Seana Gaherin, Jerry Reilly, Mary Mazzio
Village 14’s own Jerry Reilly was appropriately anointed “Serial Instigator” when he received one of two Commitment to Community Awards at the 100th annual Newton-Needham Chamber’ s Achievement Breakfast this morning.
Mary Mazzio, CEO of 50 Eggs, Inc., presented the award to Jerry, referring to him as “a freelance software engineer by profession and a serial instigator by personality.”
Since moving to Newton Upper Falls just six years ago, Jerry’s been unstoppable creating and producing various Newton community activities, events, and institutions, including:
- Cofounding and producing the annual Feast of the Falls — a sit down, Tuscan-style catered, free, gourmet dinner – that’s served to 350 Upper Falls residents at one extraordinarily long table at Hemlock Gorge.
- Cofounding and producing the Newton Nomadic Theater – an acclaimed roving theater company that has produced four quality theater productions in the past two years as well as multiple “Nomad Story Slams,” nights of community storytelling
- Founding the “Tour de Newton” – Newton’s now annual bike tour during which participants of all skill levels leisurely peddle between Newton’s 13 villages.
- Creating the “Upper Falls Eggcelent Breakfast” a combination flash mob/cookout, held annually Newton’s Hemlock Gorge.
- Founding “Upper Falls News,” a neighborhood newsletter
- Blogging relentlessly at village14.com
Referring to what Jerry’s done outside Newton, she drew applause when she mentioned that he was the founder of the infamous Museum of Bad Art in Dedham. He has invented a pinball machine for quadraplegics. Jerry is also notorious for hatching various public art projects to entertain the unsuspecting public, including this past summer’s creation of a massive version of the classic video game Pong that was projected onto a 100-foot high sand dune on a Wellfleet beach that passersbys controlled using bicycle wheels on tripods.
Mazzio said, “As you can see, Jerry Reilly’s community activism often comes with a light-hearted, even mischievous touch. But everything he does is about creating a sense of place and community, about bringing together neighbors, businesses and villages in a city that too often takes itself way too seriously. For his many contributions — and antics — the Chamber presents Jerry Reilly with a 2015 Commitment to Community Award.”
Personally, I like to call Jerry Newton’s own cruise director.
Congratulations Jerry!
Congratulations Jerry!
Jerry, I’ve been a conscious beneficiary of many of your contributions to the community, but this is the first time I’ve learned of your involvement in the institution that elevated my favorite painting to greatness.
Sincere thanks for the hours of laughter in Dedham and Somerville, as well as for the enduring benefits of your endeavors in Newton.
Excellent choice!
I did love getting the award but I particularly liked having it presented to me by the amazing filmmaker Mary Mazzio and my frequent co-conspirator Seana Gaherin.
Thanks Bryan, Jane, and Michael. Michael, I’m pleased that our collection could bring some pleasure to a man of such discerning taste as yourself.
We can’t forget his epic lottery ticket to cruise the Cochtuate Aqueduct April Fools prank!
Congrats Jerry.
I only learned about Jerry’s involvement in the Museum of Bad Art today… I loved that concept.
Congratulations Jerry!
Congratulations Jerry!
Well deserved and well played, sir!
There’s no sense winning an award if you can’t somehow use it to to further your own nefarious goals.
Now that I have all your attention, I’m looking to recruit volunteers to kickstart a long stalled project called “Human Foosball”. In particular, I’m looking for someone with a bit of mechanical engineering skills, a carpenter, and a couple of general volunteers. The project is totally ridiculous, involves hanging children in harnesses on moving steel poles, and has no redeeming social value of any kind. Volunteers should contact [email protected]
+1 Jerry Reilly for using the word “nefarious” correctly in a sentence.
Jerry – Newton became a better place when you moved here! Long may you reign as our serial instigator extraordinaire!
@Gail Spector – Lauren Tewes are some mighty big shoes to fill … but I think I’m up to the challenge. See you all for shuffleboard after dinner on the Waban deck.
congratulations Jerry. I’m in on the human foosball. I have some alternative suggestions for who to suspend in the harnesses. we’ll talk.
Jerry you’ve made Newton a fun place to live – thank you and congrats!
Congrats Jerry!
Tho the foosball thing- how are you going to get the poles through the children? I sense ethical obstacles here.
No worries Doug. Most kids,are,pretty soft and we have power tools.
Congratulations Jerry. It’s amazing the fun and lively community spirit you bring out in Newton – and you’ve done it in 6 years. My family and I enjoy and participate in your varied cultured and wacky contributions, including the Tour, the Nomads, the Stories, the Museum of Bad Art and Pong on the Beach which surprised and delighted my grandsons. Can we clone you in Newtonville?
I particularly like the attitude you bring to your posts on V14. Keep it up Jerry. About the Human Foosball, I love the idea and am waiting to see it come to fruition.
Jerry Reilly. Upper Falls gift to the rest of Newton. I can no longer keep up with or participate in all the things you and Marie have launched over the 4 or 5 years I’ve known you. Thank you for your friendship and all that you do for all of us. Forge ahead.
Jerry, Congratulations! You absolutely deserve this award. You make us get together and laugh as well as enjoy plays in unusual settings. Thank you!
As Marie once told me, Jerry is a Force Of Nature!
Well deserved award.
Congratulations Jerry!!!
I wish you’d come down to my neck of the woods (ward 8) and bring some of that energy with you. Congratulations, again