~ Malden Musings ~ Edwin & Carol Wood 71st Wedding Anniversary

By Peter Levine

Congratulations 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 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 David 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, 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 August, Stella, at the Feast!
• I watched a recent City Council meeting and, although not happy with the last election, was encouraged by a couple of bright spots on the council going forward. As for the future? As I’ve pontificated in the past, I’ve got full faith in our new Council President Amanda Linehan. She’s got the poise, the smarts and maybe most importantly — the temperament to steady the ship and remind us that grown-up governance is still possible. Bring us together, not tear us further apart. You feel me, Malden?
• Betcha didn’t know that one of our very own is a New England Patriots cheerleader! Chiara (Kinnon) was born and raised in Malden and her parents are Christine Baglio and Greg Kinnons (two legendary/lifelong Maldonia families). The 24-year-old went to Paula Terrenzi Dance in the Square and graduated from UMass with a degree in engineering and (I believe) is in her 2nd year as a cheerleader. More on yet another successful Maldonian in the near future.
• Had the pleasure of a couple of libations with MHS’s Class of 1976 Brian “Bonesy” Carroll and Mike Craven at, where else? The Italian American Citizen’s Club (wise guys out there, NO I do not live there!). What fun we had with plenty of laughs to go around about Maldonia days of yesteryear! Mike reminded me of the time he and other intrepid 1976 classmates celebrated the Bicentennial year by attempting to tour every bar/tavern in Malden on one afternoon. “Few succeeded where others failed.” LOL!
• Dedicated to making the highways and byways safe and accessible for the men, women and children of Maldonia, I am declaring December “Malden Salutes and Appreciates Yem Lip and the Malden Engineering Department Month” as a tribute to these hardworking City of Malden employees. This week’s spotlight: the man whose smile lights up an entire room, that brown-eyed handsome man, veteran director of the department, Yem Lip. Keep up the great work, Yem!
• I would be remiss if I did not personally shout out Karen Bourque in Engineering who goes above and beyond the call of duty whenever that phone rings. Thanks, Karen.

Please do not hate us just because we grew up with the best music ever created! I was 14, Devir Park was our stampin’ ground and our transistor radios were always tuned in and on. And it was never boring! There will never be another year in music like 1971! A great example of my boastful claim? Take a peek and try to argue otherwise:

• “Theme from Shaft” — Isaac Hayes
• “Your Song” — Elton John
• “My Sweet Lord” — George Harrison
• “Mr. Big Stuff” — Jean Knight
• “Man in Black” — Johnny Cash
• “Maggie May” — Rod Stewart
• “Help Me Make It Through the Night” — Sammi Smith
• “Rainy Days and Mondays” — The Carpenters
• “Mr. Bojangles” — Nitty Gritty Dirt Band
• “One Less Bell to Answer” — The 5th Dimension

As Peter Falk’s iconic TV character Columbo would say, “Just one more thing, sir” — my column is an odd one. Not really sure what to call it. Human interest? Local interest? A combination of both perhaps? With that said my articles should not be held to the same journalistic standards as objective news reporting. The opinions I express are my own. Who and what I choose to include is strictly up to me. Also, and most importantly, there is simply not enough column space to include everything and everybody I would like.

A recent column including an individual running for public office brought a few pointed missives my way unhappy with the content. So be it. Lesson learned; as Hank Sr. once sang — I’ve seen the light! I’ll continue to include my “insider knowledge” of Malden peppered with that Peter F. Levine sense of humor you’ve all come to know and love but going forward this wandering wordsmith promises to forgo anything that hints of politics. I have seen the light!! With that said, this amateur political pundit is gently climbing off his soapbox and easing back into his recliner (except to praise a man I have admired my whole life, Paul Condon — insert smiley face!). Until next week, same bat channel, same bat time. Now back to our regularly scheduled program.

Postscript: Jayden McGuffie is carving out a legend on the gridiron for the Golden Tornadoes — a run so electrifying that, according to trusted Maldonian historians (Critics Corner at the 621?), we’ve never seen anything quite like it. His two-year body of work at Malden High is already the stuff of Friday night folklore: He wrapped up this season in spectacular fashion with a statement win over Meffa High and a staggering 2,006 yards on the year.

Stack that onto his “career” totals and you get pure awe: 3,416 yards on 377 carries — an outrageous 9.06 yards every time he touches the ball — plus 40 touchdowns and 24 two-point conversions. Video-game numbers, but in real life right here on the Jack Macdonald Stadium turf.

If you’re even a casual football fan, do yourself a favor next fall: get to an MHS game. We’re witnessing a once-in-a-lifetime player wearing our colors. Let’s make Jayden, Coach Witche, and the entire Golden Tornadoes program feel the roar of Malden behind them next season.

—Peter is a longtime Malden resident and a regular contributor to The Malden Advocate. He can be reached at Pe*****@*ol.com for comments, compliments or criticisms.