Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, November 21, 2025 ~ Malden Musings ~ ‘Frank Says Hi Fundraiser’ Sunday, Nov. 30 By Peter Levine A ttention Maldonians, gather ’round, because that moment on the calendar has rolled back around like a dependable Orange Line train that actually shows up. It doesn’t get any more Malden than the “Frank Says Hi” Scholarship Foundation fundraiser, and that’s the real deal from Edgeworth to Suffolk Square. This beloved event honors one of Malden’s own: the unforgettable Frankie DeCandia of Thacher Street in Ward 2. Compassion is kind of our thing around these five square miles of earth. Malden folks show up, period. And when it comes to paying tribute to someone as special as Frankie, we don’t just turn out, we turn up. Though Frankie left us far too soon in 2008, the people who loved him have made sure his name still resonates in the air of Malden. Every year, “Frank Says Hi” keeps his spirit blazing bright, helping a new generation chase their dreams through higher education while reminding all of us what courage and kindness look like. Frankie was one of those rare souls who could light up a room before he even walked in. Son, brother, cousin, friend, unofficial mayor of the bear hug... he brought joy with him everywhere. Even after being diagnosed in 2006 with CML, a form of leukemia, he lived loud, loved big and fought hard. He passed in April 2008 at just 23, but not before asking his best friend, Jason Rossi, to pass along one last message: “Tell everyone I said hi.” When Jason pressed him on who “everyone” meant, Frankie just grinned and said, “Everyone.” And so the mission was born. Since 2009, “Frank Says Hi” has been doing exactly what Frankie asked, greeting the world in his name and paying his spirit forward. More than $75,000 in scholarships has gone to worthy Malden seniors, helping them launch into college with Frankie’s smile at their backs. And don’t forget, the DeCandia roots run Malden-deep — Frank and Marcie, Malden High Class of ’74; Stephanie, shaping young minds at the Beebe School; Uncle Dana and Auntie Marie (Brown), known by pretty much anybody who can point to Malden on a map. This is a family stitched right into the fabric of the city. So yes, Maldonians, it’s that time again. A fundraiser, sure, but really it’s a celebration of a kid from Thacher Street who never stopped saying “Hi” to the world — and a city that refuses to stop saying it back. Once again, this year the annual “Frank Says High” fundraiser will be “Breakfast with Santa”! The event will take place on Sunday, November 30, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. at the Irish American Club in Malden. Henry’s Catering will be providing one of their fabulous breakfasts. There will be pictures with Santa, arts and crafts for children, tons of raffle prizes and more! Tickets are available at the door:- $25 for adults and $10 for kids; children under three, free. For more info go to http://www. franksayshi.com. It is said in “Malden Musings”... • Apropos of nothing... According to Billy “Tecca” O’Leary’s big brother, Bull, the last Little Leaguer to smack a homer over the fences at the old Converse Field was none other than (the late) Billy Condon — big brother to Ward 2 Councillor Paul “Hoss” Condon. Converse Field once sat proudly in front of the old Converse Rubber Factory on Pearl Street, where kids dreamed of the bigs and 1950s crowds cheered like crazy. These days, that patch of land is home to Donut Villa (amongst others), but if you listen closely, you might still hear the echoes of cracked bats (another Diego Barricelli single up the middle?), the shenanigans from The Stadium Café (the biker invasion, Billy?) and the distant hum of shoppers at Caldor (David Millikan buying Sunday school clothes?). Malden memories never fade (sadly) they just change their zip code. • Sherman, set the Wayback Machine to Maldonia of yesteryear... Did you know that Hills Tavern (or the “Rising Eagle,” as it was later known) was Malden’s very first barroom so to speak. Officially it was a Tavern: a place to bed down for the night, have a hot meal, Be prepared before the next power outage. Receive a free 5-year warranty with qualifying purchase* - valued at $535. quarter your horse and, of course, quench your thirst with a pint of New England rum or West India toddy. Located initially on Main Street where the Old City Hall once stood (1725-1857), it was moved to the corner of Irving and Main to make room for the new City Hall in 1857 (and eventually torn down in 1914). It was also ground central for a little thing that was going on at the time called the (American) Revolution. The men of Malden would meet here, discuss current events and plan their strategy for the struggles that consumed them in those historic times (and if they were anything like the Malden men of today, had a pint or two during said discussions). Second President of the U.S.A. John Adams had dinner there on two occasions, stopping for an overnight stay on March 11, 1766, on his way to Salem and once more on June 17, 1771, on his way to Marblehead. Thanks for listening. • Gather round the fireplace, Call 866-852-0221 to schedule your free quote! young’uns, Extreme (the band) history lesson time: Before there was Nuno (Bettencourt), there was the cute, poodle-haired guitarist Peter Hunt. Peter was born in Arlington — picking up his first guitar (a brown 1969 Gibson Melody Maker) in 1969. Self-taught Peter’s influences were (of course) Eddie Van Halen, Billy Gibbons, Jeff Beck and Gary Moore. In 1986 Peter left Extreme, forming Guitarzan with Boston’s Lou Serio and Revere’s John Cajolet rounding out the group. On a personal note, Peter’s songwriting, his chops and stage presence were outstanding and contributed to The Dream’s/ Extreme’s (early) success as they packed clubs up and down the North Shore. The rest, as they say, is history. • Left over Maldonia 4th of July memories... If you love Malden history, fasten your seat belts for another trip into Maldonia yesteryear brought to you by John Montecalvo via Facebook: “For all you Geezers and Geezerettes I bring to you... I remember my first 4th of July celebration at Amerige Park in 1954 when I was 6 years old. 1954 was a big year for me! Anyway, all the parks had celebrations, and your park was determined by what Ward you were in and mine was Ward 3. They would come house to house and collect $1 to offset the cost of the celebration with road races with prizes for all ages, a doll carriage parade, a bicycle parade, rides on a miniature fire engine, watermelon, ice cream, mother and son ball games, and MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 19
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