Nick Varano’s knack for quality food, experience has led to success after success
By MEAGHAN CASEY
You can take the boy out of the North End, but you can never really take the North End out of the boy.
For restaurateur Nick Varano, opening Strega Ristorante on Hanover Street — two decades after roaming the street as a 12-year-old in search of the perfect loaf of bread — was in many ways a destined homecoming. The son of Italian immigrants, Varano lived in the North End most of his childhood before moving to East Boston at age 14. His mother, Rosetta, owned a beauty salon and cooked covetable Sunday suppers (which included her now famous meatballs). Varano got a neighborhood education not just at St. Anthony’s School, but at tried-and-true businesses like Mike’s Pastry.
Jim Quinlan, a former Saugus High player and coach, is now coaching at Bishop Fenwick.
After hanging up his skates in Saugus,Quinlan returns to coach at Fenwick
By STEVE KRAUSE
He’s back. The bundle of energy with the high-pitched voice is pacing back and forth behind the Bishop Fenwick bench, spurring his hockey players into frantic action.
“Up … up … come up,” he screams at his forwards. One of them commits an infraction and ends up in the penalty box. He goes over to him, bends down, and you can hearing admonish the boy.
Peabody’s Julia Scaparotti shines as Miss Massachusetts USA and cheerleader for the New England Patriots
By STACEY MARCUS
One can easily understand why Peabody native Julia Scaparotti is glowing. The 25-year old beauty was crowned Miss Massachusetts USA in November and is a member of the New England Patriots squad that cheered the team to a historical victory this February.
“I never would have thought I would win a crown and a ring in the same year,” jokes Scaparotti.
By JUSTIN BARRASSO
Tucked away on Newbury Street in Peabody, almost hidden among the multitude of spectacles on Route 1, is Bruce McCorry’s Martial Arts Academy. The building, covered by a simple red awning, comes alive upon entering the front door. Inside, McCorry teaches self-discipline, self-defense, and self-confidence.
Local journalist presents a collection that celebrates the Greater Boston middle class
By RICH FAHEY
As a staff writer for The Boston Globe, Steven Rosenberg covered the suburbs from 2001 to last December, and along the way has documented many of the traditions and rituals that make the Greater Boston area what it is.
Owner Joseph Cerra, left, and Manager Nick Martino work the counter of the current Lynnfield Meat & Deli.
Lynnfield Meat & Deli relocates and relaunches as Cerra’s Market
By STACEY MARCUS
For the past 25 years, customers have been popping by Lynnfield Meat & Deli on Route 1 in Lynnfield to pick up fresh meats and deli, grab a sandwich or place a catering order. Although the perishables frequently change, customers can always count on seeing Ron Cerra and his son Joe hard at work behind the counter or out in the store.
Sometimes there’s nothing better than having your protein, rice and veggies (and everything but the kitchen sink) all wrapped up in one delicious bite. And even though most burritos are often consumed at the same rapid-fire pace they’re constructed, there’s an art to getting that bite right—starting with the careful selection of ingredients and ending with that perfect fold, so that not even a grain of rice escapes. We sampled a few creative combinations at popular spots nearby to take the guesswork out of your next order.
Kermit the Frog famously lamented: “It’s not easy bein’ green. It seems you blend in with so many other ordinary things.” But with so many extraordinary items featuring spectacular shades of the hue (including “Greenery,” Pantone’s Color of the Year for 2017) currently gracing fashion runways, and store shelves in and around the intersection of Routes 1, 128 and 129, you are sure to stand out in crowds this spring.
The inspiration: Tory Burch RTW Spring Summer 2017. Model: Faretta. Photo: Sipa via AP Images.
By MEAGHAN CASEY
The Maine coast is home to some of the most picturesque spots in New England, and fortunately for residents off of Rt. 1, it’s just a short ride up 95 North. While it may still be too early in the season to enjoy the beautiful sandy beaches, it’s never too early for a daytrip to Portland for some lobster rolls, shopping and sightseeing. And if the traditional clam shacks don’t motivate you to hit the road, maybe the rest of the culinary scene will. In recent years, Bon Appetit named Portland the “foodiest” small town and in February, nine Portland chefs, restaurants, bakers and brewmasters were named semifinalists for the prestigious 2017 James Beard Awards.