THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 10, 2020 Page 3 Malden: Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday...saluting Hall of Famer Helen “Nordie” Nordquist By Peter F. Levine A ll-Star Hall of Fame Inductee Helen Nordquist started her Hall of Fame journey at Beebe Jr. High, where from 19441947 she excelled athletically on the playing fields of Malden, in 1947 receiving a Beebe “B” and a certificate for excellence in athletics (the first female ever to receive this recognition at Beebe, by the way)! At MHS she was a three-sport star – field hockey, basketball and softball. In 1950, her senior year, “Nordie” co-captained the field hockey team and received the “Best Girl Athlete” honor and the Kappa Phi Sorority Cup for “the outstanding girl athlete.” From there it was on to the “All American Girls Professional Baseball League,” which is a story that deserves its own space. Which I will provide at a later date. Picked up pieces at the Hall of Fame Banquet... • The Malden High School Golden Tornado Club’s 33rd Annual Hall of Fame Banquet and Induction Ceremony on Sat., Nov. 23 at the Moose Hall was a most special night. The stars came out to see some of Malden High’s best and brightest take their rightful place in MHS sports history. • Athletes, such as Chelsea Choate from the Class of 2006, who took her place right alongside her sister Olivia from the Class of 2001, making them one of the few sister tandems to make the Hall. Congrats ladies! Well deserved! • Bobby McVicar received a hard-earned and way overdue “Distinguished Service Award,” and according to Master of Ceremonies Peter “Panama” Carroll may have had the shortest acceptance speech in the 33year history of the event. Kudos Bobby for (hopefully) starting a new trend. • By the way, Panama did another excellent job moving the night along with that wit and wisdom he acquired hanging around Amerige Park and “Icky’s” as a young one. • John “Cuddles” Willcox from the Class of 1972 was inducted. I had a great conversation with Malden Teen Enrichment Center Director Cathy MacMullin a few days after the ceremony, and she reminisced that when she was young, all the kids in the neighborhood (herself included) wanted to be #23 – Willkie’s number. Cathy mentioned that Willkie’s late mom Eunice would have loved to have been there SNOW BLOWER SALES, SERVICE & REPAIRS Pickup/Delivery Available 781-289-6466 AUTOTECH 1989 SINCE Get Your Vehicle Winter Ready! 2019 Golden Tornado Sports Hall of Fame inductee Helen “Nordie” Nordquist with Sheridan Street’s Jenelle Devits of Malden High School’s Class of 2005. (Courtesy Photo) and was always Johnny’s biggest fan! Cathy is also a member of the Hall of Fame MHS Class of 1977. • Wiston Jeune (looking like a boss with a capital “B” by the way) had the full house laughing out loud during his acceptance speech – a fine young man whom I have written about in the past – from Malden High School Class of 2006 also. • The Moose Hall was full! “SRO” with possibly 250 Malden High School athletic supporters (no wisecracks!) cheering on baseball legend Helen Nordquist from the Class of 1950 all the way to Marcello Prada-Silva from the Class of 2007. Many of those making a ruckus were Willcoxes, Fitzpatricks and Nolans filling table after table in support of the Cuddles Fan Club. • Golden Tornado President Steve Freker gave props to former President Dom Fermano (in attendance with his trusty sidekick Diego Barricelli) with a well-deserved homage as he noted that the club “really took off” when Dom took control those many years ago. • Many athletes and classmates from the Class of ’72 were there in support of one of their own, Johnny Willcox. They (seriously) all looked great still very much active playing golf together a couple times a year to keep in touch. Tommy Restuccia wasn’t there; seems he couldn’t be located – but fear not – I gave his contact info to Peter Mayne, so Tommy, expect a call soon! • Great to see my pal Mike Byrnes at the banquet. For a big guy he was smooth on the hoop court! And smooth in real life also! • Mayor Christenson was (of course) in attendance sitting front and center enjoying every moment of the event. Really enjoying it! Not feigning interest as many pols do as they go through the motions at these sorts of events. As he finished up his (brief) comments he remarked that he “didn’t want to be ‘recalled’ so he was ‘indeed going to be brief.’” “Only thing MALDEN: TODAY | SEE PAGE 6 505 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 Tel: 617-387-1120 www.gkdental.com • Family Dentistry • Crowns • Bridges • Veneers/Lumineers • Dental Implants • All on 4 Dental Implants • Emergency Dentist • Kid Friendly Dentist • Root Canals • Dentures • Invisalign Braces • Snap On Smile • Teeth Whitening We are the smile care experts for your entire family OIL CHANGE SPECIAL Up to 5 Quarts of Oil (Most Vehicles) Includes FREE Brake Inspection & Safety Check Only $24.95 DRIVE IT - PUSH IT - TOW IT! CASH FOR YOUR CAR, TRUCK OR SUV! 2011 FORD F-150 CREW CAB Platinum Package, 4X4, Loaded, Every Option, Clean Title, Only 99K Miles, Trades Welcome! PRICE REDUCED! $18,500 Easy Financing Available! '13 DODGE DURANGO SXT 4X4, Most Power; includes Moon Roof, Premium Sound System, Back-up Camera, 3rd Row Seating, Tow Pkg., Clean Title, Only 92K Miles! TRADES WELCOME! $14,500 781-321-8841 1236 Eastern Ave • Malden EddiesAutotech.com We Pay Cash For Your Vehicle! In House Dental Plan for $399 (Cleanings, X-Rays, Exams twice a year and 20% OFF Dental work) Schedule your FREE Consultations today
4 Publizr Home