THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, August 29, 2025 Page 7 L&L Services, United Properties, Butch O’Halloran Construction and Scott Fitzpatrick Construction. Oh, and I’ll be sure to request DJ Gus play at least one Stiff Little Fingers song (“Barbed Wire Love”?). It is said in “Malden Musings”… • We get letters...Mike Bartlett remembers “Kennedy’s Butter & Eggs” on the corner of Exchange and Main Streets: “I remember when Kennedy’s burned...or rather the office building above it did. On a weekday afternoon, I was at my weekly drum lesson on Irving Street (I think my lessons were on Tuesdays). I’m guessing it was 1967. What a sight to see. I remember watching a person on one of the upper floors rescued from a window by a fire fighter on a ladder. I heard there was a fatality as well, but I never knew for certain if that was true. Kennedys remained in business after that; the rest of the building was removed. Looked strange after that, since that office building had been about the height of the back [Exchange Street] part of the Jordan Marsh building.” Now sits Walgreens, btw. • Apropos of nothing...happy 80th birthday to Chuck Goggin, who had a cup of coffee as a utility infielder for the BoSox in 1974 appearing in a total of 72 Major League Baseball games in his career. Most impressive about Mr. Goggin is that he is the most-decorated Vietnam veteran to play in the majors. “Malden Musings” honors you, Mr. Goggin, for your service to your country AND for your cup of coffee with the local 9. Come to Malden someday, I am positive Veterans’ Services Officer Kevin Jarvis will show you just how much we appreciate you and your service to this country. • “What you are about to read is a matter of human record. Explain it: we cannot. Disprove it: we cannot. We simply invite you to explore with us the amazing world of the Unknown ... to take that One Step ... Beyond.” So, it was Gary Cherone’s 64th birthday a couple of weeks back (yeah, I know — don’t he look fabulous?!), and my brother Joe is driving to Revere Beach to hang around Victor’s and get a pie at Bianchi’s. No wait, that was 40 years ago! This morning he’s driving to the beach to read yet another biography on Sandy Koufax and catch some rays when suddenly Extreme’s “Rise” comes on his playlist. Two minutes later — while “Rise” is still playing — his adorable daughter Dorothy texts him and asks him if he wished Gary a happy birthday yet! Coincidence? I think not. You decide. Happy birthday, Gary, from all the Levines, Scibellis and every Maldonian who remembers who the heck you are! LOL. Kids today have such short memory spans, dude...fuhgeddaboudit! • By the way, Extreme were performing in Romania (not far from Dracula’s Castle, btw) the day of G Force’s birthday and played a rocking little tribute to the recently deceased “Prince of Darkness,” John Michael Osbourne aka Ozzy Osbourne. Happy birthday, G Force, Malden is very proud of you! We get letters…It was very kind of Gerry Abbott to send me this cherished memory: “Aaaah .... Revere Beach of yesteryear. My wife and I came down from Middleton to see Fats Antoine Domino at the Ebb Tide. Tipped the doorman 10 bucks and he gave us seats right next to the ‘stage.’ (or what passed as stage in those days, haha) The area was about the size of a boxing ring located out in the middle of the floor. Guessing it was between 1968 and 1970. It was just big enough for Fats and his piano. The ‘Fat Man’ just played with a smile, performing every request yelled out. That included my favorite ‘I Wanna Walk You Home.’ At intermission, he sat at the bar, drinking and talking to the bar customers. The story goes that afterwards he would play cards in the back room with the bar owner and a few other crooks. The game was rigged. Fats would lose. Maybe lose ‘all of his pay to play.’ Fats would give them an expensive ring off his finger or agree to play a few extra nights to take care of his debt. If you dig hard enough online you can still find the story of ‘Fat’s Domino’s Legendary Performance at The Ebb Tide.’ Thank you, once again, Peter, for letting an old memory come back to make me smile!!” As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — in the blink of an eye, another chapter in the long, proud history of the Saint Rocco Feast has been written — and closed. Hard to believe it was my 58th year standing on the blacktop of Pearl Street, yet every August it still feels like coming home. My love affair with Saint Rocco began on a warm Monday night in 1967, when big brother Joe took me to the San Rock fireworks at Devir Park. I didn’t know it then, but the colors bursting in the night sky would mark the beginning of a lifelong tradition. Back then, the Feast was the summer’s finish line — the moment we all realized that school was creeping up fast. But before we traded shorts for sweatshirts, there was always one last, glorious blowout. For me — and for so many who grew up in Edgeworth and Ward 2 — it’s the continuity that means the most. The way you can set your inner clock by it: second weekend in August, every year, without fail. It’s an organic connection that lives in our hearts and minds, a living thread that ties generations together. So, Viva Saint Rocco — thank you for another year of memories. And to everyone reading this — see you ALL next year on Pearl Street. SHEILA ROSANIO SCHOOL OF DANCE & GYMNASTICS CLASSES START SEPT. 8TH ! AGES START AT 2 ½ • GYMNASTICS • JAZZ • HOP HOP —Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at PeteL39@aol. com for comments, compliments or criticisms. Lasting Friendships Are Formed at the Dance Studio • TAP • BALLET • CONTEMPORARY • LYRICAL • BOYS CLASSES •COMBO CLASSES & MORE Still Accepting Fall Registration! Classes Begin September 8th! PLEASE CALL: 781-771-9758 Or email: SHEILAROSANIO@GMAIL.COM 233 WASHINGTON AVE., REVERE
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