THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 17, 2023 Page 7 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 my “to read” list but I get tired even thinking of all the hard work she put into it – like she does for all her work. Keep up the great work, Ms. Babitskaya. • I ran into recently retired City Clerk Greg Lucey, and he already looks 10 years younger! Also looks like he can still play a solid centerfield for the Devir Park Outreach League Softball Champions of 1973! Stay well, Greg. • You would think that after what feels like 100 years in business the Big A would lose a little off its fastball. Happy to report, not so. The chicken parm on a braided roll (onions, hots, extra sauce, extra grated cheese – with provolone, of course) was out of sight, man! A submarine sandwich fit for a king! • Back to Dom’s Sausage after a long hiatus and was amazed at how good it looks. Also love the prepared food section (the beef stew is really good). Had a bowl of chicken soup and a steak tip sub (medium well, grilled onions and hots) – boffo, as usual – even if it did cost me an arm and a leg. • You think Pisa Pizza is a onetrick pony? Think again! Ever had their Grilled Paninis, Specialty Wraps or Jumbo Wings? You should! Really yummy! Forgetaboutit! • From Jacob Rodney Cohen aka Rodney Dangerfield: “Yeah, I know I’m ugly. I said to the bartender, ‘Make me a zombie.’ He said, ‘God beat me to it.’” • Speaking of Pisa Pizza, who remembers the “Ladies Entrance/Invited” sign on the side door of DeMarco’s Cafe? Not the front door, the Charles Street side door. • The late Richie Cremone brought joy into many people’s lives – and he was known to have brought much joy into his own life (insert smiley face). But did you know that his greatest joy (ever) was being “Papa” to Mollybeth, Johnny, Toni Marie, Ellie, Josie and JJ, whose love for him they will forever hold in their hearts? • Jimmy Damiano left the building three years ago. Doesn’t seem possible. We go back to Ms. Pearo in the third grade. We kept China Garden in business for many years starting the day they opened their door in 1978. Also, in ’78 we sat in box seats together as Bucky (expletive deleted) Dent broke our hearts. We went from playing baseball on Bruce Field at Devir Park as preteens to owning the Bandstand as young adults. Point being we were thick as thieves, and I miss the big slug. • “Keeper of the Linden Flame” Chris Moro hit one out of the park last September with his salute to Malden’s “redheaded stepchild,” Linden. His Part 2 was smashing also, wasn’t it?! • Now I feel old: Kevin Killion (Malden Police Officer) and Lillian Nardone (Treasurer’s Office) – retired! Lil I can sort of understand because we’ve known each other since around the second grade or so, but Kevin? He was a youngster at Devir Park when my crew was on the Bandstand drinking Schlitz and Boone’s Farm. That one hurt. All the best to you both in retirement. • Bad enough Everett’s been stealing our best (young) athletes for the past 25 years or so! Now we got West Peabody luring our most gifted athletes (of yesterday) to the bucolic countryside just north of Lake Street. Spotted recently at the Big Y in W. Peabody were Eddie Wilcox, Jared Freni, John “Doc” Doherty, Mike Ploumbidis, Steve Craven, Arthur Carbone and the 1979 Sam Aliberti Trophy winner, Joey Peluso. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character “Columbo” would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – sighs of relief were heard from Devir to Pleasant Street and from corner to corner throughout Edgeworth upon hearing news that Ward 2 Councillor Paul Condon (aka “Hoss”) would once again run for the Ward 2 Council seat. After much anguished thought, after much gnashing of teeth, Paul determined that public service is his lifeline. That it was preordained for him to do good for his constituents in Ward 2. Thank the deity of your choice that we have in office – for at least another two years – the voice of reason and sanity. Common sense and the art of compromise, wherefore art thou? You don’t have far to look; he lives on Gale Street, tends bar at the IACC, is stone-cold Edgeworth, was a boss athlete growing up and loves children and puppies. Best of luck, Paul! Edgeworth has your back, as always. Postscript 1: Happy Valentine’s Day birthday wishes to the love of my life, my threeyear-old granddaughter, Lana. I smile just writing your name. Love you, Lana. Postscript 2: Breaking news... on Saturday, February 11, the Honorable Gary Christenson, Mayor of Malden, recognized Joe Levine, Dana Brown, Paul Joyce and Danny Gilligan for creating, developing and growing the Malden Youth basketball program – a much-deserved honor for all four gentlemen. Congrats, guys, all your hard work will be felt for generations to come. —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. J oin Faten Shelbayeh, owner and manager of We Care Elderly Care Services, LLC and author of “You Care, We Care: Stop Elder Abuse,” for an engaging discussion on senior care and how to address the unfortunately growing trend of elder abuse in our society. The author talk will be on Thursday, February 23 from 6-7 p.m. at the Malden Public Library (36 Salem St., Malden). MA. Books will be available for purchase at the event. For more information call 781-3240218 or email info@maldenpubliclibrary.org. Advocate for elderly care services to speak at Malden Public Library Mackey & Brown Attorneys at Law * PERSONAL INJURY * REAL ESTATE * FAMILY LAW * GENERAL PRACTICE * PERSONAL BANKRUPTCY * CIVIL LITIGATION 14 Norwood St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (617) 387-4900 Fax: (617) 381-1755 WWW.MACKEYBROWNLAW.COM John Mackey, Esq. * Katherine M. Brown, Esq. Patricia Ridge, Esq. 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
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