THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 10, 2023 Page 7 Local Artist Focus: Joana Clement By Fern Remedi Brown J oana Clement is a Malden artist who derives much of her passion and artistic knowhow from her childhood in Haiti. As a young person, she observed her mother and aunt making custom clothing, including making small petal embroidery with beads. She was deeply influenced by the artistic nature of her family in all mediums, including arts and crafts, sewing, baking and cooking. As a high school student at Malden High, she felt drawn to taking studio art and ceramics, learning how to observe and follow patterns and shapes through drawing. This passion led her to include these artistic MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 with us…. • Madeline Wong (along with beloved husband William) was the cofounder/owner of the (fabulous) Kowloon Restaurant on Route 1 in Saugus. She passed at age 95 in November of last year, leaving behind a legacy not soon to be matched. Not only for the joy her restaurant brought into thousands of people’s lives (possibly millions at this point), but most importantly - for her six children, 15 grandchildren and 23 great-grandchildren. Her obituary read that “Madeline leaves behind a legacy of caring and love which will inspire generations to come.” Absolutely nothing better than that! • Did you know that late singer Olivia Newton-John’s grandfather – Max Born – is a Jewish Nobel Laureate and one of the founders of quantum mechanics? • Been 11 years now since world-renowned “Grandmaster” Richie Byrnes passed away at 62 years young. Michael’s big brother owned Byrne’s Tang Soo Do Karate Studios in Malden. “Superstar Richie Byrnes” served in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam Era and was personally trained by international wrestling superstar Walter “Killer” Kowalski. • “The Killer” (1926-2008) and his wife Theresa could be found faithfully sitting at a window booth at the old Ferrari’s Restaurant on Eastern Avenue (later home to Jack’s Ristorante) most afternoons enjoying the fine Italian cuisine offered there. The 6' 7", 280-pound “Killer” would greet you like a long-lost friend and hand you one of his (facsimile) signed 5" x 7" photos, of which I have many. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV charJoana Clement forms in her work. In her work at the Malden YWCA, Ferryway School, and at her church, she included arts, crafts and other acter ‘Columbo’ would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – “Malden Musings” menschs for January 2023, please approach the front of the stage… Doncha just love how some Maldonians (without hesitation) step up to the plate and donate their valuable time for a good and worthy cause!? It’s easy to donate money. Try getting people off their comfortable recliners as they sit idly on their “tookus”! Try getting them away from their precious YouTube TV (why is everybody looking at me?!). Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora (Saint Debbie’s hubby) and the most famous Levine of them all – Assistant to the Principal at Malden High School, Barbara Scibelli – spent a recent chilly Saturday night at the Malden Warming Center on Eastern Avenue giving back to the community they love so much and to the less fortunate in Malden that we ignore too much. Both will probably give me a verbal spanking for revealing this. Here goes anyway, they deserve the kudos! Both lead from the heart. Spending time helping others is not a photo op or Facebook post “like” for either one. Not a “me, me, me” or “I, I, I” moment as we witness time to time from some in the community. Both told me they enjoyed every minute of the night. Both say they’ll be back. For this, we thank you... morally, ethically, spiritually, positively, absolutely, undeniably and reliably. Wait, those are lyrics from the Wizard of Oz. Well, you get the idea. Thank you, Barbara and Craig. —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@ aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms. creative activities. Clement was inspired by the Haitian custom of giving flowers to visitors at church as a welcome present – to make people feel valued, loved and welcome – and this led to her development of creating brooches in the shape of flowers, which are on sale at The Gallery@57. If you would like to honor this tradition or just want to give a beautiful gift for the New Year, come to The Gallery@57 (57 Pleasant St., Malden). St. Anthony’s Church Flea Market & Bazaar Saturday, February 11, 2023 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM Featuring Crafts, Nick-Nacks & So Much More! ~ Admission Only .50 Cents ~ For info, call Linda: (781) 910-8615 All proceeds benefit St. Anthony’s Church WE CAN HELP PAY YOUR HEATING BILLS! You may qualify for ABCD’s Fuel Assistance Program and be eligible for as much as $2,200 towards your heating costs (oil, gas, or electric). Maximum benefit is $2,200 Household of 1 = $42,411 Household of 2 = $55,461 Household of 3 = $68,511 Household of 4 = $81,561 Cold days are coming. ABCD’s got you covered. APPLY TODAY! Last day to apply is April 30, 2023 Residents of Boston, Brookline, and Newton: 178 Tremont Street, Boston, MA — 617.357.6012 Residents of Malden, Medford, Everett, Melrose, Stoneham, Winchester and Woburn: 18 Dartmouth Street, Malden, MA — 781.322.6284
8 Publizr Home