At least four hot-weather warnings have been issued for Cambridge and Somerville this summer, including a heat advisory sent out for the weekend of Aug. 6. With the nomadic student population moved out and vacationers on vacation, neighborhoods outside the hustle and bustle of seasonal tourism can go quiet during the dog days of summer.
But what about the dedicated residents who stay behind during the hot weather to keep things running? Who pour our pints? Shelve our books? Sort our donations? The Indie asked everyday people in Davis Square how they’ve passed their summer so far and how they’re passing the rest of August.
Milo – Circulation assistant, Somerville Public Library (West Branch)
For Milo, summers are best spent helping others. As a circulation assistant for the Somerville Public Library, his days are dedicated to shelving books and volunteering in a large variety of community events.
From movie nights to yoga in the park, Milo is passionate about affordable and accessible fun. When he isn’t at the library he spends his time paddleboarding while his girlfriend combs the beach for seaglass. As the temperatures creep into the lower 80s, Milo is excited to spend more time outside.
The summer can pose risks when it comes to health and safety, and one of the the library’s main concerns is providing water bottles and keeping the air conditioners blasting on particularly hot days. His enthusiasm for the library is palpable when he talks about the events he’s participated in, adding that he “loves helping people.” When asked about library resources, he says, “It’s not just about books. The library has a 1:1 ratio of books as well as resources.” These resources include prep classes for the upcoming American citizenship test.
Cassie – Supervisor, The Goodwill Store
In a word, Cassie’s summer has been “fabulous.” She’s spent the past few months running a community outreach project that specializes in youth support across Cambridge and Somerville. Growing up with family near Davis Square, she is especially passionate about the neighborhood.
With 17 years of outreach experience and two years of employment at Goodwill, Cassie works hard to take care of the people around her.
She sees overlap between her careers, and wants people to know that “we will do anything to help people excel.” Through her outreach work, local parks have become safer for toddlers and young children to enjoy. At Goodwill, she sees that the massive fans are whirring to keep the climate cool enough so people can enjoy their shopping.
As people enter the store, Cassie greets everyone and responds quickly to questions with ease. She is mindful of people’s attitudes when they walk in and says that boundaries are critical when working with others. The best way to help someone is to be aware of them, to “know who’s on your left and on your right.” Cassie declined my offer for a photo, citing her hair. As we said our goodbyes I overheard her co-workers assure her, “You’re Tyra Banks, supermodel!”
Eoin – Bartender, The Burren
Not many people are walking into a bar at 11:30 on a Wednesday morning, but this is how I met Eoin, an Irish national with family in the area who’s been bartending on and off for seven years. He assures me that he’s “not very interesting” but entertains my request for an interview.
An avid “soccer” fan for international and local teams, Eoin spent June in Guadalajara, Mexico, watching a World Cup match between South Korea and Czechia. He and his friends were treated like celebrities by the locals due to their Irish accents and fair complexions.
Working as a bartender in Davis Square, Eoin says, “you meet a lot of people.” (One of the days the most people walk through the door is St. Patrick’s Day – Americans celebrate the holiday more than the Irish do, Eoin says.) When it’s busy, the bar is packed and patrons tend to wave credit cards in his face or try to reach over the counter to grab his attention. “I can see you,” Eoin remarks.
Eoin’s plans for the rest of the summer is traveling home to Ireland. The last time he visited was January. He plans on getting a much-anticipated sausage roll from a “proper Irish deli” and supporting his F.C. team Galway United.
Irish stout fans take note: Eoin strongly endorses The Burren’s Guinness as some of the best he’s had outside of Ireland.
David – Pastor, Somerville Baptist Community Church
Within minutes of entering the Somerville Baptist Community Church, I was sitting in pastor David’s office. I didn’t have an appointment and I was a little nervous. David was welcoming and kind and talked so highly of Davis Square.
For a place of worship to function, the pastor believes “it has to be connected deeply and engage in the community.” Originally from South Korea, David Lee has served as leader of his congregation for 13 years. Though he was born into a conservative Christian home, he felt drawn to the Baptist denomination because of its dedication to action beyond the four walls of church. Summer can be slow, but the SBCC is determined that with daily group meetings and Bible study as well as summer camp.
While we talk, David periodically turns the air conditioner on and off. He’s grateful that the church is a more recent build, dating to 1977. Many churches in New England are revered for their age but require intense upkeep and maintenance for the same reason. Thanks to modern central air, everyone can stay cool and comfortable – a relief for pastor David, who would rather spend time with his congregation than building maintenance. “I’m good with my heart, not with my hands.”
