At Mike’s Donuts, I often hear interesting tales, and I was all ears when my friend, Jim McGonagle, a former Mission Hill boxing great, reminisced about meeting Jim Thorpe in 1950 at Mechanics Hall.
Mechanics Hall was a large auditorium at 111 Huntington Ave. that hosted many events, including sportsmen’s shows – boat-and-auto shows – and it was utilized as a convention center. Mechanics Hall was razed in 1959.
McGonagle is 85 but looks like he could still spar a few rounds. As a youngster he was thrilled to meet the famous Thorpe, who McGonagle said was a nice man wearing a large feather perched atop his soft hat.
In 1919, Thorpe batted .327 for the Boston Braves. 1919 must have been a great year for Boston baseball fans, one could watch Thorpe play in the outfield at Braves Field or a few miles away see Babe Ruth perform at Fenway Park.
The Yellow Door Taqueria was packed with cordial well-wishers for a ‘meet and greet’ with our newly elected Boston City Councilor Henry Santana, who grew up in Mission Hill.
I enjoyed chatting with Chrissy Dwyer, Laura Adams, and my former Tobin Court neighbor, Tricia MacDougall, who looks gorgeous. Tricia’s son, City Councilor John Fitzgerald, also attended the event.
Other faces in the Yellow Door crowd who help make Mission Hill a wonderful place include Pat Flaherty, Mitch Hilton, Jim Burke, Courtney Wright, Dermot Doyne,Toni Ann Komst, Michel Soltani, Adam Sarbaugh, and Mary Ann Nelson .
I had a nice time at the Tobin Gym being among the ‘Senior Celtics’ last month. The event was sponsored by the New England Baptist Hospital. My eyes lit up when on the big screen appeared black-and-white video of the Bill Russell and the Cousy Celtics from the ‘50s. There was also an exercise session in rhythm to lively music that I avoided, and thanks to the Solid Ground Cafe for preparing the fine lunches.
The Mission Hill Post 327 held a meeting last month at Victory Point Restaurant in Quincy, our first gathering since winter.
The Mission Hill Post advocates for all veterans and the Mission Hill community. Anyone interested in joining the M.H. Post may contact our Commander, Col. George Rollins, 703 209 2124.
I stopped by J.P. Licks at Brigham Circle last month to say hello to our District 8 City Councilor Sharon Durkan. Sharon, as she often does, was conversing with her Mission Hill constituents.
Good luck to charming Nora O’Keefe who is training hard for the upcoming Boston Marathon. Nora is running to raise funds for youths at Camp Shriver at UMass at Amherst. Nora has the Mission Hill lineage, being the granddaughter of our beloved and famed Donnie “Yogi” O’Keefe.
Boston Police Officer Mike O’Rourke, our Mission Hill police liaison, visited the Charlesbank Cooperative at 650 Huntington Ave. for a helpful question-and-answer segment with a roomful of senior citizens. Boston Police Officer Carina Shepard and Community Service Officer Nadeia Faustin also participated in the discussion, which included street-crime prevention and the rising number of telephone scams.
Also at Charlesbank Apartments, where I reside, I joined my neighbors having a cup of tea in the Community Room last week. Thanks to Barry Twomey for arranging the event in conjunction with N.N.N. (Neighbor to Neighbor Network).
Barry coordinates the N.N.N., which provides numerous benefits to Charlesbank residents, including transportation to medical appointments.
There will be a fish dinner at the Mission Church Parish Hall on Saturday, April 27, hosted by Father Dabney and Father Yvon. This is a fundraiser for needy families and the price is $12 and $7 for kids. April 20 is the deadline for tickets.
Mission Hill Little League President Dan Weldon is enthused about the upcoming season. This is the 71st year of the league.
To register click mission-hilllittleleague.org. Registration is free, and as the glove said to the ball, ‘catch you later.’
Maurice can be reached at mossymartin2@gmail.com