Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 1, 2022 Malden Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday – Devir Park Bandstand By Peter Levine S peaking of Devir Park...the 1958-1963 New York City– based crime show “Naked City” had a tag line, “There are 8 million stories in the naked city...” Just as in the Naked City, there are 8 million stories that have taken place at Devir Park. Here Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com is but one... Kevin Larson is now one of the tribal elders. His Malden Street cred goes back. Way back. If he wasn’t directly involved in the story, he was indirectly involved in the story. And the stories are plentiful. You may know Kevin as a Malden watchdog of sorts. The famed interlocutor has a long history over the years of placing pointed, insightful letters to the editor challenging the powers that be. Or you may know him as the guy who “married up” when he wed that lovely gal from Medford, his best friend Trish, 34 years ago this month (the marrying up line famously uttered by Kevin’s late father, Jack). Kevin remembers a night back in 1973 (?) when the Bandstand crowd bum-rushed Augustine A’s Manager Steve Ring over a fi nancial matter. Kevin remembers the evening of the altercation at Devir Park vividly and fondly. On this very warm eveThe Bandstand at Devir Park. Augustine’s Athletics player, unknown. (Photo generously donated by the Santo/Bionelli families.) ning, he remembers, one of the young Bandstand ruffi ans and Steve Ring jawing back and forth about payment for raking the infi eld. Kevin remembers his brother Ed saying, “Ohhh boy, here we go.” The Damiano brothers were present, as well as Mark “Fox” Anastas. Kevin continued, “If memory serves me right, I also recall Steve Ring having an issue with Bob Covelle about broken windows being paid for. Bob put his lawn chair on home plate and sat there holding up the game until such payment was made. My brother Ed did a hat collection real quick ordered by Steve Ring. Fourteen dollars was raised. Ed would tell that story all the time.” Thanks for the memories, Kevin. Here is another little Devir Park ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...Step inside this 3-4 bedroom Colonial and enjoy all the space this house has to offer: living room, formal dining room, huge eat-in kitchen with newer countertops and bright dining area, 3 bedrooms, 2nd floor office with built-ins (could be 4th bedroom), 1.5 baths, walk up attic with additional living space and storage area, stylish, wrap around farmer’s porch, double staircase, first floor has tall ceiling height and new flooring, fenced in backyard with inground pool and storage shed, additional side yard, perfect for garden or green space. Updates include gas heat, roof, hot water heater, energy efficient solar panels. Side street location, very convenient to public transportation and Route One. Offered at $599,900 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com story, this one taken from the archives; 1973 was a tumultuous year for Devir Park. Walter “splendid idea, place a large brick building in the middle of Malden Square and shoppers will fl ock to it” Kelliher was Mayor. According to then Ward 2 Councillor Billy Callahan, the neoclassical, Doric-columned fi eld house (the Bandstand, as we called it) had become an “eyesore” and a hangout for “unruly” young people. At one of the City Council meetings, Councilor Callahan proposed a “Resolve” to the City Council. According to written accounts, “passionate wrangling ensued at the meeting.” Callahan lost his temper and at one point one of the younger observers supporting the rehabilitation of the Bandstand broke into tears. I remember the meeting vaguely, not enough of it to remember this ruckus. The “Resolve” passed 6-5. Those voting to tear the Bandstand down – thus ruining our summer – were Callahan, James Murphy, Philip Elfman, Herbert Jackson, Paul Bartlett and (then) Councilor-Rep Jimmy Conway. Those voting against (and forever remaining near and dear in our hearts) were William Patchell, Neil Callahan, John O’Neill, Tom Cosgrove and a woman who was way ahead of her time, Amelia Miclette. Again, according to written accounts, “prospects for improved neighborhood harmony seemed better due to the YMCA Outreach Program organizing youth activities in various parts of the city.” Thank you, Greg Albert, director of the program. Thank you, Ronny Cox, Peggy Stallings, Allen Wynne, Paul O’Toole and all the rest of the dedicated Outreach staff who helped prolong the life of the Bandstand another fi ve or so years. A missive from my pal Mike: “Hi Peter, Mike Picardo here, you know, Harvey’s friend!!! Just wondering if your column/ newspaper covers the city of Everett? If so, not sure if you are aware, but 2 Everett High School Players, circa 2017 graduating class and Mass. Super Bowl Champions, were drafted by the NFL this past week. Names are Lewis Cines from University of Georgia, drafted in fi rst round by the Minnesota Vikings and Isaiah Likely from Coastal Carolina University by the Baltimore Ravens. I don’t have to tell you the odds of being drafted, but for 2 players to be drafted from the same high school in the same year doesn’t happen very often if at all. As I say, not sure if Everett news is on your radar but if it is this is worth mentioning don’t you think. Your call!! If you need more info on their behalf, Freddy Merchant would be a good source. Thanks for listening. Take care.” Thanks, Mike. I’ll be doing something on Isaiah soon. We’re claiming him as one of our own! More musings from the inimitable pen of the late John O’Brien, whose wit and wisdom endeared him to generations of Malden High School students, Maldonians and faculty at MHS. These baseball-reMALDEN: TODAY| SEE PAGE 7
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