February 9, 2005 at the Parkman House, L-R: Hyde Park Librarian, Barbara Wicker,and Board Members Ted Palashis, Mayor Menino, Director Karen O'Connell, Lisa Consalvo and Jim Stanton

Last month, Mayor Thomas M. Menino extended a gracious invitation to our Members to in his words, "honor and thank every one of you for your participation in your local Main Street organizations. . . Your efforts are creating neighborhood commercial districts that are lively, welcoming places in which to conduct business." Board Members from across the 19 neighborhood programs gathered for an evening reception at the Parkman House on Beacon Hill. Built in 1825, on land originally owned by Governor John Hancock near the State House, the house was left to the city of Boston by the Parkman family. It provided a wonderful setting for the Reception and added to the celebratory atmosphere as plans were announced for the June 2, 2005 Boston Main Streets 10th Anniversary Gala. This event will raise funds to seed the Boston Main Streets Foundation, a 501 ( C ) 3 organization being established to assist the local Main Street programs with long term sustainability. Mayor Menino will also host the Gala with special guest United States Senator Edward M. Kennedy.

Hyde Park Municipal Building in Winter

Each year at this time we send a direct mail appeal to every resident/household in Hyde Park. The letter is an opportunity to share information about our Program and invite residents to join us or renew their membership in Main Streets. Many of you have already individually renewed your memberships and we thank you for your continued support. The 2005 Membership Cards have arrived at last this week and we will be mailing them with an acknowledgment letter to you shortly, we apologize for the delay, we will send a second mailing with the Business Member Directory when it arrives from Boston Main Streets. The participation and financial support of residents is a major key to our success over the past 10 years.

The long anticipated launch of our own web site, www.hydeparkmainstreets.com is nearly here! We envision the site as a great resource for both Hyde Park and our Program. One feature will be a Neighborhood Quick Answers section with a top ten list of frequently asked questions geared towards residents, "who do I call to dispose of televisions or computer monitors"? - Answer the City will pick up for free if you call and arrange a date for pick-up. You will also be able to download forms for our Storefront Improvement grants online and much more. We also need your help! We are asking our members to write up a brief few sentences about their experience as a Member, maybe about a particular project they worked on or how long they've been involved with HPMS and why etc. Our idea is to have these testimonials and others from our Business Members through out the web site in different places. You are our best ambassadors for our Program, your experience as a Member is unique and valuable. Help us effectively promote Hyde Park as an example of the power of an engaged and diverse business district. Please e-mail us your quotes, we will be building an archive of testimonials for the web site, your individual experiences will provide insight and interest.

ER Committee - Mon, 6:00 PM, March 7th

Community Meeting on the Fairmount Court Property, f.k.a., Lewis Chemical Site - at the Municipal Building on Tues, 6:30 PM, March 8th

Promotions Committee - Mon, 6:30 PM, March 14th

Board of Director's Meeting - Tues, 6:00 PM, March 15th

Networking Breakfast - Thur, 7:45- 9:00AM, March 24th,

Design Committee - (Rescheduled Date) Thur, 6:00 PM, March 24th

Missed a meeting? Contact us for monthly minutes compiled by volunteer committee members and available by e-mail.

Waiting for Kick-off! John Norman and his son Russell, age 12, winners of the HPMS 2004 Super Bowl raffle at the big game in Jacksonville, Florida.

The Second Annual HPMS Super Bowl Raffle was a great success again this year, selling out all 300 of the $100.00 tickets for the second year in a row and for the second year in a row our New England Patriot's are again Champions! This signature fundraiser for HPMS generates crucial operating funding for all of our programming. The Normans, in true fan spirit came to the game all dressed in both Patriot and Red Sox gear, only lacking ear plugs to drown out the roar of the Eagles fans who were eventually quieted by the play on the field. Both came back hoarse and happy from cheering their team on to victory and sharing a once in a lifetime father and son experience.