THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, October 21, 2022 Page 7 MUSINGS | FROM PAGE 6 most perplexing problems, but they saved the highest praise for none other than Bowman Street’s most famous son, their neighbor Kevin Larson. Great meeting you two. Stay well. • Just for clarifi cation purposes, Mike McCarthy was (and still is) the face of the Irish American Labor Day Road Race, but new kid on the block, Kevin Killion’s little brother Brian, has been the go-to guy for the past couple of years. Mike and Brian, the dynamic duo! Thank you, guys, for all you do. • Rest in peace to the “Dean of Boston Jazz Radio,” Eric Jackson (aka “Eric in the Evening”). • Funny Malden Police Commissioner Sal Gennetti story: So, Butch is a rookie on the Malden Police Force (1961, I believe). He’s a raw recruit and the veterans on the force have an initiation for said recruits. He gets a call. There is an armed gunman off Pleasant St at Beebe Jr. High School on Beebe Hill. He’s told to proceed with caution – the man is armed with a rifle. Butchie gets to the location and discovers...he’s been roasted. Standing in front of him is the bronze Spanish War Veterans’ Memorial: armed and not so dangerous. As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character “Columbo” would say, “Just one more thing, sir” – Christmas is right around the corner. Not to rush it but this ode to that special day and Craig’s heartfelt comments regarding “Nana,” hits me in the Gulliver every time I read it. Craig hit a grand slam a couple years back with this Alice Christmas memory. He encapsulates the holiday season and his love of his “Nana” as well as anybody possibly can. Nana Alice loved it also: “My fondest Christmas memories will always be my grandparents’ (Anthony & Alice Spadafora) home on Emerald St., Christmas Eve in particular. As a child with a big extended family, I looked forward to this annual tradition. This night brought myself and my many cousins, aunts, and uncles together under one roof with love, joy, and anticipation on the eve of the most magical day of the year. Each child always received gifts from aunts and uncles chosen at random. It was a house full of laughter, food, and a tree stocked with presents. And now, the food; baked, stuff ed, boiled, fried, cured – we had it all. The Christmas season always begins with a baking marathon of delicious Italian cakes and cookies. The aroma fi lls the home for weeks on end. A few samples of pastries created for the season might include taralli, pizzelle, ciambelle, mostaccioli, biscotti, struff oli, panettone, crostoli, cannoli and so much more. And of course, the simple pasta and fi shes on Christmas Eve. Our family enjoyed a gourmet spread of baked, fried, and sautéed aquatic delicacies, known as ‘The Seven Fishes.’ The older I got, the harder it was to leave my grandparents’ house on Christmas Eve, as I quickly realized it was this day that supplied the real holiday magic. Looking back on it now in my adult mind is like watching my favorite Christmas movie. A true classic. My grandparents’ tree couldn’t have been more perfect, my grandmother’s smile more sincere, their house even had the traditional Christmas smell! I am no longer able to create any new Christmas memories with my grandfather ‘Papa Tony,’ but now have had the responsibility bestowed upon me of fathering crucial early holiday memories in my kids’ minds. I am so thankful that I can draw upon my own blessed experiences and realize how important it has been in the development of my character. Thank you, Tony, and Alice for teaching me the true meaning of a Merry Christmas!” Postscript 1: Speaking of one of Malden’s favorite sons, Kevin Larson, I’d like to wish him Malden, let us wrap your home in energy savings all year round. a happy 60th birthday. Many more, my friend. I was overjoyed when I got the invite to the social event of the Malden season (Kevin’s birthday party at Pearl Street Station), but unfortunately a family matter unexpectedly came up. Your graciousness was appreciated, my friend. Stay well and continue staying involved, my friend. Postscript 2: A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated this morning, Friday Oct. 21, at 11:30, at Saint Mary’s Church in Melrose. As a part of National Grid’s Community First partnership, Malden residents are eligible to save 75% or more on approved insulation and no-cost air sealing. Just think of insulation as a comfortable sweater for your home keeping the air you want in and air sealing as a jacket keeping dust and allergens out. Air sealing and insulation work together to save energy all year long. This program will help residents like you: Better manage energy use. Increase comfort all year long. To get started, schedule your no-cost Home Energy Assessment today. Learn more at masssave.com/malden or call 1-866-527-SAVE (7283) Make your home more environmentally friendly. Keep out dust and allergens.
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