THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 5, 2024 Page 17 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 Phaneuf’s home on Greystone Road and see him sitting on his favorite recliner reading a classic with a tall glass of Ballantine Ale (perfectly poured) by his side. • I’d like to see Anna Puleo working the phone at the old Highland Café taking pizza orders on a Friday night. • I’d like to pull up to Amerige Park and play a pickup game of hoops with Paul Coleman, Scott Hanley, Arthur Boyle, Larry White, Jimmy DiNitto, Mark Burns, Bernie McCole and Bert Cioffi. • I’d like to pull up to Harvard Street Park and play a pickup game of hoops with Rod Marshall, Kenny Fulgham, Gregory, Philip & Douglas Rogers and Derek Wilson. • I’d like to pull up to Green Street Park and play a pickup game of hoop with Larry Kinnon, “Choppa,” Brad Snow, Joey Hult, the Lynch and Nolan brothers and Marty Grasso (then over to Signor Pizza). • I’d like to pull up to Devir Park and play a pickup game of hoops with Dave Angelo, Frankie Hanley, the Guerins, Pasquale Petrangelo, the Durso brothers and all those great guys from Medford. CHAMPIONSHIPS | FROM PAGE 13 teammates competing to win a Calder Cup together. It’s a weird dynamic to think about, but if a guy is struggling with something I’m always here to help him out. When I was a rookie, I sat around with the veterans, picked their brains and worked with them after practice to improve little aspects of my game that helped to elevate me. Now it’s come full circle, and I’m happy to pass on some of that wisdom to them.” Stanley Cup still in the cards “I still have another year (with the Capitals organization), but honestly, I’ve had the most fun since turning pro playing right here in Hershey, and I can’t picture playing somewhere else right now. If we win another Calder Cup this year, I would then be looking for a threepeat,” Mike said on his future. “Like I said earlier, Hershey builds teams to win every year. They have already locked in our coaching staff and our leadership group, which really sets the foundation and culture of our team. You lose guys every year to free agency, but when guys sign with the Bears, they are hungry to win. They see the banners, they see all the pictures, they see the videos and hear the stories, and all they want is a taste of it. It’s a good recipe to build a team, and it’s a big reason why I signed here. When my • I’d like to walk down Pearl Street on a hot summer night and see Eleanor & Frank Molinari sitting on their stoop, Jimmy Palermo directly across the street. • I’d like to see Boston’s Chinatown at 3 in the morning with Choff, Luce, Albert and Goodie. • I’d like to see the Edgeworth-based garage band Anthem with Richard “Dr. Love” Santo on bass and Dommy “Love Gun” Settemio on guitar one last time at the I.T.A.M.’s. • I’d like to see Jimmy Palermo holding court, anywhere. • I’d like to drive down Pearl on a hot summer night and inhale the fresh bread baked from the kitchen at Pearl Street Bakery. • I’d like to put another dime in the jukebox at the Highland Café, select the latest Beatles hit song and have a large pizza. • I’d like to walk into King Neptune with my childhood bud Jimmy Damiano, order some French fries and talk Red Sox all afternoon. • I’d like to see Billy & Dom Settemio behind the stick at the Stadium Café on one of those special “3 Stooges Marathon Monday” nights. • I’d like to walk into Cai’s Playoff Pub and see celebrities Michael J. Fox, Bob Montgomery, Cam contract is up after next year, we will see where the wind takes me. I think I’d be happy finishing my career as a Bear, but if a Stanley Cup contender calls me, I’m all ears. I’ll never completely shut the door on the potential of winning a Stanley Cup, but I’m also I’m not an idiot. I’m a realist and understand I’ve only played three NHL games in my pro career. But anything can happen. You just have to be ready when it does.” Always a Saugonian Vecchione has traveled the country throughout his pro career, but Saugus remains his home. “I bought a home around Saugus Center about five years ago, and live there in the summer. When I get home, I usually hit Joe’s Gym, where I get some good work in with my dad. I also like to put on the rollerblades, and work on my craft in the park. That has always been where I found peace. For as long as I can remember, I’ve always gone to the park to master the game I love. I’ve always found that the work you put in away from the rink has the biggest effect, because you only have a certain amount of ice time in the summer, and it’s expensive,” Mike said. “There’s nothing better than getting the boys together and playing hours of street hockey until we had blisters on our hands and feet. Later on in the summer, I would do more on ice skating and shooting to gear up Neely, “LB,” Julio Franco, Gordie Kluzak and Rick Upchurch nursing cold beers with the regulars. • I’d like to watch Ruffino “Ruffy” Mugica throw blazing fastballs from behind the screen at the big-league diamond at Devir with Jackie Walsh. • I’d like to see Steve Powell throw another touchdown pass from the pocket. • I’d like to watch David Surette score another goal. • I’d like to see another Robby Santo at bat. • I’d like to see Shawn Brickman dominate from the mound, on the hardwood and on the gridiron. • I’d like to see Cathy “Mac” MacMullin dive for another loose ball. • I’d like one of Frankie Villa’s famous meatball subs! • I’d like to see Mark Cannon breaking ankles for another 80yard gain. • I’d like to watch John Stanasek run a game of hoop. • I’d like to see Matty Marden win another NCAA (hockey) Championship (at BU). • I’d like to watch Freddy Ribeiro make wrestling look easy. • I’d like to see Harry Mehos work the sideline at a Malden High School football game, keep the book at an Augustine’s Athletfor camp, but I live playing on the street hockey court. That being said, Saugus could really use a new street hockey rink. I’m no politician, but Anna Parker is a mess with weeds growing through the concrete. It really makes it nearly impossible to even go down there and enjoy playing. It’s been 25 years since the court was made, and no maintenance has been done on it over the years. It’s a shame the ics game or just walking the gym as Malden High athletics’ number one fan. • I’d like to hear Bobby Crowley sing “60 Minute Man.” • I’d like to see John Surette and Boy’s Life perform “Two Doors Down” one last time at the Rat. • I’d like to walk into the I.T.A.M.’s on Oakland Street and see “Joe Candy” Candelora, Moe, Johnny Barry, Dom & Tiger Settemio, Joey Moreno and Al Aretusi playing poker and drinking Schlitz at one of those mid-century barroom tables. • I’d like to hear Mark “Choppa” Chopelas call me “Pistol Pete” and see that great big smile of his! • I’d like to see Walter “Killer” Kowalski and his wife Theresa sitting in their favorite window booth at Ferrari’s on Eastern Avenue. • I’d like to walk into the Converse Rubber Retail Store on Pearl and purchase a pair of 9 1/2 Chuck Taylor “irregulars.” • I’d like to see Sean Collins sitting at his favorite spot at the Rez, enjoying every moment of his life and in the process showing us what is important in life. • I’d like to spend a Friday night up The Mount, bundled up warm, waiting for that certain point in place I spent countless hours at is in such disarray, and so I have to drive to another town to get a good skate in. it’s time for an upgrade, please. “The tennis courts at Belmonte and the basketball courts at Evans are absolutely beautiful, but this has always been a hockey town and it’s time we find a place to put a street hockey rink in with boards and a fence. I’d be will~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ PUBLIC HEARING Malden Board of Health City Council Chamber April 24, 2024 215 Pleasant St, 6:30PM The Malden Board of Health will be conducting a Public Hearing on April 24, 2024, 6:30 PM, at Malden City Council Chambers, 215 Pleasant St, First Floor on Amendments to Section 21 of the Board of Health Rules and Regulations, Nicotine Delivery Systems, relative to; “Prohibition of Sales – No person, firm, corporation, establishment, or agency shall sell tobacco or e-cigarette products to anyone born on or after 1/1/2004. Any person, firm, corporation, establishment, or agency who or which shall violate any provisions of this regulation and upon written notification shall be fined and suspended in accordance to the schedule set forth under the Regulation of the Malden Board of Health Restricting the Sale of Tobacco Products.” Prior to April 24, 2024 at 3:30 PM, persons may submit written commentary regarding the proposed ordinance to the Malden Board of Health, City Hall, 215 Pleasant Street, Third Floor, Malden, 02148. Attention: Chris Webb, or by e-mail at: cwebb@cityofmalden.org Following the public hearing, the Malden Board of Health will take up the consideration of the proposed ordinance for purposes of adoption at the next scheduled Board of Health meeting. While considering the proposed ordinance for adoption, the Malden Board of Health may modify, amend or revise the ordinance. April 5, 2024 the night when Russ “Galooch” Garland would command our attention and break into “God Bless America” or Norm Pashoian break out “My Way.” • I’d like to see Richie Cremone work the grille at Brandano’s, Tricca’s, Anthony’s, Cremone’s or the Saint Rock Feast. • It’s a simple, timeless sentiment – just once more spending time with my mother. Jimmy Carducci is extremely fortunate to have just celebrated the 99th birthday of his mother, Lady Esther. Just once more... I’d like to spend a Saturday afternoon in the North End at Regina Pizzeria on Thacher Street with my mother. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – just once more, for the sake of old times and old-timers! Postscript: Thank you to James Calagero, whom I totally lifted this idea (and especially the last line) from while I was thumbing through an issue of “Boston’s North End” from 2002. —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. ing to raise money and donate my own money to make it happen. A new or renovated facility would inspire more kids to chase their dreams like I did.” But Mike Vecchione’s dreams are far from over, and by June he just might be hoisting another Calder Cup trophy with the Hershey Bears, his fourth title in the past 13 years on three different levels, an achievement that will certainly be difficult to replicate.
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