THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 22, 2025 Page 7 homemade Italian treats, and I gotta say right here, right now, Ari is quickly becoming a fan favorite throughout the Edgeworth neighborhood and beyond! • I saw Ward 1 Councillor Peg Crowe all weekend long and Peg is in the running once again for the San Rock 2025 MVP award! Whispers have it, at the very least — San Rock 2025 10th Player Award. Stay tuned. • Anthony Spadafora (pictured above) made a funny comment as San Rock Number One Fan Mayor Gary Christenson attempted to pin the first gelt on the Saint before the Procession. As Mayor Gary went to pin his $20 bill on the wreath, Anthony yelled out, “Former Mayor [Richie] Howard used to pin a $100 bill on the Saint!” Laughter all around with the biggest guffaw from our beloved mayor. • In the “let’s make sure the San Rock tradition never dies” department, it was inspiring to see Billy and Michelle Settemio’s adorable grandchildren Kennedy & Nolan place the donation wreath around the Saint’s neck before the start of the Sunday Procession (just for the record, it ain’t a parade). The Settemios and Spadaforas (as well as a host of other families in Edgeworth, I must add) have done so much for the Festa over the years, it is encouraging as well as heartwarming to know the tradition will continue long after we’ve “stepped aside.” • Barbara Scibelli — Malden High School’s recently retired Assistant to the Principal, parttime oracle of wisdom (available strictly on request) and full-time ray of sunshine — was right there at the corner of Oakland and West with her husband and fellow retiree, Mike, proud Oakland Street fixtures. Together, they and their stellar trio — Jeri, Toni and Anthony — greeted the Procession like a rescue squad from the heavens, armed with the ultimate fuel for weary revelers: icy-cold liquid salvation, delivered exactly when it was needed most. • Barbara and Mike, that water was nectar from the gods — bless you! And forgive me if memory (and perhaps one too many celebratory toasts) has failed me, but… was that mysterious, cheerfully wobbly bag of Jello shots also courtesy of the Scibelli clan? If so, consider this a very large, very grateful smiley face beaming your way! • We saw you, Michelle Luong! Edgeworth keeps detailed notes on this type of stuff! On behalf of myself and quite a few other Maldonians, we wish you the very best of luck in your pursuit of a Councillor-at-Large seat. Actually, please win (you and Craig, that is)! Insert smiley face. • The late Butch Gennetti was with us every single second of the weekend. That ain’t no bull sugar! Thank goodness we had his family around us for comforts sake and to make us all at least realize that his memory ain’t going anywhere, anytime soon. I know for a fact his son Sal had a fabulous weekend. That’s all I’ll say about that, and you can insert one last smiley face here. • Extra special San Rock Shout-Out to the man not only with the sharpest elbows in Edgeworth but to the dude that kept the Friday night IACC unwashed masses happy with the quick service he is known for as barkeep! He manned the air, he rammed the ramparts, he took over the airports, he did everything he had to do at the IACC under the San Rocco rockets’ red glare to make sure his customers got their High Noons in a timely manner. And he had nothing but victory after victory, as his tip jar will attest to. Ain’t NOBODY better behind the stick besides possibly Greg Lucey! Yes, that Greg Lucey! • So many familiar faces! So many fantabulous memories! So much unforced fun! So little time to reflect on the complete experience. If I have left you out, please know that it was not intentional (except for you, Pete Robby — insert snark face emoji). Drop me a line, refresh my memory and it will find its way into print. It has to! This is Maldonia history and we gotta keep it alive! Or forever be held in contempt of Maldonia court history. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — to Joyce and Sheldon Mover…Thank you — for everything you do, and everything you are for the San Rock tradition. It’s clear the San Rock Festa isn’t just an event to you; it’s a calling, a rhythm that pulses through your veins, a legacy etched into your family’s story, carried in your hearts and lived through your hands. You don’t just organize — you embody. You don’t just preserve yourself, you breathe life into what came before, so it may live again in us. We are deeply fortunate — as a community, as neighbors, as keepers of this tradition — to have you as our stewards. You remind us that heritage isn’t something we inherit. It’s something we tend to, together. So, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Next year on Pearl Street. Postscript 1: Time for “Malden Musings bad joke of the week”.. .A man falls out of a tree in Malden, Massachusetts… Locals say it’s the first time in history someone’s tried to cut in line for the Saint Rocco’s Feast from above. “That’s a joke son” said in my best Foghorn Leghorn voice as I combine two recent Maldonia-centric stories into one lame joke. No need to thank me. Postscript 2: Godfather of the San Rock Festa of Maldonia — the one, the only — Nick Angelo… God bless your pea-pickin’ heart! This man hasn’t just attended every single San Rock Festa — he’s practically the patron saint of sausage & peppers and the keeper of the fried dough flame. Sure, maybe the first 10 Feasts are a little fuzzy in the memory banks, but for the last 80+? Nick has been front and center, helping to keep the Feast alive — through the boom years, the lean years and every blessed year in between. Nick, I tried to give you a proper salute last week, but your celebrity status had you mobbed by well-wishers, admirers and at least three people trying to hand you homemade biscotti. Just in case it hasn’t been said enough lately — we love you, Nick. Full stop. And yes, I caught sight of your still-dashing brother Johnny — the Angelo charm (no doubt) clearly runs in the family — but once again, no chance for the salute he deserves. If the good Lord’s willin’ and the crick don’t rise, next year, on Pearl Street, gentlemen… my salute will be legendary. —Peter is a long-time Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@ aol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms. SPORTS | FROM PAGE 1 and Malden High School joins the over 350 other high schools in Massachusetts, from Pittsfield to Gloucester, which kicked off Fall Sports season with preseason tryouts and practice sessions. It is certainly a busy time of year for everyone involved, but it is mixed with the dual excitement — tinged with a bit of apprehension — that comes with the start of both school classes and the sports programs. Malden High School’s Charlie Conefrey has known the feeling on all levels: as a Hall of Fame student-athlete in the 1990s, a coach in the 2000s and now in his 11th year as Director of Athletics/Physical & Health Education PreK-12. “We have had an excellent start to the preseason, with both numbers of student-athletes who have come out for the teams and atmosphere around the athletic program,” Conefrey said. “We have close to 300 student-athletes who started the preseason either last week (with football) or this week and there’s a lot of excitement around the teams, which is always great to see.” Conefrey said most of the teams are reporting increased tryout numbers so far, a trend in the Fall Sports teams overall. Conefrey said even more student-athletes will be joining the ranks after school opens officially on Wednesday, August 27. “Usually a number of ninth-graders join the teams after school start and there is still plenty of time to join our teams, especially those freshmen looking to try out or sign up.” Malden High School will be offering Varsity Teams in: Boys Cross Country, Girls Cross Country, Coed Golf, Coed Field Hockey, Football, Boys Soccer, Girls Soccer and Girls Volleyball. Junior Varsity level teams will be part of Football, Boys and Girls Soccer and Girls Volleyball. Freshman level teams are being expected for Boys Soccer and Girls Volleyball, though not all Greater Boston League (GBL) schools offer three levels of competition. The Athletic Director noted there are also Middle School Sports being offered for Malden Public Schools students in Grades 7 and 8 in Boys Baseball, Boys and Girls Cross Country and Girls Softball. When the Middle School Sports programs begin practice and play, then the number of student-athletes will grow to close to 350 in all for the Fall Sports season. Conefrey said anyone seeking information on the registration process for any of the Fall Sports teams may email the Athletic Office to administrative assistant Jeanne Marquardo at www.jmarquardo@maldenps.org or call 781-397-6007. 617-275-0700 916 Broadway, Everett, MA BUSINESS HOURS Mon - Thurs 1:00 PM-10:00 PM Fri & Sat 12:00 PM-10:30 PM Sunday 12:00 PM-10:00 PM www.cajuncorner916.com
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