Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 12, 2025 ~ Malden Musings ~ Edwin & Carol Wood 71st Wedding Anniversary By Peter Levine C ongratulations to loyal “Malden Musings” readers Edwin and Carol Wood on an extraordinary milestone — their 71st Wedding Anniversary (Aug. 29)! Now that’s a love story with legs! Ed and Carol were high school sweethearts, both proud members of Malden High’s Class of ’51, back when you could get a backyard haircut for a buck, and half the city still knew your grandmother’s maiden name. They tied the knot in 1954 at Sacred Heart Church in the Square, right next to the legendary Topsy’s Chicken — later reincarnated as Signor Pizza, because only in Malden can a fried chicken joint come back as a pizza parlor! On a personal note, last year I had the pleasure of meeting Ed for the very first time when he stopped by the Parking Department Office. Within five minutes I could tell he was the real deal — polite, sharp, funny and as loyal to Malden as on the day he graduated. He told me he and Carol have lived here their entire lives (both 92 years young in September), collecting seven decades’ worth of memories that would fill a phone book. A stand-up guy… just like his son Bobby! Edwin and Carol, couples like you are the reason Malden has heart, humor and history. Congratulations again on 71 years of marriage — and here’s to many more years of happiness, health and Maldonian magic, my friends! In the “where does time go department”... It was 37 years ago — VERY hard to believe — that 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 the WBCN Rock of Boston concert shook the rafters of the old Boston Garden back in November of ’88. Nine bands took the stage that night, each one pouring it on for the 5,000 loyal, loud and slightly frostbitten fans who braved the cold and wind for a chance to witness a lineup that now feels downright mythical. And, as always, Malden showed up strongly. Highland Avenue’s own Gary Cherone and Bow Street’s Paul Geary were still three years away from the superstardom that awaited them as the driving forces of Extreme, but that night they were already carrying the fire. Future Maldonian Bob Gay of New Man lit up the crowd with some of the sweetest, smoothest alto sax licks ever to echo through that musty old barn of a building. And Charlie Farren — Malden High Class of ’71 — along with Muzz and DaBe prepared before the next power outage. Edwin & Carol Wood 71st Wedding Anniversary vid Hull, were still riding high on the momentum of their self-titled debut “Farrenheit.” They closed the night with what critic Julie Romandetta perfectly captured as a “pumped-up set.” But for me? The moment that still lives vividly in my memory bank is the ’Til Tuesday set. They tore into a Boston Club-land tribute medley that stitched together a whole era of local sound: Face to Face’s “10-9-8,” the Del Fuegos’ “Backseat Nothing,” Mission of Burma’s “Academy Fight Song” and The Neighborhoods’ “Prettiest Girl.” It felt like someone had bottled the entire scene and uncorked it right there on the parquet. What a night. What a time to be young in Boston. Who else remembers being there? In the “Wyatt Earp, Wyatt Earp, Receive a free 5-year warranty with qualifying purchase* - valued at $535. Call 866-852-0221 to schedule your free quote! brave courageous and bold. Long live his fame and long life his glory and long may his story be told” department, I bring to you... Have I mentioned Ward 2 Councillor Paul Condon lately? Yes? Well, here we go anyway... Why does he do it? Why does he always go above and beyond? On more occasions than not why does he seem to be the only adult in the room? Because, my friends, it’s in his Ward 2/Malden DNA. This is a man who drank his first Schlitz just a few steps from where he now fights potholes, advocates zoning and tends bar (LOL)! He even fell in love for a lifetime under these same ancient streetlights. Paul decided long ago that Ward 2 wasn’t just a ward — Malden wasn’t just a steppingstone — it was home. Permanent. Sacred. And he’s still here. Still showing up. Most times, still the only adult in the room. Thank you, Paul. Keep up the great work. Malden loves you. It is said in “Malden Musings”... • Apropos of nothing; May 25, 1954: “It is said in Malden”...newly minted V.F.W. Commander Torbert Macdonald “accompanied by his beautiful movie star wife Phyllis Brooks” was congratulated by guest speaker Senator John F. Kennedy at the Malden post’s installation ceremony. • Apropos of nothing; May 18, 1954: “It is said in Malden”...that a Malden Evening News reporter was stunned when he was informed at Pearl Street Saturday by fathers that some of the baseball gloves worn by the youthful Little League players cost the parents as much as eighteen dollars. • Apropos of nothing: In 1951 coach (Ed) Melanson’s Golden Tornado’s went 6-3 and beat back Meffa in the Thanksgiving Day game 7-0. But Coach Wettergreen’s Golden Gale hoop team did not fare as well, going 6-9. Not to go down a rat hole, but the star hoopster on that squad was somebody I got to know later in life, not on the hoop court, but as coworkers at Faulkner Mfg. on Eastern Ave. Both Moyle “Duke” Langille and I rolled awnings together for a couple of years, and believe me “Duke” was what we called a “real character.” He would regale us with his hoop exploits at MHS (scored 42 in one game against Quincy) and ya know what? I didn’t believe a word he told me until we stopped working together and I spoke with a contemporary of his who confirmed Moyle’s hoop prowess. Duke was the real deal! • Speaking of 1951, Maldonia’s Jerry Romano (he of “Monkey Corner” fame) was class president and was one good-looking dude! Beloved (future) MHS baseball Coach Frank Adorn is playing first on the baseball team (he later converted to catcher and is now enshrined in the MHS Athletic HOF). “Tall and attractive” Stella (Dantes) Pinkham is an adorable senior whose hobbies are swimming and skating. See you next Au
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