By Mayor Emeritus
Eugene C. Brune

With summer coming, I feel like this is a suitable time to talk about one of my favorite programs and that is the Sunsetters. Our summer program was always one of the hits of the city, thanks to two exceptionally talented guys, Kenny Lonergan, and sad to say now deceased David Testa in running the program. Others. Included, from my office, was Grace Abruzzio to oversee all details with the assistance from Donna Wade, Maureen (Fennessey Bernis, Frank Dillworth, and Paul DiPasquale.

Many of our kids. started out in middle school. and continued throughout high school. Some I do remember were Jill. Doncaster. Michelle Grace. Susan and Mary Beth Mangan, Lisa and Linda Thompson. Pam DiPasquale. Lauren Bakey, Arthur Mahoney, Stephine Leonard, Charline Tierney and so many others that I wish I could remember. Over thirty-five volunteered every summer. During the seventies and eighties Howie Carr was giving Somerville a lot of whacks on the radio, so David Testa decided to write a song just for Howie and the title was called. “Who do you think you are Howie Carr.” It became a great hit at every show, and we also had a fake Boston Herald Newspaper printed with the saying “Who do you think you are Howie Carr” on the front page. I also remember Arthur Mahoney singing the song at every show and he was great. It was even better when we invited Howie to Somerville to watch the Sunsetters and listen to the song. Surprisingly not only did he come, but he also brought his then young daughter. While the Sunsetters was singing his song, his daughter jumped out of her seat and joined the group and whey they sang the words “Who do you think you are Howie Carr they would all point their fingers at Howie, his daughter joined them singing and pointing her finger at her father. Everyone got a kick out of that, as did Howie.

Word got round as to just how good our Sunsetters were, and we were pleased and surprised that then Boston Mayor Kevin White’s office called, asking me if I would bring our kids to Boston and have them put on a noon time show on the Boston City Hall concourse. When we told the kids about the invite, they were so excited as well as I was. The kids did a wonderful job. and they received a great ovation from many of the people in the audience with many of them being from all over the state and country.

That afternoon, I received another call from Mayor White’s office. They wanted to tell me that they received so many great calls from the people who watched the show that the mayor would like to invite the kids back to now perform at Faneuil Hall Market. Once again, they pleased the crowd and received so many compliments.

Later during the week. I received the call from the then Governor Dukakis. Asking me to bring the kids to the statehouse to perform. A large crowd was on hand and all including the governor really enjoyed the show, especially the Howie song.

I want to thank the more than 250 plus Sunsetters, the staff as well as our stagehands, volunteers, supporters, and parents that were a part of our program during my ten years as mayor. You all brought so much joy to the neighborhoods, nursing homes, elderly centers, and to all for whom you perform. I also miss the pizza, and soda parties in my, and other backyards after a performance as well as all the great memories that are hard to forget.

I want to particularly thank Kenny Lonergan and the late David Testa. They both had so much talent. I also allowed them to perform the then major hit musical Jesus Christ Superstar. It was such a great hit that we extended the show for three weeks. Some nights we had crowds of over two hundred people, many from neighboring towns, all sitting outdoors at the city hall concourse. Again, I am pleased that other mayors have continued with the Sunsetters program with the talented Jimmy Del Ponte, who always does a fantastic job. Also, if you investigated our city’s history past and present you would learn of all the great and wonderful talent that we had, and all a part of the wonderful “Spirit of Somerville.”

Note: This, and many other stories are in my book, The Spirit of Somerville, and can be purchased at the Somerville Museum, with all proceeds donated to the Museum.