LYN NF IELD
Free to every Lynnfield Home!
ADVOCATE
ECRWSSEDDM
PERMIT # 167 WOBURN, MA
Vol. 4, No. 4 - FREE - www.advocatenews.net Lynnfield@advocatenews.net 978-777-6397 Friday, January 26, 2018
From humble beginnings to multi–million dollar company
On Her Way
The rise of The Produce Connection
By Christopher Roberson
After a time, Rossetti determined that the wholesale food market was much more lucrative than the retail market. Therefore, in 1980, the business became known as The Produce Connection and moved to Chelsea to be closer to the New England Produce Center. During his years there, Rossetti said, he purchased wholesale subsidiaries Boston Precut and The Pick. He said a couple of the most popular items from The Pick
W
AKEFIELD – What started as Bank Square Market, a small retail produce store in Waltham, has blossomed into The Produce Connection, a $50 million enterprise on Audubon Road. Lynnfield resident Frank Rossetti has been at the helm since the business opened its doors in 1976.“It was driven on high-end quality stuff,” he said, adding that in a pinch, restaurant owners in Bank Square would buy from him rather than waiting for their own food vendors.
THE RISE | SEE PAGE 5
Frank Rossetti
FIXED RATE
MORTGAGES
Grace Klonsky dashes down the court to shoot two for the Pioneers during Lynnfield’s home game against Masconomet on Monday, January 22. See more photo highlights from the game on page 10. (Advocate photo by Dave Sokol)
NO POINTS
15 YEAR
30 YEAR
3. 4. 834% 298% 3. 4. 750%
RATE
APR*
250%
RATE
APR*
Mortgage Department 617.381.3615 or 617.381.3616 419 Broadway • Everett
For more rates visit our website at everettbank.com
**Annual Percentage Rate (APR) is effective January 19, 2018 and is subject to change. All Rates and APR’s are calculated based on a $250,000 loan for an owner occupied single family dwelling with 20% down payment. Rates are also based on Loan to Value and Credit Scores. The monthly principal and interest payment for 15 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage is $7.27 per $1,000 borrowed. Monthly principal and interest payment for 30 Year Fixed Rate Mortgage is $4.92 per $1,000 borrowed. These payments do not include taxes and insurance. Your payment may be greater if the loan is secured by a first lien. Loans subject to credit approval. NMLS #443050
may be greater if the loan is secured by a first lien.
Judy Valentine, a childhood entertainer of yesteryear By Christopher Roberson
K
nown for providing years of entertainment to young children, Lynnfield resident Judy Valentine recalled what her life was like working as an actress and a singer in the 1940s and 1950s. “Many moons ago I was a children’s performer,” she said. Valentine said one of her greatest accomplishments was acting as the co-star of the show “Judy and Goggle,” where she worked alongside Waltham puppeteer Caroll Spinney, who would later go on to become Big Bird. During their time working together, Valentine and Spinney were invited to be part of “The Bozo Show,” where she appeared as Spinney’s assistant. In 1970, the show was chosen for national syndication. She also played the roles of The Dancing Doll and Bixter the Leprechaun on “Captain Kangaroo.” Valentine also said that part of the 2014 documentary “I Am Big Bird” was filmed in her home on Temple Road. In addition, Valentine spoke about how children’s television has changed over the years. “It
Lynnfield resident Judy Valentine spent a number of years as an actress and singer for children’s radio and television programming during the 1940s and 1950s. (Courtesy Photo)
was a different time, it wasn’t as fast,” she said. “The world is different now, I was truly from yesterday.” Although she never “promoted herself,” Valentine still caught the attention of WBZ 1030 AM and worked 11 years for the station. “When one thinks of the Golden Age of Television and the stars of children’s TV here in Boston, the name Judy Valentine appears at the top of a very distinguished list of per-
JUDY VALENTINE | SEE PAGE 13