THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, January 20, 2023 Page 9 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 3 the best in the future.” Bobby “Jonesy” Jones: “Peter very good commentary of life growing up in Malden. “It was a great time to be young. As for me on a personal note, I was lucky to experience a lot of these diff erent areas of our city. Growing up just east of Malden Sq. on Almont St. off Eastern Ave in a predominantly Jewish neighborhood. But going to Beebe in my Jr. High yrs. Getting to meet guys like you in the Edgeworth area and down at Devir Park for Beebe football practices in ’71 and ’72. Eventually practicing at Amerige Park ’73. It was a culmination of knowing people from diff erent ethnic groups from where I lived. Thanks for the trip down memory lane. Living here in the South now, I am living with a mixture of people from all over the country and the world. Which has opened my eyes to many more experiences that keep coming every day.” Arthur Fullman: “Great writing, Peter. I grew up in Judson Square and then the West End. Worked for a time at Judson Square Pharmacy. Had high school friends from all over the city. Many great memories of school and life in Malden. Practiced law in Malden for 40 years, then 10 more in Lynnfi eld. Interesting to watch the city in transition. Often used Malden as an example in the course I taught for 15 years at Suff olk University Law School on Municipal Law and Public Policy. Thanks for the memories. MHS Class of 1960.” As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character “Columbo” would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – the Blue Star Bar bumper sticker on the back of my Versa has elicited many thumbs up, many smiles and numerous waves since I added it a few years back. But the encounter I had in the recent past with a woman in her early to mid-70s was the most memorable. I only mention this because many of us in Malden hold memories of the Blue Star near and dear to our collective hearts. It was a “rite of passage” back in the day to journey to Route 1, stop at the Blue Star and have lifelong remembrances full of fun memories – a time to forget about everyday life for a moment or two – fun that you could not get in Malden. So, I am on Lowell Street in Peabody when a woman in the car behind me starts frantically waving her arms for me to pull over. I don’t recognize her so I fi gure she must have me mistaken me for somebody else. After a half mile of hi-beams fl ashing, more hand waves and manic honking, I pull into the parking lot of Saint Adelaide’s Church. I am not struck by lightning nor does a tree fall on my vehicle as I pull in the church lot. So that is a good thing – insert smiley face emoji. I roll the window down. So does she. At that point this total stranger goes into the most heartfelt exchange I have had with any person in many years. She became emotional as she told me that my bumper sticker brought back a boatload of unforgettable memories. She thanked me for pulling over and for giving her the opportunity to tell me how “delightful” it was for her to see that memory alive once again. She went on to tell me how she and her friends (100 strong!) would take over the bar on the weekends. How they would dance and laugh all night. How much fun they had listening to the bands. Hanging with the eclectic clientele the BS attracted. How many of those friends are no longer alive. Like many of us she wished she could spend “one more of those nights dancing carefree” – “laughing until it hurt” – to go back when “life was simpler.” I agreed. Total strangers when we met, hugging on departure as if we knew each other forever. Postscript: Congratulations to Maura “Friend of Malden” Healey! Governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Not only because she’s wicked smaht, remarkably successful and extremely aff able but also because she was a professional basketball player! Yes, before she was a law clerk, before she was a junior partner at a prestigious law fi rm, before she was a special assistant district attorney in Middlesex County, she spent some time as the starting point guard for a pro hoop team in Austria: UBBC Wustenrot Salzburg. That is cool. All kidding aside, her hoop cred is impressive, of course, but we are truly fortunate to have an immense talent like Ms. Healey guiding us into the 21st century. Let us count our blessings for her voice of reason – and sanity. Governor Healey’s voice as well as Eddie (Edgeworth’s very own) Markey, Jason Lewis, Steve (Edgeworth’s very own) Ultrino, Kate Lipper-Garabedian and Katherine Clark representing us with honor and dignity. Honor and dignity not to be taken for granted these days. Malden has your back, Governor Healey. All the best from the birthplace of Norman “Spirit in the Sky” Greenbaum. —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to the Malden Advocate. 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