Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 15, 2025 ~ Malden Musings ~ The Malden of My Youth — Revisited & Revised By Peter Levine I ’d like to take a moment to tip my Scally cap and send a big public thank you to a new friend, Mike Hamilton. Mike’s a dyed-inthe-wool Somerville guy who’s been calling Woburn home for years now, raising a great family with his lovely wife. These days, he finds himself spending a fair amount of time in Malden — and, lucky for us, he’s brought a really good sense of humor, Hall of Fame credentials and sharp observations along with him. Mike recently shared some kind words about my column that genuinely made my day. He said he enjoys reading them — not quite enough to make him wish he grew up in Malden (we’ll let that slide), but enough to appreciate the deep-rooted history and the shared character between Malden and his hometown of Somerville. Coming from a guy with Somerville street cred like Hammers, I’ll take that as high praise! Thanks, Mike. I’ve received a few compliments over the years, but this one hit differently. It’s a great honor for a hack like me to receive such praise: that my words actually moved someone like Mr. Hamilton. At first, I figured our childhoods in Malden weren’t all that different from those growing up in Medford, Somerville, Chelsea or anywhere else tucked into Greater Boston. And sure, on paper, maybe they weren’t. But the more I sat with it, the more I realized — that Malden was something special. It wasn’t just a place to grow up. It was a certain vibe, a village, a beautifully chaotic slice of Americana that stamped us/me for life: unique, unforgettable and wicked awesome. The way Malden is geographically laid out lends to its uniqueness — how certain areas were defined by the ethnicity of their Mid-grade Regular 2.83 3.35 3.45 $3.47 Over 47 Years of Excellence! 1978 - 2025 ULS Full Service $2.99 Order online at angelosoil.com citizens; how some were defined by the park that was central to the location; how some were defined by the “Square” that happen to be in the middle of the neighborhood. Green Street Park was ground central for years. Oak Grove rocked. There was Amerige Park with the amazing number of hoopsters, card players and potheads it produced LOL. There were the Edgeworth/Pearl Street/Whitman & Highland crews with “The Bakery” for many years being a focal point, the Newland Street Projects, the Devir Park gang(s), Harvard Street Park and Lincoln Park, the Belmont Hill boys, Maplewood Square, Judson Square, Forestdale Park aka Alex Gentile Memorial Park, the Vista Street hooligans (I kid) and Linden Square (Robinson’s News)/Linden Park. Trafton Park and Ferryway Green had their memorable characters. Coytemore Lea was always bumping with great fun. Suffolk Square was mostly gone when I was growing up, but their past is alive and well even today. The “Rez” was a place for the cool kids. Waitt’s Mount was a required destination growing up. I haven’t even touched on Malden Square as a youth — the Signor Pizza crowd, the Brigham’s crowd, the Park Street crowd (where the saying was “what goes on at Park Street STAYS at Park Street”) and on and on. I also firmly believe that the 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 fact that we were all crunched together in five square miles made us all, for the most part, anyway, “friends.” Of course, the occasional flare up would occur but mostly we saved that for our “arch enemies” next door – Meffa. Turns out, some of THE NICEST people I have EVER met came from just over the Fells in Medford (the folly of youth)! Point being, I don’t remember much hatred going around but I DO recall a tight knit community. Speaking of Malden’s storied past, “Where has the Malden of our youth gone” was a post on Facebook a while back. For sure this is a nebulous sort of question, maybe it was meant rhetorically – nevertheless I am goIn this rare photo: “Linden on the Saugus Branch” renowned novelist — Malden boy Elliot Paul (at the piano) in 1949 playing at President Harry Truman’s inauguration in Washington, D.C., as a guest of Truman and Albert Ammons, legendary American boogie-woogie piano player. Mr. Paul was a pupil of Mr. Ammons. ing to attempt to give my spin on this age-old query and how it pertains to us longtime Maldonians in present day M Town. First and foremost, I like Malden 2025 and those in office (well, most of them, anyway LOL). I am a firm believer that we are living in the best of times. Three successive administrations with progressive, caring and highly intelligent leaders (Eddie Lucey, Richie Howard and Gary Christenson) have transformed us into one of the more desirable locations to raise a family and to grow old in ANYWHERE. I also, obviously, enjoyed growing up in Malden. My childhood memories of running the streets and parks of Malden are just as wonderful and vivid as if they happened just yesterday. Here are my thoughts (and I will stop rambling for a few moments): The Malden of my youth... • Had childhoods that were immortalized in novels, like “Linden on the Saugus Branch” by the likes of an old Linden boy, Elliot Paul • Had two movie theaters within walking distance of each other • Had educators who cared, who thought “outside the box,” who were active members of the community • Had Donnie Brunelli — right, Dana B.? • Was filled with Little League, youth hockey, Babe Ruth League and Pop Warner coaches that were fully invested, fully engaged and highly knowledgeable • Had sports coaches who pushed you to be better, who showed you the fundamentals and took a vested interest in your abilities • Had baseball coaches like Mr. Grimes, Mr. Pitts, Mr. Cuthberg, Bobby McCarthy’s late older brother Joe (happy 77, Joe!), Mr. Patrie, Mr. Covelle and a just back from the VN War Johnny Marsinelli • Had an Italian Feast every second weekend in August on Pearl Street since the beginning of time (and still do) • Had Joe & Nemo’s! • Had neighborhood restaurants and saloons where they remembered your name, what you ate, what you drank and when to shut you off • Had a downtown area that was safe, accessible, full of life... and still quaint • Had Peter Panama Carroll (and still do!) • Had neighborhoods with unique characteristics and FLEET CARD Check Out Our LOW PRICES!
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