Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 5, 2025 ~ Malden Musings ~ Dana Brown Speaks By Peter Levine W hen former Malden High School Principal Dana Brown speaks, we listen. From up on high comes the word! From the man with the master plan, the keeper of calm in the midst of chaos, whose heart and soul beat in time with these here five square miles we proudly call Maldonia. The living legend who once turned nights into days (and somehow survived to tell the tale! LOL) — the one, the only — former Malden High School Principal, guardian of Golden Tornado lore, and eternal torchbearer of our city’s spirit: Mr. Dana Brown. Today, Dana steps forth from his mountaintop to deliver a message worth its weight in Malden gold. Here he is, pontificating — no, preaching! — about the incredibly generous check donated by Teddy and Maureen Teal to the Malden Warming Center. After reading his heartfelt words on Facebook, I swear I almost saw the light myself. Insert giant smiley face for dramatic effect. So, without further ado… “I use the line… All Roads… when talking about Malden. Dr. Rosemonde Paulo DNP, FNP-C, PMHNP-BC Mindset Psychiatric & Wellness LLC 26 Ferry St., Everett, MA 02149 Phone: (781) 242-5401 Fax: (781) 205-1973 Email: Info@mindsetpsychiatricwellness.com Others have borrowed it. LOL. It means many things to many people. For some people it’s about the Kevin Bacon-like ‘6 degrees of separation’ of Malden. Go anywhere, talk to anyone and you will get to a Malden connection. Travel. Move away. Doesn’t matter. Never fails. Never. For me, it’s a bit more than that. It’s about the loyalty, the unconditional love the city gives to some of us and that we give back in return. It’s about seeing someone for the first time in years, feeling like you talked to them the week before. There is just a sense of goodness that many here have. It’s about a Saturday in November, when seemingly half the City is burying an IACC icon, Billy Settemio, while others are honoring another Malden legend, Danny Gilligan, at a retirement party. It’s about being handed an envelope by an old friend, husband and wife from generational Malden families, and then opening it later. Yikes. I’m getting goosebumps typing this. This is fricken Malden! All roads…Thank you! “In loving memory of Lisa Gilligan — thank you, from the very bottom of our hearts to the extraordinary Teddie and Maureen Teal for the $1,000 donation. Their kindness shines brighter than the Macdonald Stadium lights on Thanksgiving morning.” It is said in “Malden Musings”... • In case you haven’t heard, the Be prepared before the next power outage. Dana Brown & MHS Football Head Coach Witche Exilhomme at the MHS Hall of Fame Banquet Prince of Edgeworth, Billy Settemio, passed away recently. I am still wrapping my head around it and promise a more comprehensive word or two “Malden Musings” style in the very near future. In the meantime, here is Joe Crowley from Pisa Pizza letting Maldonia know how much he appreciated Billy: “Our prayers go out to Billy [Settemio’s] family today. If you’ve spent any time in Edgeworth, you would recognize his smile and kind words from a mile away. For over 30 years we’ve had him coming through our front door always talking about family and good times. You will be missed by so many, Billy. Praying for comfort for his family and close friends!!!” • Who else is just loving the Receive a free 5-year warranty with qualifying purchase* - valued at $535. Call 866-852-0221 to schedule your free quote! wonderful weed garden Malden has installed at the One Salem Street location?! Nice assortment of weed trees and crabgrass that has enhanced the beauty of that iconic location a great deal indeed — said no one. • Selma van de Perre, Dutch Jew who resisted Nazis, 103. May her memory be a blessing. Do yourself a favor and Google this remarkable woman’s life. • Anybody else read the article in the June 29 edition of the Boston Globe Magazine titled “The case of the Dutch metal detectorist and the mysterious solider from Malden”? Shame if you didn’t. Find it online or see me for a hard copy (I have one available). • “Fan mail from some flounder”... from my pally, Timmy Carey — future Malden High School Athletic Hall of Famer (my note: I’m on a mission, Timmy, we’ll get you in): “loved reading the back story on Leo Moro. Leo was my Babe Ruth coach on the Chiefs for 3 years in the early 80’s. Loved playing for him and enjoyed him tremendously on a personal level. He took me to my first BC football game vs Alabama at Foxboro in 1983. Great watching Flutie for the first time. I stayed friendly with Leo long after my playing days. Never once did he ever share any of his military service with me, but I guess that happened a lot with those guys of the greatest generation. God Bless you in heaven Leo.” • Malden. Malden. Malden. You’re gonna miss Craig Spadafora! Maybe not right now but down the road a piece. Definitely. Ward 8 Councillor Jadeane Sica was spot on a couple weeks back with her Letter to the Editor appearing in these same pages. Yes indeed, Craig never needed headlines or a photo op because he always led from the heart with patience, humility and that fab sense of humor he inherited from his pops, Saint Albert. Jadeane nailed it: “he is the person who shows up when no one is watching — early mornings, late nights, and every weekend in between.” Malden, I been around long enough to confidently say you ain’t never gonna see another Craig Spadafora walk through that council door again. Too bad. Happy trails, Craig, best of luck to you
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