Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 3, 2023 ~ Malden Musings ~ Edgeworth Reunion 1977 By Peter F. Levine W e all know that Edgeworth is the center of the universe. Well, if you didn’t know, you know now. The sun rises over Donut Villa at one end and sets over Macdonald Stadium at the other. And during the day the air is fresh, clean and as pure as the driven snow; freshly baked bread from Piantedosi Bakery permeates the whole neighborhood; the best pizza pies on the North Shore come from Joe Crowley’s ovens at Pisa Pizza; the (most of the times) aromatic coff ee grinds from New England Coff ee; and the fi nest Chinese cuisine from the smokestack at China Garden. Forgetaboutit!! I kid of course. Each nook and cranny in Malden – very special to me and to most Maldonians I know. Linden with its 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 Pictured from left to right is the 1977 Edgeworth Reunion Committee: Top row: Alphonse Ciulli, Dom Fermano, Sal Gennetti, Clem DeLuca, Gus DiSano, Louis Angelo, Joe Bogan, John Amicone; middle row: Joan Goodwin, Margaret Vogel, Kitty Chiaffl a, Mary Falcone, Gerri Belknap, Ann Sbraccia, Terry D’Avella, Hazel Colangeli, Gertie D’Avella; front row: Bob Goodwin, Joe Fontana, Frank DiSano, Arthur Cuscuna, Paul Callahan and Dave MacLennan. many legendary characters: hello, Johnny Wilcox, the Restuccias, the Pashoians, Jimmy Cahill (remember him?), Jimmy Murphy, the Moros! Fabled Suffolk Square! Maplewood with its proud past; the beauty that is Oak Grove; Newland and Bowdoin Street Projects producing some of Malden’s most renowned citizens; Malden Square with its rich history – I could go on and on. But I won’t, right now. You guessed it, this long-winded diatribe is really about Edgeworth. When the Levines fi rst planted roots in the fertile Malden soil, 1963 Edgeworth consisted of two tribes: the Italians on one side of Highland Avenue and the Irish on the oth~ Home of the Week ~ EVERETT...Desirable Ranch style home offers 5+ rooms, 2 bedrooms, 2 full baths, eat-in kitchen open to dining room with slider to balcony, hardwood flooring, convenient first floor laundry hook-up. central air (2020). level yard (partially in Chelsea) with deck and storage shed, off street, tandem parking, located in desirable Woodlawn neighborhood. Offered at $459,900 335 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 er; both with long, proud histories in the neighborhood. Some could trace their people back to the turn of the century, and beyond. Till this very day, I am reminded (townie shamed?) that “you’ve only been in the neighborhood for 60 years, Peter.” But I digress. Here I bring you back to 1977 Malden. A simpler time – well, I know that word is subjective, but it sure did feel “simpler.” As I mentioned, one side of Edgeworth was densely populated by Italian immigrants, who formed a tight-knit community full of extended family and paisans, many of those same families remaining. Edgeworth was still dining at Tricca’s, the Stadium Cafe, Gennetti’s Spa and the Highland Café – getting their haircut by Wendell on Pearl Street, Johnny Angelo on Highland Avenue, Frankie Rao also on Highland, or by the heartthrob of housewives throughout neighborhood, “Sal the Barber” on Charles. Social clubs, such as the Italian American War Veterans Club, the Ancient Order of Hibernians, the Italian American Citizens’ Club and the Irish American were fl ourishing – much to the chagrin of (those same) housewives (or signifi cant others) across the Ward – waiting for hubby at dinnertime. Billy Callahan’s 4th of July Parades/ Celebrations were stuff of legend, and the annual Saint Rocco Feast was the highlight of the summer no matter your ethnic/religious background. Amongst the Italians, friends in Edgeworth were made for good and were kept close, forever; unless, of course, you held a grudge, which also lasted forever (insert smiley face and fuhgeddaboudit!). I digress once again. In 1977, Jim Conway sat in the corner offi ce. He was friend to all with an innate ability to connect with all sorts of people. He was also a shrewd politician who could “press the fl esh” with the best of them. Here he is at his best, pressing the fl esh, so to speak, with the Italians of Edgeworth. It was said that Jim counted votes “by the pound.” The neighborhood decided to throw themselves a party – a grand aff air that is still reminisced about to this very day. First, we have “A Proclamation” from hizzoner then we’ll recap the shindig: “Whereas: The people of Edgeworth, Malden, have been dispersed to all parts of the country and the world, by marriage and occupation, and the upheaval of wars, the Edgeworth of old still lives in their fond memories. “Whereas: The present residents of Edgeworth and many former Edgeworthians will gather in joyous reunion and brotherhood to reminisce and tell tales of nostalgia and glory of days long ago in a proud Edgeworth. “Whereas: The people who grew up here were bound together by strong ethnic ties. For MUSINGS | SEE PAGE 7
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