Nearly 200 youngsters attended the basketball camp at Madison Park High School last month which was sponsored by Wayne Selden, a pro ball player from Mission Hill. Four gyms were utilized for this terrific event in which the kids received tee shirts and a healthy lunch. Among the volunteers who assisted Wayne was his younger brother, Anthony Selden.
Anthony, a graduate of Gardner-Webb College in No. Carolina is also an excellent player and he will play his final year of eligibility at Rice University this season while earning his Masters Degree. It was nice to see the Selden brothers tutor the kids on the fundamentals of basketball but more important that Wayne and Anthony remember their Mission Hill beginnings.
Thanks to Paula Gately for her 39 years of great work at the Dept. of Youth Services. Paula was accompanied by her many Mission Hill friends at her retirement celebration last month at the Blarney Stone in Dorchester. Paula was a three sport star athlete at Mission High and she is in the UMass Hall of Fame for her prowess on the basketball court.
Paula’s lovely mother, Cathy Clifford Gately worked at the famous Ellies Donut Shop in the 60’s (across from Mission Church), a place I often hung out with my Mission High classmates. I had a nice rapport with Cathy who was always pleasant but firm when it was necessary to oust a few of the disorderly youths.
A few hill happenings will take place Sat., Sept. 30 starting with the Mission Hill Road Race at Fitzgerald Park starting at 9:A.M for pre-regostration [email protected]. Later that day the Mission Hill Post 327 Golf Fundraiser Tournament will commence at 1:P.M.( come early for warmups) at Norwood Country Club. A $10,000 prize will be awarded to anyone who hits a hole in one on the seventh hole.
Skillful Mission Hill golfers Fran Toner and John Nagle have made hole in ones in recent years and long ball hitter Dan Breen also is capable of pocketing the 10 Grand. For information to sign up to play or to sponsor a hole, contact our M.H. Post Commander, Col. George Rollins at 703-209-2124.
The Mark MacDougall Memorial Golf Tournament was held last month at the Easton Country Club. 144 golfers participated in this wonderful event to honor Mark’s memory. I didn’t know Mark but the MacDougalls grew up next to me at Tobin Court and they are the best.
Wedding bells rang for beautiful Kristen O’Neill and Rob Miscavage last month at the Harrington Farm in Princeton, Mass. Kristen’s uncle, Kevin O’Neill officiated over the wedding ceremony. Kevin and the bride’s father, Jack O’Neill are from the Mission Hill project and they were football stars for the great Killilea Club football team. Jack O’Neill looks like he could still put on the football pads.
Thanks to Moemin Eldeb for giving me a delicious bag of his home grown tomatoes last week. Moemin, who often brings his cheerful demeanor to Mike’s Donuts, emigrated from Damitta, Egypt in 1985. He is a hard working man and the proprietor of Nile Painting, a house painting company serving Mission Hill and Jamaica Plain.
Mary Ann Nelson, from the Mission Hill Health Movement did a fine job organizing “The Best Mission Hill Tomato Contest” last week at Brigham Circle, which was won by Bobby Francey. Lydia Pena was the winner in the cherry tomato category. The music at the Tomato festival was performed by “Tokyo Tramps,” a talented duo from the Fenway. While watching the event I was pleased to see the scrubbed area around the Veterans Memorial plaques. Thanks to Bobby Francey for lending a hand in the cleanup. I was sorry to hear of the passing last month of Danny Dykes, a wonderful guy from a terrific Mission Hill family. Danny served in the U.S. Marines after graduating from Mission High in 1964. R.I.P., Danny.
Internationally acclaimed artist Itsuo Kiritani will be at the Milkweed Cafe (1580 Tremont St.) Thur. Sept.14, 5 – 7 P.M. to display his oil and watercolor paintings. Ellen Walker, our former Mission Hill Main Streets Director, will host this free event and there will be a cash bar and hors d’oeuvres.. Parishioners are joyous upon the return of Father Dabney who is the new Mission Church Pastor. Father Dabney had been performing his duties in Washington D.C. for four years and the wonderful priest previously served at Mission Church for 12 years. I was delighted to see our new Pastor and his brother, Richard Dabney last week. After a big hug I asked Fr. Dabney – What do you call a priest who becomes a lawyer? A father-in law. Maurice can be reached at [email protected].