Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, July 9, 2021 Malden Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday – Malden’s 4th Annual Juneteenth Celebration By Peter F. Levine I t is said in Malden today, tomorrow and yesterday... At Malden City Hall Plaza on Saturday, June 19, Maldonians stood elbow to elbow and shoulder to shoulder in celebration of Malden’s Fourth Annual Juneteenth Flag Raising Celebration. Yes, you heard that right, Malden’s Fourth – as Mayor Gary Christenson proudly explained to the gathering. Not our first, as many cities in the Commonwealth celebrated – Malden way ahead of the curve as usual. A very nice crowd showed up, the plaza was full. With about 80,000 people living in Malden, though, I’d love to see all of Pleasant Street occupied for next year’s event. Spread the word. Bob and Diana Cataldo spent 60 years together, 56 of them married. Bob passed on in March of 2019 (yes, I know, hard to believe two years now) and left an enduring legacy behind. Bob and Diana started their ambulance service in 1977, opening the doors of Somerville Ambulance Service in August of that year. The business thrives today because of Bob’s and Diana’s loving and caring natures. Cataldo Ambulance was recognized today as an industry leader. Bob loved life. This short story illustrates that: In 1958, Bob met Diana Della Piana of Malden; ironically, the two chose to drag race each other down Revere Beach Parkway. As fate would have it, Diana won the race, but Bob won Diana’s heart. Bob would later go on to joke that Diana had a big V8 and he had only a total “crap box” and that is why he lost. Bob Cataldo, remembered. Great to see Douglas Tran on a recent late-night visit to Malden’s happy place, All Season’s Table. He looked tanned and rested with that trademark Douglas Tran personality and smile in full effect. My Cosmo was prepared by our regular mixologist, whose name, I am ashamed to admit, I do not know. Nobody in the city is better at preparing a cocktail than this young man, by the way. This kid could give Brother Cleve a run for his money. (Google Brother Cleve!) Our night was made when we ran into the always affable Captain Paul Hopkins of the Malden Police Department and Mr. and Mrs. Edgeworth, Dom and Sheila Fermano. Maldonians! A.S.T. is open and ready to serve you! Please make sure you find time to support Douglas and the rest of the other outstanding restaurants in the Square this summer. Councillor-at-Large Craig Spadafora attended the Juneteenth celebration, not because he had to but because he cares – his heart and soul fully invested in the city that he grew up in – a community and event he takes to heart, in the city that he and his whole family have made a better place to live for decades, generation after generation of Spadaforas giving back to the community and the country. So, we’re trying to determine what we should order at A.S.T. – my brother Joe, Greg “Son of Paul” Phaneuf and myself. Everything looks so good. Everything is good. So, we figured because there were two Levines present one “All Season’s Table Sampler” would not suffice. We decided on two A.S.T. Samplers and some chicken fried rice. Shortly Everett Aluminum 10 Everett Ave., Everett 617-389-3839 Owned & operated by the Conti family since 1958 • 57 Years! “Same name, phone number & address for family since 1958 • 63 over half a century. We must be doing something right!” •Vinyl Siding •Free Estimates •Carpentry Work •Fully Licensed •Decks •Roofing • Fully Insured • Replacement Windows www.everettaluminum.com Now’s the time to schedule those home improvement projects you’ve been dreaming about all winter! Vocalist Lydia Harrell with ASL Interpreter Stephanie Hakulin during Malden’s Juneteenth Celebration (Courtesy Photo) after ordering our food arrives (but not like Kowloon where 30 seconds after you order, your food is on the table) – gone in a flash with three content and satisfied Maldonians calling it a night. Thank you, A.S.T., for all that you do for Malden. I have received so many wonderful emails from people letting me know how much they appreciated and enjoyed the “Happy Mother’s Day Newland Street Moms” article I published a little while back. Cathy MacMullin was the impetus for me leaving my comfort zone (Edgeworth) and venturing outside of Ward 2 for an article. For that, I thank her. But I must also thank her for providing me with the bones for the article. It was Cathy’s words and heartfelt sentiments that made that article work. It was Cathy’s life story, and the story line of her many friends and family members, that made that a joy to read (and write). Cathy, MALDEN: TODAY| SEE PAGE 10 Summer is Here!
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