THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 15, 2026 Page 7 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 4 taken root in Tanner City. Brian looks great and was there to cheer on his little girl Teagan — now a freshman at MC — at the Peabody Tanners Little League Girls Softball Rally/Parade (btw, the WP Little League do a bangup job for the kids of Peabody much like Malden has been providing for children all these years). A standout softball player, Brian’s pride and joy has one last year of softball eligibility before she moves on up the competitive softball ladder. Brian is a good ole boy — one of the more stand-up guys in Malden and a mainstay at the Irish American, where a lot of wonderful things happen. I don’t write about the IA enough, but I should. This is a social club that has always cared; always cared about people, always cared about Malden, always cared about the community at-large. Great seeing you, Brian, and just for the record — we’re all rooting for better times at the I.A.! • Funny — not “ha-ha” funny, but the kind of funny that’s (in my opinion) so improbable it almost sounds made up. I think I may have told this once (or twice) in the past, but it’s too good not to tell again (well, you be the judge, LOL). Brian’s big brother Kevin served with the Malden Police for many, many years before finally hanging up his dress blues and settling into the well-earned life of a gentleman of leisure. Now, to set the stage — I’m told many police officers can go an entire career without ever firing their weapon in the line of duty. Not Kevin. On his very first day on the job — Day One! — wouldn’t you know it, he gets involved with some bad guys, has to draw his service weapon…and actually fires it. First day! You can’t make this stuff up (well, ya could — but I didn’t despite what Pete Robby might say). Believe it…or not. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — and now here’s something we hope you’ll really like... The relentless negativity on certain virtual platforms is growing tiresome. Malden is a vibrant, diverse and forward-moving community. It deserves a “media” voice that reflects that spirit, not one that tries to tear it down. At a time when so many inspiring things are happening across our city, it’s persistent focus on division does a disservice to the people who call this place home. If this source of “information” can’t find it in itself to highlight the good, then perhaps it’s time to reconsider its role here. Either be part of the solution or kindly step aside. Malden thrives on unity, not division. In a similar vein, come election time, let’s all remember who aims to uplift — and who chooses to divide. Malden stands for community, not contempt. Thanks for listening (stepping down gingerly from my soapbox) and now back to our regularly scheduled program. Postscript 1: Chic was a sweetheart of a man. Those that know, know. Here is a good example. This, told by Chic in an article I wrote a couple years back regarding his man crush on The Boss, Bruce Springsteen: “True story – when my daughter Cailyn was born (my oldest) the first time I held her I actually sang Thunder Road to her. No rhyme or reason – it just popped into my head (nobody was around while I sang, by the way!). So, Thunder Road was always our song. She just got married this New Year’s Eve and our father/ daughter dance of course was … Thunder Road. Meaningful moment!!” Forever memory, forever remembered, Anthony Chic! Postscript 2: 11 years. Seems like yesterday. It was an “ordiGerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 SABATINO/MASTROCOLA INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available nary day that I wished I could wind back and make go away” (thank you, Nuno Bettencourt, for these words). Happy Mother’s Day, Dorothy Drago Levine. Postscript 3: Good night, Mrs. Calabash, wherever you are. —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. PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM
8 Publizr Home