Boston Commoners

Meet Kelsea - beer and snack connoisseur - Kelsea|BrewerybabeKelsea]]]
Born and raised in the south shore, Kelsea is truly the go-to for brewery recommendations in MA. The idea for this page started after her father passed away suddenly. Kelsea and her father were very close, spending up to three nights a week together! As a way to honor his memory, Kelsea continued to go out socially and drink beer, which lead her to discover the absence of women at breweries. This inspired Kelsea to change the narrative that only men drink beer…
Kelsea says she hopes to inspire “more women to get into craft beer”. Working at a brewery herself, she has witnessed the lack of females in the craft beer industry. Kelsea|BrewerybabeKelsea]]] is using this platform to face the paucity of women and craft beer.
As a matter of fact, it was women who began working as chemists for brewing caloric-rich beverages as a way to consume and preserve grains. Much of the iconography we associate with witches today, with the broom and cauldron, emerged from the connection to female brewers.
Kelsea discussed how she became so knowledgeable on beer and being able to cultivate a sophisticated palate for various hops and flavors in craft beer. She explained that she takes note of what she likes and doesn’t like from beers she tastes and carefully reads the description to identify the specific ingredients her taste buds prefer. Kelsea recommends getting a flight at breweries to explore a diversified selection of beers you may have never tried.
Kelsea|BrewerybabeKelsea]]] turned a corner when Kelsea began filing herself trying various snacks! Who doesn’t want to know if it’s worth buying the newest item or how the menu items at a brewery pairs with their beers?! Kelsea and her taste buds will surely inform your next grocery shopping or brewery trip!
Besides the fact that Kelsea|BrewerybabeKelsea]]] is super easy to talk to and you’ll learn a lot about beer, I encourage you all to follow, reach out, and meet up! Kelsea is passionate about her mission to bring more women to the craft beer world and I’m on board!! 🍻 Cheers, Kelsea! Keep doing what you’re doing!
Also, visit for delicious craft beer!

Meet SSgt Tori Glover - a recruiter for the US Air Force - SSgt Tori Glover]]
First and foremost, thank you SSgt Tori Glover]] for your service 🇺🇸 From not knowing much about the process of enlisting into the military, it was eye-opening to hear from the perspective of Glover’s personal experience.
For SSgt Glover, she joined the U.S. Air Force] as an alternative way to finance her education. Born and raised in the south shore, she had goals of moving away and pursuing a college education. Like many, Glover found herself in a predicament when she did not receive the financial aid to support her studies. That’s when Glover sought out a recruiter for the Air Force…
Having family members in the military, Glover already had a base knowledge of what she was signing herself up for. Shortly after competing the documentation, she received the call with her duty - a weather forecaster stationed in Las Vegas.
During the 6 years Glover was working in that position, she was able to narrow her future goals… which no longer included going to college the “traditional” way. Glover continued to work her way up in being able to apply and accept a position as a recruiter for the Air Force, which allowed her and her daughter to move back to Massachusetts to be closer to family. Whilst being active in the U.S. Air Force] Glover was able to complete 2 associates degrees and still plans to pursue a bachelors!
The way Glover discussed her journey since graduating high school brought tears to both our eyes. I found it inspiring how enlisting to the Air Force changed Glover’s course of life, as many other teenagers who may not be able to afford a higher education or who decide not to take the ‘typical’ path in life. From her own experience, Glover takes her recruiting job seriously in understanding one’s motivators for wanting to join the military. It was uplifting to hear how Glover’s recruiter was the pivotal part in her decision to enlist, and now she has come full-circle in being able to be that person for others.
Thank you SSgt Tori Glover]] - keep doing what you’re doing.

Meet Alyssa Zonghetti - entrepreneur, podcaster, and inspirational speaker - Alyssa Zonghetti]]]
Alyssa suggested we meet to support a small business and the different nonprofits that the coffee shop endorses. I point this out because her suggestion was just one example of how Alyssa spreads kindness and inspiration in her everyday.
Alyssa Zonghetti]]] shared the life challenges she has endured that she never expected would later open the doors for entrepreneurship. Alyssa has always been passionate about bringing people together and worked as an event planner for over 20 years. After becoming a widow at age 31 and finding herself looking for connection through the pandemic, Alyssa found how she could strengthen her passion and also help others…
In March of 2020, Alyssa began hosting virtual hangouts for anyone feeling lonely on Saturday nights. The weekly group quickly grew and she recognized that she was not the only one suffering from loneliness during this unprecedented time. That’s when Alyssa founded The Contemporary Connection - a social membership group bringing independent women together.
The Contemporary Connection has reached women globally, providing a space for single and independent women to socialize, network, feel empowered, supported, and ultimately create personal connections. Alyssa is evolving this community with hosting in-person events inclusive for all ages of women!
In addition, Alyssa Zonghetti]]] and host - a “no bull$hit” podcast discussing topics related to empowering women. From relationships and finding your voice to story telling and sharing your passions, this podcast is all about helping you become the true you!! Alyssa Zonghetti]]] stated that she feels empowered to share her personal story and be a voice for those who are quietly going through a similar experience as she did. She is currently writing a book to better illustrate how her life experiences shaped who she is today.
Alyssa, you are so inspiring - I admire your positive energy and the big heart you have for others 💕Please keep doing what you’re doing! Go to thecontemporaryconnection.com to learn more!

Meet Nick Shea - the artist creating $1 drawings -
“By doing what you love, you inspire and awaken the hearts of others.” Nick does exactly that. It was a pleasure to join him on that bench and watched as people stopped by for $1 drawing of themselves. Within one minute, Nick hand draws a charactour with nothing but a sharpie and his stack of index cards. What he does is so simple, yet so powerful…
What some might quickly judge to be a homeless kid trying to make quick money, is actually a creative initiative to spread joy and kindness! Nick reminded me of the simplicity in spreading kindness - for him, it only takes a cardboard box, a and a stack of index cards.
What I found most inspiring was the quick connection he makes with the strangers that approach him. As people stand while Nick draws their portrait, he starts a conversation by asking simple questions like “are you from Boston?” “Do you like to draw?” Within 30 seconds, a deeper conversation is initiated. From learning about others’ interest in art and discussing favorite places to visit in the city to hearing what brought them to the that day or how they committed a murder (yes, true story), Nick is a listening ear. He has a love for spreading positive energy, whether that’s listening to someone vent or providing them a small piece of art on their walk in the park.
Nick started drawing for $1 in 2017 and still finds himself sitting on that bench as often as he can. His goal is continue to do what he loves and hopes to inspire others to do the same. He shared that if he can make one person smile from his drawing, then he had a successful day.
If you don’t see on that bench, you may see him elsewhere in the city drawing architecture or skateboarding the streets. Nick also creates music and has produced multiple albums. Please go visit and get yourself a cute drawing like I did! You can also check out his story written in the
Nick, please keep doing what you’re doing!! ✍️