THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, May 17, 2024 Page 7 hire! ● I’d like to see the late Karen Anderson fi ght the good fi ght against the good old boy network back in the ’80s to become the best City Clerk Malden has had in the past 50 years (with all due respect to present City Clerk Carol Ann Desiderio – insert smiley face). Who else feels Karen may possibly have been Malden’s MVP for the past 40 years or so?! Raising hand. ● I’d like to see Brenda Sousa channel her inner Caitlin Clark for the 1975 girls hoop team at MHS (actually, if she were the off - guard for the boys’ team our senior year, they might have gone a little further in the tournament – with all due to respect to Steve “Carpy” Carpenter, who excelled at point guard for the ’ 75 team, of course). ● I’d like to shoot hoops in my backyard on Charles Street with Jack Freker’s aunt Cheryl. At 16 she showed me how the backboard could be your friend. Thanks for that, Cheryl! ● I’d like to see Edgeworth gal (and the best baller in the Guerin family – sorry, Danny & Jimmy) – Paula Guerin carry the girls hoop team at MHS on her back (again) for those early to mid-1980s Golden Gals hoopsters. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – the Irish American Club on West Street has a long, rich history in Malden. In the beginning home to Edgeworth’s large Irish population – eventually spreading out to boyos from Somerville, Charlestown and far beyond the North Shore – the IA have always stepped up whenever there was a worthy cause to embrace. The IA’s Annual Labor Day Road Race has become legendary amongst area runners and for going above and beyond the call of duty raising all kinds of gelt for The Jimmy Fund. Which brings us to last month’s “One Mission Buzz Off for Kids with Cancer.” Once again, these passionately altruistic men from the IA raised about $12,000 with three particular gentlemen stepping up bigly in the process. Born on the Emerald Isle these two Irish lads – Tommy Cronin and Keith McLaughlin – along with longtime Maldonian Andy Relph were shorn of their golden locks for the benefi t of the JF in front of a full house cheering them on. Thank you, guys, for everything that you folks do for Malden and beyond. Postscript 1: Dave “Malden Musings Hall of Famer” Angelo was the only reader to call me out for a minor miscue in my “1985” article. Dave good-naturedly ribbed me on a recent Friday night when he asked me how on earth you can order a pound of bruschetta when bruschetta is an Italian antipasto consisting of grilled bread topped with olive oil and salt? Corn popped! Dave roasted me but good and reminded me he could easily rescind my (half) Italian Heritage card if a glaring error like this transpires in the future. With that said, let’s rewrite for history’s sake this egregious slipup... “One stop shopping at Forgione Market! A pound of capicola aka gabagool, sliced provolone, and a loaf of French Bread! Fuhgeddaboudit?! On the way out, stop next door at Forgione Liquors for a case of Ballantine!” Postscript 2: Think about this for a moment. All Seasons Table’s Douglas Tran was a rank stranger to Malden a very short while ago. In 2024, Mr. Tran aka The King of Cool may be the most popular man in Malden (besides Albert Spadafora, of course). Douglas took a chance when he opened J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. All Season’s Table in the not so glamorous Malden Square of just a few short years ago, and it’s paid off “bigly.” Others saw Douglas’ success (through hard work, wicked awesome food and some of the best bartenders North of Boston) and followed his lead, creating the downtown restaurant boom we are experiencing/enjoying today. Thank you, Douglas, once again. Mr. Tran celebrated a birthday recently (well, actually two), and his good friend (and my good friend) Jackie Bouley speaking from the heart, had these words to say: “Douglas is celebrating two birthdays this month. First being the obvious, his own on May 8th and second, the 18th birthday of the opening of his beloved restaurant, All Seasons Table or AST as many aff ectionately call it. The naysayers who advised him not to open here all those years ago are now dedicated customers basking in the glory of Douglas’s labor of love. Hands down, his customers, aside from his family and employees are the most important people in his life. Not to mention his dedication and hard work to his craft and those who support him. It is undeniable. He never refers to himself as the owner… he is just too humble for that. Time passes and people come and go, but don’t be mistaken, Douglas Tran is in it for the long haul. Happy Birthday to the “boss”! Thank you for believing in Malden. You brought life back to our beloved Square, and for that, we salute you!” —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. S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping WARDENS | FROM PAGE 1 bridge, Mass. Mayor Gary Christenson attended the meeting and was pleased to learn that Chris received the most nominations for the award in the history of the award and is also the fi rst Tree Warden from the City of Malden to sit on the Board of Directors for the Massachusetts Tree Wardens and Foresters Association. 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