Page 6 THE MALDEN ADVOCATE–Friday, December 16, 2022 ~ Malden Musings ~ Malden 1972 Revisited by Peter F. Levine “M alden Musings” revisits my 1972 article, with edits. Enjoy. Okay, you know the “Wayback Machine”? The one Peabody and Sherman use during “Peabody’s Improbable History” cartoon adventures? The one I reference from time to time in these manifestos? Well, we are going to take it for a spin. I plan on taking a “Wayback” visit to Malden in the year of our Lord, 1972. For those Maldonians that can still remember that glorious year, I guarantee you a groovy trip. My advice? Sit through this long-winded diatribe; “It will be worth it. If not for the sake of this article but for the sake of your own peace of mind.” Wait, wrong decade... My brother Joe is onboard. Need a hall for your special event? The Schiavo Club, located at 71 Tileston Street, Everett is available for your Birthdays, Anniversaries, Sweet 16 parties and more? Call Paul at (617) 387-5457 for details. Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com In ’72 he is ripping up the baseball fi elds of Malden as a 17-year-old left-handed catcher, pitcher and slick fielding fi rst baseman. He was also at Amerige Park making everybody look silly on the basketball court. His left hand had them all fooled! Cliff “Choff ” Cioffi gets the invite. He recently turned 70 and gets cranky easily but he is still a lot of fun to hang with. Former Police Chief Kevin Molis gets the nod – he raised his hand fi rst – although I know he’d like to travel back a lot further. Next time, Chief. Our fearless leader, recently retired Cemetery Director Jimmy Cahill will bring up the rear. Jimmy and his family’s footprint go way back in Malden’s history. His way around neighborhood honky-tonks of yesteryear Malden is legendary. Into the future... We are dropped off at the red brick Bandstand in Devir Park. The Saint Rocco Feast is occupying Bruce Field and has set up huge metal drums to be used to prepare food. They’ve roped off the whole fi eld for the fi reworks display. The ugly green wooden fence surrounding the outfield is garishly decorated to appease Saint Rock. I spot Jimmy Palermo playing “morta.” How could I not? Barrel chested with his thick black hair piled high and tight, Victor Mature–style. We also locate groundskeeper John Monte, who is not very happy with what they’ve done to his infi eld. Once seated on the beer-drenched steps, we’ll send somebody over to J&T Liquor at 271 Highland Ave. to procure a buyer. Wait. We don’t need a buyer. We’re all of age. It’s early summer so the Bandstand is bumping! Choff re~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS...AFFORDABLE HOME OWNERSHIP in this desirable Brookdale condo! 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View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com Jennie’s Restaurant below Malden Billiard Haven aka Al’s Pool Room, which was located approximately across the street from Felecia Heitin Lafauci’s Elmwood Grille & Market at 299 Pleasant St. sponsible for the marriage of Devir and Amerige – bringing all together in peace and harmony, making Devir the goto place in Malden for all your early 1970s hedonistic vices: unkempt long hair, weed, elephant bell bottoms, gray t-shirts, fast cars, Cheech & Chong, Maggie May, bonfi res. Did I mention weed? Pretty Devir girls like Diane Wishoski, Gerry O’Connor, Patty McGonagle, Donna Ventura (Morabito), Marilyn Keenan – to name but a few; long-haired, mandolin strumming hippies; pot circles 50 strong. That is correct, sir! I said circles (plural). Future Malden Police Chief Kenny Coye is driving a bus for the T in 1972, so he will not be chasing us out of the park this evening. The Malden Merchants of the Inter City League are playing on the big-league diamond. For $2 a game, current Malden Police Offi cer Kevin Killion is doggedly chasing foul balls onto the Fells for (manager) Steve Ring. Before we move on to our fi nal destination, we’ll engage Merchants right fi elder Dave Polcari in a little small talk. “Pokey” was a stand-up guy and very talented. My only complaint with the hard-hitting lefty with the great Italian “fro” was that he loved to spray right fi eld and the Bandstand with line drives – scattering us in all directions – whenever he got the right pitch. After fi lling up on Schlitz, Ballantine Ale and Boone’s Farm apple wine, we make our decision for dinner and cocktails: Charlie Brown’s Steak House at 209-211 Pleasant St., located across the street from the Strand Theatre. What?! Malden had a movie theater?! We actually had two during my lifetime. Don’t bother Googling. That location, 209-211 Pleasant, is long gone – now part of “The Beast That Brought Pleasant Street Back to Life” – the new City Hall building. Lest we forget our past, it replaced the square-killing, environmentally hostile, citizen-unfriendly monstrosity that was plopped right in the middle of Pleasant Street during Walter Kelliher’s administration! We start our walk downtown. One thing that sticks out in 1972 Malden is how dirty the streets are. Street sweeping isn’t high on Mayor Kelliher’s to-do list. We walk down Pearl Street right past the Pisaturo’s, Palermo’s, Maff eo’s, Gamby’s and Molinari’s homes. Sound familiar? These families still reside on Pearl. We walk past “The Bakery.” The busy kitchen at Pearl Bakery is pumping out the best French Bread in the city, blanketing the neighborhood with a delightful aroma that will remain with each of us our entire lives. Billy “Mac” Macnamara in white Tee and baker’s pants barked out instructions in said kitchen. Mac is alive and well and available in 2022 if you want the best Black Forest Cake on the North Shore at Esposito’s Bakery in Saugus. We stop at Freddy’s Market for a pack of Juicy Fruit before we continue. As we round Pearl onto Charles, we notice Edward “Eddie the Greek” DiGiantommaso standing in front of the Italian American Citizen’s Club! In 1972 he’s 43. He is chatting up an attractive young lady in a mini dress and peasant blouse. He looks the same as he did in 2015 when he passed! Ageless. As we hit Commercial Street, we immediately notice the acrid smell of unregulated industry permeating the air. Commercial Street (including the remains of “Yankee Village”) looks like a MUSINGS| SEE PAGE 20
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