Page 8 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, September 9, 2022 Malden Musings – San Rock 2022 Part 2 By Peter Levine M HS Hall of Fame athlete Jenelle DeVits and her adorable daughter, Penelope, took a break while preparing the grease pole. When Penelope’s mom and San Rocco Grease Pole co-organizer Jenelle DeVits speaks, I listen: “As an Edgeworth kid, I remember walking down to Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 Pearl St. as fast as I could to get a good spot for the grease pole every year. Even as teenager, my friends and I would pull up to the fence early, and then start cheering the climbers on like it was the playoff s, game 7. It was a yearly ritual for as long as I can remember. I’ve watched some amazing Maldonians come together as a team to get the salami and cheese atop the grease pole. The last few years, I’ve witnessed the hard work and dedication of some long-time Edgeworth guys bring this tradition back – Andy Rigano, Nick Gizzi, Joey and Jay Hurley, Tim Kelly, etc. A few years ago, I was honored to join them on the team, when, for the fi rst time, the Edgeworth ladies stepped up to help get them to the top. We watched Gina Spadafora Hurley, Anna Rigano, and others come out of the crowd. We witnessed top tier specialist Rebecca Krigman prove that climbing the grease pole is an equal opportunity risk! “Last year was extremely special, as the climb to honor Chris Rigano brought our neighborhood together like never before. This year, I was glad to help bring the grease pole back and work with Rebecca, Nick, and Andy to get it up and recruit climbers. I even got Andy to pull a ‘Tom Brady’ and come out of his so-called retirement to climb. This year, we climbed to beat cancer. We climbed for Tim Kelly. As our team assembled though, we realized we were short a few bodies, so we started recruiting from the crowd. It was great. We watched several Maldonians step up and join the team. Eventually, we even had Billy Spadafora out there! “The best part, though… after an hour or so of watching us struggle to get that fourth tier, Marina Rigano Cox and Gina Spadafora Hurley changed, taped up, and gave us the last boost we needed to get to the bag. It was something else watching Gina’s son Joey climb on top of her shoulders to grab it – talk about an Edgeworth family! “A lot of people do not appreciate the hard work and time commitment it takes to make the grease pole happen every year, so I want to thank my wife, fellow Maldonian Kimberly Gillette, for holding down the fort at home so I could help make this happen. My 14-month-old daughter, a fourth generation Edgeworth kid, experienced her fi rst St. Rocco’s Feast this year. She loved the music, the people, and the dancing, but I hope one day she is covered in grease helping her friends get to the top. Viva San Rocco!” “Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. Maldonian from border to border, coast to coast, and all ships at sea. Let's go to press...” • The streets surrounding the Festa were in primo shape as DPW Director Bobby Knox and his band of merry men at the DPW spent many hours lovingly weed whacking, pruning and generally making sure the hood was ready for its closeup. Thank you, Bobby. Thank you, Mayor Christenson. Thank you to the hardest working men in showbiz, the Malden DPW! Especially you, Nicky Longo (Edgeworth’s own). • They made their debut on the gritty streets of Edgeworth some 55 or so years ago. The gang gathered once again this year at the 92nd Annual San Rock Festa to reclaim their sacred turf. Dickie “The King of King Neptune” Santo, Mario Russo, Marco DiScipio, David Zinetti, Joe “Bag of Donuts” Pagliccia, Dommy “Boo Boo” Bucci, Billy “Smegs” Smeglin and Vinnie “The Wizard” Pagliccia staked claim in front of the Food Stand and greeted one another like the long-lost comrades-in-arms that they are – a touch of gray here and there but all looked marvelous. Next year on Pearl, my paisans! Stay well. • Shout-out to Steve Savio and Sea Breeze on an outstanding performance Sunday afternoon at the Festa, fl awlessly performing the timeless classics many of us grew up with. Frank, Jerry Vale, Ray Price – Steve nailed them all! I just love this band. Reminds me of Sunday mornings growing up. Brings me back to my mother in our kitchen preparing Sunday dinner; Lou Monte, Sergio Franchi and Dino playing in the background. Terrifi c band, great memories! • So nice to see the Carducci family gathered in their yard on Pearl Street as they have for the past 50 or so years, matriarch Esther (Carducci) still frying the dough at 97! Very fortunate to still have their mom around. I spotted Pat Mallon, Jimmy (Cooch) and Merlen, Andy Curran, George DeCandia and many more of the Cooch Yard regulars (Eddie Thompson, where were you?). Monogram D4 Double siding Cedar impression half rounds Harvey Vinyl 64 Replacement Windows Custom Aluminum Trim work Windows & Doors Top quality Vinyl Siding! •Vinyl Siding •Carpentry Work •Decks •Roofing •Free Estimates •Replacement Windows •Fully Licensed •Fully Insured
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