By Ellen Walker
Special to the Gazette
Halloween On the Hill was a “screaming” success! The event attracted hundreds of families from Mission Hill and surrounding neighborhoods. What I love about Halloween is the smiling faces while seeing young and old from the same household in a festive mood. From the infamous “haunted yard” to the Red Sox well-loved mascot Wally, there was something for everyone. Pony rides, face-painting and balloon hats at the Tobin, Mission Hill Health Movement offering pumpkin decorating and several Mission Hill restaurants and businesses on Tremont Street participated in the candy scavenger hunt. The Tobin Community Center does a wonderful job creating this annual event for the local community and families. Let’s face it, who can turn down a Snicker’s or KitKat!
Who shows up on Sunday mornings to pick up trash and give back to the community? Could it be the Community Ambassadors from Northeastern University (NU)? It is! Back in 2011, NU created the “Breakfast Club” a group of students who teach their peers respect for the community they live in. Several of these students come from out of state and are living in an inner city for the first time. Being a part of the club gives those students an opportunity to learn and be physically engaged. The Breakfast Club members are out, rain or shine, making a positive impact on the community, building relationships and understanding what it means to be a part of “good neighbor actions.” Their time as Community Ambassadors will certainly be one of the most memorable experiences they will have at NU. For eight weekends a year, twenty or more students gather in Mission Hill (and Fenway) totaling 150 volunteers working to keep our neighborhoods clean. Every Spring, the Breakfast Club connects with local groups like the Mission Hill Community Gardens to prepare the gardens for the season ahead. Mallory Pernaa, NU’s Associate Director of Student Affairs, and her new associate Corinne Condon have 15 years of experience between them in working with student off campus housing, commuters and resident living as well as community engagement. If you want to participate, please email [email protected].
MHMS appreciates the efforts of the Community Ambassadors and sincerely thanks President John Aoun and the forward-thinking department of City and Community Engagement for these efforts. Mission Hill Main Streets has enjoyed this partnership for the past several years and hopes to continue do so for many more.
Mike’s Donuts, Maria Weinograd, and Boston Police Department’s B-2 Community Officer Mike O’Rourke hosted “Coffee with a Cop” in October with several officers in attendance and lots of Mike’s Donuts customers stopping in for a quick chat and a cup of hot, delicious coffee. A fantastic way to connect with the community! You may also see Captain Dennis Cogavin getting his daily 10,000 steps in as he walks the streets of Mission Hill greeting residents and meeting new people each day.
This great City of ours has been a fulcrum of change for years and, most recently, in our Mayoral race. We knew Boston was making history with the first female Mayor candidates and it was a race well run. MHMS congratulates and welcomes our new Mayor Michelle Wu. As one of the 20 main street organizations, we look forward to working with the new administration.
On another note, many of you may have noticed the “Flags of Mission Hill” beginning to look a little faded and worn this past year. Thanks to the generosity of the Post, we have a new set of American flags to install in the neighborhood next year!
Mark your calendars! In 2022, MHMS will celebrate 25 years in the community. We are planning a memorable event highlighting our growth, community changes and the history of this exciting city neighborhood. MHMS is planning a series of events on September 10, 2022, to celebrate. Keep watching our social media posts and reading our Mission Hill Gazette articles as we bring you updates.
“When you are in doubt, be still, and wait; when doubt no longer exists for you, then go forward with courage.”
– Chief White Eagle, Ponca, Native American politician and American Civil Rights leader who served as the hereditary chief of the Ponca from 1870 to 1904.