Meet the News Crew

by Michael Caballero

BROOKLINE, MA — Our house communities are shaped by the routines and habits of our members, creating unique cultures within each home. During a recent tour of our Brookline house, program manager Alexae Connor shared a story that captures this well—she mentioned the “News Crew.” Naturally, I was curious.

The News Crew is a group of house members who gather nightly to watch the 10 o’clock news. Currently, it includes Katie Condon, Amber, and Alan Lampert, with Corey Cohen, a founding member, having recently moved. The tradition began casually, as they all enjoyed watching the news together, and evolved into a nightly rotation where each member hosts in their room. Alexae noted they even have a hosting calendar. Though no one remembers exactly when the name “News Crew” began, Alexae and clinical director Ted Cassely both recall the tradition going back years.

The group has a few rules: quiet conversation is allowed during the news, though they save most chatting for commercials, and they’re mindful of noise since it’s a late hour. The News Crew even has an honorary member, Wally (a stuffed Boston Red Sox mascot), for good luck on game days, of course.

Their favorite part? The weather forecast, so they’re ready for the next day. When asked why they love their News Crew, Amber said, “I like hanging out with my friends,” and Alan added, “I like it because I’m not alone; I get to watch it with my friends.”

Since Corey’s move, they’ve settled into Amber’s room—Amber has her chair, Katie the bed, and Alan the desk chair. While currently a trio, they’re open to adding new members. There’s always room for a few more chairs with the News Crew.