By Ellen Walker
Special to the Gazette
Mission Hill Main Streets is pleased to announce this year’s 2021 Annual Award Recipients. The “Business of the Year” goes to Boston Building Resources for being innovative, providing great service and stability in the community. “Volunteer of the Year,” for the first time, is awarded to two very special individuals – Alice and Cindy Diggs while the “Golden Broom” goes to Mama’s Place and is given for the cleanest and most welcoming shop. Please congratulate them when you see them!
June was a busy month in Mission Hill for the MH American Legion Post 327 and for Veterans Services. The MH Post generously donated over a 100 pounds of dry goods to both the BCYF Tobin’s John Jackson and to Mission Hill Health Movement’s Mary Ann Nelson. John was able to distribute all the goods within a matter of hours to needy families and seniors in Mission Hill. Colonel George Rollins and the Post members have extraordinarily strong ties and memories to Mission Hill and frequently look for ways to support their old neighborhood. Judging from the conversation and laughter among the attendees at MHMS events, Post members seem to enjoy mingling with each other and the Mission Hill community as there is a visible increase of partici-pants at the annual memorial services and celebrations in Brigham Circle.
On June 26th, Veterans Services dedicated the John Moreau Square before a large crowd of family and friends. The square is located at the corner of Parker Street and Fisher Avenue, a place where the Moreau brothers played as children. As Bob Moreau said, “it is only fitting, John will be here at Fisher forever.” The ceremony included a heartfelt speech by Commissioner Santiago about John and his service to his country, reminding us all that freedom is not free. John’s brother Bob recalled their days of youthful play at this corner and how important it was to all of them but especially John. He is missed every day by his brothers, family and friends. On behalf of Councilor Bok, Emily Brown read the councilor’s remarks and closed with “it means so much to honor this beloved son of Boston.” In John Moreau’s honor, the U.S.S. Constitution Color Guard performed at the service while Taps were played on a 100-year-old bugle by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary member Kimberley Shaw.
The first annual Mission Hill Arts Festival launched on the last Saturday of June and will be running through August 21st. Anibel Cruz, a Cuban pianist and Berklee graduate, performed original works of jazz with a twist that included middle eastern and island influences. It was an uplifting experience and the audience enjoyed asking the musicians several questions. Please go to www.facebook.com/MHArtsFest for more details.
As we enter the hottest Summer months, I encourage you to visit and patronize our neighborhood businesses. This past month, I stopped in at TBaar’s to speak with owner Elaine Huang about her most popular fresh smoothie’s. The Mega C+ Smooth-ie, made with pineapple, grapefruit, mango, orange and banana was so refreshing and paired with their purple sweet potato fries at only $5.49 was perfect! TBaar’s is located at the site of the former Green T Café at 754 Huntington Avenue. Along with the lifting of restrictions and anticipation of students coming back, Mission Hill is alive and well – have a great 4th of July!
“Don’t put a limit on anything. The more you dream, the further you get.” – Michael Phelps gold-medal swimmer