Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, April 5, 2024 ~ Malden Musings ~ Just Once More By Peter Levine B 50 ack by popular demand! Because you insisted! Because it was so wicked good the fi rst (three?) times! Because you had to read it “just once more”! My modifi ed version of a column that fi rst appeared in 2014 refl ecting on (some of) our collective and shared memories! Without further ado... “Just once more...” • I’d like to see Brendan Duff y walking by the basketball court at the old Y, sweat soaked t-shirt, after a hard-fought handball game upstairs. • I’d like to see Ron “Bevy” DrinkEastern Bank Building on Rte. 1S 605 Broadway, #301 * Saugus (781) 233-6844 www.bostonnorthdental.com water applying the “Sweet Science” of boxing on his way to another victory. • I’d like to walk that long front corridor at the Granada Theatre (now Ming’s), sit in one of those ratty old seats and take in a midnight movie (“Song Remains the Same,” anybody?) • I’d like to see Meff a’s very own Dr. Priti Amlani Dr. Bhavisha Patel “Joe Pet” Petruzzelli’s “Incredible Two Man Band” at the Centre Bar & Grille on a Saturday night with Jaybird, Frankie and Goodie. • I’d like to see future strongman/all-world wrestler Dan Ford selling Sunday Globe’s out front of DDs on Highland Avenue. • I’d like to spend a Sunday night * 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 at Broadway East when Vinny Straccia and North Shore Acappella ruled the world. • I’d like to rest my weary bones on one of those vintage bar stools at Jack Haney’s and order a thirtyfi ve-cent draft. • I’d like to order up some dogs at Joe & Nemo’s with childhood friends Mark Nolan, Mark Anastas, Jon Crannell, Mike Scibelli, Greg Lucey and Paul Figelski. • I’d like to sit at the counter at Bernie Miller’s O’Neill’s Drug Store on Charles St., with all the neighborhood youngsters, a Cherry “Knights for Life”: Ruff y Mugica & Bob Rotondi at Bob’s 85th birthday shindig last week. Coke and a bag of Vincent’s Potato Chips. • I’d like to spend a Sunday night at the Blue Star Bar & Grille with Gary, Mike and Mark Cherone, Steve Moran, Al Cocorochio, Nuno Bettencourt and Mike Katz. • I’d like to see beloved educator/literary muse/bon vivant John O’Brien walking through the Square, trench coat & soft hat, salt & pepper beard – on his way to his next class. • I’d like to debate The Clash, Jam, Buzzcocks and Stiff Little Fingers with Sean Lucey. • I’d like to see Paul Gennetti’s big, beautiful smile behind the stick at the Highland Café. • I’d like to walk up that long fl ight of stairs to Al’s Pool Room and watch Al LeFave, Vinnie (aka Jimmy) Della Gatta and Tony DeFilippo hold a table all afternoon. • I’d like to walk into Schopell’s on a Saturday morning, quietly sit at a side table and listen to Bill Mini, Don Squires, Arthur Kahn and the rest of the OG’s swap stories about bygone days in Malden. • I’d like to see Patrolman Sal “Butchie” Gennetti (now Commissioner) directing traffi c in the middle of the Square. • I’d like to watch Godzilla on “Creature Double Feature” on a Saturday morning with “Uncle Dale” (Dorman) making with the wise cracks during commercials. • I’d like to play another game of no-holds-barred hoop at the old Y in 90+ degree weather. • I’d like to see the Santos, Sensiles, LePages, Maynes, Bionellis and Surettes playing street hockey at Girls Catholic across from the “Red School.” • I’d like to walk over to the Shell Station at the Fells and Emerald Street, grab a 10-ounce Coke out of the machine and take a seat on the steps of the Bandstand with my Big A meatball sub without a worry in the world. • I’d like to attempt to shoot over the long-outstretched arms of “Tall Paul” Abare at that lyric little bandbox we used to call the Y. • I’d like a DiPietro’s Bakery French Bread fresh out of the oven. • I’d like to see Bob “Knight for Life” Rotondi teaching prospects like John Furlong baseball/life lessons – lessons I know John utilized his entire life. BTW, happy 85th, Bob! Nobody was more disappointed than me that I could not make your grand birthday bash at the Moose (grandson Christian turned 14 on the same day). • I’d like to walk into Riley’s Roast Beef, scarf down a jumbo beef plain, then watch the after-hours crowd stumble through. • I’d like to see Anthony Spadafora Sr. sitting by the fi replace on a Saturday afternoon holding court with the rest of Malden’s power players. • I’d like to see Jawn P (aka John Preziosa) and Top Choice Clique rip through “Push It Past Red.” • I’d like to see “Sal the Barber” tanning himself on his lounge chair in front of his shop on Charles Street. • I’d like to see Coach (Frank) Adorn hitting fungos to his sons, Frankie and Steve. • I’d like to visit Jerry’s Army & Navy Store – Jimmy Kelley and Richie “Hard Rock” Hannon working the register – and “purchase” a new biker leather. • I’d like to pull up to Linden Park and play a pickup game of hoops with the Pashoians, Jimmy Murphy, the Restuccias and Billy Murray. • I’d like to walk into the living room of Superintendent (Paul) MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 17
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