Hill Happenings

Condolences to the family of Andy Schlehuber, a U.S. veteran of the Korean War who passed away on Aug. 24.

Andy will be missed. He and his wife, Winnifred, raised seven kids on Mission Hill, and he also leaves behind 26 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. 

I fondly recall playing many games of whist with and against Andy at the old Knights of Columbus and at the Mission Hill Post. The stakes were only $1 per game ($2 for a shutout), but the games were intense. 

Andy was smart, and I’m reminded of Edgar Allen Poe when he wrote in 1841; “Men of the highest order of intellect have been known to take great delight in whist.”

The remarkable writer from Boston added: “Funds of information may be derived from observing  opponents’ expressions of certainty, hesitation or trepidation.” 

One night about 45 years ago, Andy and I were partners in a game at the K of C against two other wily players, and I blew the game when I miscounted the trumps. 

After we paid the winners their dollars Andy said, “Mossy, you’re an excellent whist player, except after you’ve had a few beers.” 

R.I.P., Andy.

Two of Andy’s grandchildren, Joe Schlehuber and Drew Schlehuber, who live on Mission Hill, are terrific baseball players who compete in “Next Level Baseball.” I strolled over to Jefferson Park in J.P. last week to watch Joe Schlehuber whiff 13 batters (games are seven innings) in his team’s 7-1 win. Joe, 17 is a senior at Mary Lyon High School in Brighton. 

Drew Schlehuber, 14, is the youngest player on the team and he banged a single to center against a fastball hurler four years his senior. Drew is a ninth-grade student at Boston Latin. 

There has been speculation of eliminating the entrance exam at Boston Latin because of demographic disparities. It would be a mistake to tamper with this prestigious excellent school.

The Mission Hill Post 327 gathered at Victory Point Restaurant in Quincy for a meeting Sept. 15. Our next Post meeting will be Oct. 20. Among the items on the agenda is the Mission Hill Golf Tournament to raise money for veterans, which will be held Saturday, Oct. 23, at the Norwood Country Club. Golf will commence at 1 p.m. preceded by lunch at noon. 

For information, call The Col. at (703)209-2124. 

Betty Veneto was a special guest at the Post meeting. Betty, the attractive proprietor of Ginger Betty’s Bakery in Quincy, is a staunch advocate for veterans, and she is generous with her time and her delicious bakery goods. 

Last month, the Ginger Betty Foundation sent boxes of cookies to our military men and women.  

About 25 years ago Betty and I were teammates on the Mission Hill Liquors Softball team. Betty, who was an All-Scholastic softball player at Quincy High School, was among the premiere second baseman in the Mission Hill Softball League.

I was saddened to hear of the death of Chris Yianasmidis last month. 

Chris was a mainstay in the Mission Hill community for decades as the proprietor of Tremont Pizza. Hundreds of times I chatted with Chris at Tremont, and he always induced smiles with his good nature and his humor. 

Chris was a great guy, and he will be dearly missed.

As of this writing, there is still no verdict in the murder trial of Christian Soto-Olivero of Mattapan, who is accused of killing Mission Hill’s beloved Andrez Cruz. Andrez, the owner of AC Hardware, was shot to death in his store on July 17, 2017. 

Two other suspects in the case will be tried at a later date.. 

There is a large pothole on Tremont Street near Spinney Insurance Agency. Charlie Fernandez, a concerned citizen, has called several times to get this dangerous hole repaired to no avail. Charlie called the Mass. Water and Sewer Department, which in turn told Charlie to call the City of Boston Street Light Dept.

 Charlie, a great guy who loves Mission Hill, is persistent, and he will continue to call until the crater gets filled.

See you at the Golf Tournament.

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