Category: GottaKnowMedford

  • Citywide winter clothing drive brings Medford together to support residents

    Sangmin Song

    Coats are piling up at libraries, schools and community centers across Medford, where a citywide winter clothing drive is turning corners of the city into hubs of cold-weather support. The city and its partner organizations are putting their efforts behind gathering as many jackets, boots and gloves as possible to help residents brace for the colder months ahead.

    The drive, led by Medford’s Community Engagement Team, will come to fruition at the Winter Preparedness Event. Families can pick up free coats, hats and gloves Thursday while accessing information about heating assistance and other services.

    “We have boxes located throughout the city with many of our partners collecting winter supplies, and Anton’s Cleaners generously cleans the used coats for free,” said Catherine Dhingra, the city’s Office of Prevention and Outreach manager.

    The effort relies on a wide network of community groups to reach residents, Dhingra said. Flyers were posted across the city, and some were translated into multiple languages to expand accessibility.

    “We all partnered together to get the word out to residents,” she said. “We really needed to increase our dropbox locations this year, so we put a call out to all of our partners and everyone generously agreed to host collection sites.”

    The Medford Family Network is among the organizations involved in the drive. Irina Shumway, MFN’s program manager for family and community engagement, said the collaboration continues the network’s ongoing work with the city to support families.

    “There’s just different ways we try to present and be connected to some of these city events,” Shumway said. “Being present at the Winter Preparedness Event gives us direct access to families to let them know there are other resources in the city.”

    Donations have been steady, Shumway said, with many residents looking for ways to help as the holiday season approaches. The recent delay in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits caused by the federal government shutdown also prompted more community members to step forward.

    “People are donating, and I feel like people tend to be mindful and generous, so it’s been great,” she said. “With the SNAP benefits being cut and the current situation, I think people have definitely stepped up quite a bit more in terms of donating.”

    The Mystic Valley YMCA, which serves many Medford residents, also is participating in the clothing drive. Debbie Amaral, the YMCA’s president and CEO, said she saw participation immediately from members.

    “Every day I have a thousand members come through my door, so advertising the collection here means we can get a lot of clothes,” Amaral said. “On the first day, someone dropped off a jacket and a member who needed one took it.”

    The clothing drive helps families manage the cost of outerwear, which can add up quickly as children grow, Amaral said. She said the rising living expenses and reduced benefits adds strain for many households.

    “Kids outgrow their jackets, and it’s an expense parents have a hard time meeting,” she said. “Things are expensive now, and the issue with SNAP has put people extra behind, so hopefully there will be kids’ and adults’ jackets available.”

    The clothing drive is part of the city’s work addressing the social determinants of health, Dhingra said. Warm coats may bring residents in, but the goal is to connect them to long-term support services.

    “A lot of what we do is addressing the social determinants of health, and you can’t be healthy if your basic needs aren’t met,” she said. “Warm coats help get people in the door, and then we can connect them to vaccinations, MassHealth renewals, heating assistance or other services.”

    The drive is part of a broader effort to help families meet basic needs, Shumway said, and support in one area often frees up resources for others.

    “When they’re on their feet and have community supports, they end up coming back,” she said. “If we can help with food or other assistance, that could free up their finances for medical bills or utilities.”

    As the winter approaches, Dhingra said, many people struggling with costs may not speak up about their needs. She encouraged residents to donate or share information with neighbors, and help everyone stay warm.

    “There are a lot more people impacted by the current economy, and much of it is hidden,” she said. “We can break the stigma by checking on neighbors, sharing information about events like this and helping people feel connected.”

    Sangmin Song is a senior journalism student. This story is part of a partnership between Gotta Know Medford and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Strings and stories flow as Irish folk duo lights up Medford this Sunday

    Sangmin Song

    The sound of Celtic strings will fill Medford on Nov. 16 when the Irish-American folk duo Rakish performs at Arts Collaborative Medford.

    The sound of Celtic strings will fill Medford on Sunday when the Irish-American folk duo Rakish performs at Arts Collaborative Medford.

    The concert, part of the Trad on the Mystic series founded by local musician Ellery Klein, runs from 2 to 4 p.m. on Nov. 16.

    Klein launched the series last year with support from the Medford Arts Council to create an intimate setting for acoustic performances. The show takes place in the first-floor lobby of Arts Collaborative Medford, which seats about 50 to 60 people. Klein said the space is just right for the kind of close-up experience this music deserves.

    “When Arts Collaborative Medford first opened, I was struck by how lovely and cozy the main lobby was for concerts,” Klein said. “I was hoping to continue to have Arts Collaborative Medford present these kinds of intimate, cozy concerts so people can hear that kind of music up close in Medford.”

    Rakish, the duo of fiddler Maura Shawn Scanlin and guitarist Conor Hearn, met nearly a decade ago in Boston and have been performing together ever since.

    “Most of the music that we play together these days is original,” Hearn said. “We write the songs ourselves, and there’s this kind of shared influence from the traditional music that we both grew up playing.”

    Hearn, who lives in Medford, said performing in his own community carries a sense of homecoming. He said sharing Rakish’s music here, where he lives and writes much of his work, feels like a chance to bring that creative energy full circle.

    “Getting to play here feels special because there’s actually a strong traditional music scene here in Medford,” he said. “A lot of my shows are out of town since I’m often on the road, so it’s nice to do one right in my zip code and remind people that this kind of music is happening right where we live.”

    Rakish’s set will showcase their inventive style, traditional in spirit yet modern in form. The duo blends time-honored fiddle melodies with fresh arrangements and original compositions, creating a sound that feels both rooted and new.

    “People will hear tunes they’ve never heard before, and maybe even a kind of tune they’ve never heard before,” Hearn said. “It’s an intimate setting where you’re on the same level as the performers, and that makes the experience more personal and human.”

    Regina Parkinson, director of Arts Collaborative Medford, said partnerships like Trad on the Mystic reflect what the center hopes to build through its programming.

    “When Ellery came to us with the idea, it made perfect sense,” Parkinson said. “It aligned with the kinds of performances we want to host — intimate shows that offer in-depth looks at traditional cultures or different cultures from around the world.”

    Arts Collaborative Medford’s small-scale setup fills an important gap in Medford’s cultural landscape, Parkinson said.

    “I think this series represents a healthy and fruitful collaboration,” she said. “I hope it shows the broader artist community that there is space and accessibility for these types of shows, and that we are a strong contender as a small music venue.”

    For Rakish, the Medford performance is one stop on a nationwide tour before playing festivals in New York and Scotland early next year. Hearn said there’s something uniquely rewarding about playing in small, community spaces.

    “Different venues give you the opportunity to interact with different kinds of people,” he said. “A place like Arts Collaborative brings together students, families and longtime residents, where you get to kind of interact with the whole spectrum of people in different walks of life.”

    Klein said she hopes to continue Trad on the Mystic with two concerts each year, giving both local musicians and touring artists a platform to share traditional and acoustic music with Medford audiences.

    “Word of mouth is powerful, as once people come to one, they tell their friends,” she said. “And this one’s perfect for fall — go for a morning hike, grab lunch nearby, then come hear some beautiful live music in the afternoon.”

    She said keeping the series small and personal allows each show to feel special and helps sustain interest in the city’s growing arts community.

    “People always say there’s no good live music anymore,” she said. “But there definitely is. You have to work a little harder to find them or pay attention to the shows.”

    More information about the concert and tickets can be found here.

    Sangmin Song is a senior journalism student. This story is part of a partnership between Gotta Know Medford and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

  • Fifes, drums and history: Medford marks fifth Sarah Bradlee Fulton Day

    Fifes, drums and history: Medford marks fifth Sarah Bradlee Fulton Day

    By Sangmin Song

    Fifes and drums echoed through the Salem Street Burying Ground as dozens of residents, re-enactors and city officials gathered for Medford’s fifth annual Sarah Bradlee Fulton Day.

    The celebration filled the historic cemetery with colonial music, costumed performances and the arrival of “George Washington” on horseback.

    Sarah Bradlee Fulton wasn’t just a Medford resident — she was a Revolutionary War patriot known as the “Mother of the Boston Tea Party.” In 1773 she helped disguise the Sons of Liberty before they boarded British ships to dump tea into the harbor, and later risked her life carrying secret messages for General Washington.

    Medford re-enactors kick off the fifth annual Sarah Bradlee Fulton Day. GOTTA KNOW MEDFORD STAFF PHOTO/SANGMIN SONG

    The centerpiece of the commemoration was “Ghostly Appearances,” a play written by Laura Duggan, president of Looking Back at Medford History Inc., and Day Farenga, the group’s secretary.

    The performance re-created Medford’s Revolutionary past as the Colonial Navy of Massachusetts Fife and Drum Corps played, actors in colonial dress stepped through drifting fog and George Washington, portrayed by John Koopman III, rode in on horseback to the crowd’s cheers.

    “When I [first] found out about Sarah, I said, ‘How come nobody knows about her?’” Duggan said. “I started finding [out] about her and said, ‘I have got to change this, [and] I got to help people get to know somebody this important.’”

    Mayor Breanna Lungo-Koehn served as mistress of ceremonies, opening the play before joining the audience for the graveside procession that followed. Duggan, portraying Fulton, led re-enactors, musicians and families toward Fulton’s burial site.

    “We are honored to be able to support this day, which is [Medford’s] first female heroine that we honor,” Lungo-Koehn said.

    A look at what the Sarah Bradlee Fulton statue will look like. COURTESY PHOTO/LOOKING BACK AT MEDFORD HISTORY INC.

    Lisa Colaianni, Medford’s director of community affairs, said the partnership behind the event reflects Medford’s effort to keep its Revolutionary history visible.

    Colaianni and Lungo-Koehn both said the city and organizers have worked on the planned installation of a Sarah Bradlee Fulton statue outside City Hall.

    “We found a perfect spot that doesn’t have anything much but a beautiful tree and grass,” Lungo-Koehn said. “It’s a great spot to put the statue. It faces the main road, so everybody will get to view it every day as they drive by.”

    Farenga said the group’s events aim to make local history accessible to everyone.

    “It’s been a very interactive way for people to learn more about Medford,” Farenga said. “We’ve got the Medford Historical Society, which is based in its house and houses, maps and all kinds of important things, but they’re not a get-out-into-the-society thing, so we’re kind of bridging that gap.”

    That bridge drew residents like Melanie Tringali, candidate for City Council who attended for the second year after first seeing a Facebook post about the event.

    “I wish we did more stuff around Medford history, [as] there’s so much about the history that I don’t think we do enough about,” Tringali said. “We were shipbuilders, rum runners [and] there’s a lot of history that we don’t [recognize much, yet] we were a huge part of the Revolutionary War.”

    The grave of Sarah Bradlee Fulton at the Salem Street Burying Ground in Medford Square. GOTTA KNOW MEDFORD STAFF PHOTO/SANGMIN SONG

    Alex Lessis, a Medford resident and first-time attendee, said the celebration offers a reminder of how much the city contributed to American independence.

    “I had recently read some books about the Revolutionary time period, and it interests me a lot of the characters here today appeared in the book I read,” Lessis said. “I love it and I think there should be more, [since] we have rich history here.”

    Duggan said the celebration was designed not just to reenact history but to make it resonate with people today and connect residents with one another.

    “More and more citizens are finding out about that and finding out who she was, and I think we should be proud [of Sarah],” she said. “I also see it as a way to unite the community, [where] all come together and be proud of this woman who is like your average kind of person, not an elite who fought to help us get a country together and independence.”

    Farenga agreed, saying the community’s interest is what keeps the event alive. She said the group may eventually shift its focus to highlight other figures from Medford’s past, such as Lydia Maria Child or Amelia Earhart.

    “If they didn’t make it this time, really plan to come down next year, [because] it might be the last one,” Farenga said. “If you just think about it, we have other characters, other Revolutionary heroes, that we need to bring to the fore.”

    To learn more about Sarah Bradlee Fulton Day or the work of Looking Back at Medford History, visit here.

    Sangmin Song is a senior journalism student. This story is part of a partnership between Gotta Know Medford and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

    This article was originally published on October 30, 2025.

  • Cyclists say Medford’s bike lanes are unsafe as city considers next steps

    Cyclists say Medford’s bike lanes are unsafe as city considers next steps

    By Sangmin Song

    Medford’s bike network is growing, but so are cyclists’ frustrations. Riders say gaps in bike lanes, outdated road planning, and other concerns have left the city struggling to make biking truly safe.

    Patrick Cochran, a daily bike commuter and the sales and community manager at JRA Cycles, said he feels confident riding through neighboring towns but becomes uneasy as soon as he enters Medford.

    “Once I get into Medford, it is on the scarier side of the spectrum, in comparison to going through Somerville, Arlington, or Cambridge,” Cochran said. “While there is a little bit of protected or semi-protected lanes, I have to spend a lot of time being very close to fast-moving cars.”

    Long-time cyclists say they are uncomfortable when it comes to trekking through Medford due to dangerous conditions, such as bike lanes positioned in the middle of busy roadways. GOTTA KNOW MEDFORD STAFF PHOTO/SANGMIN SONG

    To address longstanding safety concerns, Medford has added miles of painted bike lanes over the past several years and launched a $9.8 million reconstruction of Main Street in April.

    A Bicycle Advisory Commission meets monthly to shape the vision, yet many cyclists say the bike lanes have had mixed impacts. Instead of making riding safer, some have introduced hazards, sudden lane terminations or confusion in mixed traffic.

    Adam Kline, the general manager of JRA Cycles and a cyclist who has ridden through Medford for nearly three decades, shared similar concerns about the city’s riding conditions.

    “A lot of those bike lanes are pretty horrible, they’re disjointed, they don’t run well… and I feel more at risk in those bike lanes than I do riding in traffic,” Kline said. “If I was a new cyclist having to deal with the road conditions and the distracted drivers in the construction, it would be pretty daunting.”

    Their concerns echoed a discussion at the city’s Bicycle Advisory Commission meeting on Sept. 24, when members debated the safety of “door zone” bike lanes — narrow lanes positioned beside parked cars that can put cyclists at risk when a door suddenly opens.

    “There are a bunch of places in Medford where we’ve ended up with a compromised situation where you have a 7-foot parking, 5-foot bike lane, 10-foot travel lane situation,” said Emily O’Brien, the commission’s vice chair. “That ends up being something that looks like you have a bike lane, but in reality that bike lane is really not safe to use.”

    O’Brien said the city should reconsider installing lanes that give only the appearance of safety. She said painted bike lanes can create a false sense of protection when positioned too close to parked cars or narrow traffic lanes.

    “If we can’t have a bike lane that’s actually safe to use, then we shouldn’t put in a bike lane,” she said. “Having a bike lane that’s not safe to use just means that we encourage people to ride someplace that they shouldn’t, and we also encourage drivers to get mad at you for using the full lane.”

    A bike lane on Highland Avenue in North Medford. GOTTA KNOW MEDFORD STAFF PHOTO/NELL ESCOBAR COAKLEY

    Bruce Kulik, the commission’s secretary, offered a more nuanced view, saying the risk of “dooring” often depends on speed and terrain. Kulik said downhill stretches can make narrow lanes especially hazardous for less experienced riders.

    “Any inexperienced cyclist can get up to 18 or 20 miles an hour without breaking a sweat, and that becomes extremely dangerous to be in a door zone at that speed,” Kulik said. “On the uphill side, on the other hand, cyclists including myself are often going significantly slower, therefore the notion of being in the way, which some people are uncomfortable with, is higher.”

    Acknowledging that speed can be a factor, commission member Chris Stivers said he still supports keeping the lanes, arguing that even imperfect infrastructure provides structure and visibility for cyclists.

    “I will often ride on the outside edge of it, being wary of doors, and I feel pretty comfortable that I’m safe and can anticipate when that’s going to happen,” he said. “[Painted bike lane] tells cars you cannot go there, so it at least gives you a safe space all the way up to the edge of the line.”

    While the debate over bike lanes continues, the city said it is working to support cyclists through other safety programs. Commission member Ernie Meunier said volunteers recently packed and distributed hundreds of bike lights and children’s helmets across local schools to encourage safe riding habits.

    “[We] had packed 200 bike light kits last week,” Meunier said.

    While some safety initiatives have gained momentum, others have stalled amid bureaucratic hurdles. Efforts to install more bike racks, for instance, have slowed because no member has clear responsibility for ordering or installing them, and the staff member expected to discuss the issue did not attend the meeting.

    “We’ve been asking about it for a long time in various places but haven’t managed to get any progress,” O’Brien said.

    Bike lanes in downtown Medford Square go unused by cyclists who fear being struck by cars or by doors being opened as they ride by. GOTTA KNOW MEDFORD STAFF PHOTO/SANGMIN SONG

    As projects move forward, cyclists said they also need protection from a growing concern: electric bikes and scooters speeding along sidewalks and bike lanes. Many riders said they worry that without stronger education and enforcement, these vehicles pose new risks to both cyclists and pedestrians.

    “I think education is key with most things,” Kline said. “When I walk out the door and somebody almost hits me on an e-bike going 20 miles an hour down the sidewalk, I have a problem with that.”

    Residents interested in hearing updates or sharing their opinions can join the Medford Bicycle Advisory Commission’s next meeting on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m., open to the public on Zoom.

    Sangmin Song is a senior journalism student at Boston University. This story is part of a partnership between Gotta Know Medford and the Boston University Department of Journalism.

    This article was originally published on October 23, 2025.

  • ‘Chronicle’ reporter Ted Reinstein to discuss new book at Medford Public Library

    Journalist Ted Reinstein has met a lot of colorful characters in his more than 25 years of reporting across New England for the TV show “Chronicle.” His new book collects and retells some of their stories.

    “Travels Through the Heart and Soul of New England” explores the narratives of people Reinstein interviewed over the past quarter century. He will discuss the book Tuesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. at the Medford Public Library, 111 High St.

    Tickets are free and can be reserved through the library’s online calendar. 

    “I really wanted to simply share some of the extraordinary stories I had covered over my nearly 30 years of reporting around every corner of New England,” said Reinstein, 68, who has been a reporter for WCVB-TV’s “Chronicle,” America’s longest-running locally produced television newsmagazine, since 1997. “But in particular, it was in some way to also honor the most memorable people I’ve met in my travels.” 

    Ted Reinstein has been a reporter for WCVB-TV’s ‘Chronicle,’ America’s longest-running locally produced television newsmagazine, since 1997. COURTESY PHOTO/TED REINSTEIN

    The 45 stories range from a dedicated surfer braving the cold New Hampshire waters year-round to Maine’s “Slim” Andrews, co-founder of the Maine Country Hall of Fame. Reinstein chronicles the story of a person who constructs unique treehouses in Vermont, a couple in Massachusetts who founded the James Weldon Johnson Foundation after buying his former house and a cartoonist in Rhode Island who started the local tradition “Good Night Lights.”

    Reinstein said one of his most memorable stories was in Gloucester with Captain Joe Sanfilippo, who started fishing at 12 but had to give it up because of financial struggles. Several men walked by as they stood on a decaying dock, and Sanfilippo told Reinstein they were former fishermen. 

    “It hit me just how widespread the decline of fishing has been in Gloucester, and how deep the loss is on a human level,” Reinstein said.

    Reinstein is often out in the field, finding stories all over New England. He regularly contributes to WCVB’s political roundtable show, “On the Record,” and has served on the station’s editorial board since 2010. He also hosted specials for the Discovery Channel and HGTV. 

    Aside from reporting, Reinstein is the author of five books, including “A New England Notebook: One Reporter, Six States, Uncommon Stories,” “Wicked Pissed: New England’s Most Famous Feuds” and “Before Brooklyn: The Unsung Heroes Who Helped Break Baseball’s Color Barrier.” He co-authored “New England’s General Stores: Exploring an American Classic” with his wife, Anne-Marie Dorning.  

    With his latest book, “Travels Through the Heart and Soul of New England,” Reinstein aimed to tell the stories of impressive New England residents and how they’ve impacted their communities.

    “I just hope readers will have a better understanding, a deeper and more nuanced understanding of this place we call home, New England,” Reinstein said. “The sites we love—the mountains, the water, the inns, the beaches, the little shops and eateries—are all

    wonderful. But ultimately it’s the region’s people, and their stories, that make it the endlessly colorful and memorable place that it is.”