MyBoston
BACK BAY & BEACON HILL
ARTISTIC LEGACY
THE COPLEY SOCIETY OF ART
‘A CHRISTMAS CAROL’ THE CHARLES DICKENS CLASSIC COMES TO BOSTON
Top Ways to Celebrate the Holidays
Attention,everyone!BLINK’s Eternatreatmentisthe answer toall youraginganddryeye woes!Saygoodbyetowrinkles and eyedrops!
Wait, are you serious?
Eterna can treat my dry eyes and make me look younger? BLINK, get me in immediately!
Finally, a treatment worthy of a hero! With Eterna, I get clear eyes and a flawless face—no superpowers needed.
I’ve tried Eterna, and I swear it’s magic! My skin and eyes have never felt this good. BLINK, you’ve won me over.
Why didn’t you tell me sooner? I’m booking an appointment at BLINK right now!
www.BLINKBOSTON.com www.BLINKBOSTON.com www.BLINKBOSTON.com
10
12 28
FEATURES
14 An Artistic Legacy
The Copley Society of Art honors its rich history while evolving to reach more people.
18 Feeding the Community
Ken Tutunjian lives by the principle that philanthropy makes communities stronger.
20 A New Holiday Tradition
This year, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company will stage Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol.”
COLUMNS
4 PUBLISHER’S NOTE
Let’s Connect!
6 LOCAL PULSE
Community Calendar
10 LOCAL TASTES
Happiness on a Plate
12 FIVE BEST Martinis in the Neighborhood
22 Q&A
BSO Cellist Owen Young
28 LOCAL SOCIAL Wreath Week
30 BOOK CLUB Wintery Reads
31 MY SUNDAY NESN Broadcaster Kevin Gehl
32 PHOTO OP Boston Ballet’s The Nutcracker
COVER
Sage Humphries in Mikko Nissinen's The Nutcracker. Photograph by Brooke
Trisolini, courtesy of Boston Ballet
A JOYOUS MONTH
a
As we bring you our second issue of MyBoston, we’re filled with immense gratitude and excitement. Our November launch issue was met with enthusiastic support from the Back Bay and Beacon Hill community. Your encouraging feedback, kind words, and suggestions have inspired us and affirmed the value of bringing local stories to life. Our goal is to continue highlighting the voices, stories, and uniqueness of our neighborhood, and your engagement is essential to this mission.
December is one of the most festive months. For some residents, it’s synonymous with Christmas, while many others celebrate their own major cultural and religious holidays. For me as a native of the Czech Republic, December is when we spend lots of time with family, and I will be traveling to Europe to do so.
One of the biggest differences between Christmas in the Czech Republic and the
United States lies in traditions. In Czech and many parts of Europe, Christmas Eve is the primary day for celebration. Czech families gather in the evening, enjoy fried fish and potato salad, along with fish soup and traditional cookies and challah. We sing carols and then Ježíšek (the baby Jesus) rings a bell and is the gift bringer.
We always have an extra plate setting at the Christmas Eve dinner table for a person walking by who might be in need. In a month where we receive so much, let’s remember the importance of giving back. One person I have met recently, Ken Tutunjian, is such an inspiration that we included his efforts in this issue. He’s on the board of Community Servings, an organization that helps serve more than a million meals each year to those in need.
Did I mention the arts? As I will be visiting many holiday concerts and performances in my home country during December, I wanted to bring the arts to your homes. Our editorial team chatted with Boston Symphony Orchestra cellist Owen Young, learned the rich history of the Copley Society of Art, and reveled in the beauty of the Boston Ballet’s annual performance of “The Nutcracker.”
As we move toward a new year, we’re excited to continue growing and evolving and making each issue a more vibrant representation of our shared community. Thank you once again for being a part of this journey with us.
To our advertisers, we are immensely grateful for your trust and support. Your partnership allows us to create a publication that truly serves our readers and brings the local community together. We’re honored to showcase your businesses and look forward to growing with you in 2025.
Here’s to celebrating and connecting our vibrant neighborhood. Happy holidays!
With appreciation,
Renata Coker Publisher, MyBoston
www.mybostonmag.com @mybostonmag
MyBoston
Publisher Renata Coker
Renata.Coker@mybostonmag.com
Editor Celina Colby editor@mybostonmag.com
Writer Leigh Harrington
Creative Director Kijoo Kim
WAINSCOT MEDIA
Chairman Carroll V. Dowden
President and CEO Mark Dowden
VP, Group Publisher, Regional Thomas Flannery
VP, Content Strategy Maria Regan
Associate Editor Sophia Carlisle
Art Director Rosemary O´Connell
Advertising Services Director Jacquelynn Fischer
Operations Director Catherine Rosario
Production Designer Chris Ferrante
Print Production Manager Fern Meshulam
Advertising Production Associate Griff Dowden
PHOTOGRAPH BY CULLEN HLAVIKA
BACK BAY & BEACON HILL
Community CALENDAR
From holiday happenings to gallery exhibitions and community events, there is a lot going on in Back Bay and Beacon Hill this month.
HOLIDAY FUN
Dec. 5-29
Holiday Pops
From classic carols to holiday hymns, Keith Lockhart and company bring merry music to the masses. Plus, there’s a visit from Santa. Afternoon and evening performances all month. $62-$153. Symphony Hall, 301 Massachusetts Ave. www.bso.org
Dec. 5, 6-8 p.m.
Boston Common Tree Lighting
Mayor Wu, Santa, and Rudolph flip the switch at 7:55 p.m. to illuminate the Nova Scotia Christmas tree and all the holiday lights on Boston Common and the Public Garden. Beforehand, festivities include live
music, entertainment, tasty treats and special guests. Boston Common Visitor Center plaza
Dec. 5, 7:55 p.m.
Holiday Lights at Commonwealth Avenue Mall
Celebrate as the Friends of the Public Garden light up your favorite tree-lined boulevard to kick off the holidays. Lights run from Arlington Street all the way to Kenmore Square. Commonwealth Avenue Mall, 617-723-8144
Dec. 5, 6-9 p.m.
Beacon Hill Holiday Stroll
Hosted by Beacon Hill Business Association, this free event closes down traffic on Charles Street so pedestrians can shop for holiday gifts at the historic way’s independent retailers and enjoy festive live music and refreshments. Parents can stop by the Hill House earlier in
the afternoon for photos with Santa from 3 to 5:30 p.m.
Dec. 7, 9 a.m.-4 p.m.
Dec. 8, 9 a.m.-noon
Beacon Hill Civic Association Holiday Gas Lamp Decorating
Help bring holiday vibes to Beacon Hill by volunteering with your neighbors to decorate its 1,100 gas lamps. Free. BHCA Office, 74 Joy St. 617-227-1922
Dec. 8, noon and 4 p.m.
Hanukkah A Cappella Concert
Head to the Vilna Shul for these performances of songs featuring Jewish collegiate a cappella groups from Berklee, Brandeis, Tufts and Brown. $18. 18 Phillips St.
Dec. 8, noon-4 p.m.
Beacon Hill Holiday House Tour
Start at the Nichols House Museum for a self-guided tour and handbell performances before walking to and experiencing select private Beacon Hill residences decorated for the holiday season. Wrap it up with a stop at the William Hickling Prescott House, and then a reception at King’s Chapel Parish House (3-5 p.m.). $150. 55 Mount Vernon St.
Dec. 13, 7:30-8:30 p.m.
Back Bay Ringers
Handbells, chimes, percussion: This is a rhythmic holiday collaborative performance unlike others you’ll find around. Beacon Hill Ringers (celebrating their 100th anniversary) join the Back Bay Ringers to perform classic carols and more. $25. Emmanuel Church, 15 Newbury St.
Santa Claus onstage with Keith Lockhart and the Boston Pops. Photograph by Hilary Scott
IN THE GALLERIES
All month
Dec. 14, 4 p.m. and 7 p.m.
Dec. 15, 2 p.m.
Candlelight Carols at Trinity Church
For more than 100 years, Copley Square’s iconic church has been hosting these seasonal concerts that celebrate the story of Christ’s birth. Hear scripture readings, carols and anthems by the Trinity Choirs and Orchestra. $4-$145. 206 Clarendon St.
Dec. 20, 7:30 p.m.
Dec. 21, 4 p.m.
Back Bay Chorale’s A Boston Christmas Sing along to carols and more at this merry holiday event featuring vocals from the 100-member chorus, along with organ and brass music. $24-$70. Old South Church, 645 Boylston St.
Dec. 27, 6-9 p.m. Havurah on the Hill: Hanukkah Shabbat!
Local 20- and 30-somethings can gather for Chinese food, DIY doughnuts and a white elephant gift exchange at this festive Hanukkah version of shabbat. $22. 18 Phillips St. 617-523-2324
Dec. 31
First Night Boston 2025
Back Bay and Beacon Hill residents are already at the heart of Boston’s New Year’s celebration with the option to
pick and choose what to attend, while stopping home to warm up between. Events are free and include concerts, cultural performances, arts and crafts, improv, ice sculptures, the First Night parade (6 p.m.), and the family fireworks (7 p.m.). Free.
“Samir Sammoun” at Galerie d’Orsay, 33 Newbury St.
Until Dec. 21
“Peter Brooke: Devotions” at Gallery NAGA, 67 Newbury St.
Until Dec. 22
“Holiday Small Works 2024” at Copley Society, 158 Newbury St.
Until Jan. 5
“Tools of the Trade: A Visual Love Letter by Samuel Bak” at Pucker Gallery, 240 Newbury St.
Until Jan. 6
“New & Noteworthy 2024” at Vose Galleries, 238 Newbury St.
Starts Dec. 6
“Carlo Russo Solo Show” at Sloane Merrill Gallery, 75 Charles St.
Starts Dec. 7
“Members Winter Exhibition and Holiday Small Works” at Guild of Boston Artists, 162 Newbury St.
Back Bay Ringers take over Emmanuel Church in mid-December. Photograph courtesy of Back Bay Ringers
Arts and culture come alive at First Night Boston. Photographs by George Comeau and First Night Boston
Galerie d’Orsay presents “Samir Sammoun: The Way Home.” Photograph by Samir Sammoun
EVENTS
All month
Titanic: The Artifact Exhibition
This special, limited-time exhibition lands in Boston and runs through February 2025. The interactive tour that assigns visitors a passenger profile takes you through replicas of the ship’s rooms and grand staircase, as well as authentic artifacts. Reserve ahead. $39.50. The Castle at Park Plaza, 130 Columbus Ave.
All month
Frog Pond Skating
Take a spin around the iconic Frog Pond, which just opened for the season last month. It’s the perfect activity for a kids’ afternoon or date night. Rentals available. Boston Common Frog Pond. 617-635-2120
Dec. 2, 5:30-6:30 p.m.
Girls Who Code
Wentworth Institute of Technology hosts this excellent free event that introduces the foundations of computer science to 12- to 17-yearold girls and nonbinary students through female role models in the field. Free. Boston Public Library, 700 Boylston St. 617-536-5400
Dec. 3, 2-4 p.m.
Boston Public Library Special Collections Open House: Food & Food Culture
Special Collections staff members share books, images and archival materials all related in some way to food. You can see these up close and ask questions. Free. 700 Boylston St. 617-859-2043
Dec. 5, 4:30-6:15 p.m.
Family Romance: John Singer Sargent & the Wertheimers
New England Biography Series
LOOK UP!
Dec. 1-31, 5 p.m.
31 Nights of Light
The Prudential Center brings recognition to 28 different local nonprofit organizations during the month of December. Each evening at 5 p.m., one of Boston’s tallest buildings lights up with special colors that represent a 501(c)(3) partner working in the space of arts and culture, diversity, education, women’s and youth services, human services and more. On the other three nights, the Pru honors a holiday: Christmas (Dec. 25), Hanukkah (Dec. 26) and New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31).
presents author and biographer Jean Strouse in a conversation about her new book “Family Romance,” which examines 12 portraits of an English family painted by the Boston artist at the height of his career. Free. Massachusetts Historical Society, 1154 Boylston St. 617-646-0532
Dec. 8, 4 p.m.
A Little Mischief: A Midsummer Night’s Dream Musical
Theater for Young Audiences
Ensemble presents an original musical adaptation of this Shakespearean comedy featuring student performers, student orchestrations and a 12-piece band. Free. Berklee Performance Center, 136 Massachusetts Ave.
Dec. 13, 12:30-2 p.m.
Botanical Talk and Tour
A horticulture staff member leads visitors through the Isabella Stewart Gardner
Museum’s courtyard explaining the role of plants at the museum. A 60-minute guided gallery tour follows. 25 Evans Way. 617-566-1401
Dec. 16, 6-7 p.m.
Neurospicy Reads: A Book Group for ADHDers, Autistic Adults and Allies
Berklee College of Music and the BPL team up to offer this monthly nonfiction book discussion group for neurodivergent folks and their allies. The program centers around graphic novels, memoirs and selfhelp books with neurodivergence as a theme. Free. 700 Boylston St. 617-536-5400
Dec. 22, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.
Jewish Beacon Hill
Boston By Foot presents this special 1-mile walking tour that delves into Beacon Hill’s Jewish heritage and includes a tour of the historic Vilna Shul. Visit the North Slope, learn how Jewish immigrants created a blended community, and see where they lived, worked and worshipped. 18 Phillips St. 617-367-2345
Beacon Hill residents and Beacon Hill Civic Association members Michelle Lavers, Caterina Madeira and Matt Saradjian decorate West Cedar Street.
Photograph courtesy of Beacon Hill Civic Association
The Pru lights up every night in December. Photograph courtesy of Prudential Center
Happiness ON A PLATE
Scampo’s executive chef, Simon Restrepo, crafts beautiful dishes for the pleasure of others.
BY CELINA COLBY
SIMON RESTREPO WAS 16 years old when he met famed Boston chef Lydia Shire in a shop in Colombia. He noticed her kindness right away, watching as she handed out candy to the neighborhood kids. Little did he know that their coincidental meeting would change the course of his life.
Later that year, when Restrepo immigrated to the U.S., he started work as a dishwasher at Shire’s restaurant Biba in Back Bay. He worked his way up through every position in the kitchen, learning the proper techniques for kneading bread, how to chop vegetables for carefully plated salads, and the precise timing for browning meats.
“I always loved cooking,” says Restrepo. “And Lydia, I think she’s the best chef in America and I learned everything from her.”
All those early skills are put to work daily in his position as the executive chef at Scampo in the Liberty Hotel, a restaurant he helped
Shire open in 2008. Every night the restaurant’s 145 seats are packed with diners eager to sample soft, house-made pastas and crisp, grillfired pizzas.
One of the most popular dishes on the menu is spaghetti with cracklings and hot pepper, a simple but flavorful dish prepared with hot cherry peppers, red jalapeño and
Simon Restrepo has worked with Lydia Shire for nearly 40 years and helped open Scampo in 2008.
Photograph by Brian Samuels Photography
parsley cooked in a mixture of garlic, olive oil and pork belly.
FRESH DAILY SPECIALS
Restrepo really gets to flex his creative muscles with the daily specials, which are guided by whatever is fresh that morning. The chef says he recently roasted a whole pig because it was available and sparked his interest.
“I just call in the morning and I say, okay, what have we got?” says Restrepo. “And I’ll say I want that because then I can make something beautiful and special.”
Shire and Restrepo craft new menus for Scampo seasonally and will be leaning into hearty, comforting dishes for the winter lineup.
Food is Restrepo’s calling but the culture of Shire’s kitchen has also kept him grounded over the years. He says she is strict and expects perfection but she also nurtures the staff like family.
“I quit three times,” he recalls, laughing. “She’d come back to my house, knock on the door, and she’d say, ‘Let’s go, we need to work.’”
That same camaraderie still exists in the Scampo kitchen.
Restrepo says he has a team member, also from Colombia, who has been making the restaurant’s pasta from scratch since it opened. She’s been working with Restrepo for 24 years at various restaurants. That longevity says everything about the culture and community he’s created.
Down the road Restrepo would love to open his own restaurant concept in partnership with Shire, but for now he’s happy to continue dishing out creamy risottos and tender pork chops in the Scampo kitchen.
“I want to keep cooking and make beautiful dishes,” says Restrepo. “That’s what I do. I make people happy.”
Celina Colby has been covering the food and beverage scene in Boston for over a decade with bylines in Eater Boston, The Bay State Banner and Boston Guide, among others.
Top: Lobster ravioli served in a creamy sauce with brussels sprouts.
Bottom: Fresh seafood, like the salmon pictured here, is a trademark of Scampo.
Photographs courtesy of Scampo
Martinis
Whether you take yours with a twist or an olive, these ice-cold local cocktails are sure to satisfy.
BY CELINA COLBY
The brightly colored Zen Martini at Abe & Louie’s uses vodka, cucumber, lime and cava.
Photograph courtesy of Abe & Louie’s
name, the restaurant has a Prohibitionera feel, but we promise this cocktail isn’t made with bathtub gin.
THE ESPRESSO MARTINI - GRILL 23
THE HOLIDAY SEASON brings the return of festive performances in Boston theaters, bright lights lining Commonwealth Avenue and lots of cocktail parties. To toast the season with a classic, we’ve put together a list of our favorite martinis in the Back Bay and Beacon Hill neighborhoods.
The origin story of the martini is unclear. Some say it was an invention of necessity during the California gold rush when a bartender mixed whatever liquor was on hand. Others claim it’s named for the Martini & Rossi vermouth. The first official recipe for the martini, published in Harry Johnson’s “Bartender Manual” in 1888, calls for Boker’s bitters, gum and orange curaçao in addition to its usual spirits.
You’re not likely to encounter any orange curaçao in these cocktails, but you’re sure to satiate the craving for an icy cold classic.
THE CLASSIC - 1928
This elegant, speakeasy-inspired restaurant serves a beautiful classic martini. Your choice of gin or vodka, shaken tableside and served with a dish of accompaniments so you can garnish with as many twists, onions or blue cheese olives as you please. True to its
Espresso martinis are back, once again taking the crown for best-loved after-dinner drink for Boston diners. The Grill 23 version uses vanilla vodka, espresso, Kahlua, Bailey’s and a squeeze of aquafaba for frothy perfection. Everything is shaken with crushed ice for a frosty cold creation. This version embraces the sweet, dessert feel of the cocktail, leaning into creamy chocolate and vanilla notes.
THE NEW TWIST - ABE & LOUIE’S
Abe & Louie’s has been offering a hearty classic martini service since they arrived in Back Bay in 1965. But their cocktail menu isn’t limited to retro orders. The Zen Martini blends vodka, cucumber, lime and cava for a lighter, more herbaceous alternative to stiff gin. It’s an ideal cross between a visit to a spa and a night on the town.
THE SPLURGE - DEUXAVE
On the Deuxave menu, the martini rings in at $45. But it’s worth the price tag for this special-occasion beverage. Each hand-crafted liquor comes from a different region of the world—gin sourced from Africa where the juniper is grown on the equator for ideal sunlight exposure, dry vermouth from
Spain and a drop of an herbal Italian liqueur for balance.
THE CULINARY CREATION - SALTIE GIRL
For bougie drinkers, Saltie Girl’s caviar martini satisfies with savory flavors. Your choice of vodka or gin is shaken in a classic martini and topped with Castelvetrano olives overflowing with caviar. It’s all the crispness of a classic martini but with a little extra luxury on top, perfect for pairing with the seafood-forward menu at the restaurant.
The 1928 martini service comes with a selection of garnishes. Photograph by Celina Colby
Chocolate and vanilla flavors lead the charge in Grill 23’s espresso martini.
Photograph by Michael Blanchard
Deuxave’s $45 martini uses high-quality liquors from around the world.
Photograph by Celina Colby
Saltie Girl spices up a classic cocktail with caviar-stuffed olives.
Photograph courtesy of Saltie Girl
An Artistic Legacy
The Copley Society of Art honors its rich history while evolving to reach more people.
BY CELINA COLBY
Members and the public enjoy the opening of a new exhibition at Co|So.
Photograph Courtesy of the Copley Society of Art
HHISTORY ISN’T HARD to find here in Boston, but the Copley Society of Art (Co|So) on Newbury Street has a particularly starstudded legacy. Dating back to 1879, the organization is the oldest nonprofit art association in the United States. James McNeill Whistler, Claude Monet and Auguste Rodin are a few of the storied artists who have exhibited there. As the organization looks ahead to its 150th anniversary, it’s deepening community
collaborations, increasing diversity and reaching out to new audiences.
The society currently includes more than 300 living artists working in all media from painting and sculpture to photography and video. The Newbury Street gallery and satellite locations host between 15 and 20 exhibitions a year, giving artists ample opportunity to show their work.
“At the Copley Society, I was always able to see such a wide
scope of art, from traditional to modern and contemporary,” says Nina Mollo, gallery coordinator at Co|So. “I found myself drawn here just because it gave such a diverse showing of work.”
The society was always adept at pushing boundaries for the sake of artistic exploration. In 1913, it famously hosted the Boston run of the Armory Show, an avant-garde presentation of works by artists like cubists Marcel Duchamp and Pablo Picasso, fauvist Henri
Matisse and post-impressionist Paul Cézanne. At the time, the Boston public was utterly scandalized. Now, they’d be thrilled.
Because it operates as a nonprofit, Co|So offers a 60/40 commission split on most work sold, in favor of the artist. Any professional artist can apply, but they must be reviewed and accepted by a jury of Co|So members who look for high standards of artistic quality and professionalism.
ARTS ACCESSIBILITY
In addition to providing a supportive and productive environment for artists, Co|So hopes to make art experiences and collecting more accessible to a wide
range of audiences.
One of the ways it does that is by hosting a Holiday Small Works exhibition annually in November and December. The show usually includes about 250 works by all different kinds of Co|So artists. Though always small in size, the pieces range dramatically in style to suit many different tastes.
The prices range from as low as $125 to $1,000 for original artwork. At $5, greeting cards with artists’ work printed on them offer an entry-level buying opportunity.
“It’s such an interesting thing to see people who are either starting off in their careers or starting off as members, all the way up to people who have been awarded the level of master here,” says Mollo.
Even if collecting isn’t a priority, seeing so many different artists together in one place allows art lovers to refine their preferences and taste and to absorb a wide range of aesthetic styles.
Exhibitions aren’t the only way Co|So is working to reach a wider audience. The group also has a robust social media presence, a podcast and an online shop to make the art world compatible with new ways of collecting and finding inspiration. Exhibition receptions celebrating new shows are usually free and open to the public.
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Co|So works with many local institutions to expand the presence of its artists. Society members are
Left: “White Birch Shadows” by William Hays.
Photograph by William Hays Above: “Swans in Waiting” by Diane Miller.
Photograph by Diane Miller
exhibited in the Harbor Towers condo complex and in regularly rotating exhibitions at The Langham hotel. The Mandarin Oriental on Boylston Street has also reached out to Co|So for art consulting and partnership opportunities.
For three years now, Co|So has been collaborating with the Museum of Fine Arts to display work by its staff members at an annual exhibition. Work is displayed by everyone from curators to security team members, and it’s one of the most diverse shows the society puts on. The next MFA staff show will open at the end of February 2025.
“It’s great for the staff to have an exhibition on Newbury Street, and six of the people that exhibit in that are juried into the Copley Society for a year,” says Suzan Redgate, executive director at Co|So. “All sales from that exhibition also go directly to the people that make the art.”
John Storrow, a security guard at the MFA and a Co|So member, has a solo show scheduled for October 2025 to exhibit his handmade model sailboats.
Redgate and Mollo hope to see the Co|So audience and family continue to grow as they expand outreach, collaborations and marketing efforts.
“The mission of Copley Society has always been to further enrich
and establish our artist members and grow that community,” says Mollo. “That mission over time has evolved in the ways it needed to, to be supportive, representative and inclusive.”
Celina Colby has been covering arts and culture in Boston for ten years with bylines in The Bay State Banner, Trouvé Magazine, Art New England and others. She is the editor of MyBoston magazine.
Right: “A Wondrous Day” by Marie Luise Hutchinson. Photograph by Marie Luise Hutchinson Bottom: “Meyer Lemons” by Jeanne Rosier Smith.
Photograph by Jeanne Rosier Smith
Feeding the Community
Ken Tutunjian believes philanthropy makes communities better and stronger and lives his life by that principle.
BY CELINA COLBY
fFOR KEN TUTUNJIAN, it all began with a love of art. After an early career in the humanities, he developed a deep love of creative expression, one that would fuel him for the rest of his life.
By day, Tutunjian is the branch manager at the Coldwell Banker premier office in Back Bay. He stumbled on the career by chance but found it to be deeply satisfying.
“I wanted to be able to buy art and knew that by working in a museum, I wasn’t going to be able to afford that luxury,” says Tutunjian. “30 years later, here we are.”
As it turned out, Tutunjian has a natural knack for the real estate business. He says his office ranks as the number five Coldwell Banker office in the entire world. His success comes from a desire to help others. Tutunjian operates less as a salesman and more as a matchmaker, working to find the perfect home for each of his clients.
“It’s a basic need. A roof over our head and a place to smile and a place to cry. To me, there’s nothing more personal,” says Tutunjian. “When someone’s happy in their home, it has nothing to do with the transaction. It has everything to do with when I drive down Marlborough Street and there are families that I know behind certain buildings, and I know that they’re happy.”
DEDICATED TO GIVING BACK
Real estate isn’t the only way Tutunjian gives back to his community. He does quite a bit of personal mentoring for young people looking at careers in business. He’s worked with the Kingsley Montessori School, the Esplanade Association and many others. Philanthropy and charitable work were always part of Tutunjian’s mission, but he became especially involved during a time of significant personal change.
“Community Servings came into my life because my wife died,” says
Tutunjian. “Jill loved the organization because it was grassroots, and even though we’re tripled in size since she was involved, it’s still very much grassroots.”
Community Servings is a non-profit organization that provides high-quality, scratch-made medically tailored meals to folks who have barriers to access with a focus on nutrition insecurity and chronic illness. The organization provides well over a million meals a year to a growing list of more than 6,000 individuals.
Unlike many charitable meal-
A love of community inspires Ken Tutunjian to share his time and talents.
Photograph location: Parkside Bookshop. Interior styling: Hudson Interior Designs.
delivery services, Community Servings has the support and resources to prioritize quality in its meals. The organization works with local farmers, fishermen and suppliers to source high-quality ingredients.
“It’s a scratch kitchen, like any four-star, five-star restaurant,” says Tutunjian. “They make sauce, they make stock and nothing goes to waste.”
Tutunjian has been heavily involved in the organization for 10 years and has served on the board for seven. As the need has grown so has the organization— it’s expanding into southern Massachusetts and west towards Worcester to help as many people as possible.
It takes immense logistical and culinary work to pull off what Community Servings does, and that work doesn’t stop at the kitchen door. The operation provides a 12-week food service job training program for workers who face barriers to full-time employment.
employment anywhere. Assistance is even provided for resume writing and job application.
In the program, dubbed the “Teaching Kitchen,” employees learn the foundations of food prep and cooking techniques in Community Servings’ state-of-the-art facilities. These skills, including food safety, kitchen decorum, knife skills, nutrition and classic culinary techniques, can help the trainees get and keep
In addition to hard skills, the program creates a supportive, structured environment that can be crucial for employees in recovery or others trying to get back on their feet. According to Community Servings, 84% of students placed in jobs after graduating from the Teaching Kitchen retain employment for at least 30 days.
A LOVING TRIBUTE
One of Community Servings’ largest annual fundraisers is Pie in the Sky, a
program run in October and November during which bakeries, restaurants, caterers and hotels donate pies that volunteers sell to raise money for the nonprofit. One pie sold can feed a whole family for a week.
“Jill loved the Pie in the Sky event,” says Tutunjian. “I think she bought more pies than she sold.”
As a tribute to Jill, Tutunjian runs an annual campaign for the Pie in the Sky program under the moniker “Team Jill.” The event overall raises around $100,000 for the nonprofit each year.
But the season of giving doesn’t end with Thanksgiving. December is a big month for charitable donations, and the Back Bay and Beacon Hill communities can get involved by donating at servings.org or volunteering to bring warm, delicious meals to Bostonians during the winter season.
“Philanthropy is nurturing the community in which you live in,” says Tutunjian. “Together we can make a difference.”
Boston-based journalist Celina Colby has a decade of experience writing about food, business and community issues. She is the editor of MyBoston magazine.
This page: Ken Tutunjian with friends and colleagues at Community Servings events. Photographs courtesy of Ken Tutunjian
A pecan pie delivered as part of the “Pie in the Sky” fundraiser for Community Servings.
Photograph Courtesy of Ken Tutunjian
A New HOLIDAY TRADITION
This December, Commonwealth Shakespeare Company will stage Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol” for the first time.
BY CELINA COLBY
IIN 1867, CHARLES DICKENS gave the first public reading of “A Christmas Carol” in the United States at Tremont Temple on the Boston Common. Dickens spent so much time in Boston that his ghost is said to haunt the Omni Parker House, where he lived for weeks at a time. Despite the city’s strong connection to Dickens, Boston has never had a longstanding annual performance of “A Christmas Carol.” Until now.
Commonwealth Shakespeare Company, known for its free annual Shakespeare performances on Boston Common, is launching a production of “A Christmas Carol” this holiday season with the aim of creating a new annual tradition.
“The holidays for folks means coming into downtown, seeing the beautiful lights on the Common, shopping on Newbury Street and Downtown Crossing, having excellent meals and seeing great theater, dance and music,” says Steven Maler, founding artistic director of Commonwealth
Shakespeare Company.
Now they’ll be able to add “A Christmas Carol” to that itinerary along with classics like Mikko Nissinen’s “The Nutcracker” at the Boston Ballet and Handel and Haydn’s “Messiah” performance at Boston Symphony Hall.
SPREADING GOOD CHEER
many young people are introduced to live theater,” says Maler. “We want to continue the work that we do on Boston Common of bringing new audiences into the theatrical family.”
Holiday joy is a primary motivation for the production, but it will also help to financially support the free Boston Common performances in the summer, which require more than a million dollars’ worth of fundraising to pull off every year. Support for “A Christmas Carol” comes from Christy and Jay Cashman and the Poduska Family Foundation. Maler hopes that the show will continue to make theater accessible to Boston audiences, bringing in new faces.
“Families come together to celebrate the holidays and enjoy these great artistic moments. That’s also how
This desire for accessibility will be reflected in the pricing. Select tickets for “A Christmas Carol” will be available for as low as $23. The best seats in the house are just over $100. Every performance will feature closed captioning and there are two ASL-interpreted and audio-described performances during the show’s run.
A TIME-TESTED STORY
This version of “A Christmas Carol,” adapted by Steve Wargo with musical arrangements by Dianne Adams McDowell, stays very true to the original story. Though more concise (Dickens was being paid by the word,
after all), the text stands by the story’s message and the author’s language.
As in the classic tale, grouchy, meanspirited Scrooge is visited on Christmas Eve by three spirits representing his past, present and future. The experience forces Scrooge to confront his choices and select a path forward.
The performance isn’t a musical—none of the text is set to song—but the musical accompaniments throughout the show are crucial to the experience. Holiday carols from Dickens’ era are woven into the story seamlessly to underscore the narrative and the emotions of the characters. Maler says some of Boston’s brightest singers and opera stars will join the robust cast of actors in the show.
“It feels really right for us,” says Maler. “We’re a company that has built its traditions and its reputation on iconic classical material, Shakespeare, making it feel fresh and contemporary and alive and meaningful and resonant to us today.”
PACKED WITH TALENT
An all-star creative team has come together to make this production possible. Maler himself will be directing, with locally renowned artist Dan Rodriguez handling music direction and former Boston Ballet principal dancer John Lam choreographing.
Will Lyman will play Scrooge, returning to Commonwealth Shakespeare Company after many successful previous productions, along with local and offBroadway credits and a number of Elliot Norton awards. Audiences may recognize the unique timbre of his voice from the PBS documentary series “Frontline” and the Dos Equis beer commercials featuring “The Most Interesting Man in the World.”
“A Christmas Carol” will be performed at the Emerson Cutler Majestic Theatre December 8 to December 22. The Cutler Majestic dates back to 1903, but the architect John Galen Howard was known for his 19th-century beaux arts style that would have been typical of Dickens’ time. In that way, the setting will transport audiences as much as the words and music. Tickets are on sale through the emersontheatres. org website and the show is recommended for ages eight and up.
Beyond seasonal cheer and arts accessibility, Maler hopes the message of kindness in the production will
resonate with audiences in what feels like an ever more divisive world. The holidays are a time to set aside differences and prioritize empathy and human connection. This classic tale encourages just that.
“‘A Christmas Carol’ has a strong social message about the urgency of caring for our fellow human beings,” says Maler. “I would love people to come away from the piece feeling the power of that transformation and the endless capacity of humans to be good and to advance the world.”
Celina Colby is the arts and culture editor at The Bay State Banner.
Will Lyman, the narrator of the PBS series “Frontline,” will play Scrooge in the December production.
Photographs by Matt McKee Photography
PLAYING FOR THE WHOLE CITY
Owen Young has been playing cello for the Boston Symphony Orchestra and Boston Pops for over 30 years.
BY CELINA COLBY
Owen Young
Photograph by Marco Borggreve
Above: Young onstage with other members of his section. Photographs courtesy of the BSO
CELLIST OWEN YOUNG has been with the Boston Symphony Orchestra and the Boston Pops since 1991, when he was hired by legendary conductor Seiji Ozawa. Young has performed more concerts with the symphony, worked with more conductors and witnessed more organizational growth than most other musicians currently in the iconic orchestra.
Young has been playing music since he was 11 years old. A position with the Pittsburgh Youth Symphony Orchestra was the foundation for his lifelong career as a cellist. We chatted with Young about his time in Boston and his 30-year love affair with our city’s orchestra.
What brought you to the Boston Symphony Orchestra?
I heard the BSO for the first time at Tanglewood as a 15-year-old and it blew me away. I always wanted to have a chance to play in that orchestra. So when an audition came up, I took it. Thirty years later I’m so grateful. I still pinch myself.
What are the differences between playing for the Pops and the BSO?
Everybody still really brings their chops. But instead of playing Brahms, you’re playing maybe a musical or an
arrangement of a Queen song or a holiday composition. It’s just a different style, a different genre of music. I think a lot of people come to the orchestra through the Pops, so it’s also an entry point.
How have you seen the organization evolve?
There’s more effort to attract a more diverse audience. It’s something that we’ve been working on for a while—
to make it known that the orchestra is called the Boston Symphony Orchestra—we’re the orchestra for all of the city. We’re also playing newer music, and even diversifying the kind of composers that we hear music from, composers of color, more women composers.
You do a lot of community outreach work with the symphony. What does that look like, and why is it important? When I came in the ’90s, I used to go visit public schools and play for kids. Now we go out into communities in and around Boston and play chamber music concerts. We have a responsibility to move outside the hall. Especially with kids who don’t have the means to have strong music programs in their schools, it’s really important to provide access.
Thirty years is a long commitment. What makes this orchestra so special? The conductors, the soloists—it’s an orchestra that gets the very best. Then you have the summer in Tanglewood, which is also unique, a one-of-a-kind experience. And Boston’s a great city to be in, a really wonderful city. There’s a great community here. We’re all a big family.
Young with a young music fan. Photograph by Hilary Scott
Young accompanying James Taylor onstage.
Photograph by Hilary Scott
ALIBI BAR & LOUNGE
This holiday season, gather at Alibi Bar & Lounge for an unforgettable celebration in a stylish, cozy setting. With original bluestone floors, exposed brick cell walls, and cheeky celebrity alibis, Alibi offers the perfect backdrop for your festive event. Enjoy crafted cocktails and latenight snacks while soaking in the unique ambiance of this iconic space. Book your holiday party now and receive a gift card worth 5% of your total food and beverage spend to use at a future date. Let us make your holiday celebration one to remember at Alibi Bar & Lounge. Book
FINE DINING GUIDE
ROCHAMBEAU
BACK BAY SOCIAL
215 Charles St., Boston, MA 02114 857-241-1144
Discover holiday magic at Rochambeau, where French-inspired décor and modern charm transport you to the City of Lights. Whether you’re planning a festive gathering for December or January, our stunning venue and exceptional service will make your event unforgettable. Book your holiday party now and take advantage of one of our great incentives. Celebrate in style at Rochambeau, where every detail is designed to make your holiday celebration truly special. Book your event: bostonsbestevents.com/venues/ rochambeau
867 Boylston St., Boston, MA 02116 617-247-3200
Book your holiday party at Back Bay Social and experience top-notch hospitality at Boston’s favorite neighborhood spot. Enjoy craft cocktails, delicious food, and a vibrant atmosphere that’s perfect for any festive gathering. Our private downstairs space, featuring a full bar and stage, is ideal for hosting memorable celebrations with live entertainment. Whether you’re planning an intimate event or a lively party, Back Bay Social offers the perfect setting to celebrate the season in style. Book now and enjoy a holiday party that’s sure to be unforgettable in the heart of Back Bay. Book your event: bostonsbestevents.com/venues/
FINE DINING GUIDE
SCAMPO
SUMMER SHACK
Savor Italian-inspired elegance this holiday season at Scampo, where acclaimed chef Lydia Shire crafts rustic yet refined dishes in the storied setting of the Liberty Hotel. With a menu that blends traditional Italian flavors with innovative techniques, Scampo offers an exceptional dining experience perfect for intimate holiday dinners or larger celebrations. Our sophisticated space, paired with unparalleled culinary expertise, creates a truly unforgettable atmosphere. Book your event: bostonsbestevents.com/venues/scampo
Celebrate the season at Summer Shack, just steps from Fenway Park, where Boston’s best lobster roll and largest raw bar await. Host your holiday party with us and indulge in a seafood feast that’s sure to be unforgettable. From our famous lobster to fresh oysters, we offer the perfect setting for a festive gathering. Book your holiday event now and enjoy complimentary oysters on us, plus a donation to the charity of your choice. Make your celebration truly special at Summer Shack, where great food and giving back go hand in hand.
Book your event: bostonsbestevents.com/venues/summershack-boston
At Sonsie, where lucky moments, love, and life meet, enjoy martinis, eclectic pizzas, and classic music in a vibrant setting. Since 1993, our iconic French doors have opened to the lively energy of Newbury Street, offering a charming atmosphere both day and night. For a more intimate celebration, book our exclusive Wine Room, perfect for private holiday gatherings. Whether you’re planning a cozy dinner or a festive event, Sonsie provides the ideal blend of warmth and style.
your event: bostonsbestevents.com/venues/sonsie
•
•
•
•
•
•
•
Wreath WEEK
The Garden Club of the Back Bay decorates for the holidays to raise funds for neighborhood tree care.
FROM DECEMBER 2 through December 5, the Garden Club of the Back Bay holds its annual Wreath Week, which raises money to help fund the club’s efforts to support the Back Bay’s street trees and community garden projects.
That first week in December, Garden Club members take four days to hand decorate custom balsam fir wreaths with bows and decorations.
Anyone can purchase a wreath— available in two sizes, standard and large—through Nov. 30 online at www.gardenclubbackbay.org/store.
For membership information, email info@gardenclubbackbay.org.
Garden Club members decorate wreaths for Back Bay residents as part of their annual fundraiser.
Photograph courtesy of Garden Club of the Back Bay
Wintry Reads
Cozy, seasonal books for your December bedside table.
THERE’S NO BETTER time to curl up with a satisfying novel than during the holiday season. These winter-themed reads run the gamut from intricate literary fiction to cozy classics.
NORTH WOODS
By Daniel Mason
Set in the woods of Western Massachusetts, “North Woods” tells the story of one house and its unique inhabitants over the course of several centuries. Though the novel takes place during all seasons, there are some particularly satisfying scenes of New England fall and winter.
DRIVE YOUR PLOW OVER THE BONES OF THE DEAD
By Olga Tokarczuk
What starts as a portrait of an old woman living in a quiet Polish village turns into a thrilling murder mystery written in beautiful language and sporting a satisfying twist ending.
Local book clubs! Would you like to recommend favorite books to our readers? Reach out to editor@mybostonmag.com.
SMALL THINGS LIKE THESE
By Claire Keegan
A coal merchant in a small Irish town is busily filling orders in the weeks leading up to Christmas when a discovery throws his world out of balance. Now he must confront his troubled past and the secrets the town keeps buried.
MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS
By Agatha Christie
One of Christie’s most known mysteries, this is a classic whodunnit set on a lavish passenger train during the winter. It’s a page-turner best paired with a roaring fireplace and a cocktail.
KEVIN GEHL
The Boston real estate advisor and NESN broadcaster walks us through his typical Sunday in the neighborhood.
WEEKENDS ARE MY WORKDAYS in Back Bay. As a Compass real estate advisor and sports play-by-play broadcaster on NESN, I spend most Sundays balancing both careers and family time.
I begin by walking from our home on Beacon Street to Café Sauvage on Mass Avenue for a quiche of the day that transports me to a Parisian café. After a quick stop at our Compass office on Newbury Street, I stroll with clients to property showings along the tree-lined Commonwealth Avenue Mall.
My in-laws live nearby at the Prudential, so we love to gather any time of day at Pressed Café, thanks to its wide-ranging menu, which includes all-day breakfast and Middle
Eastern specialties like kefta kebabs and fresh labneh. After lunch, I take time to prepare for an upcoming college hockey broadcast on NESN by taking phone calls with coaches and prepping my game notes inside the member workspace at the Harvard Club of Boston.
After wrapping up my work for the day, I meet my wife, Lara, at The ’Quin House for a late but lively dinner of tapas with a Peruvian and Argentinian influence at the newest dining venue, Lunasol.
Kevin Gehl is an Emmy Award-winning sports broadcaster with 17 years of live TV experience and a luxury real estate expert in Greater Boston.
Top: The croque madame at Café Sauvage on Massachusetts Avenue.
Photograph by Celina Colby
Left: The exterior of The ’Quin House, a private social club on Commonwealth Avenue.
Gehl works as both a real estate advisor for Compass and a play-by-play sports broadcaster at NESN.
Photograph courtesy of Kevin Gehl
Boston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker”
IF YOU LIVE IN BOSTON, you’ve likely celebrated the holiday season with a trip to the Citizens Bank Opera House to see Boston Ballet’s “The Nutcracker.” Maybe your child has even danced in it. However, familiarity with Mikko Nissinen’s sparkling production, which has been running since 2012, doesn’t make it any less magical. Take this as your cue to add sugar plums to your festivities this year—“The Nutcracker” runs through December 29.
Have a great image for Photo Op? Submit your high-resolution shot to editor@mybostonmag.com.
Chisako Oga and Daniel Durrett in Mikko Nissinen’s “The Nutcracker.”
Photograph by Brooke Trisolini, courtesy of Boston Ballet
