‘Lantern Walk’ to Celebrate Malden Hospital Legacy June 4th

Fellsmere Pond

Saturday evening, June 4, a Lantern Walk around Fellsmere Pond will remember and celebrate the extraordinary Malden Hospital legacy of great benefit to the people of Medford and Malden for over 100 years.

The Lantern Walk will also mark the start of a campaign by people of both communities to give new expression to that legacy through the use, if possible, of a portion of the 18-acre site and perhaps the hospital building itself for a wide range of much needed community services.

In the November referendum question about the site, Malden voters by a 3 to 1 margin called for acquiring that site to continue the Malden Hospital legacy of service to the community. At the Lantern Walk plans will be announced by which the people of Malden and Medford can rally together to achieve that goal.

Activities at the pond will appeal to all ages — lantern making, hot dogs, face painting, sparklers, a youth adult scavenger hunt, a 3 legged race and a short program of speakers including: a former Malden Hospital administrator, a spokesperson from Friends of Fellsmere Heights (FoFH), and a spokesperson for YODA (Young Optimistic Daring Activists).

Two lantern making workshops will be offered prior to the walk itself to make lanterns which people can buy with a suggested donation that evening.

Sunday, May 15 at 2-5 pm, hosted by Ginny Remedy-Brown, 21 Ivy Road, Malden

Saturday, May 21 at 2-4 pm, hosted by YODA, Dockside, 270 Medford St, Malden

Anyone wishing to attend the walk or go to a workshop or have a lantern made for you, is asked to RSVP at rwdoolittle@gmail.com or 617-876- 7442. Also call that number for a weather update about moving the event to Sunday.

The Lantern Walk Activities will begin at 6:00, speakers at 8:00, and the walk itself at 8:20. This celebration is jointly sponsored YODA and FoFH.

– Submitted by Prisco Tammaro