The Boston Globe from Boston, Massachusetts • ZNA4

4 Globe Local a 1 6 2 0 1 9 Around Town By Abigail Feldman GLOBE CORRESPONDENT helsea Gaston was studying for a test in 2010 when it felt like the world was falling She recalls people screaming and crying around her, and bodies in the streets, as a massive earth- quake ravaged Haiti, her birthplace. She was only 9 years old. She moved to the United States years later, after her brother died from poor medical care. took so much from she said. feel as though I have been running from there ever since the day of the earth- quake, carrying my story like a Gaston, now an 18-year-old graduate of Lynn English High School, never shared this part of her past until she was inter- viewed for Living in Two Worlds, a program that encourages students to explore their bicultural experiences.

She was one of 18 students representing 12 countries who participated this year. During the film and photo exhibition this past spring, students presented stories of beginning their lives in the United States before an audience of more than 300 people. Some stories spurred laughter, many more tears. talk about this stuff much, but when you see it, it makes you said Titena Tiku, an 18-year-old junior from Ethiopia. Students in the Lynn Public Schools come from 55 countries and speak 37 languages, according to Living in Two Worlds co- ordinator Ginny Keenan.

English is a second language for more than 60 percent of students at Lynn English High School, state data show. The program began eight years ago with a grant from the Cummings Foundation, Keenan said. Each year, 12 students share their stories through short vid- eos, and another six with a photo exhibition. The presentation is followed by a reception dinner with food donated by nearly two dozen local businesses. Many of this students landed in the Lynn public schools before learning any English, making it difficult for them to make friends.

To prepare them to share their stories so open- ly, the administrative coordinator, Tiffany McFarlane, led the students in weekly activities so they could learn about one cultures. Once they were ready to begin their visual projects, Keenan helped the students write their stories through conversations, McFarlane said. From there, volunteer photographers and vid- eographers captured them in their daily lives, supplementing the footage, when possible, with photos from the past. dedication to doing justice to their personal story is what I am always so amazed at how they take such pride in that end product and the whole McFarlane said. Many of the students described hardships rarely known by the average American high schooler.

Some work full-time jobs after school to support themselves and their families. Loneliness was a common theme in the presentations. Tiku said she cried every day when she first moved to the United States from Ethiopia. I came from, we live together, so there is always someone with she said after the presentation. there is no one I hate that part.

I hate being But moments of humor, often full of irony, lightened the mood during the presentation. Moo Soe, an 18-year-old senior who grew up in a Thai refu- gee camp, said school in his old home was very strict. Students wore uniforms and had to clean up classrooms. The conse- quence for misbehaving or failing to do homework was corporal punishment. do not think Lynn English is strict at he said, prompt- ing giggles.

Despite considerable challenges, many students have demon- strated extraordinary diligence in learning English. Some teach themselves through language apps in their spare time. Students also help other non-native speakers by volunteering at the school. A total of 112 students have graduated from the program, Keenan said. Many returned as volunteers the night of the event to serve food and hand out programs.

Keenan said been an honor to help them bring their stories to life. students have taught me much about the world but, even more importantly, about the often unseen strengths and resilience of so many of the students in this she said at the start of the exhibition. approach their challenges with persistence, optimism, and Gaston, who graduated from Lynn English on May 31, plans to spend the next two years at North Shore Community College. She said her time with the Living in Two Worlds program has helped her open up. I can move on from the she said.

have to think about it Abigail Feldman can be reached at abigail.feldman@globe.com. Lynn teens explore new world, and share stories of their past From left: Moo Soe, who grew up in a Thai refugee camp, in the Lynn English High School art room; Chelsea Gaston from Haiti, outdoors at the beach; and Titena Tiku from Ethiopia, on the school steps. Each is one of the 18 students participating in the Living in Two Worlds program at the high school. OLYMPUS GRILLE COHASSET LOCAL FARE By Joan Wilder GLOBE CORRESPONDENT IN CHARGE Thank goodness for consistent neighbor- hood restaurants we can count on to have good food when we want a satisfying meal and have time to shop, cook, or go out. partial to family-run places and the Karavasilis family, who own and operate Olympus Grille, gives families a great name.

Olympus serves the dishes Anastasia Karavasilis grew up eating with her mother and grandmother in Katerini, Greece, and her Boston-born sons, Steven and Jordan, take care of ev- erything else. serve family recipes handed down genera- tion to generation, through my mother and grandmother and her said Steven. One or both brothers has always been at the restaurant when stopped in on occasion over the last five years to get my go-to faves: the avgolemono soup chicken and rice with lemon) and the butter beans. Since branching out lately, discovered how well Olympus does other dishes, too. The brothers always seem to be both efficient and relaxed when tak- ing your order.

They also do hospitable things like throw in some terrific tzatziki (they know you want it) and not mention it. THE LOCALE This is an everyday eatery: The lights have dimmers. Two sidewalk tables, with red umbrellas, how- ever, ratchet up the desirability factor big time, especially since the restaurant is set back well off the road. If crazy about sitting outside, remember Olympus. The 22-seat spot is one storefront in the stretch of good-looking stores and second- floor residences that constitute Old Colony Square at Cohasset Station on Route 3A.

It has eight indoor tables, including two set in nooks next to the front windows. A counter for ordering sits adjacent to a glass cabinet filled with cold sides, and a stainless kitchen extends to the rear where you can sometimes see Anastasia cooking. ON THEMENUOlympus does all the foods expect: wraps, gyros, skewers, fried appetizers, salads, and a different daily entree assigned to each weekday (so if they have stuffed peppers, you know Monday, The aforementioned meaty and mild but- ter beans ($4.69) are huge limas somehow baked to delicious- ness. For a non-meat meal, wonder- ful with another hot side, the tourlou a rustic, baked dish of large hunks of eggplant, carrots, zucchini, on- ion, potatoes, and garlic in olive oil. En- trees are served with your choice of hot sides, all five of which are wonderful, and an iceberg Greek salad (feta, olives, grape tomatoes, red onion) with a dressing I love, but good olive oil and vinegar on the tables.

(Iceberg gets a bad rap, but I like it because it holds up well and delivers some crispy rawness to your meal.) We enjoyed the grilled shrimp skewers with rice ($16.69) and ordered the roasted potatoes (quartered, peeled potatoes seasoned with a bit of lemon and olive oil) to go with the good grilled chicken skewers The Karavasi- (vegan) grape leaves ($4.59) are lovely bundles of tangy leaves enclosing creamy herbed rice. special the ten- der baked lamb ($18.59) is served with home-style green beans in a light tomato sauce and moussaka ($14.99) is to die for: a square serving of the mouth-watering eggplant and ground beef casserole, with sauce, topped with whipped potatoes. Absolutely try it. Olympus Grille, 132 Chief Justice Cushing Highway, Cohas- set, 781-923-1917, www.olympusgrille.com. Joan Wilder can be reached at joan.wilder@gmail.com.

Olympus Grille is an ode to family JOAN WILDER FOR THE BOSTON GLOBE A Cohasset neighborhood stalwart the Olympus Grille. JORDAN KARAVASILIS Tourlou, baked vegetables in garlic and olive oil. JORDAN KARAVASILIS special moussaka is to die for. GLOUCESTER Life in Pieces: Painting with the first public exhibition of Rockport mixed-media artist Stephanie sculptural and eclectic collection, is on view at Cape Ann Museum, 26 Pleasant through Sun- day, July 7. The works are made with everything from colored glass and ceramic shards to bits of clothing and old typewriter keys.

A gallery talk by Cole takes place Satur- day, June 22, at 11 a.m., with registration required. For gal- lery hours, admission fees, and more information, call 978-283-0455 or visit capeannmuseum.org. GROVELAND Bring up to three treasures to be ap- praised for $5 per item at the Groveland Historical third annual Antique Appraisal Road Show on Thursday, June 20, from 6 to 9 p.m., at Wash- ington Hall, 101Washington St. The event is open to the public with no admission fee, and refreshments will be served. For more information, contact Claire Walsh at SOMERVILLE Summertime in Somerville kicks off with the annual Family Fun Day on Saturday, June 22, from noon to 4 p.m.

at Trum Field, 1 Franey Road. Free program- ming includes a community barbecue, train rides, chil- activities, face painting, and music. On Thursday, June 27, live entertainment at Trum Field will begin at 6:30 p.m. and lead to a 30-minute fireworks display at approxi- mately 9:15 p.m. The full events lineup is available at somervillema.gov.

STONEHAM In honor of Fa- Day, dads enjoy free ad- mission on Sunday, June 16, from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at Stone Zoo, 149 Pond St. Stop by the white-cheeked gibbon exhibit to visit dad Kien and his offspring Jian, as well as a new baby born last November. Then give back at A Wild Af- fair, the 15th annual fund- raiser for ages 21 and older, on Saturday, June 22, from 5:30 to 9 p.m., at the zoo. For tickets and more information, call 617-541-LION or visit zoonewengland.org.

CINDY CANTRELL Send items at least two weeks in advance to ZOO NEW ENGLAND In honor of Day, dads enjoy free admission on June 16, 10 a.m. to 6 p.m., at the Stone Zoo in Stoneham. STEPHANIE COLE Wake the is among the works featured in Life in Pieces: Painting with MARK YOUR CALENDAR EVELYN DE LEON JESSA HATTABAUGH.