Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, March 29, 2024 ~ Malden Musings ~ The Dana Brown Chronicles – Final Chapter By Peter Levine F ormer MHS Principal Dana Brown (2002-2016) “ain’t walking through that door anytime soon” (unless you ask him nicely – insert smiley face), but he sure is killing it with his “Ferryway Green Chronicles”! His 12 years at 77 Salem St. put Malden High back on the map and jumpstarted a sort of educational renaissance in these here fi ve square miles. Through hard work and a hands-on, commonsense approach, Dana made this center of learning a safe haven, where kids wanted to (and could) learn and – more importantly – grow as people into fi ne young engaging adults. Always the voice of reason, Eastern Bank Building on Rte. 1S 605 Broadway, #301 * Saugus (781) 233-6844 www.bostonnorthdental.com Dana was all in, leading pragmatically from the heart doing what he felt was best for Malden and the “yoots” of Malden. It was the “trickle-down theory” of being a positive role model that actually trickled down. Lead by example: from Dana’s parents (Barbara and Fran) to their children to their children. That’s how the trickle-down theory really works. Dana gave it his best shot, lessons learned at the feet of giants. Ain’t no idle chatter or debate when Maldonians refl ect on how he restored public confi dence and pride back into his old alma mater. All good things must come to an end, though. Here we have the fi nal installment of the Dana Brown Chronicles: “In 1979 a bunch of mostly Dr. Priti Amlani Dr. Bhavisha Patel Ferryway Green guys including [John] Stanasek, [Bruce] Vining, [Vance] Ferratusco, yours truly, [Joe] Bartoszewicz, [Johnny] Willcox and others would win the competitive Malden Men’s Recreational League championship in a great game against the vaunted West Siders who included George Miller, Dave McNary, Cliff Cioffi , etc. Who knew you could see the sun rise from Bell Rock Park as you exited the Eagles Club after a night of cel* Restorative Dentistry * Cosmetic Dentistry * Implant Restoration * Zoom Whitening * Teeth in a Day - All on 6 * Invisalign * CEREC Crowns (Single Visit Crowns) * Root Canal Treatment * Sedation Dentistry ~ Full Mouth Rehabilitation ~ Before After ebration! “Some years later another MHS standout Eric Dannenberg would battle men and kids at the Green as he improved his game. Mitchell Cohen would often be with him, if they weren’t at the Y with the Conlon brothers, also Ferryway kids. Danny Patterson from Ashland St. and Stephen Prendable from Belmont St. played some good ball at the Ferryway. Back then it was all sports for all seasons. “Bruce Vining would prove to be an exceptional high school athlete, in basketball but also in track where he held the MHS The late great Donnie Brunelli gets Dana’s attention at Dana’s wedding; wife Marie in background. outdoor track record for longest javelin throw for many years. And in the ‘what could have been’ department, some of the old-timers always felt that George ‘Tommy’ Hoff man should have been destined for greatness. As a basketball guy I can tell you his ‘fi rst step’ was as quick as anyone’s around. His release on his jumper was electric. Alas it never happened, and Tommy was taken from us in a tragic accident at an early age. Leslie Hume was another guy who played well whenever he was at the Green. “Ferryway Green also served as a meeting place for the politically active youth of Malden. Malden’s youth, opposed to the Vietnam War, and many rules at MHS, used Ferryway Green as a meeting place on more than one occasion, before making the short walk up Ferry St. to Malden Square, wreaking havoc along the way, and clashing with police on at least one memorable occasion. I recall that Ferryway was also a place of romance. Handsome Gerald ‘Pick’ Perna and the gorgeous Stephanie Vuolo were regulars at the Green and are still married today! Bruce Vining and Stephanie Grande can be claimed by Ferryway Green and are still together almost 50 years later. Recently spotted, this power couple looks like they have aged gracefully and well! “I would fi nd out several years later that the Perna family and the DeCandia family (my wife’s family) were fi rst cousins. The estimable Tony Perna got his start at Ferryway before moving on to bigger and better things. RIP. “Of course, it was the 1960s and Ferryway had its share of young people experimenting with drugs. Looking back, from what I now know, heroin was used by some of the ‘older’ crew. Not everyone survived. “When winter struck, Ferryway Green came alive with hockey and skating. I fondly recall the city fl ooding the park (along with other parks) and creating a rough sheet of ice where kids could skate or play pickup games. I particularly remember Joey ‘Cooch’ Cucinotta zooming around the ice. He could fl y. Spotting him recently, he looks like he could still lace them up. Fit! “Interestingly enough, hoop guys, like me, and Stanasek, and the Hallahans, could lace up the skates to compete when the park would fl ood. Others with Ferryway Green addresses were Timmy Buckley from Hillside Terrace and Dave LeBlanc from Upham St. who honed their skills in and around the Green and would become top notch MHS hockey players. Ferryway kids…Timmy’s sisters Cheryl and Denise knew where Ferryway Green was! “The split at Ferry and Walnut Streets provided options for travel to and from Ferryway Green. Heading toward Malden Square we always passed through Judson Square, an underrated square in Malden I might add. Before there was a Pasta Market there was the H&M Cake Box. The ‘M’ of the MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 19
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