THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, Fabruary 11, 2022 Page 9 MALDEN: TODAY | FROM PAGE 6 11. I respect people who...are truthful. 12. The best thing anyone has ever said to me is... “You can do it, Betty!” 13. I am happy when...I am with my family. 14. I find watching animal videos funny/hilarious. 15. I am named after…no one in particular. 16. I have one child, a daughter. 17. The farthest I’ve ever been from home is...sunny Florida. 18. My special talents are...putting stuff together. 19. I have two pets (cats). 20. I never played sports as a youngster. It is said in Malden today, tomorrow and yesterday... Very sad to see that they tore down the old Blue Star building. Watched the Red Sox win Game 1 of the 1975 World Series, 6-0, there at a corner table on Route One’s first big-screen TV. In 1990 I discovered Preacher Jack there as he held residency on Sunday nights. Disappointing to see such a cherished relic from our past gone – a place where the soundtrack of our younger days was played out. Very happy to report that Exchange Street has not been dug up and haphazardly put back together in nearly two months! Miracles do happen! Insert smiley face. On deck must be Highland Avenue! Looks like they tore it up, went to lunch and forgot to put it back together again after said lunch. Good grief, what a mess! I am fit as a fiddle (thank you to all who reached out to me) and ready to get back to bringing you all the Malden news that is vital to your existence – more hard-hitting questions lobbed at local pols and more updates on the best cemetery director in the Commonwealth, Jimmy “Stinger” Cahill. “The Beast That Ate Maplewood Square” has an insatiable appetite and is apparently, heartless. Stay tuned for the next episode of what will “The Beast That Ate Maplewood Square” eat next. “What you are about to read is a matter of human record. Explain it: we cannot. Disprove it: we cannot. We simply invite you to explore with us the amazing world of the Unknown ... to take that One Step ... Beyond.” Newly retired Betty Christie is one of the last Maldonians that can brag they worked in all four City Hall buildings. Betty started in 1974 at the original City Hall on Main Street next to “Jack in the Box.” If those walls could talk! Mark Twain spoke there. Not at Jack in the Box, the old City Hall, I mean. Lawbreakers languished in prehistoric jail cells. Otis Campbell sleeping one off in the Mayberry jail it was not. When the “Beast That Ate Pleasant Street” reared its ugly head in the middle of Pleasant Street an extra five minutes were added to Betty’s commute. A disaster for the public and employees alike the moment doors opened. Malden even survived the “glory hole” days. “The Beast That Ate Pleasant Street’s” days were numbered, though. Maldonians waited patiently for Gary “The Beast Slayer” Christenson to walk through that door and “tear that building down.” City Hall scattered at that point, with Betty taking up residence at 110 Pleasant St. until 215 Pleasant St. opened its door. That was Betty’s long, strange trip. True story. Yet more “Musings” from the inimitable pen of the late John O’Brien, whose wit and wisdom endeared him to generations of Malden High School students, Maldonians and faculty members at MHS Here are a few more witticisms (with 1974 in mind) from his iconic “Musings” column taken from a biweekly newspaper called the “Malden Sun-Times” (their motto: “In Malden for Good”) SUPER BOWL SUNDAY FEBRUARY 13 LOCAL DELIVERY SERVICE AVAILABLE (Weather permitting) WE SELL CIGARS & ACCESSORIES from 1974 (in honor of Betty and Tricky Dick): • “Nixon was caught between the house brokers and the housebreakers.” • “Nixon had the fix on.” • “Truman said, ‘If you can’t stand the heat, get out of the kitchen.’ Milhous changed that to: ‘If you can’t stand the smell, get out of the bathroom.’” • “The Red Sox could use Milhous as a first base coach. He ought to be good at stealing signs.” • “Oh, say can you see by the dawn’s early light what strange creeps we did find in the Watergate building.” • “Milhous admits he is not gregarious and denies that he is nefarious.” • “Maybe the Milhous Library could be built on Alcatraz.” • “Milhous hopes his fellow Americans are fallow Americans.” • “Where were you in the Watergate, daddy.” “This is the end, beautiful friend, this is the end, my only friend, the end” – get well soon to the “gregarious one” Kevin Alkins. By the time this appears in print the “Big Dog” will probably be up and around doing what he does best. Wise guys out there may snidely remark, “What exactly does he do best?!” To the haters out there, Kevin, I say, we know. All of Malden knows my friend. And we love and respect you for that! Get well, my friend with the huge personality, not only because you promised me some nice Malden Police swag, but because I miss you barking out for all to hear, “Don’t stand around, buy a round!” Postscript: In memory of Elizabeth Christie…Clarence to George in “It’s A Wonderful Life” – “Strange, isn’t it? Each (wo) man’s life touches so many other lives. When (s)he isn’t around, (s) he leaves an awful hole, doesn’t (s)he?” 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut St. We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 At this time, the state requires everyone to wear masks We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! PUBLIC SKATING SCHEDULE 12-8 p.m. Sunday Competitive Prices On All Brands, Good Selection R.Y.O. Buy Cigars by the Box & Save! * Travel Humidors * Desk Top Humidors * Many TOBACCO ----------TUBES Types of Lighters * Ash Trays * Juuls * Vapes * Glass Pipes * Rewards Program * CBD Infused Products * VARIOUS GIFTS UNDER $30 - GIFT CERTIFICATES A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 STORE HOURS: Monday - Saturday: 8 AM - 7 PM Sunday & Holidays: 8 AM-6 PM Monday Tuesday $9.00 Price includes Roller Skates Rollerblades/inline skates $3.00 additional cost Private Parties 7:30-11 p.m. $10.00 Price includes Roller Skates Adult Night 18+ Only Wednesday Thursday Friday Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Private Parties Private Parties 4-11 p.m. Saturday 12-11 p.m. $9.00 $9.00 Everyone must pay admission after 6 p.m. Sorry No Checks - ATM on site Roller skate rentals included in all prices Inline Skate Rentals $3.00 additional BIRTHDAY & PRIVATE PARTIES AVAILABLE www.roller-world.com
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