Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 6, 2024 ~ Malden Musings ~ Tales from Linden USA Part 3 By Peter Levine H ello Maldonia, Chris Moro, MHS Class of 1979, here – “Keeper of The Flame, Linden U.S.A.” – bringing you Part 3 of my Tales from Linden U.S.A. At the end of my second excerpt, I asked my fellow “Linden Knights” to reach out to me and share their stories of growing up “Linden Men” in God’s country, Ward 8, yes… “The Red-Headed Stepchild of Maldonia” – Linden. Linden, sometimes referred to as the Ward with “darkness on the edge of town,” as a nod to Springsteen when he would good-naturedly shout out to his rabid fans, “is 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 Cedar impression half rounds there anyone alive out there?!?” [My note: I’m not quite sure what this means but I thought Chris made it flow well – insert smiley face.] So, one day I’m at a local bank when I run into a “Linden Man,” Mr. Allan Small (he of the unstoppable jump/set shot) and he tells me that he read my article in the “Edgeworth Times,” oops, did I say that?! Sorry, Pete, I had to get that dig in this article, somewhere. Al tells me he enjoyed the piece and looked forward to reading the third install. It was nice to get a vote of confidence. Thanks, Al! I also had a chance to talk to Eddie Casaletto (of the Andrew Street Casalettos) and he told me he had a great story about his grandfather (Lynn Street). Hopefully, soon I get a chance to put it in print. This past spring I attended my high school reunion. Hard to believe it’s been 45 years – “Oh my God” said in the best Jonathan Higgins Magnum P.I. voice. Seeing everyone was great! It was there that I got a chance to see a whole host of “Linden Men” from our glory days of yore…oh, they pass you by (Bruce alert! Another nod to Bruce and his song “Glory Days”). Linden Men roll call goes as follows: Tommy Moro (Andrew St.), Walter Hall (Oliver St.), Frank Lazzarone (Morris St.), Bobby May (Eastern Ave.), Mike O’Leary (Fairview Terr.), Eddie Moffit (Coleman St.) and Joey “Okie” O’Keefe (Coleman St.). Some of the Senior Linden Men that I see quite a bit are my big brother Steve “Steff” Moro, Johnny “Pops” Ruelle and Honorary Linden Knights Jimmy Pelosi and Frank “The Tank” Tenaglia. This brings me full circle to my first Linden Knight Tale, brought to us by Joe O’Keefe. I’m telling Okie about my quest to have Linden U.S.A. recognized. I go on to ask Okie if he could give me a story about his days of growing up in “LinA real photo postcard from the early 1920s from Frank Levine’s personal collection: the widening of Beech Street looking north from the junction of Oliver and Beech. den USA.” He says ahhh… “Beatmen” (inside joke), I don’t think I want to see them in the paper (LOL). Then Okie says, wait, I’ve got one you’ll remember, Chris. The tale was not so funny when it happened, but as the years go by it becomes quite amusing. Funny, how we perceive circumstances and events change as time goes by. I present to you for your reading pleasure the “Tale of the Telephone Pole.” Sometime in the 1970s, Joe O’Keefe receives his driver’s license. By the skin of his teeth, by the way. You see, Okie was not very comfortable (or proficient) behind the wheel. Now Okie is at the gas station at the intersection of Eastern Ave. and Broadway across from Holy Cross Cemetery. Okie’s vehicle? Let’s just call it “The Beast.” The Blues Brothers Bluesmobile before there was John Belushi and Dan Akroyd’s Blues Brothers and Bluesmobile. Okie is feeding his Beast its favorite meal: leaded petrol (ahhh…the nectar of the Gods)! Suddenly, the sky opens! It’s coming down like cats and dogs (can you even say that anymore, especially during MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 16 Monogram D4 Double siding Harvey Vinyl 66 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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