THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, June 27, 2025 Page 7 etto, Tommy Cocuzzo, Pat Donahue, Mike Mahoney, Mike Kotowski & Sean Lucey. • We all agreed that there should be one of those docudramas on the uber inspiring life of the late Willie Barron. • We all agreed that if there was a rebound to be had, Mark Burns had it. • We all agreed that although my search for the last bottle of Ballantine Ale on Manhattan Island (32 bodegas, Dana?) may have been less than successful — the glorious NYC sunshine and outstanding “sights” made it all worthwhile. • We all agreed that young Billy Spadafora is having a breakout season with expectations for Billy & Donna’s young’un to immediately break into the starting lineup by midsummer. Keep up the great work, Billy. • We all agreed that the Malden church softball league from back in the day was as competitive as any softball league ever and that Tommy Cunha, Jimmy Kelly, and Richie “Hard Rock” Hannon were very, very tough outs. • Joe and I agreed that Dana Brown brings so much good to the Maldonia table in 2025. At age (mumble, mumble) still throwing high heat his wisdom, lived experience and love for his Maldonia roots make us all better in so many ways. As Paul Harvey used to say, “and now you know...the rest of the story.” Another insider joke that I freely share with you, Maldonia. • We all agreed that Donnie Roach (MHS 1976) and Shawn Brickman (MHS 1977) were two very special athletes back in the 1970s (and beyond). Multi-sport stars, both were tough, talented and focused with that notable intangible that separates them from us. Both had that Cedric Maxwell “climb on my back, boys and I’ll get us there” attitude. Neither a one-trick pony — their ability to roll with the sports seasons may never be matched again in 02148. • As we cruised late night into South Station, we also wholeheartedly agreed that we would not trade our Malden roots for all the gold in Fort Knox (if there is even any gold in FK — insert smiley face!). Dana — he of the very large brain — Brown speaketh of his journey to an island, far from the friendly shores of the Malden River. Dana’s take on Katz’s Deli in NYC — Dana Brown along with Joe & Peter Levine. our sojourn to the “Naked City” aka The Big Apple — these are a few of his very good words: • Last week we traveled by personal car, train, on foot, by taxi and by Uber. We couldn’t find three bikes! • We discussed the upcoming milestone birthday of Joe “will he have a celebratory Chillout or not” Levine. • There are many underrated and sometimes overlooked athletes in the MHS annals. Perhaps a column on the forgotten greatness of some? Send names our way. • Joe reminded us that I’m sometimes a “trigger” for Peter, LOL. • Regarding Peter’s recent rec basketball column, David Knight of Somerville was an inadvertent “out of town” omission. • We discovered that the wood water towers on the top of many old NY buildings help bring water pressure to the top floors in each building. • You can spend anywhere from $6-$18 on an assortment of water, juice, and coffee for the three of us. It pays to shop around. • June is men’s health awareness month! • Art Rooney and Andy Rooney are in fact different people (another inside joke). • A highlight for the former principal was getting a call and then text from a parent of a 9th grader asking to dismiss her daughter for a doctor’s appointment. Mr. Brown deftly handed it over to the proper Malden High staff and had no idea who the parent and child are…the train ride continued. • We had the pleasure of riding the train with a gold medal winner in the National Scholastic Art competition. She and her mom were on their way to Carnegie Hall for the ceremony. The piece of artwork was spectacular. • We surmised some guest speakers charge more than others - Bigelow v Herren (yet another inside joke - Maldonia - but I would be happy to elucidate for you next time we meet)! • The City of Malden has been good to us, and we to them. It is said in “Malden Musings”... • Dedicated to making the highways and byways safe and accessible for the men, women and children of Malden, I am declaring July “Be Kind to Your Friendly Neighborhood Parking Control Officer Month” as a tribute to these hard-working City of Malden employees. This week’s spotlight goes to PCO newbie Ryan McMahon. Ryan ain’t a Malden guy but is quickly making friends throughout the city. The Italian American Citizen’s Club on Pearl Street is so enamored by his work ethic that they are contemplating making him an honorary member (inside joke, yet again). Keep up the great work, Ryan, and welcome to Malden! • In the “they don’t write songs like they used to” department, I present to you John Prine’s “Souvenirs” from his 1972 release, “Diamonds in the Rough.” Listen to it, you’ll like it. • Steve “Teebo” Thibeault. A sweetheart of a man. May his memory be a blessing. • Speaking of Maldonia politics, did you ever see a spectacle such as the one that has been unfolding over the past two weeks or so in the City Council Chambers?! As the immortal Dudley Dickerson once said, “This house has sure gone crazy!” • Or “oy vey,” as my pal Jeff Donahue would say! BTW, nice to see you throw your hat back in the ring, Mr. Donahue! • Edgeworth lost yet another legend with the passing of “The Golden Toe,” Paul DeMayo. Laurence Binyon wrote “They shall not grow old, as we that are left grow old. Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, we will remember them.” Rest in peace, Mr. DeMayo. • If you look real close next time you watch Steve Martin and Goldie Hawn’s 1992 movie, “Housesitter,” you will catch a glimpse of former City of Malden Retirement Director Kevin “The Elbow” Morrison as he has his 15 minutes of fame casually and nonchalantly photobombing a scene. True story. He ain’t no retired Malden Police Chief Kevin Molis when it comes to movie cameos, but he is worth mentioning. • Timmy Buckley (MHS 1977)! Joe and I walked Revere Beach last week and you were nowhere to be found. Your Gang of Four (pun intended) assured us you were “busy” that morning. Because we remember you as one of the hardest working gym rats and one of the most underrated athletes to ever roam 02148, we did not question — LOL. All the best, Timmy! See you down the road a piece. MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 8 425r Broadway, Saugus Located adjacent to Kohls Plaza Route 1 South in Saugus at the intersection of Walnut Street We are on MBTA Bus Route 429 781-231-1111 We are a Skating Rink with Bowling Alleys, Arcade and two TV’s where the ball games are always on! 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