Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 3, 2021 Malden Today, Tomorrow and Yesterday – Irish American Labor Day Road Race By Peter F. Levine T he Malden tradition that we all know and love so much is back! Yes, it is that time of the year again, Maldonians! Summer is sadly in our rearview mirror, but with that glum news comes some really happy news! The annual Irish American Labor Day Road Race making Maldonians very happy will happen once again! I ran into old friend Mike McCarthy at the Saint Rocco Festa just last weekend! Mike reminded me that he, Brian Killion, and the rest of those wonderful folks at the Irish American Club will be sponsoring their annual I.A. 5k/10k Road Race again, this time at 10 a.m. on Monday, September 6. This is the best time of the year and I just love this event. It is truly what makes Malden special. Brian assured me that there is still plenty of time to register. Call him at 781-8206358 with any questions or go to www.runsignup.com to register beforehand. Also, if you are inclined, just go to the Irish American on West Street in person the day of the race to register. The signup fee is $30 until 10:30 a.m. Brian wanted to stress once again that all proceeds will go to Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. No better way to spend your hard-earned money than knowing that all proceeds go to fighting this dreaded disease. For male and female runners, medallions will be awarded for the fi rst-, second- and thirdplace fi nishers for many diff erent categories. Brian also wanted to make sure everybody knew that all festivities would take place outside the Irish Club on the day of the race. COVID-19 cautious is how Brian explained it to me. Family, friends, or complete strangers, come by and have a great time. Mark this on your calendar for a fun fi lled day of Volunteers at the last Irish American Labor Day Road Race; from left to right are unknown, Judy’s husband Mike Sullivan and Maureen’s husband Rocky Brooks. (Courtesy Photo) School Bus Driver Wanted for Afternoon & Evening Sporting Events. Buses garaged in Malden. Call Mr. Ladner at: 617-542-2325, ext. 212 J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. raffl es, pizza, hot dogs and (of course) “refreshments” at the always aff ordable Irish American prices. This year there will be a disc jockey playing a variety of music, including some good old-fashioned, traditional Irish tunes. Brian wanted to personally thank the many sponsors and volunteers for their continued support and generosity. Without them, he told me, this event could not happen. “I participated in this race once way back in the day and had a blast! I remember the encouragement from friendly faces along the route and I also remember the unforgettable pain I felt after! But it was loads of fun despite the pain, and I really enjoyed the ‘refreshments’ part of the day after the race. I’ll be S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping there again this year (not running though in case you were wondering) and will be sure to have a ‘refreshment’ or two in memory of Mike’s late brother, the one and only”—Stephen McCarthy. Once again expect Mike “Mr. 02148” Cherone and Mayor Gary Christenson to run the race like the young bucks they are and fi nish in the top of their respective age categories, embarrassing those of us who have made the art of the recliner our way of life these days. Oh, and by the way, I’ll be sure to request the DJ program at least one Pogues song while I’m there (“Streams of Whiskey”?). “I saw the light, I saw the light “No more darkness, no more night “Now I’m so happy, no sorrow in sight “Praise the Lord, I saw the light” It took a chance listening of this old country gospel classic, which was written by the “Hillbilly Shakespeare” himself, Hiram King ‘Hank’ Williams, to make you truly appreciate that politics (local, statewide or national), version 2021, can be, well, complicated. For those reading my humble offerings this past month or so (and I really appreciate that you are reading my humble offerings), I have been including personal profi les of certain candidates running for offi ce this election season. Not all, just a few. The ones I’ve featured I’ve had a relationship with going back years. They reached out to me some time back and asked if I could write a little something, something about them. A couple of them are rookies and wanted to introduce themselves to their fellow Maldonians – new and older residents alike. A couple are grizzled, old veterans from years past who wanted to reacquaint themselves to our ever-growing, ever-changing population. Lawdy, lawdy! I guess I should have thought this out a little bit more before I went to print. To make a long story short, some politically active residents in this politically active city of ours were disappointed I did not give equal access to all candidates. Some pushed back. Most understood my position. My column is an odd one – not really sure what to call it. Human interest? Local interest? A combination of both, perhaps? With that said my articles are not held to the same standards as objective news reporting. The opinions I express are my own. Who and what I choose to include is strictly up to me. Also, and most importantly, there is simply not enough column space to include everything and everybody I would like. Lesson learned; I’ve seen the light! I’ll continue to include my “insider knowledge” of Malden peppered with that Peter Levine sense of humor you’ve all come to know and love, but going forward this wandering wordsmith promises to forgo anything that hints of politics. I’ve seen the light!! Now back to our regularly scheduled program. It’s in the books! Once again we gathered on (newly paved) Pearl Street to celebrate Saint Rocco Feast weekend. Fabulous weather welcomed pilgrims far and wide to enjoy this spectacular weekend of music, food and friendship. Thank you to the Italian American MALDEN: TODAY| SEE PAGE 10
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