Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 4, 2021 Malden Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday – concrete baby steps By Peter F. Levine M y destination: “The Sager Family Foundation and Traveling Roadshow” located in a majestic high rise overlooking the Boston Common – and the Charles River stretching as far as the eye can see – Bobby Sager’s comfy home and sanctuary. I have a sit down scheduled with “The Philanthropist” himself on this sunny Friday afternoon at his humble (10,000+ square feet) abode not far from where the old “Sugar Shack” once stood; two Malden boys getting acquainted. Bobby (Sager) and his family are currently on a short hiatus recharging their souls in anticipation of their next challenge. Bobby and his family, through their foundation, go around the world fighting the good fight, from the mundane, such as living in a tent in Karachi and sharing a toilet with 40 monks in the Himalayas, to important stuff like working alongside President Kagame in Rwanda or discussing science education with the Dalai Lama in India. And on occasion enjoying the moment by joining forces with the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Sting, Tom Hanks and Lady Gaga spreading the awareness gospel – most importantly, helping people help themselves in just about every hot spot around the world. What I took from our hour plus conversation was that although he is making a difference around the globe on a grander scale than most, he feels we can all make a difference with what he calls “concrete baby steps.” According to Bobby each one of us making a small difference in our own community is as vital as the work he has taken on. A Malden slice of life...It’s the random acts of kindness and small gestures in life – those “concrete baby steps” that Bobby Sager preaches about all the time – that make Malden such a great place to call home. Read on: Henry Figueroa is a maintenance engineer at Malden High School. He came across a turkey nest maybe a month back behind the high school building hidden behind a bush. Henry contacted Animal Control Maven Kevin Alkins because there were quite a few eggs in the nest. He was concerned for the safety of mom (since named “Tilda” by one of the teachers, by the way) and her future chicks. He made sure to check on mom and make sure no students bothered her or the nest. The chicks finally hatched. Henry’s significant other Joanne (Settemio) congratulated him on his new status: stepfather! According to Joanne the 11 chicks are the “cutest things she ever saw and well-guarded” as Henry and seated at the booth or standing behind their teammates anchored by their coaches. Some names you will recognize; some you will not. Doesn’t matter. It is pure delight to the eyes. Sgt. George Mancini is the manager and Joe Barahona is the coach. The young ballplayers included Jimmy & Joey Barahona, Guy & Steve Catallo, Billy Carbonneau, Billy “Cas” Casamento, Diego “Dickie” Barricelli, Gennaro Funicella, Jackie Gagliardi, Johnny Brandano, Ronny Golini, Billy & Peter Gennetti, Paul Mancini, Bobby Marinelli, Ronny Moore, Bobby Moro, Anthony Pagliccia, Carl Pappo, Phil Scaramozzino, Anthony & Paul Sestito, Joe Teta and Ray Tricca. A short update on a couple of the children, many who made a significant impact in Malden over the years, 68 years later: Anthony Sestito was killed in action in Vietnam on the same day in June of 1969 as his neighbor Kevin Crowe. Billy Casamento lost his life Malden’s newest residents (Courtesy Photo) Jovan (a colleague of Henry’s) have taken on bodyguard duties also. Well played, Henry! I came across a most precious picture last week in a copy of the August 6, 1953, Malden Press. Because of the quality of the picture, I could not include it, but believe me, it is a won7/ 1 ADJUSTABLE R ATE RESIDENTIAL JUMBO MORTGAGE 2.500% 2.682% INTEREST RATE APR We want to help you make the most of your money, whether you’re looking to buy or refinance. With our jumbo mortgage, you can get a competitive rate, which may lower your monthly payment. Apply now to take advantage of this limited time offer. 7 / 1 ADJUSTABLE RATE MORTGAGE30 YEAR TERM RATE POINTS APR PRINCIPAL & INTEREST PER $ 1 , 000 BORROWED INITIAL RATE FULLY INDEXED RATE 2.750% 0 2.682% 2.500% 0 2.682% 84 PAYMENTS OF $3.95 276 PAYMENTS OF $4.05 derful, nostalgic Malden time capsule. You do not even have to be from Malden or to have lived here very long to appreciate it. You just have to be a human being. The children in the photo remind me of what we all once were those many years ago: filled with youthful innocence, imbued with the joy of being young, playing baseball and having friends. Their smiling faces, priceless. The playfulness in their demeaner you can spot all the way across Malden and through the newsprint. The Spartans won the minor league baseball championship this summer. They were sponsored by Topsy’s Chicken which, I believe, was a diner in Malden Square that specialized in, chicken. The photo is taken at a booth in Topsy’s. Twenty-three boys altogether (yes, 23!) are last year to COVID-19. Dickie Barricelli, Jackie Gagliardi and Johnny Brandano are thick as thieves to this very day and play bocce together at the IACC. Joe Teta went on to become a local Edgeworth legend. As you may have noticed, there a lot of Italian last names. They all hailed from Edgeworth when Italian and Irish mostly populated the Ward. Twenty-three names! Think about that for a moment. Bob Rotondi remembers those days when a (minor league) baseball team in Malden could field 23 players – unfortunately for youth baseball, a number unheard of today. It is said in Malden today, tomorrow and yesterday... Did you know...that Bobby Sager graduated MHS in 1972, MALDEN: TODAY| SEE PAGE 8 ~ Legal Notice ~ Bid Solicitation Mystic Valley Regional Charter School Request for Response RFR #FY22-300 - The Mystic Valley Regional Charter School (MVRCS) invites bidders to submit Learn more at EVERETTBANK . COM/JUMBOARMOFFER 61 7-38 7 - 1 1 10 FOR ASSIS TANCE, PLEASE CALL THE HOME LOAN CENTER The payments above do not include taxes and insurance. If you request or are required to establish an escrow, your payment will be greater. The annual percentage rate may be increased after consummation. Subject to credit approval. Minimum loan amount is $550,000. APR effective June 2, 2021 and subject to change without notice. Annual Percentage Rate (APR) calculation assumes a $550,000 loan with a 80% loan to value. Available for owner-occupied, primary residence, single family or condominium units. Must be a new loan to the bank and used to purchase or refinance (80% maximum LTV). Other terms and conditions may apply. EVERETT – 419 BROADWAY RIGHT BY YOU LYNNFIELD – 7 7 1 SALEM STREET Member FDIC Member DIF NMLS #443050 RFR Release Date: Thursday, May 27, 2021,10 A.M. Mandatory Pre-Bis Session: Monday, June 7, 2021, 4 P.M. at 4 Laurel Street, Malden. Question Due: Monday, June 14, 2021 Response Deadline: Tuesday, June 22, 2021. 2 PM Contact for full RFR, Responses are to be delivered to: Mystic Valley Regional Charter School 4 Laurel Street Malden, MA 02148 Rick Veilleux rveilleux@mvrcs.org June 4, 2021
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