Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 8, 2025 ~ Malden Musings ~ Malden High Class of 1975 Celebrates the Big 5-0 By Peter Levine M alden High School Class of 1975 — The BIG 5-0 is here! Can you believe it? Somehow, 1975 was FIFTY YEARS AGO (yes, 5-0!) — and now it’s our turn to crank up the tunes. (I agree, 1975 music was — at times — pretty lame), dust off those bell-bottoms (purchased at Slack Shak, of course) and party like it’s Bicentennial Weekend all over again (responsibly, of course, just like we did in 1976)! I am filled with so much happiness and so much joy as I ask you to SAVE THE DATE for Saturday, September 20, at the Crowne Plaza in Woburn. We’re throwing the ultimate 50th Reunion Bash: a night of hugs, high-fives, so many laughs and more “Who are you again!?” moments than we can count. Unless you’re Jack Freker, Judi Freede, Billy Settemio, Greg Lucey, Pam Picillo, Dave Angelo, Ann Mirages, Gerry O’Connor or Mark Burns, who seemingly have not aged. Tickets are reasonably priced at $100 (forgive me, I was instructed to use the phrase “reasonably priced”) with Cocktail Hour (cash bar) from 5–6; a swell feed (buffet, of course) and much merrymaking immediately after. There’ll be dancing (very carefully), tales of yesteryear (we may have heard once or twice in the past), maybe a drunken rendition or two of the school fight song — “Our colors are the Blue & Gold, our war cry M.H.S...” and pure unfiltered 70s-style shenanigans (but with pot smoking legal now — praise the deity of your choice) all night long btw (nap rooms will be available upon request)! RSVP by August 20 by scanning the QR Code for Venmo payment, or go oldschool and make checks payable to Pam Picillo — 7 Peterson Rd., Peabody, MA 01960 (or, as Pam and her fellow Tanners like to say, WEST Peabody — West Peabody inside joke!). Need a place to crash after all that boogying (besides your car, that is)? Call 781-935-8760 to snag our special $169 room rate at the Crowne Plaza. Let’s make it a night to remember — because to be honest, at our age we’ll need photographic evidence to piece it together later! It’s our Golden Jubilee, peeps — 50 years since we ruled the halls of MHS, and we’ve still got the moves (or at least the orthopedic inserts). Be there or forever be on Pam’s, Jack’s, Dan’s, Judi’s and Arthur’s (expletively deleted) list. Oh, and just so you know, Mid-grade Regular 2.83 3.35 3.49 $3.47 Over 47 Years of Excellence! 1978 - 2025 ULS Full Service $2.99 Order online at angelosoil.com Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lien * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net Freck is putting his good name on the line with a personal guarantee that this will be an evening for the ages — the kind you’ll be talking about long after the dessert table is cleared and the last Bud Light is pounded. Expect spirited reunions with old classmates, heated debates about the best TV shows we’ve binge-watched over the decades, confessions about who’s officially joined the Social Security club and a friendly tally of just how many hips have been replaced (my current count: two). And if, by some wild twist of fate, you don’t have a stellar time? Well… blame Freck. LOL. Speaking of 1975... The Red Sox were in the World Series; Ali and Frazier fought the “Thrilla in Manila,” Mayor Gary “G Force” Christenson turned seven years old and Fred Silverman at ABC ushered in the era of “jiggle television.” The year was 1975, our senior year at good old Malden High School and we would be spending most of our free time up “The Mount.” Living our best life, as they say today. Most nights kicked off on the sidelines of some game. Basketball, football, hockey — didn’t matter — and before long the “drink of choice” for the evening magically appeared like clockwork. From there, the night unfolded with the usual harmless chaos. If Russ Garland didn’t break into a booming, slightly off-key “God Bless America” at some point, we’d all feel cheated. Tradition was tradition. When the games and the anthems wrapped up, the pilgrimage began. We’d make our way down the Mount to Main Street — some walking, others… well, leaning heavily on gravity — bound for Malden Square. The Square was still alive in those hours, with chophouses glowing like beacons, ready to serve up burgers, pizza, fries and a night’s worth of stories. Late-night greasy spoons drew us in like a moth to a flame. Piece O’ Pizza for some; Brigham’s or Signor Pizza for others; Riley’s Roast Beef for me and my Devir Park slugs. The Square was bumping late night in 1975. There was a newsstand located at the entrance of Main and Pleasant that stayed open until the wee small hours, and Park Street took on a different persona at night (think Reefer Madness on steroids.) The Square boasted (at least) three “old men’s bars” at the time. After midnight, that’s when the saloons would empty, parties would wind down and all the parks in Malden from Linden to Devir would meet at the crossroads of Malden, Malden Square. Amazingly, there was hardly any trouble. That’s mostly because a lot of wacky tobacky was smoked in the 1970s. All you wanted to do at that point in the night was eat (or at least that is what I am told)! Insert smiley face here. Your only fear in those days were our men in blue. Let’s just say, you did not trifle with the FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
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