Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, February 24, 2023 ~ Malden Musings ~ Bob Rotondi Speaks By Peter Levine I t’s Bob Rotondi’s world, we just live in it. Let’s take a few moments out of our busy lives to take a stroll down Malden Memory Lane. It’s a glorious trip, a trip that is remembered fondly by those who took the original one but a trip that could be of equal joy to those amongst us that have recently chosen Malden as their home. The memory bank overfl ows – the past vivid – with each Maldonian capturing in their mind’s eye their own unique journey from their own unique corner of the world. God’s country: Malden, Mass. With each passing day we lose yet another voice of those whose (oral) histories need to be remembered. There are “8 million stories in the Naked City” with Richie Cremone, Dee Carter, Phil Longo, Neal Spadafora, Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? Call Dennis at (857) 249-7882 for details. Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com Pete Trabucco, Jim Conway, Bill Mini, Hank Pitts, Brendan Duff y taking about 200 million stories with them when they left us. With that said, I ain’t saying Bob Rotondi is ready to meet his maker – Bob is in it for the long haul (tough like one of those well-made Rawlings baseball gloves!). I’m just saying as a community we need to hear more from him – and more from men of a certain age – just like Bob (insert smiley face). I bring to you a wonderful communication from Bob. Bob is a loyal reader of this column, and I am always gobsmacked when I hear from him, whether it is to enlighten me (again) or to just let me know that I got it fl at out wrong (again). He’s there for me. For that, I thank you, Sir. Let’s have at it: “Pete, when Neal Anderson retired from the City Council, you wrote of the many years of public service he had accumulated. Many, many, years indeed. Truly one of Malden’s legends. An articulate, aff able, giant of a man. To this day Malden’s fi rst choice to emcee an event. But hark! I'm challenging the Honorable One in years of service. Right here, right now. Going back to the Jurassic Period (1969), Mayor [Walter] Kelliher appointed me to the Recreation Commission then I was re-appointed by Mayor [Jim] Conway. Mayor [Tom] Fallon followed. Then Conway again. Mayor [Ed] Lucey then re-appointed me followed by – the mayor with the sharpest elbows at the old YMCA – Richie ‘Ace’ Howard. In 1997, Mayor Howard appointed me to the Redevelopment Authority Board of Directors. Our current Mayor, Gary (“The Beast That Ate Pleasant Street” slayer) Christenson has re-appointed me ever ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS....Nice Colonial offers spacious kitchen with maple cabinets, granite counters, office area, living room with wood flooring and full bath on first floor, two spacious bedrooms and full bath on second level, mudroom, great side deck, fantasic wrap-around, enclosed porch, storage shed with electricity, updated heating system, driveway and kitchen (10 years old), lovely yard, split rail fencing, 4 car driveway, close to Saugus Center. Offered at $499,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com future of 414 class members “in a way the students continue to pay forward, 34 years after passing through the doors as graduates of the high school.” Congratulations to John and Marguerite. Well played, Class of ’88. • Wasn’t that an outstanding piece of writing from Dave O’Brien bringing his mother Betty back to life in 1,300 words. You always amaze me, O’B. • WMEX 1510 on the AM dial. Bob, come blow your horn. Bob Rotondi looks even cooler not wearing a baseball uniform. since (now called the Redevelopment and Strategic Planning Board). These appointments, I must point out, were consecutive – 54 years. Chairman of the Recreation Board in 1969, my fi rst year, was Clem Stefanilo. His son, ‘Red,’ worked for Malden’s DPW for many years. His grandson, Red’s son, played hockey for me on the old Malden Maroons. In 1969 Clem did double duty, as i believe he was in charge of the local draft board also. He served with many of Malden’s greatest residents over the years on both Recreation and Redevelopment Boards. So, so many. They all took great pride in the various projects that were completed over the years they served. As many did in those days. Sometimes it took years to get things done. But it got done. I wanted a giant clock in the Square. It took forever. When the Lincoln School was demolished to make way for park land, the plans continued to read Lincoln ‘PARK’. I kept on the board to call it Lincoln COMMON. It took maybe a year, but it stuck, and is now called, ‘Commons.’ I have cherished serving my hometown all these years. Sure, it’s changed. That’s to be expected. Over 50 years has allowed me to see several changes. I encourage more of Malden’s ‘tenants’ to become involved. Peter, your words get better with age. Just think how clever you’ll be when you hit 39...........” It is said in “Malden Musings”... • On June 4 (of 2022) there was a rededication ceremony at the corner of Ferry and Salem Streets held by Malden High School Class of 1988. The Class of ’88 unveiled a bronze plaque honoring the legacy of Assistant Principal John Benotti. The Class of ’88 was the fi rst graduating class under Johnny B as Assistant Principal, who served alongside (my sister-in-law) Marguerite Gonsalves as Class Advisor. This duo served to shape the Have you listened yet? What are you waiting for?! If you like “the greatest hits of all time,” you will love this station. Trust me on this one. • I have been really good, haven’t mentioned Preacher Jack in at least six months. Insert smiley face. In 1981 Preacher Jack was touring solo on his second Rounder release, “3,000 Barrooms Later.” He’s doing a bunch of solo one-night stands in Toronto (Canada) accompanied by his (then) manager and (forever) spiritual adviser, his future wife, Jessie Filtrante. He’s sharing a stage with Ry Cooder for part of the tour. Cooder played at various times in his long and successful career with The Rolling Stones, Captain Beefheart and bluegrass superstar Bill Munroe. Also, on that long ago tour traveling the same long, lonely byways and highways, but just the night before Jack’s gigs, was a young John Prine. Jack and Jessie would have coff ee, smokes and “holy herb” with John when their paths would cross on their travails. An 11-minute video recently popped up on YouTube of a fresh-faced couple, Preacher Jack and Jessie, being interviewed on February 16, 1981, by “New Music Toronto TV.” The interviewer escorts Jack and Jessie into a coff ee shop and asks a question or two before Jack goes into a familiar Preacher Jack fi libuster. Classic Jasper Jack and the exasperated look on Jessie’s face, priceless! • Happy birthday, Preacher Jack! Believe it or not Jasper Jack would have turned 81 on Abe Lincoln’s date of birth. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – Damn! That went quick! It’s been almost nine years (October of 2014) since Maura Healey introduced herself to Maldonians. She visited Malden. I was invited along that morning. Here (somewhat encapsulated) is what I wrote back in ’14: “Ms. Healy spent some quality time in Malden with the Mayor and his staff on October 15th. I tagged along MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 7
7 Publizr Home