2019 by cryan.com

On Dartmouth Street, between the Boylston Street and Newbury Street, is a special memorial to one of Boston's community activist Kip Tiernan.

Four things I Learned about Kip Tiernan

1. Kip Tiernan was born on June 17, 1926 in West Haven, Connecticut. She moved to Boston in the 1940s to work as a writer.
2. In 1974, She opened Rosie's Place - the first shelter for homeless women in the United States.
3. In 1981, She founded the Greater Boston Food Bank - an organization to help create Easter Massachusetts hunger-free.
4. Kip Tiernan died on July 2, 2011 in the South End of Boston.

Nine Things I Learned about the Kip Tiernan Memorial

1. The memorial title is "Passages"
2. According to Rosie Place, The three arches represent personal growth and raising awareness to issues. On each of the arches are quotes by Kip Tiernan.
3. The memorial height is 14-feet
4. The design won against 50 other architects who submitted bids.
5. The Boston Art Commission Approved the design on March 22, 2016.
6. The words of Kip Tiernan were chosen by a team at Rosie's Place. They represent Kip, the Person, Justice, Hope, Faith, Compassion and Risk/Challenges.
7. The memorial was complete self funded by private donations. It's estimated the memorial cost $150,000.
8. The memorial opening was on Saturday, October 6, 2018, and the public was encouraged to attend. Boston Mayor Walsh did the official dedication.
9. The Kip Tiernan Monument is only the fourth memorial to honor a women in Boston.

Sample of the Quotes on the monument

Boston Public Gardens Japanese Lantern

June 6, 2019 by cryan.com

As you ride on the Swan Boats in the Boston Public Garden, you may spot a large lantern near the pond island. There's a lot of history behind the lantern.

Seven Things I learned about the Japanese Lantern

• In 1905, the Lantern was a donation by a Japanese Art Dealer name Bunkio Matsuki (1867 - 1940) as a gift to Boston.
• Bunkio Matsuki was the first Japanese person to establish a Japanese art and antique store on Boylston Street in Boston. He later built the first Japanese house in Salem, Massachusetts.
• The lantern was constructed in 1587 - Making the lantern 432 years old. It's even older than Boston's Fenway Japanese Temple Bell (344 years old). The Millstone by Haymarket might still hold the record as the oldest item on public display in Boston.
• The Lantern is 10 1/2 feet high, made out of heavy iron.
• It was originally made for Emperor Toyotomi Hideyoshi. For many centuries, it stood in the gardens of Moyoma in Japan. (The garden doesn't exist anymore)
• At one time people saw the lantern as a lighthouse on the pond in the Boston Gardens
• Tip: If you look carefully at the lantern you can see monkeys climbing trees.

Merchant Marine Monument

May 30, 2019 by cryan.com

In Boston's North End is a small monument to the Merchant Marines that died in World War Two. The monument is located in Langone Park.

Some Notes About the Monument

• It's the first monument to Radio Officers of World War 2.
• Monument was initially dedicated 1944 in the Fenway area
• It was rededicated in November 11, 1988 (Veterans Day) by Gladys Reed a Sea Captain Widow
• The top of the monument is a small boat in an angle as if it was sinking.
• It's located in a grassy area of Langone Park with views of the USS Constitution.
• The location of the monument was once where the 1890 Massachusetts training ship Nantucket was created.
• If you look carefully at the monument you'll see a morse code signifying the the famous radio sign off.

On one of the side, where the bush is growing next to the monument, you can see a U.S. Maritime Service Logo with the slogan, "By Their Deeds Measures Yours"

Duty Done (Front Side)

Names that appear on the front side:

• Alonzo Carter
• James T. Cotton Jr.
• Richard V. Carlson
• Stone V. Lowry
• James J. Flynn
• Walter Skiba
• Milford G. Bloom
• Herman R. Mosler
• James Clark
• Edwin W. Ardzienski - Radio Officer, S.S. Paul Hamilton, U.S. Merchant Marines during World War II.
• Andrew J. Tocco
• Vincent A. Kirk
• Thomas S. Porter Jr
• George S. Hord

On the bottom it says, "Presented to the people of Boston by the U.S. Maritime Service"

Country Served

Names that appear on the right side:

• Arnold L. Tangen
• Roy O. Thomas
• William H. McLaurin
• James A. McGill
• Dean H. Cook
• Martin Kuger
• John P. Leahan
• Theodore R. Scrivener
• Carl S. Dalbey Jr
• Isidore J. Weinberg
• William R. Fletcher
• Daniel P. Singer
• Andrew L McLeod
• Fred C. Handson

Happy Place

May 23, 2019 by cryan.com

This past weekend we visited Happy Place in Boston. It's a temporary exhibit designed around creating interesting Instagram photos. There are various stations where you can interact with the exhibits to create interesting photos.

Happy Place opened on April 5th. It was supposed to close on June 1st, but due to popular demands, they have extended the time until the 30th.

It's a fun place to go with the whole family. It's a quick trip as the whole experience probably won't last longer than a 1/2 hour - depending on the crowd size.

Things we learned

• Recommend make a reservation and show up at least 10-minutes early.
• You can easily see the bright colorful Happy Place sign from Boylston Street.
• The Internet isn't great by the ticketing desk - so make sure to have your digital confirmation loaded up before you get to the place.
• This is a wait and shoot event. There are some places where you'll have to wait for the party in front of you to complete their pictures.
• No matter where you are, look around as there may be interesting backdrops that you may not have thought of.
• There isn't an attendant at every station. You may need to ask someone from another group to take your group picture. (It actually would have been nice to have someone come up with creative ideas and help with group shots.)
• After seeing the giant cookie, you'll see a long hall with the words "Don't Worry Be Happy." The best pictures spot is near the cookie room exit.
• Upside Down Room - Try holding on to the lamp to make it look like your avoid falling.
• Flower Room - We found better shot opportunities with the shorter ladders. This is a hard place to shoot because other people may inadvertently get in the picture.
• Confetti Room - The air in the room doesn't move much. To get the best effects you'll have to scoop up some confetti and throw it high in the air.
• Ball Pit - There is someone there to take your picture. You will have to take your shoes off and remove any loose clothing. They will use the camera burst mode to capture you jumping into the ball pit.
• Ball Pit Area - Don't miss the unicorn near the waiting area for the ball pit. Also, the Wallpaper clouds make interesting backdrops.

Before You Go

• Make sure to have plenty of disk space of your digital camera. (You'll be surprise on how many pictures you take)
• You can bring a DSLR - it's not just for smart phones.
• I didn't see any charging stations. Make sure your device is well charged or bring a portable USB charger.
• Bring a selfi stick for the few room shots after the kiss couch.

Finding Happy Place

Happy Place is located at 500 Boylston Street. The nearest T stop is the Green Line Copley station. Parking is available at the Clarendon Street garage.

Symphony Community Park

May 16, 2019 by cryan.com

Located between Berklee College of Music and Boston's Symphony Hall is a small community park. This park is mostly for the seniors that live in the near-by Morville House.

Five Things I Learned about the Park

Park has been around for many years, I wasn't able to find any history of when it started. I did find some events mentioned in the mid-1970s but overall it's not a park with a lot of history.

Since 2007, local organizations, such as the Fenway Civic Association, has been busy updating the park.

Jacob Kulin's musically-theme artwork is the largest visible artwork in the park. The design is 16-foot tall made of granite, Corten sweet, bronze and stainless steel. The design helps tie the connection of the park with nearby musical surrounding. The sculpture was unveiled on August 18, 2016.

There are free fitness classes, morning Yoga and Line Dance classes going on regularly in the park. All classes are free and open to the public. See the schedule on the plaza for today's events.

On Tuesday Evenings, Berklee College of Music takes over the park and selectively invites alumni to perform in the park. (Check out this summer's schedule.)

Finding Symphony Community Park

The park is located near the Edgerly Road and Norway Street in the Fenway section of Boston. The nearest T stop would be the Orange Line's Symphony Station.

This is a nice quiet park. If your visiting Boston, this might be a nice Tuesday stop on a nice Summer Night concert. (Not a lot of events happen on Tuesday nights.)

American Congregational Building

May 9, 2019 by cryan.com

Next to the Massachusetts State House is a building with some unusual architecture. This is the home of the American Congregational Library.

Six Things I learned about the American Congregational Library.

• The Congregational Library began in 1853 with 56 books, but they didn't have a physical building until 1898. (The original 56 books are still in the collection!)
• In 1957, the Congregation headquarters moved from Boston to New York - leaving lots of office space. Over the years Non-profits had occupied the space.
• On August 3, 2017 the Association sold it 14 Beacon Street to Faros Properties for $25.4 million. The library will stay in the building. The money from the sale will be used to maintain the reading room. The sale may impact business that occupy the above floors.
• The library is home to New England's largest Clergy Obituary Database - Researchers can search over 30,000 obituary listings for clergy and missionaries spanning more than three centuries. Great way to learn more about clergy and missionaries that might have started your Congregational church.
• This is a interesting stop for Boston Tourist as you can learn a lot of about how religion shaped this nation.
• Building is not on the Boston Historic Landmarks - there has never been a petition to preserve the building architecture.

Sign on the Building

Building Plaque

This is the transcript of the sign on the building:

Finding the American Congregational Building

The American Congregational Building is located next to the Massachusetts State House. It's located on the second floor of 14 Beacon Street.

The library collection is open to the public.

Read Your Way to Fenway 2019

May 2, 2019 by cryan.com

Every year the Boston Public Library has a contest with the ultimate goal to encourage students to read and write over the summer break. It's called "Read Your Way to Fenway."

This contest encourages students to read over the summer and get a chance to see the Red Sox. This contest is open to all Boston Public Library holders.

Four Fun Facts about the Contest

• In the past, the Library usually announces the contest right around the last week of school.
• This annual event started in 1995. This year is the 24th annual tradition.
• In 2017, 624 children participated in the program and more than 500 winners were chosen.
• There are 54,312 students in the Boston Public Schools. So your chances of winning is actually pretty good!
• Some of the readers actually get to go on the field before the game and meet some of the Red Sox players.

Important Dates

• Contest usually starts: June 1
• Essays due to a Boston Public Library location: Friday, July 27
• Winners notified: August 6-10
• Pick up your tickets at your branch library: August 13-17
• Game day: Sunday, August 19, at 1:05 p.m., Red Sox vs. Tampa Bay Rays at Fenway Park