sister). May her memory be a blessing. • Somethin’ tells me we’re into something good...way to go, Ferryway Green! The facelift you so richly deserve is finally in the works. Some clever give and go along with some deft footwork has the Green on schedule to bring back somewhat of the old luster that we remember so fondly. From what I hear on the street, teamwork and cooperation between all parties involved put this baby on the fast track, and from what I also have heard, for what we used to call “the nice price.” Congratulations, Malden, for working together (key word, together) to get this thing done for the good of the children of Malden. Shame we can’t make it this simple all the time. Darn shame! • As Malden Parking Director/ CFO/Culinary Artist Ron “Hulk” Hogan put it so succinctly last week, there’ll be no Stephanie Muccini Burke walking through those doors anytime soon (yes, I know I’ve gone to that line quite a bit lately, last time, promise). Stephanie retired recently after giving her heart and soul to her adopted city, Malden, as the ARPA Director/maven. The former mayor of Meffa worked her craft in Malden city government basically behind the scenes, but her contributions were invaluable and will be felt within these here five square miles for years to come. My best takeaway at her retirement gathering at Exchange Street Bistro (loved the ESB pork sliders, by the way): Stephanie says to me, “Peter, if you played Judy Collins’ version of ‘Send in the Clowns’ one more time today in the office I was walking out there and strangling you!” Love it, Stephanie. The office won’t be the same without you. All the best to you and your wonderful family in the future and don’t be a stranger! • Fascinating tale of yesterday Maldonia brought to life for you by John Montecalvo, who is just killing it on Facebook with his daily Maldonia history lesson: “Here’s one, Al’s Pool Room, upstairs on the corner of Pleasant Street and Commercial Street (very close to Bay Bob Esposito’s house). Spent many afternoons perfecting my billiard game there. Got to see Willie Mosconi play on those tables and learned how to ‘masse’ from the new(est) owner Ronnie L, who incidentally was an avid motorcyclist. The (alleged) Boston Strangler, Albert DiSalvo, also played pool there when he was a kid. He lived on Florence Street and got pretty good at pool and billiards all the while learning a lot about ‘street smarts!’” • One Salem Street. What more can be said? It’s always sad when we lose an iconic architectural landmark such as this building. If you attended M.H.S., One Salem, Joe & Nemo’s, Bakers, the Converse Memorial Library, First Baptist, the Davenport Estates, Brigham’s, Jack Haney’s Café and “Butchie” directing traffic at the crossroads of Salem, Ferry, & Main are imbedded in your Maldonia memory bank. Time marches on, though. It is almost certain that if the building could have been saved it would have through the indomitable spirit of unsung Maldonia hero Barbara Tolstrup. Barb fought the Malden preservation good fight for 50-plus years, making sure we didn’t bulldoze our past into the dusty history bins (hope you are well, Barb, we’re all thinking of you). With that said, let’s now all put our collective good vibes together and try to save 15 Ferry Street from destruction. The absolute best thing for the future of Malden has 15 Ferry Street still standing, somewhere. With that said I look forward to what lies ahead with whispers of a developer having interest. These are the best of times in Malden if we keep an eye on our past as well as our future. • Good golly, Miss Molly! How ’bout the Willow Tree in the middle of the pond at the Forestdale Cemetery all lit up and looking like a picture postcard from the back country in the wilds of Vermont! Way to go, Chris Rosa! • Great to see Malden Compliance Officer (and former Malden Constable on Patrol) Dave Morse out and about and doing his Malden compliance thang! Best of luck and best of health, my friend! • Ya never know which Maldonian yer gonna run into at the Big Y in Peabody...Valerie Carmody, step right up. My newest Facebook friend joins the roster of Big Y alum along with Danny Rao, Joey Peluso, Doc Doherty, Eddie Wilcox, Pam DeGroot, Arthur Carbone, Lisa Spadafora Solis and Steve Craven as MaldoTHE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 7, 2025 nians I’ve run into in the boffo vegetable section at the Y! • The dark days of winter make me yearn. Yes, they have a way of tugging at the inner sanctum of the heart and making one wish for one last night of laughter – at me, at you, at Pete Robby, at anybody that happens to line up in your field of vision. Richie Cremone, you were one of a kind. I know that may sound cliche but damn it, if you knew Richie, you know of what the heck I speak of. Page 7 And most of all, I miss your chicken soup. I really do. Said with love and reverence, of course. Love and miss ya, dude. • Jimmy Cahill, Sandy Koufax, Tommy “Fudd” Proctor and former President George W. Bush walk into a bar...well, they didn’t walk into a bar, but they did meet up at a golf course in Kennebunkport, Maine, and touched each other’s heart and soul for a moment in time. Well, Stinger and Fudd’s heart and soul at least. Don’t believe me? I’ll publish the picture in the very near future. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – howdy! I’m The Old Ranger, Peter F. Levine, and Malden is my old stampin’ ground. Manys the tale of adventure I’m going to tell you about my hometown of Maldonia – true stories, mind you. I can MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 18 If We Happen To Meet By Accident ... You’ll Be Glad You Found Us! There is a difference between the rest and the BEST! Celebrating 46 Years In Business! TONY’S AUTO BODY Call or Visit 781-321-0032 34 Sharon Street Malden, MA 02148 TONYSAUTOBODYLLC.COM COME VISIT OUR STATE OF THE ART BODY SHOP • Computerized Paint Matching (State of the Art Spray Booth) • Computerized Frame Machines • P.P.G. Refinishing System • R134 + 1234yf A/C Machines Fully Insured -RS2415 Insurance Company Approval ALL OUR WORK IS GUARANTEED! TONY BARTOLO Owner 46 Years Let Us Handle Your Next Insurance Claim. Go With the BEST It Doesn’t Get BETTER! RENTAL CARS Available
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