Stories & Soup with Housing Families

By Heather Barry Earlier this summer, as the Malden Reads steering committee began its book selection process for 2021, it faced a season and mood in the community and country very different from its previous ten years. On top of the COVID-19 pandemic, the country has been wracked with a coming to terms of 400 years of systemic racism, sparked by the murder of George Floyd, and brought to life by protestors from coast to coast.  These important and ongoing events informed the discussions of this year’s books. Once the book is selected, Malden Reads will invite the community of Malden to read the book and participate in a series of events related to the book’s themes. “At the end of the day, we want to point people toward a quality book with an important story that needs to be heard,” said Steering Committee member Martha Bezzat. “This particular year, we were open to themes about the ongoing crisis of racism, the trauma of the global pandemic, and resilience in communities.” She added, “The journey to […]

In May 2020, Malden Reads planned to host the Malden Mass. Memories Road Show (MMRS), a statewide, event-based participatory archiving program that documents people, places, and events in Massachusetts history through family photographs and stories stored in a digital archive at openarchives.umb.edu.  Due to the pandemic, the in-person event could not be held. This summer the MMRS team invited anyone with a connection to Malden to contribute photographs and stories online as part of the Malden Mass. Memories Stuck-at-Home Show. Through January 2021, you can take part in the online version and submit your own photos via this link. This is the fourth profile in the series.  By Marielle A. Gutierrez The physical places in Malden hold so many memories to its residents. However, over time, hometowns evolve—places that Maldonians frequented as a child or as a young adult are no longer there. There is no longer a physical place to attach a memory to. It is important to remember and record what is gone, or else an important piece of history is lost. Linda Zalk (formerly Linda Mazonson) may know this […]

Due to the snowstorm on March 14, the Malden Reads Community Dinner at Henry’s Patio has been re-scheduled to Tuesday, April 4. Plan to join fellow community members on this date for an evening of great food, company and conversation as part of the Malden Reads 2017 community dining series. Henry’s Patio is located at 80 Broadway in Malden. Reservations must be made by April 2. If you enjoy a relaxed, casual atmosphere and a full bar, this will be an event you can’t miss. The event will feature a limited menu with a choice of a chicken, steak tips, or haddock prepared in a variety of ways by the chef, an appetizer, side vegetables and dessert. The cost is $20, not including tax, beverages, and tip. Meats and fish are procured from local quality markets such as McKinnon’s, the Maplewood Meat Market and the Maplewood Fish Market. Henry’s Patio has been re-imagined from its former incarnation (“The Patio”) as a cozy neighborhood spot serving up fresh, tasty food and drink in a relaxed setting. […]