׉?4ׁB!בCט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://NXqQnoEPpMyX0TIrxWBz7R6M2f4KSuY-kv6yTXtXXsMm`)׉ 7cassandra://CgiOkX44pSNkOTFpVs-Ls14345uD-oQL-wFozw6TsyQ͡`J׉ 7cassandra://XyMMwTiHDokQaCK4O5OJIDRCZaxNicN1FJrnifSJaW01`̰׉ 7cassandra://ffVDxcHAhlclhib_bshe8wCocP0INnIerZ_6dRkYCQ8Cl͠b,NO#qנb,NO#q  ́f 9ׁHhttp://www.angelosoil.comׁ ׁ Јנb,NO#q ̱ 9ׁHhttp://www.advocatenews.netׁ ׁ Ј׈Eb,MO#q׉E SASAUGUSUGUS The Advocate – A household word in Saugus! Vol. 25, No. 8 -FREEwww.advocatenews.net Hollywood “Holdovers” at The Continental An elite director and a topfl ight actor team up for a day of fi lming at landmark Route 1 restaurant By Mark E. Vogler T wo -time Academy Award-winning screenwriter Alexander Payne and accomplished actor Paul Giamatti were the headliners of the Hollywood entourage that spent Wednesday filming scenes at The Continental Restaurant on Route 1 in Saugus for the upcoming movie “The Holdovers.” “I would do it again,” The Continental Restaurant owner Paul Kourkoulis told The Saugus Advocate of his decision to close down his restaurant for three days and rent the restaurant to the movie crew. “Yeah, I think it would create a lot of buzz. And I think it’s good for the town. It’s all good and it turned out to be a great thing for me,” Kourkoulis said. Miramax went to great lengths in its deal to seek and rent the restaurant for Wednesday’s fi lming session, sandwiched in between TuesHOLLYWOOD | SEE PAGE 14 Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, February 25, 2022 A Menu for Movie Making WELCOME HOLLYWOOD: The main course being served at The Continental Restaurant from Tuesday through Thursday this week was accommodating a cast of actors and a fi lming crew shooting restaurant scenes for the upcoming movie “The Holdovers.” See inside for more photos and an interview with The Continental Restaurant’s owner, Paul Kourkoulis, in this week’s “The Advocate Asks.” (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) Calling All Vietnam Era Vets The budget battle begins Based on recent history, Town Manager Crabtree is unlikely to match $1.5M increase Supt. McMahon seeks when he unveils his FY23 budget By Mark E. Vogler S A group of area veteran leaders is organizing an all-expenses-paid trip to the nation’s capital in September for 45 veterans who served during the Vietnam War in all locations. See inside for more details on how to apply. (Courtesy graphic to The Saugus Advocate) augus Superintendent Erin McMahon has advocated passionately this year for a $1.5-million increase in the School Department budget for the 2023 fi scal year that begins July 1. McMahon has argued that the 4.87 percent hike over the current budget is necessary to fund educational improvement as she embarks on her fi ve-year plan to boost Saugus Public Schools from the bottom 10 percent of education districts into the top 10. But if Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree follows his recent history in crafting municipal budgets, McMahon may have to settle for about a third of her request. Crabtree is scheduled to release his 2023 fi scal year spending plan at a meeting set for next Monday (Feb. 28) at 10 a.m. in the fi rst fl oor conference room at Saugus Town Hall. The School Department budget has been a subject of great contention in recent years. McMahon’s predecessor – David DeRuosi, Jr., who served as Saugus School Superintendent for five years BUDGET | SEE PAGE 13 ASNGELO’ FULL SERVICE Regular Unleaded $3.539 Mid Unleaded $3.579 Super $3.679 Diesel Fuel $4.099 "43 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2021 KERO $5.99 DEF $3.49 9 Diesel $3.839 9 HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) DEF Available   Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN A  A    DA Prices subject to change Ask about   FLEET ׉ 7cassandra://XyMMwTiHDokQaCK4O5OJIDRCZaxNicN1FJrnifSJaW01`̰b,MO#qb,MO#q PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://t6aI1yofliaIiMpVWC0iVSKEVsdeIR74JN_2dlKgcP0- `)׉ 7cassandra://VmodHIvpFjUy5mwqJQkNP-zvH-UUq5huJMoTV6OoPBM͍+`J׉ 7cassandra://nQgmIX1Sk6vBnCemtmYMynMGdtkq1ox8DRC7luy1RMQ*+`̰׉ 7cassandra://JAscHWBpt2g6afR5nC638bcMFsLOUVIKd6CA01kW1TIj͠b,OO#q ט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://rerLIL5oXOfGNGPWEkVEaI8l6OMIiCNtsY5doCBrEcQ`)׉ 7cassandra://qG0A5RsD5yrwEPFxLu4W25gQCGy-tbwFwPCnjY16omc͕F`J׉ 7cassandra://aUSlmtoQdes-u-5oiBB-OewUmFisbjkSQCLc4PSWBBY-L`̰׉ 7cassandra://0bdWSz-TNZM0ZPV3O604ExF1g_9MGknaY_Ew5P2BjiU͠b,PO#q נb,PO#q̷9ׁH mailto:Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.netׁ ׁ Ј׉E Page 2 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Republican Town Committee elects offi cers, discusses the gubernatorial race By Tara Vocino M embers of the Saugus Republican Town Committee shared their expectations for this year and beyond, following last Thursday night’s election of offi cers at the MEG building. For incoming Vice-Chairman Matthew Scrivano, who previously served as committee secretary, his hope in serving is to enact more Republican-based policies into place, adding that there’s little accountability in government. “We have to turn the tide a little bit,” Scrivano said. “It’s been mostly one party for far too long.” Incoming Secretary Janice Jarosz, who recently became a Republican, said she made the switch since the party more closely aligns with her values of country, God, military, police and law and order. “It’s an exciting time,” Jarosz said. “I’ve noticed a lot of younger people are getting involved.” Incoming Treasurer Steven Pericola felt that Democrats Lawrence A. Simeone Jr. Attorney-at-Law ~ Since 1989 ~ * Corporate Litigation * Criminal/Civil * MCAD * Zoning/Land Court * Wetlands Litigation * Workmen’s Compensation * Landlord/Tenant Litigation * Real Estate Law * Construction Litigation * Tax Lein * Personal Injury * Bankruptcy * Wrongful Death * Zoning/Permitting Litigation 300 Broadway, Suite 1, Revere * 781-286-1560 Lsimeonejr@simeonelaw.net should not run unopposed. “We have to try to get more Republicans elected,” Pericola said. Existing Chairman James Harrington hopes that Americans realize that the liberal, progressive movement isn’t helping the country, adding that more Republicans are needed in Congress and the Senate. “The Republican Party has been given a bad image,” Harrington said. “They don’t deserve it, and we’re going to do our best to try to change it.” During the meeting, Harrington was concerned about candidate for Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey’s 2022 REPUBLICAN TOWN COMMITTEE OFFICERS: Left to right: incoming Secretary Janice Jarosz, existing Chairman James Harrington, incoming Vice-Chairman Matthew Scrivano and incoming Treasurer Steven Pericola were elected as offi cers during last Thursday’s (Feb. 17) Saugus Republican Town Committee meeting. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) statement reportedly encouraging rioting. Healey identifi es herself as a Democrat and currently serves as Attorney General. During a Zoom conference call on June 3, 2020, before 300 members of the Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce, Healey asked for a call to action from business leaders to work to end racial inequalities and systemic racism. She ended her speech saying, “Yes, America is burning, but that’s how forests grow.” “Is that someone we can trust?” Harrington asked. He also mentioned that Independent Diana Ploss, conservative Republican Geoff Diehl and moderate Republican Christopher Doughty are some of the candidates who have announced their candidacy, following Republican Governor Charlie Baker’s announcement that he won’t seek reelection in the gubernatorial election in 2022. Harrington also expressed some concern that Baker is reportedly okay with giving illegal immigrants driver’s licenses. It passed in the House but has to go through the Senate. “I’m disappointed to see it,” Harrington said. He went on to say that gas and heating fuel has doubled while infl ation has risen. “People are starting to wake up to the failures of the Biden administration,” Harrington said while ending the meeting. “There is hope – our candidates need your help and support.” Members also elected delegates to the Republican State Convention on Saturday, May 21, in Springfield, including not but limited to: Board of Selectmen Chairman Anthony Cogliano, State Rep. Donald Wong and residents Robert Long and Paul Allan. The COVID-19 Update Town reports 17 newly-confi rmed cases over the past seven days; one new death increases Saugus total to 100 since the COVID-19 outbreak By Mark E. Vogler T he number of confi rmed COVID-19 cases continues to drop dramatically. But with one new death, the overall total has increase to 100 since March of 2020 Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree announced yesterday that the state Department of Public Health (DPH) has notified the town of 17 new cases over the past seven days through yesterday (Thursday, Feb. 24), bringing the overall total to 8,559 cases since the outbreak of the Coronavirus. “Our hearts and prayers go out to those families affected by this health pandemic,” Crabtree said. ׉ 7cassandra://nQgmIX1Sk6vBnCemtmYMynMGdtkq1ox8DRC7luy1RMQ*+`̰b,MO#q׉E THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Page 3 ~ THE ADVOCATE ASKS ~ The Continental Restaurant owner Paul Kourkoulis explains how a Hollywood fi lming crew and cast of actors picked his family’s 70-year-old eatery to shoot scenes for an upcoming movie Editor’s Note: It’s not every day that a cast of Hollywood actors and a fi lming crew and support staff visit a Saugus restaurant to shoot scenes for an upcoming movie. But that rarity happened this week when The Continental Restaurant noted on its digital sign that it would be closed from Feb. 22 (Tuesday) through 4 p.m. yesterday (Thursday, Feb. 24) for fi lming of the movie “The Holdovers.” So, how did this all come about? While the cast and film crew were shooting some movie scenes on February 23, Paul Kourkoulis agreed to sit down with us in an area coff ee shop for a half hour interview to answer questions about the experience of renting out his restaurant for a Hollywood movie scene. His father, Athas, bought the restaurant in 1983. Paul, 57, of Middleton, took over as the principal owner and president of Continental RECRUITED BY THE MOVIE INDUSTRY: Paul Kourkoulis, owner of The Continental Restaurant on Route 1 North in Saugus, says Miramax, which acquired the rights to the upcoming movie “The Holdovers,” approached him late last year with interest in using his restaurant to fi lm a movie scene. Kourkoulis shared his experience with The Saugus Advocate this week during an interview in a Middleton coff ee shop. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Restaurant of Saugus, Inc. more than two decades ago. His dad, though retired, continues to be an offi cer of the corporation. “I’ve been in the restaurant business my whole life,” Paul says. “My dad put me on a milk A TRAFFIC STOPPER: Traffi c was sluggish and slow on Route 1 North most of Wednesday (Feb. 23) as curious drivers passing by The Continental Restaurant craned their necks out the windows of their cars to see why the restaurant parking lot was full of cars and trucks. A police detail was stationed at the site as a Hollywood cast and fi lming crew worked inside the restaurant for the upcoming movie “The Holdovers.” In this photo, staff prepares food for the cast and crew on a food trailer in the parking lot. A production trailer is parked nearby. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) crate when I was 10 and said, ‘Start doing the dishes.’” Paul grew up in Vermont and graduated from Essex Junction High School in 1983. He received a Bachelor of Science degree from Providence College (1988) and received his Juris Doctor from New England Law School in Boston (1991). He was admitted to the Massachusetts Bar in December of 1991 and his status as a Saugus attorney remains active. Highlights of this week’s interview follow: Q: So, how did this all come about? Did you get contacted, or did you have to put in for it, saying that you were interested? ASKS | SEE PAGE 6 ׉ 7cassandra://aUSlmtoQdes-u-5oiBB-OewUmFisbjkSQCLc4PSWBBY-L`̰b,MO#qb,MO#q PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://MTyRKeIuR1apGwukWB2AGCQoiRhfXauoNeJDwNYgBCMg`)׉ 7cassandra://-F007UVWyzkfNSoPTDCNPVo1Ha0T_vWATxyQxtM6WIY͜M`J׉ 7cassandra://432FhKXMN6LWrU5HcQg50Wm69tQv1VOjKr00S2CHG8I.y`̰׉ 7cassandra://0AiZO-THg33Amr4sRavM15yx1N_4lATwEb2nGh0JX64ܢ7Z͠b,QO#qט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://5a1-KXAt3j6Hq_d8PAmExL875jH0Ap-YgJteUZewDJ4&`)׉ 7cassandra://Z-loQjemguwY4JQrwbr2BQis55P8aSiVDTkwCoWQZxIͩ`J׉ 7cassandra://BgEOZanJlvK6EPyPG8_eGnd4EG45Ta9-qP2lUdWSL-M.``̰׉ 7cassandra://VPbyJ5fZRIPOREIpF4l9Ud-LsKDdnVvohM8vYdrfMl0jL%Z͠b,RO#qנb,RO#qdi9ׁHhttp://ofmalden.orgׁ ׁ Јנb,RO#qdm`9ׁHhttp://verett.comׁ ׁ Ј׉EPage 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Vietnam Era Veterans “Roll to DC” Regional group begins organizing for free fall trip to Washington for local veterans who served all over the world during the Vietnam War By Jay Pinette Special to Th e Saugus Advocate A committee made up of local Veterans, the Veterans’ Service Offi cers from Melrose, Saugus and Wakefi eld and other supporters are in the process of planning a trip to Washington, D.C., for approximately 45 Vietnam Era Veterans. The fi veday, four-night coach bus trip will be held from September 11–15, 2022. This is an all-expenses-paid trip for Vietnam Era Veterans from Melrose, Saugus and Wakefi eld and will include wreath-laying ceremonies at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial and at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington National Cemetery, as well as other stops in the D.C. area. All attendees will be staying at The Presidential Inn at Joint Base Andrews. Members of the organizing committee have planned similar trips for Veterans groups of diff erent eras in the past and have chosen to focus on Viettion Card (vaccines and booster are required) * Copy of current/valid picnam Era Veterans for this trip. Many of our Veterans have never had the opportunity to travel to our nation’s capital to visit the impressive memorials and other historic sites in which we, as Americans, take so much pride. Unfortunately, many of our Vietnam Era Veterans have never received the proper “Welcome Home” and “Thank You” that they earned and so richly deserve. This trip is one step in providing this recognition and appreciation to our local Vietnam Era Veterans. According to the Department of Veterans Aff airs (VA), nine million Americans served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces during the period of the Vietnam War. It is estimated that there are more than six million Vietnam Veterans living in America and abroad. For the purposes of this trip, in keeping with guidance from the Department of Defense, the organizers will make no distinction between Veterans who served in-country, in-theater or who were stationed elsewhere during the Vietnam War period. All were called to serve; none could self-determine where they were stationed, and many were seen in the same way by a country that could not separate the war from the warrior, as we do today. Vietnam Era Veterans who are interested in applying for the trip, or who would like to obtain additional information about the trip, are asked to contact their local Veterans’ Service Offi - cer. Applications will be accepted on a fi rst come, fi rst served basis. Applications cannot be accepted unless they include the following documentation: * Copy of DD-214 * Copy of COVID-19 Vaccinature ID/Driver’s License (front & back) * Completed CORI Form (Please note that some of these documents are required in order to enter and stay on Joint Base Andrews.) The organizing committee is making every eff ort to minimize the costs of running this trip and would welcome monetary donations of any size in order to defray the trip expenses. We are actively partnering with military and Veterans organizations, as well as local and Washington, D.C.-based businesses, including WIN Waste Innovations, GLSS and General Electric. Please contact the local Veterans’ Services Offi ce for additional information on donating to this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for our Vietnam Era Veterans. Editor’s Note: Jay Pinette, of Wakefield, is the Veterans’ Service Offi cer for the Town of Saugus. Pinette is a veteran of the U.S. Marines, having served from 1973-1976 and as a reservist from 1976 through 1996. He was activated for service during Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm. He served as an Operations/Communications Chief and was responsible for the leadership and management of Marines who served in a variety of technical and combat support roles. Pinette retired as a Master Gunnery Sergeant in 1996. ׉ 7cassandra://432FhKXMN6LWrU5HcQg50Wm69tQv1VOjKr00S2CHG8I.y`̰b,MO#q׉EzTHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Page 5 WINTER STORM WARNING: We’re not out of it yet! Quick-developing winter storm could dump 8-12 inches of snow into today Record-high temps Wednesday... Snow today continues Winter of 2021-2022’s ‘Yo-Yo Adventure’ this week Last three offi cial weeks of winter historically known to be wildly unpredictable (and stormy) Just this week, a record-high By Steve Freker A nother major Nor’easter was forecast to hit the Greater Boston area and the entire northern and southern New England area beginning early this morning, threatening to dump up to a foot of snow. Though today’s expected storm was not forecast to be accompanied by the usual strong winds associated with similar winter weather events, a nasty mix of sleet and freezing rain should be coming by early afternoon to cause a messy and potentially hazardous evening commute. temperature of 69 degrees rolled in Wednesday, as shorts and t-shirts were in abundance as a mix of sun and clouds were accompanied by the late spring-like high. All that changed Thursday, as early morning commuters saw temperatures in the high teens, a drop of about 50 degrees in less than 12 hours. Coupled with today’s anticipated snowstorm, this represents still another “peaks and valleys” effect, weather-wise. “Only in New England” continues to be the battle cry of local residents and city offi cials, who — 2021 (21.8 inches), 2020 (21.6 inches), 2019 (38.7 inches)— and close to being more than four of the next fi ve years before that. The Blizzard of 2022, on January 29-30, was about half of that total for this year, a 23.8inch deluge of snow. After today’s snowfall, forecast to be between 8-12 inches in greater Boston, this year’s total would be 56-60 inches. That would be higher than 2018 (51.0 inches), 2017 (50.9 inches), 2016 (41.2 inches) and 2014 (50.2 inches). The only mark of the past 10-12 years of snowfall totals that seems out of reach for this year’s total, which could easily be 70-90 inches, would appear to be 2015, when 108.6 inches of snow fell during a whopping 21 days of snowfall events. At this point, however, “Never Ole’ Man Winter will be around for a few more weeks on the calendar, with Spring offi cially beginning March 20, but with New England weather, he will depart when he is good and ready— and not before! With schools already closed in Everett, Malden, Revere and Saugus due to the February Winter Break week, that aspect of the respective cities’ operations will not be aff ected. In Malden, municipal offi ces in City Hall are already closed on Fridays due to their regular Monday-Thursday schedules. Residents of Everett (cityofeverett.com), Revere (revere. org) and Saugus (saugus-man. gov) should check the city websites for information of possible schedule changes and weather/snow-related decisions. The city of Malden’s municipal website address is cityofmalden.org. If any of The Advocate readership communities determine if a Snow Emergency (and related parking restrictions) are to go into eff ect, such information would be available on the respective websites. The “Winter of 2021-2022” continues to be a real-time “YoYo Adventure” in this region — even this week— with dramatic changes in temperatures and weather conditions. are forced to rapidly shift gears to combat weather shifts. Malden Department of Public Works (DPW) Chief Bob Knox, a veteran of over two decades of New England winters has seen plenty of the unpredictability that winter brings to this region, particularly in the later stages of the offi cial winter season. Knox said that state-of-theart forecasts from various sources are highly accurate; there is always the possibility of an unexpected, unforeseen shift in a weather pattern. As weather mavens in this area can attest, that is why most of the media-driven weather forecasts often “hedge their bets” by off ering explanations of different “models” of what could potentially happen, if certain variables came to light. Already this year, the greater Boston area’s snowfall been more than double the previous two year’s full season snowfalls. So far, 48.1 inches of snow has fallen this winter, surpassing the very light winter snowfall totals of the past three years say never” has to be the mantra, as another blizzard day of 20-plus inches of snow could jack up the totals and as we all well know, we are far from out of the woods, even when March arrives. It is a rare year when no snow falls in March at all around greater Boston. Spring season officially begins on Sunday, March 20— three weeks away this weekend— but that calendar date means nothing to the dynamic duo of neither Mother Nature or ‘Ole’ Man Winter. They will each change seasons when they are good and ready, calendar or no calendar, and not before. Happy shoveling and plowing this weekend, everyone. A Winter Storm Warning is in eff ect for the entire Northern and Southern New England regions, beginning last night and into today, with a forecast of between 8-12 inches of snow, continuing through midday. It could change to sleet and freezing rain in the afternoon, making for a messy evening commute. ׉ 7cassandra://BgEOZanJlvK6EPyPG8_eGnd4EG45Ta9-qP2lUdWSL-M.``̰b,MO#qb,MO#q PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://G_SIeYo6VcEYQsoo3ifYQmAOfwRsfbqku_Tik8eBn3Y Bd`)׉ 7cassandra://9wGyF5webk_lTtbY9n6u3UMx0VMO0pvOGtkFK_VBPlw͙`J׉ 7cassandra://y2Pfn5xa6dbeA7yfVD3Qqd02fp__e5I4vk_KulLXp6M(6`̰׉ 7cassandra://LEljWGHQQlY-OyborrTtFLe-7iqBKvYorTP5eGM6NRcz͠b,TO#qט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://fHwlRTIzZIzLO0GymLMDmGbZLWBh19CZd5-KY9xSe0U `)׉ 7cassandra://Z4PVa5WOFXxG6TbzrttrKTd3Kj63Ju1-l2HMOzpPMHw͟`J׉ 7cassandra://t0o9QSVIRCIas0NmCi364TrtEdiR1CsneSBcm-TAZU0-`̰׉ 7cassandra://06iTtwjIzLo_CRwoVSK5xsWus4WcNy8xIAgFjOK2MdMb͠b,UO#q׉EPage 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 A: No. I’m not the type of guy to go out looking for it. My hostess called me and said there was a woman here that wanted to talk to me about doing a movie at the restaurant. Q: When was this? A: This was back in December, maybe November. So, I talked to her on the phone and we exchanged contact information. We negotiated back and forth. An entourage came from LA to look at all the various sites they chose for the movie. I guess that was her job: She goes around and looks at different areas that the director might like. So, I think she picked, maybe, four or five restaurants; she picked Angelica’s, too, and went there. Then they set up a meeting with the director and whoever he brings with him to take a look at it and decide if they are going to pick it. They came to the restaurant one day and said they loved the site (The Continental Restaurant), and they said it was just what they were looking for. So, we started the negotiations back and forth. I thought it was going to be in March, but then they pushed it up to February. So, we negotiated back and forth for a fee and that’s how it was decided. Q: The fee, I’m sure you don’t want to talk about a fi gure … A: I do not. Q: But it was probably more than what you could have earned during the three days they rented the restaurant? A: Yeah. They were very fair. I think they know what it costs to operate a business – the staff , losing hours – and we came to a good agreement. Q: So, this is, like, four years after your restaurant had been scouted out before for a movie. I heard yesterday (Tuesday) that it was back in 2018. A: Yeah. I guess they weren’t as aggressive. This time, this girl really wanted to talk to me. The hostess actually called me directly on my cell phone and said, “Someone wants to talk to you.” Q: This guy I talked to yesterday said he had scouted it out. And for some reason, they didn’t get a response back. A: Yeah, so now they say I am probably on the list of locations for future movies if they ever want a restaurant. Q: So, were you aware at the time – back in 2018 – about a movie crew that may be interested in using your restaurant? A: No. I don’t think I really got the message. The hostess must have just written it down on a piece of paper, and I just thought maybe it was just going to be a commercial. I didn’t think it was going to be for a motion picture. Q: So, what is the draw for something like this for a movie fi lming site? A: I just think it’s the appearance of the restaurant. We’ve been there since 1952. The place hasn’t changed much. I mean we’ve upgraded and redecorated, but we’ve always kept that old restaurant feel to it. The booths, I think, are probably from the 60s, and I had them reupholstered in their early 2000s. And it was basically the same tufted leather – the same exact look – so anytime we try to redecorate the restaurant, we try to keep it the same. We never tried to go modern or anything like that. We always try to keep the feel for our customers, because they are loyal, and we like them to come back. Sometimes when you try to attract new customers, you lose the customers who are really loyal to you. We try to maintain our longtime customers. Q: Have you gotten to meet any of the actors or the cast yet? A: I haven’t met anybody personally. I haven’t really asked. I met the director and we spoke for a little bit. Q: You will probably get some courtesy photographs autographed by some of the actors. row, they’re going to clean up and they are going to be out by 12:30. Q: So, they are going to be A PLEASANT EXPERIENCE: Initially, The Continental Restaurant owner, Paul Kourkoulis, said, he felt bad about having to tell loyal customers that his restaurant would be closed for much of three days this week while a Hollywood fi lming crew and movie cast and staff worked inside. But Kourkoulis said he wouldn’t hesitate to do it again. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) A: Maybe. But I don’t know. I am not one to ask. Q: That would be something nice to put on your wall. A: Yeah. I’m going to see, maybe, when I get back to the restaurant today, maybe, if they would. I don’t know. But we’ll see. But it’s exciting; it’s amazing to see just how extensive the planning is and the execution of the plan for however few minutes – I don’t think it’s going to be much – maybe four or fi ve minutes in the movie. And just to see the magnitude of the equipment and the staff and the servers and the actors, the extras … it’s something to see – all of the cords running through the restaurant out to the trucks. They bring their own bathrooms with them. They bring their own restaurant with them. They feed everybody. Q: And they make sure the whole restaurant is clean. Like last night, they came with air fi lters. A: Yeah. Yesterday was to set up, so they brought whatever props they needed, and they changed a lot of light bulbs for the lighting, and they made sure the fl oor was clean. They removed some of the decorations, like some of the flower arrangements, and then they just made it the way they wanted it. They gave it the look that they wanted. It wasn’t a big change, but they did move some of the pictures. They had to put some Christmas decorations up because the movie happens around Christmas. And the big trucks all showed up last night and today [Wednesday, Feb. 23] was the shoot day. Tomorworking till tonight, fi lming? A: I think so. I asked how long they are going to be there, and they said they expected to be there til about 8 (p.m.). I think they might be doing a few scenes in the restaurant. Q: I notice the wine bottles on each of the tables. Is that similar to what you have? A: No, not really. They’re the old Chianti bottles with the straw wrap. So, they want to give it that feel in the time period – 60s or 70s maybe – early 70s. Q: Come to think of it, when I looked at them, I thought I haven’t seen these kinds of wine bottles in years. A: Yeah. And, well, if you noticed the ash trays, how they put ash trays with a match in the ash trays. So, they wanted the old look. We had newer salt and pepper shakers, but they changed all of the salt and pepper shakers. They go down to every little detail. I really don’t know how much people are really going to see it all. But they make sure they really got it all, just the way they want it. Q: What was with the steam ironing of the table cloths? I noticed a lady was busy running the steam iron over all of the white table cloths. A: Well, they used our table cloths. And when you get them from the linen company, sometimes they don’t fold them right. They still have creases in them because they were folded. And I think she was just steaming them to get all of the creases out so it was perfect. Q: Yeah, that was pretty interesting. She did every table cloth. A: Ah, for the place settings, they had a roller to make sure the place settings were just perfect, you know. Q: What were some of the other interesting things in the preparation that you noticed? A: Well, they didn’t do much, because they said the place looked the way they wanted it. They really didn’t need to, because they were pretty impressed with the way the place looked. They didn’t need a lot of props. You know, they changed the cash register. They got one of those old-fashioned push-button ones that makes the big ringing sound. That’s about it. Q: It’s been pretty crowded at the restaurant parking lot today. ASKS | SEE PAGE 7 ׉ 7cassandra://y2Pfn5xa6dbeA7yfVD3Qqd02fp__e5I4vk_KulLXp6M(6`̰b,MO#q׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Page 7 ASKS | FROM PAGE 6 A: Ah, like I said, it’s amazing to see how many people it takes and equipment it takes to fi lm a movie out of a studio. Basically, they moved their entire studio. There was somebody there looking at the cameras and monitoring everything. There’s a director monitoring it. Everybody – sound guys – they all see the scene, and they all yell out, “Okay, everything is all set. Sound good.” So, they’re all logged into iPads, watching the scene. How they do that? I don’t know. It’s pretty impressive. They work it well. And there’s people in the kitchen, preparing the food for extras who are sitting around the table. They actually had some of our waitresses, too. Some of our waitresses tried out, and they brought two of our waitresses for extras. Q: You have two extras from the restaurant who may or may not be in the movie? A: Right. But I think they are going to be in it. Whether you see them or not, I don’t know. They’re defi nitely serving food to the extras. Whether they serve the actors – I didn’t see any of that. Q: That sounds pretty exciting to watch it all. A: Yeah. It was pretty exciting. Q: So, this is something that you didn’t apply for … A: No. I just think they liked how the place looked, and it was exactly what they wanted in the period that they wanted it in. They wanted to make it work, and I was willing to make it work. Q: Now, what’s the benefi t for a local restaurant to do something like this? A: Sometimes, I thought of the disadvantage because of your clientele. You’ve got to let them know, so we did the best we could for the customers who were there, and we put it on a sign to let them know we were going to be closed for a couple of days. Q: I saw some of your customers last night. A: Yeah, they started coming in and they’re upset. And you’ve got to take that into consideration. But I think by just seeing the traffi c on Route 1, lots of people are slowing down just to see what’s going on. I received probably 10 texts during the fi rst couple of hours: “What’s going on down there? What’s going on down there?” TOOLS OF THEIR TRADE: Some of the equipment used by a Hollywood fi lm crew that took up space in the parking lot outside The Continental Restaurant on Wednesday (Feb. 23). (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) But I think people who saw they were fi lming at the restaurant … people who maybe never have been to The Continental before are going to check it out. So, hopefully, it’s benefi cial. Q: It certainly gives you visibility. A: Yeah, it certainly does give us visibility. When the movie comes out, whether people will be able to tell whether it’s The Continental or not, I don’t know, but just the idea of thousands of people driving by and seeing what’s going on – it’s defi nitely going to pique their interest. Whether it’s going online looking at The Continental to see what’s being fi lmed there, yeah, it puts it in people’s minds, I think. Q: So, do you have any thoughts about putting a little placard where one of the movie stars sat, saying “So and so sat here?” A: I don’t know about that, but I would like to try to get a picture and put it on the wall, but we’ll see. We’ll see. Q: So, you’ll probably get to see some of the actors at some point. A: Yeah, if I pursue it. I’m probably going to go down later to close the restaurant when they leave. I’ve met the director, so I’d like to say “Hi” to him and see if he can take me around to meet the actors. Q: Well, if you succeed, please send me a JPEG of a photo. A: I will. I will. But I don’t know. But they’ve been pretty staunch about not wanting people outside to know what’s going on. Q: When’s the last time, if you know, when a Saugus ASKS | SEE PAGE 8 ׉ 7cassandra://t0o9QSVIRCIas0NmCi364TrtEdiR1CsneSBcm-TAZU0-`̰b,MO#qb,MO#q PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://vSrPKEXwEWtqVFcYqU5j5CjpXzFnfSmIlD0CqPLtvmk `)׉ 7cassandra://lj_jCIFWZ67if10HkkB8e1C2OdWisbXieYp99svPhXY͟`J׉ 7cassandra://5cZcZVlm0NnTSIHufTuar3iHrWPBXDaEZaCXJN4wTEo-P`̰׉ 7cassandra://241IVIBn1Zgnrk-kGSNoEknHGAFJ7QJ_o-mlyHr1o-4M͂b͠b,VO#qט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://C7-D06iaZmTF5_xN-kZ7BAetraER0czxvhCUhg3U3Hw`)׉ 7cassandra://yEfo5raLWIQ6C3Iy9tk7ECZ9IqNe5-Vfct9eMzS-6c4͖%`J׉ 7cassandra://hPiq6-tJcgUBNUQvxOYnXWI43PlhFAyOu_Dqvg4RTIY*`̰׉ 7cassandra://kxAYeHxfuefaUIEByDSCuZtNflQH0ga6AkMOfmfeSykͧ͠b,VO#qנb,VO#qځD9ׁHhttp://nspo.orgׁ ׁ Јנb,VO#qA[r9ׁHhttp://www.nspo.orgׁ ׁ Јנb,VO#q̄i9ׁHhttp://www.nspo.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EPage 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 BSO violinist Lucia Lin headlines North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra’s Winter Concert B oston Symphony Orchestra (BSO) violinist Lucia Lin will play the Jean Sibelius Violin Concerto No. 1 as the featured soloist highlighting the Winter Concert of the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra (NSPO) on Sunday, February 27. Music Director Robert Lehmann will raise his baton to start the concert at 3:00 p.m. at the Swampscott High School auditorium. The concert program will open with Mikhail Glinka’s “Ruslan and Ludmilla Overture” and conclude with Carl Nielsen’s Symphony No. 1. Tickets can be purchased in advance on the Orchestra’s website – www.nspo.org – or at Swampscott High on the day of the concert for $30 – $25 for seniors and students. Children 12 and under are admitted free. Violinist Lucia Lin joined the BSO in 1985 and has enjoyed a stellar career as soloist, chamber musician and recording artist. She debuted at age 11 when she performed Mendelssohn’s Violin Concerto with the Chicago Symphony Orchestra. Since then, she has won numerous competitions, including the 1990 International Tchaikovsky Competition in Moscow. She has appeared with the Boston Pops, the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra, the Oklahoma Symphony Orchestra, the Cincinnati Chamber Orchestra and the Festival Orchestra in Graz, Austria. She has served          •   •   •          Boston Symphony Orchestra violinist Lucia Lin will play the Sibelius Violin Concerto as the featured soloist in the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra’s Winter Concert on Sunday, February 27, at 3:00 p.m. at Swampscott High School. as the BSO’s assistant concertmaster, and she also has held concertmaster roles with the Milwaukee Symphony OrASKS | FROM PAGE 7 place got visited by a Hollywood movie crew? A: I don’t know of any. I really don’t know of any. Q: Somebody from the movie crew went down to Town Hall yesterday to do some kind of registration. A: Yeah. A guy was saying they had to get an occupancy permit for the restaurant; they had to get food permits for the catering; I think, a health inspection for the bathrooms they had in the parking lot – and make arrangements for a police detail. We had to shut the alarm system down because they wanted to use fake smoke to give it the apMusic Director Robert Lehman will conduct the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra’s Winter Concert on Sunday, February 27, at 3 p.m. at Swampscott High School. Log on to www.nspo.org for more information. chestra and London Symphony Orchestra. She previously appeared with the NSPO in 2015. pearance of a smoky restaurant, so the Fire Department had to come. One guy came to shut the alarm down. So, there was a fi re detail there all day. They had to get about six to seven permits. Q: Do they share much with you about the movie and the plot and whatnot? A: No, they don’t. Q: So, you probably surfed the Internet to see what you could fi nd out? A: I surfed the Internet and that’s about it; I probably know as much as everybody else does. Q: So today you saw some of the actors who were involved? A: Yeah. Paul Giamatti … he was there. And the other ones Danish Composer Carl Nielsen wrote his fi rst Symphony in 1891-92 and dedicated the work to his wife, renowned sculptor Anne Marie Carl-Nielsen. The work is known for its distinctively “Danish” fl avors and Nielsen’s personal style. Out of concern for the health and safety of all musicians and audience members, the NSPO requires all concert attendees to present proof of a Covid-19 vaccination, or proof of a negative Covid-19 test no more than 72 hours prior to the concert. Home tests are not accepted. Patrons will be required to wear masks and socially distance in the auditorium. For more information about the North Shore Philharmonic Orchestra, visit nspo.org. I really don’t know too well. There’s a young kid … I haven’t really seen him before. Q: They’re pretty protective of the whole movie set. Because yesterday, I asked one of the crew, “Do you mind if I take a picture with nobody in it, of one of the booths in here,” and he got uncomfortable. A: And they were like that yesterday when you went in? Q: Yeah, and there was somebody texting from Town Hall, telling the staff, “You should ask him to leave.” A: I think that’s the production manager. Q: I had reached out – “Can I talk to a contact person? I’m doing a story.” But they were not interested in telling me much of anything. A: I found myself in the same situation. They didn’t tell me much either. Q: There was an interesting crew in last night. I don’t know if you got to talk to any of them. There was one guy who spent some time in Nahant. He was the guy who put in the recommendation for your restaurant four years ago. A: Oh, he did? No, I don’t know him. I wonder which one it was. Well, they got my contact information now, so if somebody wants to use my restaurant again, they will be calling me. Q: So, you would do it again? A: Sure, I would do it again. Yeah, I think it would create a lot of buzz, and I think it’s good for the town. ASKS | SEE PAGE 15 ׉ 7cassandra://5cZcZVlm0NnTSIHufTuar3iHrWPBXDaEZaCXJN4wTEo-P`̰b,MO#q׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Page 9 A top-rated green building New Saugus Middle-High School becomes fi rst project publicly funded by MSBA to reach top level of LEED certifi cation cisterns collect water for reuse while rain gardens throughout the school’s parking lots fi lter stormwater runoff from the site and mitigate heat island eff ects. Together with the use of low-fl ow fi xtures, these measures reduce the building’s annual water consumption by 45 percent. Air quality and ventilation: Located less than 300 feet from a busy six-lane highway, the new facility responds to the challenge of providing optimal air quality with rooftop mechanical air-handling units positioned with their intakes facing away from the highway and prevailing winds. This enables displacement ventilation systems to distribute clean air throughout the interior, bringing 20 percent more fresh air into the spaces at low velocity without the typical costs and acoustical distractions associated with conventional mechanical systems. Equity: The new school repLEED-CERTIFIED SCHOOL: The new Saugus Middle-High School has been distinguished as a leader in energy and environmental design. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Robert Benson Photography) (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a press release issued this week by Regan Communications regarding the recent LEED certifi cation achieved by the new Saugus Middle-High School. LEED – which stands for Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design – is a “green building” certification program that rates how efficiently a building has been designed, constructed, operated and maintained.) The Saugus Middle-High School Complex, which was built by Suffolk Construction Company and designed by HMFH Architects, has been awarded LEED Platinum certification by the U.S. Green Building Council, making it the first project publicly funded through the Massachusetts School Building Authority (MSBA) to reach the highest level of LEED certification. Working alongside PMA Consultants, HMFH and Suffolk both led a collaborative and comprehensive approach to achieving Saugus’s ambitious sustainability goals. The team delivered a facility that serves its environment and occupants while realizing the Town of Saugus’s vision for an innovative, climate-resilient and healthy building. “I am pleased to share with the community that the Town of Saugus is making its mark in history once again in being the fi rst MSBA Project to achieve LEED Platinum Certifi - cation. A special thank you to the project team who helped us attain this amazing rating – PMA Consultants, HMFH Architects, and Suff olk,” said Saugus Town Manager Scott Crabtree. Key sustainability elements of the building: Energy effi ciency: Saugus Middle-High School uses a combined heating and power system known as tri-generation. Generating electricity on-site signifi cantly reduces operational carbon emissions and eliminates emissions associated with regional source generation, while utilizing waste heat for space heating, domestic hot water heating and space cooling. Continuously running generators improve resiliency by ensuring emergency systems will be operational when they are needed most. Water conservation: Three 30,000-gallon underground resents a transformation of Saugus Public Schools to refl ect the town’s vision for innovative, equitable facilities. Creating a welcoming, accessible and inclusive environment for all was critical to the success of the design. All-gender Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 toilet facilities are conveniently located and used by faculty and students alike. Special education spaces feature tunable LED fi xtures, giving teachers fl exibility to adjust light intensity and color temperature to help modulate behavior and respond to light sensitivity. A special classroom on the third fl oor provides a designated space for medically fragile community members with exceptional views and access to a rooftop classroom. Saugus Middle-High School stands as a visible commitment to assuring the next generation of students will be stewards of both their community and their environment. In addition to its LEED Platinum certifi cation, Saugus Middle-High School has been recognized by numerous respected awards programs for its success and innovation in both design and construction: * Engineering News-Record: 2021 New England Regional Best Projects – Top K-12 Education Project. * Learning by Design: 2021 Educational Facilities – Grand Prize Award. * American School & University: 2021 Architectural Portfolio Awards – Outstanding Project. ׉ 7cassandra://hPiq6-tJcgUBNUQvxOYnXWI43PlhFAyOu_Dqvg4RTIY*`̰b,MO#qb,MO#q PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://gW2beCHth6MFWCrfItpmzbryiRNPAYpWXzlK5RyxDH4;@`)׉ 7cassandra://4cmPDgfdKuyPNtyFp8GSx8gANJwRMBtYe1YF2HU9cIY͒`J׉ 7cassandra://S5Zxa6bLIEADhX4xJyioWrxsEejwyqwRiiDiBJivA9M-H`̰׉ 7cassandra://4UYW8ZJgqVRUtFD00M-zFzE9XzShUfXkX0K40DJQ2WM" 6͠b,VO#q ט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://Q_uWF6mhBjhXnfPcb7FjdS2kyeVNjSgWa1DVoDSjehQ8`)׉ 7cassandra://9Q4FJADr3snxrbycHILnBfdRZpqiXqfOPZhos5Ont5Q͒d`J׉ 7cassandra://z_iFcZ1gRzIGsMsuZJhEpAMKA23FqJAlobK5rPJR53A,`̰׉ 7cassandra://7IKN83pJGHGhLPvGWsCfAJME4bj2Qr4L_fO_SKIqees \͠b,WO#q!נb,WO#q#@+ 9ׁH http://www.adultfostercarens.comׁ ׁ Ј׉E;Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Sachem boys finish with eight wins By Greg Phipps D espite dropping three of its final four regular-season games, the Saugus High School Boys’ Basketball Team still has hopes of being awarded a spot in the postseason tournament. The Sachems sit on the tourney bubble with an 8-12 record to end the regular season. Losing 10 of their last 12 contests after starting off 6-2 may not look good for the Sachems in the eyes of the decision-makers either. But, as of press time, Saugus was in a position to possibly grab a play-in berth when seeds are determined. In the meantime, the Sachems came off a tough 34-point loss at Peabody last Thursday and nearly knocked off Masconomet last Friday on the road. But a last second three-pointer lifted Masco to a 55-53 win. As he has done a lot of lately, Tyrone Manderson led the charge offensively for Saugus with 19 points. Ben Tapia-Gately and Mark MacEachern each netted 12 points in the defeat. The Sachems then Saugus guard Ben Tapia-Gately is shown driving the lane in Wednesday’s loss at Swampscott. scored an impressive victory and gained a measure of revenge on Monday at home against Manchester-Essex. The visiting Hornets came out on top in a high-scoring 8071 affair at Manchester-Essex back on Jan. 31. Monday’s contest wasn’t quite as wide open, but Manderson produced another strong offensive effort against the Hornets in a 65-62 Saugus victory. Manderson’s 25 points to go along with 13 from Ryan Mabee, 12 from Ryan Anderson, who drained four three-pointers, and 10 from Tapia-Gately accounted for the bulk of the Sachems’ scoring. The momentum of the Manchester win was relatively shortlived as the Sachems paid a visit to Swampscott on Wednesday afternoon to close out the regular season. The Big Blue, winners of 13 in a row entering the game, showed why they have been on such a roll. An array of fast break baskets, offensive putbacks and long-range shots powered the hosts on their way to a convincing 66-49 triumph. Other than Manderson, who seemed to be the only Saugus player able to hit a shot in the first half, the Sachems struggled big time with their shooting. As a result, Swampscott took advantage and plowed ahead to a 21-9 lead after one quarter. An identical score in the second quarter gave the Big Blue a commanding 42-18 advantage at halftime. The Sachems did play better as the second half wore on but were never able to pose a serious challenge. Swampscott fi nished 16-4 on the season and has won 14 consecutive games after opening the season 2-4. Saugus’s Tyrone Manderson is shown going up for a shot against a Swampscott opponent in Wednesday’s season fi nale. (Advocate photos by Greg Phipps) Saugus’s Ryan Mabee looked to penetrate to the basket as teammate Max Anajjar (shown in back) looked on during Wednesday’s contest at Swampscott. Sachems drop rematch against Vikings C By Greg Phipps losing out the regular season with three straight losses, the Saugus High School hockey team is still hoping that a playoff berth is in the cards. A strong showing for the second time this season against a very good Winthrop squad on Wednesday didn’t hurt Saugus’s chances of getting a postseason nod. Two weeks ago, the Sachems battled the Vikings pretty evenly at home before succumbing, 2-1. Goalie Matt Smith played well and kept Saugus in that game, but the Sachems engineered some good scoring opportunities of their own and had their chances to steal a win. On Wednesday at Winthrop’s Larsen Arena, the contest was another competitive affair. This time, however, the Vikings dented the net fi ve times and that was enough to score a 5-3 win. The defeat dropped the Sachems to 7-12-1 overall for 2021-22 while Winthrop fi nished 10-9-1. Dante Mauro tallied twice for the Sachems and Chris Regnetta scored the other goal. Jason Caron finished with an assist. Regnetta was responsible for Saugus’s lone goal in the 2-1 loss at Kasabuski Arena two weeks ago. Last Saturday, the Sachems came out on the short end of a 5-2 fi nal against Danvers at the Essex Sports Center in Middleton. Massey Ventre and Mauro were the goal scorers for Saugus. Captains Caron and Ventre were both selected to the Northeastern Conference allstar team this week. The Sachems ended the regular season having scored 53 goals while surrendering 72. Saugus’s last victory was a 6-0 shutout of Lynn on Feb. 15. Chris Regnetta scored one of Saugus’s three goals in a loss at Winthrop on Wednesday night. (Advocate photos by Greg Phipps) Jason Caron assisted on one of Saugus’s three tallies on Wednesday at Winthrop. ׉ 7cassandra://S5Zxa6bLIEADhX4xJyioWrxsEejwyqwRiiDiBJivA9M-H`̰b,MO#q׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Page 11 Sachem girls end regular season with win S By Greg Phipps ince returning from the COVID-induced threeweek layoff in January, the Saugus High School girls basketball team has made a significant turn for the better. Having lost three of their fi rst four games prior to the onset of the COVID surge in late December, the Sachems went on to go 11-5 to fi nish 12-8 overall and earn a spot in the postseason tournament. The regular season ended on a high note when Saugus rolled to a 55-39 home win over Swampscott on Tuesday. As she has done on numerous occasions this season, senior co-captain Fallon Millerick produced a double-digit scoring eff ort with 18 points. More than 50 points is a high-scoring game for the Sachems, as the team has been involved in its share of low-scoring, defensive battles this winter. Also contributing to the scoresheet in Tuesday’s victory were Peytom DiBiasio and Ashleen Escobar with nine points each. Millerick was the lone Sachem in double fi gures, as Saugus put forth a balanced attack on off ense. The Sachems now await to fi nd out their playoff seed and who and where they Ashleen Escobar chipped in nine points to help Saugus to a victory over Swampscott Tuesday. will play in the opening round. Saugus could also have ended up with a better overall record had it not fallen on the short side of some close games. A threepoint loss at Beverly (a contest they led for a good portion) two weeks ago and last Thursday’s two-point defeat at Lynn Classical are prime examples. In the loss to Lynn Classical, which improved to 15-4, the contest was a back-and-forth aff air. It would go down to the wire and into overtime before the Rams held off the Sachems for a 53-51 win. Saugus got the best of Lynn Classical back on Jan. 24 when it beat the Rams 51-40 at home. Fallon Millerick netted a team-high 18 points in Saugus’s win over Swampscott in Tuesday’s regular season fi nale at home. (Advocate photos by Greg Phipps) A heroic comeback by the Sachems forced the game into overtime. Trailing 47-41 with just over two minutes left in regulation, Saugus scored six unanswered points. A free throw from Samantha Shea, a basket from Escobar and three-pointer by co-captain April Aldred with a little more than 20 seconds on the clock tied it up, and eventually forced the extra period. Head coach Mark Schruender told the press afterward that it was a game of runs that concluded with the other team producing the fi nal and decisive surge. “Unfortunately for us, they made the last [run],” he said. Adult Foster Care of the North Shore, Seniorcare, Inc. Team Up with Local Children to Make Homemade Valentines for the Community G LOUCESTER, Mass., February 18, 2022 – Adult Foster Care of the North Shore (AFCNS) is proud to have worked with SeniorCare, Inc. and many local children to create hundreds of handmade Valentine’s Day cards and goody bags for senior community members. Most of the cards will be distributed to over 200 seniors in Essex, Gloucester, Hamilton, Ipswich and Manchester with Meals on Wheels just in time for Valentine’s Day. The remainder are being sent to several senior centers throughout Essex County, such as the Salisbury Senior Center. Cynthia Bjorlie, M.D., founder and program director of AFCNS, is happy to continue this tradition of kindness. “Our organization is strongly rooted in the local community,” she said. “This outreach eff ort is one that I’m of the North Shore provides a wide range of solutions for its clients and their caregivers. These include family, health and social support programs and over-the-phone counseling that is available 24/7. Eligible caregivers also receive a MassHealth-funded stipend through the program. About Adult Foster Care of the North Shore Adult Foster Care of the particularly proud of because I know how many seniors it will affect in such a positive way. And, many of the children, grandchildren and relatives of our AFNCS team helped to put these cards and gift bags together. Getting them involved helps to develop their sense of giving to their community. It’s a good feeling to have, and they did an excellent job.” As a MassHealth-funded program, Adult Foster Care North Shore was founded in 2001 to provide fi nancial, emotional and clinical support solutions for families who are in need of care for a disabled or chronically ill loved one. AFCNS is a single-focused agency that is dedicated to keeping clients happy, healthy and engaged in the community. For more information, please visit www.adultfostercarens.com ׉ 7cassandra://z_iFcZ1gRzIGsMsuZJhEpAMKA23FqJAlobK5rPJR53A,`̰b,MO#qb,MO#q PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://eJRBWfv5WHwQdruvvNnx4yWGkk4BQWa_dCtTnbQfkuM(`)׉ 7cassandra://eNKECPY8WHLkRNOupr70HmKslT4uuaPb5-PMxAbuccE͘`J׉ 7cassandra://A7dNnLwrKQXw1NOreOHsUgKtFvTG_HTowMlPjvUtTJg+`̰׉ 7cassandra://vDJZSk6iXojkD43ELmbntrzbj2NZihIZQmboxjq8RVcz f͠b,WO#q$ט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://P4GQtAvMDmwDRaJZbfoHzeTwpF5DRTcIw2utx4Ib8s4 m`)׉ 7cassandra://VBPQmFE10CsuC5ZcOiiQVFqGjuVpqtGPUzDP2QBURzA͒`J׉ 7cassandra://5ruJuvAb-A33h1ONLArEt9pBUDyPNpieLHs_7naKJoc&`̰׉ 7cassandra://gskRB3emFwnYVT5eIFa6PALI3ShQ-rtfBoZSZcDJwPwM̴͠b,WO#q%נb,XO#q'̋9ׁHhttp://www.saugustv.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉EPage 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Ledbury exceeds 100-win wrestling milestone S By Greg Phipps ince eighth grade, Chase Ledbury, now a senior at Saugus High School, has been competing for the varsity wrestling team and over the years he has steadily progressed into a league champion and a top state competitor in the 145-pound weight class. Earlier this month, Ledbury reached a major milestone by capturing his 100th career match victory. The win came in the fi nal dual meet of the season against Northeastern Conference (NEC)/Cape Ann League (CAL) foe Beverly back on Feb. 9. With Beverly ahead by one point, 34-33, the meet came down to the fi nal match between Ledbury and his 145-pound opponent. Ledbury ended up scoring a major decision to help catapult the Sachems to a 3733 dual victory, the 10th of the season for the team and 100th of Ledbury’s career. “It was the fi rst time in recent memory that [Saugus] has beaten Beverly High School,” said Saugus Head Coach Wayne Moda. “It was great to see Chase reach his personal goal while at the same time propelling the team to their collective goal [of 10 wins for the season].” Moda acknowledged that 100 wins in wrestling is special. “It may not seem like it would be a difficult goal to reach, but it is,” he said. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the team only competed in eight dual meets and no tournaments in 2020-21, Ledbury’s junior year. But despite the diffi culties brought on by last year’s pandemic, Ledbury was able to persevere and come back strong this winter. “In this sport, to get good, you need to wrestle a lot. There are so many factors involved – mental, physical,” Moda explained. “Unlike football, basketball, lacrosse and soccer, you don’t have ‘the whole game’ to sharpen your skills. In those sports you can be beaten badly but still get something out of the game. In wrestling, being beaten badly can mean being pinned in 10 seconds. Then you are done. Not a ton of lessons come in 10 seconds.” This senior season has proven to be an outstanding one Saugus High School senior Chase Ledbury recently won his 100th match for the Sachems’ wrestling team. (Courtesy Photo) for Ledbury. He captured the NEC/CAL tourney title at 145 and was named Outstanding Wrestler at the league tournament. He also earned the league’s Wrestler of the Year honor. He’s also been selected all-conference and gone undefeated in dual-meet competition for the past two years. Ledbury advanced from the 113-lb. category as an eighth-grader to 126-lbs. his freshman year and 138 as a sophomore before settling in at 145 as a junior. He admits he didn’t gain a serious interSachems Cheerleaders take second at Invitational Competitions est in the sport until his 2020 sophomore season, when he fi nished fi fth overall at the Div. 3 North sectionals and won the league championship in his weight class. “That’s when I really began to understand and love the sport,” said Ledbury, who recalled his fi rst win ever as an eighth-grader. “We had a small team and if you are light in weight you sometimes get a varsity spot no matter how good you are. Being in eighth grade and having to wrestle upperclassmen was tough, so my fi rst win was special because that was the point where I realized I could do it.” Ledbury added that being two-time captain of the team is important to him, as well as the support he has received from family. “They have been by my side every step of the way, and it has allowed us to spend lots of time together,” he said of the family presence. “They love to watch me and I love them being at my meets and tournaments.” Moda said Ledbury is one of the hardest working kids he’s coached. The two fi rst met last year when Moda was coaching at the Red Roots Wrestling Club. “We worked together during the COVID months when not many others were training,” Moda remembered. “It was apparent that Chase had the work ethic and talent to be very good. During that time, [Chase] explained to me that the Saugus/ Peabody team was without a coach, so I decided to throw my hat in the ring for the position.” Since becoming Head Coach, Moda has witnessed what Ledbury “is all about” in terms of his character. “Chase is very calibrated and methodical in his approach. He doesn’t get too high and doesn’t get too low,” Moda observed. “He puts 100 percent into everything he does. He is a natural leader and has been an amazing mentor to the rest of our team.” With an overall 45-4 match record since last season, Ledbury has extended his career victories total to 110 on the heels of his century-mark win against Beverly two weeks ago. Moda said Ledbury possesses the ideal mindset for a wrestler competing as part of a team. “Wrestling is an individual as well as a team sport, and many wrestlers have a hard time navigating that,” the coach pointed out. “Sometimes what is best for an individual is not always best for the team. If a wrestler is winning a match, he may become complacent and hang on just to win when the team needs bonus points or a pin in order to earn a higher score. It’s hard to summon the energy to ‘do better’ than win. Chase fully understands that dynamic.” An excellent student with a GPA of 4.16, Ledbury scored an overall fi fth-place fi nish at this year’s Div. 1 North state tournament. As a result. he qualified to compete this weekend in the state tournament in Fitchburg, where he will be competing among the top 18 wrestlers in the state in the 145-pound division. Ledbury plans to pursue wrestling beyond high school, as he signed an athletic commitment to attend Trinity College in Connecticut and compete for the Bantams. He was recruited by a number of Division 3 colleges before deciding on Trinity. THIS WEEK ON SAUGUS TV Sunday, February 20 from 9–11 p.m. on Channel 8 – “Sunday Night Stooges” (The Three Stooges). Monday, February 21 all day on Channel 8 – “Movie Monday” (classic movies). Tuesday, February 22 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – Board of Selectmen Meeting from February 15. Wednesday, February 23 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 9 – Planning Board Meeting from February 17. Thursday, February 24 at 11:30 a.m. on Channel 8 – Know Your Town with Andrew Whitcomb and Ryan Fisher. Friday, February 25 at 11 a.m. on Channel 8 – What’s Cookin’? with Amanda Barresi. Saturday, February 26 at 8:30 p.m. on Channel 22 – LETS’ GO SACHEMS: Congratulations to the Saugus High Sachems Cheerleaders on their Division 3 and NEC second place fi nishes at the Wilmington Invitational Competition. The talented cheerleaders will head to the MSAA Regionals. (Courtesy photos) SHS Varsity Hockey vs. Lynn from February 15. Saugus TV can be seen on Comcast Channels 8, 9 & 22. For complete schedules, please visit www.saugustv.org. ***programming may be subject to change without notice*** ׉ 7cassandra://A7dNnLwrKQXw1NOreOHsUgKtFvTG_HTowMlPjvUtTJg+`̰b,MO#q׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Page 13 SAUGUS GARDENS IN THE WINTER Here’s what’s blooming in town this week to make your walks more enjoyable By Laura Eisener J ust like that the ground was white again! And a few hours later it had all melted! The cycles of warm days alternating with cold wind and snow are certainly keeping us on our toes. One day the mailman walks up the street in shorts, and the next he is fi ghting blizzard conditions. When you look down at the ground, green leaves of daffodils and other bulbs are peeping out, and when you look up into branches the fl ower buds of red maple (Acer rubrum) are brighter red and larger than they were a few weeks ago. Winter is not yet over but it is beginning to lose its stronghold, and hints at the coming spring are all around. While we tend to admire evergreens for their winter appearance, some deciduous trees and shrubs also have features which attract attention in winter. One of the wild shrubs that attracts attention is the speckled alder (Alnus rugosa). Anyone walking near a pond or stream will notice the small strobili and catkins on the twigs. Alders are not closely related to conifers, but coincidentally have evolved to have a fruit with similar appearance. The strobili look like small pine cones and are the fruit which developed from female fl owers. The male fl owers or catkins are brownish, drooping and narrow, and like the strobili are noticeable throughout the winter. This species and the very similar hazel alder (Alnus serrulata) grow in wet areas and do not thrive in ordinary garden soil. Alders are members of the birch family, and when their foliage emerges in the spring it will have a BUDGET | FROM PAGE 1 before leaving last June 30 – had drawn criticism for not lobbying hard enough for School Department budget increases. DeRuosi last year requested a School Department budget of $30,073,439 – a 1.68 percent increase. Town Manager Crabtree’s proposed operating budget for Saugus Public Schools, which Town Meeting approved, was about $29.9-million – $300,000 over the Fiscal Year 2021 budget. A centerpiece of McMahon’s first budget she has crafted since becoming the district’s first woman superintendent is the introduction of a Dean program – one staWINTER ART: Ice melting and reforming on the surface of Birch Pond creates diff erent patterns every day. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) somewhat similar shape to those of birches. Another deciduous shrub that is grown primarily for its winter appearance is red twig dogwood (Cornus alba). The stems are an ordinary brownish tone in the summer, but as the chlorophyll in the leaves and stems begins to fade, it uncovers red pigments in the bark. The brightest red bark is found on branches younger than three years old. Selectively pruning out older stems in winter will encourage development of new growth with the most intense bark colors. Also known as Tatarian dogwood, this species is from Asia. The popular variety ‘Ivory Halo’ has white edges on its foliage, so this variety has additional beauty during the growing season. A native species which has similar reddish winter stems is red osier dogwood (Cornus sericea). This is abundant along the Saugus River in Breakheart Reservation, and colonies of it can be seen in North Saugus in swampy stretches along Water Street between Walnut Street and the tioned at each of the three school buildings – as a way to support and promote positive behavior. She said the program would cost $225,000. The Dean program is one of three key requests and a cost containment factor that McMahon highlighted in her budget message. She also cited: * A signifi cant increase in out of district placements for special education. “The return to in person learning after a period of remote learning has resulted in behavioral dysregulation in our most vulnerable special education population,” the superintendent said. “Out-of-district placements for special needs students rose Wakefi eld border. Both species prefer wetter than average soil. Back on January 28 I reported that two waxed amaryllis bulbs from last year had developed green buds at the top of the bulbs, after not being planted or watered for the entire year. The waxed bulbs are extremely low maintenance and fi t easily in a small space, like a windowsill, so even though the likelihood of a second year of bloom is not extremely likely, they should not automatically be thrown out after the fi rst year. One of them is now in bloom, while the other’s emerging bud and foliage dried up before fl owering. The one that is blooming has one good stalk with four red, greenish and white streaked blossoms. I would still recommend planting amaryllis bulbs in the traditional way in a pot with soil for greater likelihood that the bulb will continue to produce fl owers for years to come. A succession of amaryllis bulbs is one good way to get through the winter until our outdoor bulbs start to come up! to just over $4 million this year. While this is also true across the Commonwealth, the impact for Saugus is an increase of $805,874 … associated with providing out of district placements.” * Costs associated with contractual agreements related to salaries are rising by $548,065. In addition, the Saugus School Committee enters into negotiations with all three unions – Saugus Educators’ Association, Saugus Educational Assistants Association and Saugus School Clerical Association along with three vendor Requests for Proposals. “In order to enter into these negotiations in good faith, we are planning for an additional A CLUTTERED WINDOWSILL: The green waxed amaryllis bulb has produced a nicely fl owering stalk for the second year in a row, while the pink waxed bulb produced foliage that turned brown and withered quickly. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) DOGWOOD: In a Lynnhurst garden a red twig dogwood (Cornus alba) shows the opposite branching and budding pattern typical of the dogwood genus. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) FEED FEATHERED FRIENDS: A male cardinal sits in my front yard during a snow squall, reminding everyone that February is National Bird Feeding Month. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) Editor’s Note: Laura Eisener is a landscape design consultant who helps homeowners with landscape design, plant selection and placement of trees and shrubs, as well as perennials. She is a member of the Sau$575,000 increase,” the superintendent said. * Cost containments. School district enrollment has declined by almost 200 students over the past four years, with more families choosing private, charter or home school options. Two years ago, Crabtree’s proposed budget included $30,075,250 for the School Department – a $500,000 increase over the 2020 fi scal year budget approved by Town Meeting. But the amount earmarked for Saugus Public Schools in the manager’s spending plan for the 2021 Fiscal Year was still $1.9 million less than what the School Committee voted unanimously to support. ALDERS: Along the edge of Birch Pond along Walnut Street, both female “cones” and male catkins can be seen. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate by Laura Eisener) gus Garden Club and off ered to write a series of articles about “what’s blooming in town” shortly after the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. She was inspired after seeing so many people taking up walking During a workshop meeting earlier this month, Crabtree and selectmen discussed the merits of removing teacher health and pension benefi ts from the town budget and shifting it to the School Department budget. Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini asked Crabtree what the process was for accomplishing that transfer. “You can just put it over there [in the School Department] and say you’re responsible for it,” Crabtree said. “We keep giving them money and net school spending keeps going up and up,” he said. Crabtree said school-related spending by the town takes up 67 percent of the entire town budget. ׉ 7cassandra://5ruJuvAb-A33h1ONLArEt9pBUDyPNpieLHs_7naKJoc&`̰b,MO#qb,MO#q PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://S3kJaE8d5Bp06VtrQql9VAeg8GuTqMm1PrCtdhwZxYo `)׉ 7cassandra://grI6kKCEfHA6eQqCXy-4FVKEO_1bI4wmE-4afK5APB4͕'`J׉ 7cassandra://YxNLQ6ysOhD-3QekqMVfA3_6SWe3N93agolHpetlJEI'}`̰׉ 7cassandra://-S6Y1fXoNxN-59pHaPNBj7fQmMzN2f_SOwCJLFTxQFs4A͠b,XO#q(ט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://JK3n-1G69_Ucv6tv0pKsvazxnklBG69W8mEVVxy40Qw`)׉ 7cassandra://Q_mkWI_qgudSpLWjxaZHcy1nB1V0NtT_LURjBZENXyA͚e`J׉ 7cassandra://VCJG002hQ217jtK9yGcpl9fnztiymmKim63IVLWKcWs,w`̰׉ 7cassandra://CSzYAWjPHIBOR7wXwq-EsT3mX1IqJ1LbV4tttkrxfo479͠b,XO#q)נb,XO#q3 ց<9ׁHhttp://ior.orgׁ ׁ Јנb,XO#q2 āz9ׁHhttp://ford.com/lifetimeׁ ׁ Јנb,XO#q1'̩9ׁHhttp://AARPdriversafety.orgׁ ׁ Јנb,XO#q0iL9ׁHhttp://AAA.comׁ ׁ Јנb,XO#q/mI 9ׁHhttp://ADED.netׁ ׁ Јנb,XO#q.WJ9ׁHhttp://AOTA.org/ׁ ׁ Јנb,XO#q-#9ׁHhttp://www.theaftd.org/supportׁ ׁ Јנb,XO#q,4̿9ׁHhttp://danafarber.jimmyfund.orgׁ ׁ Јנb,XO#q+;+?9ׁHhttp://jude.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E%Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 HOLLYWOOD | FROM PAGE 1 day’s preparation day and yesterday’s (Thursday, Feb. 24) cleanup. In the comedy-drama movie, Giamatti plays the part of Paul Hunham “a curmudgeonly, universally disliked teacher,” according to the online entertainment database IMDb. Hunham, “his trouble-making 15-year-old student, and the school’s African American cook, who recently lost her son in Vietnam, are thrown together as they remain at Deerfield Academy over the course of the holidays in 1970,” the synopsis notes. A key reason why Miramax approached Kourkoulis about fi lming in his restaurant – now in its 70th year – was because the restaurant remains very similar in appearance and style to the way restaurants were back in the 1970s. And there was very little change to the movie set. Payne, who will be directing “The Holdovers,” won the Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay in 2004 for “Sideways” and again in 2011 for “The Descendants.” He is also a three-time nominee of the Academy Award for Best Director for “Election” (1999), “About Schmidt” (2002) and “Nebraska” (2013). Overall, he has received 19 Academy Award nominations. Eighteen years ago, Payne and Giamatti teamed up OBITUARIES Eleanor “Helen” (Martelli) Dittmer Of Peabody, formerly of Saugus, died on Feb. 22 at the Care Dimensions Hospice House in Lincoln. She was the wife of the late Myron Dittmer & the late Michael DeBlasio. Mrs. Dittmer was the beloved mother of Michael DeBlasio & his wife Mary ann of Littleton, Lucille Banfi eld & her husband Archie of FL, David DeBlasio & his wife Janice of Plainville, Cora Paquin & her husband William of FL, Myron Dittmer & his wife Rose Marie of Melrose & the late William Dittmer. She was predeceased by 2 sisters & 5 brothers and the cherished grandmother of 16 & 22 great grandchildren. Mrs. Dittmer is also survived by many nieces & nephews. In lieu of fl owers, donations in her memory may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, 501 St. Jude Place, Memphis, TN 38105 or at stjude.org BY JIM MILLER How to Convince an Elderly Parent to Stop Driving SUPER SCREENWRITER AND FILM DIRECTOR: Alexander Payne has won two Academy Awards for Screenwriting. (IMDb photos) for “Sideways.” “Ever since I worked with Paul in Sideways, I’ve wanted to work with him again, and this role is tailor made for him,” Payne told Deadline earlier this year. “I came across a writing sample for a pilot set in a prep school by David Hemingson. I called [Giamatti], told him the idea, and he jumped at it,” he said. Giamatti, who grew up in Connecticut, is the son of the late Bart Giamatti, a professor of Renaissance Literature at Yale University who later became the university’s youngest president. Bart Giamatti also became the Commissioner of Major League Baseball at the time that Pete Rose was banned from the game for gambling. Paul Giamatti’s mother, Toni Marilyn Smith, was an acPaul L. Leuci Of Saugus, formerly of Everett, age 78, died at the High Pointe Hospice House in Haverhill on Sunday, February, 20. He was the beloved husband of Cheryl (Cohen) Leuci. AN AWARD-WINNING ACTOR: Paul Giamatti is back working with Film Director Alexander Payne for the fi rst time in 18 years. tress before she got married. Giamatti received an Academy Award nomination for Best Supporting Actor for his role in “Cinderella Man” in 2005. Of the six times he received nominations for the Golden Globe Awards, he won twice – for “John Adams” (2008) and “Barney’s Version” (2010). He also received seven nominations for the Screen Actors Guild Award, winning four times: “Sideways” (2004), “Cinderella Man” (2005), “John Adams” (2008) and “Too Big to Fail” (2010). It’s unusual for movie scenes to be shot in Saugus. “The only movie I can remember that was shot in Saugus was scenes from ‘Grown Ups 2,’” Bob Davis told The Saugus Advocate this week. “They were shot at Stackpole Field in 2013,” Davis said. Theresa Whittredge and four siblings, Anne LeBlanc, Xavier “Jackie” Leuci, Lorraine Nugent, and Barbara Leuci. In lieu of fl owers, donations in Paul’s memory may be made to The Dana Farber Cancer Institute at danafarber.jimmyfund.org. Born in Chelsea and raised in Everett, Mr. Leuci was the son of the late James and Mary (Ruggiero) Leuci. A resident of Saugus for the past 47 years, Paul was a retired police offi cer for the City of Everett. He enjoyed fl y fi shing and was a U.S. Navy Veteran. In addition to his wife, Paul is survived by his two daughters, Patricia “Patty” Rodrigues & her husband David of Mendon and Linda Simpson & her husband Jake of VA; seven grandchildren, Alyssa, Steven, Alex, Cassandra, Tito, Brody and Finley; son-inlaw, Tommy Whittredge of Saugus; three siblings, Marie Levanti of Gardner, Walter Leuci of CO and Robert Leuci of SC. He was predeceased by his daughter, Paula J. (Boyle) Palumbo Age 58, of Saugus, died on Monday, February 21. She was the beloved wife of Henry F. Palumbo with whom she shared 36 years of marriage. Born and raised in Saugus, Paula was the daughter of the late James and Dorothy (Warlock) Boyle. Paula is survived by her three children, Maxwell Palumbo, John Palumbo and Rachel Palumbo; three grandchildren, Christian, Sophia and Vivian; six siblings, James Boyle, Mary Ann Surette, Joseph Boyle, John Boyle, Rose Shea and Bernard Boyle. In lieu of fl owers donations in her memory may be made to The Association of Frontotemporal Degeneration at https:// www.theaftd.org/support-aftds-mission/. Dear Savvy Senior, What is the best way to deal with older drivers who probably shouldn’t be driving anymore? My dad, who’s 86, is bound and determined to keep driving as long as he’s alive. Backseat Daughter Dear Backseat, For many families, talking to an elderly parent about giving up the car keys can be a very diffi cult and sensitive topic. While there’s no one way to handle this issue, here are a few suggestions that can help you evaluate your dad’s driving and ease him out from behind the wheel when the time is right. Take a Ride To get a clear picture of your dad’s driving abilities, a good fi rst step, if you haven’t already done so, is to take a ride with him and watch for problem areas. For example: Does he have diffi culty seeing, backing up or changing lanes? Does he react slowly, get confused easily or make poor driving decisions? Does he drive at inappropriate speeds, tailgate or drift between lanes? Also, has your dad had any fender benders or tickets lately, or have you noticed any dents or scrapes on his vehicle? These, too, are red fl ags. If you need some help and your dad is willing, consider hiring a driver rehabilitation specialist who’s trained to evaluate elderly drivers and provide safety suggestions. This type of assessment typically costs between $200 and $400. To locate a professional in your area, visit AOTA.org/ older-driver or ADED.net. Transitioning and Talking After your assessment, if you think it’s still safe for your dad to drive, see if he would be willing to take an older driver refresher course. These courses will show him how aging aff ects driving skills and off ers tips and adjustments to help keep him safe. Taking a class may also earn your dad a discount on his auto insurance. To locate a class, contact your local AAA (AAA.com) or AARP (AARPdriversafety.org, 888227-7669). Most courses cost around $20 to $30 and can be taken online. If, however, your assessment shows that your dad really does need to stop driving, you need to have a talk with him, but don’t get carried away. If you begin with a dramatic outburst like “Dad, you’re going to kill someone!” you’re likely to trigger resistance. Start by simply expressing your concern for his safety. For more tips on how to talk to your dad about this and evaluate his driving skills, the Hartford Financial Services Group and MIT AgeLab off ers a variety of resources to assist you. Visit TheHartford.com/lifetime and click on “Publications” on the menu bar, then on the “We Need to Talk” guidebook. Refuses to Quit If your dad refuses to quit, you have several options. One possible solution is to suggest a visit to his doctor who can give him a medical evaluation, and if warranted, “prescribe” that he stops driving. Older people will often listen to their doctor before they will listen to their own family. If he still refuses, contact your local Department of Motor Vehicles to see if they can help. Or call in an attorney to discuss with your dad the potential fi nancial and legal consequences of a crash or injury. If all else fails, you may just have to take away his keys. Alternative Transportation Once your dad stops driving, he’s going to need other ways to get around, so help him create a list of names and phone numbers of family, friends and local transportation services that he can call on. To fi nd out what transportation services are available in your dad’s area contact Rides in Sight (RidesInSight. org, 855-607-4337), and the Eldercare Locator (800-6771116), which will direct you to his area agency on aging for assistance. Send your senior questions to: Savvy Senior, P.O. Box 5443, Norman, OK 73070, or visit SavvySenior.org. Jim Miller is a contributor to the NBC Today show and author of “The Savvy Senior” book. ׉ 7cassandra://YxNLQ6ysOhD-3QekqMVfA3_6SWe3N93agolHpetlJEI'}`̰b,MO#q׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Page 15 ASKS | FROM PAGE 8 Q: Did they tell you why they wanted your restaurant for this particular movie? A: Yeah. They told me they loved the restaurant just the way it looked. And they said you don’t fi nd a lot of restaurants that look the way this does. A lot of them get these high-end designers and go modern. But we’ve kept The Continental pretty close to the period when it opened. We try to keep it as clean as possible and updated as possible, but still give it that old look. The guy last night said, “We were really surprised because when we walk into a place there’s usually 10 boxes of props that we have to carry in a huge box with all kinds of stuff .” But when they arrived with the props, there was only one box that they had to bring in, so they really didn’t have to do anything, so that’s why they really fell in love with the restaurant. It was, like, “We don’t have to change anything.” They had all the booths and tables set up. Everything was set up, even down to the dinnerware. We have a fl oral pattern on our dishes. And they went with those. That’s what they were using. They didn’t bring those props in. 8. What former captain of 1. On Feb. 25, 1956, what Russian gave a speech called “On the Cult of Personality and Its Consequences”? 2. What creature has the largest eyes: Colossal squid, owl or swordfi sh? 3. On Feb. 26, 1992, where in Massachusetts was a nuclear reactor shut down? 4. Which country exports the most daff odils: Holland, United Kingdom or USA? 5. In what novel did Dashiell Hammett create the fi ctional detectives Nick and Nora Charles? 6. On Feb. 27, 1807, what author (with a middle name that is also in the name of an art museum in Hartford) of the poem “Woods in Winter” was born? 7. What problem does a sheep have if it is called a cast sheep? U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics teams said, “You can’t always be the best. You have to remember that everyone makes mistakes sometimes”? 9. On Feb. 28, 1915, what actor who sang “If I Were a Rich Man” in “Fiddler on the Roof” was born? 10. What is the 1934-1935 military retreat of the Red Army in China commonly called? 11. Which U.S. island has the highest population? 12. On March 1, 1917, what poet was born in Boston whose last name is the name of another Massachusetts city? 13. What food never needs preservatives? 14. In what fi lm franchise would you fi nd “The Imperial March”? 15. Black American J.W. Reed patented what improvement to the rolling pin? 16. On March 2, 1959, what was tested by the Southern New England Telephone Company to see if it helped people get the right numbers? 17. What was the fi rst name of Mr. Rogers of TV? 18. What is the last name of the main family in “Little Women” by Louisa May Alcott? 19. Which country consumes the most coffee per capita: Brazil, Canada or Finland 20. On March 3, 1821, the fi rst U.S. patent granted to a Black American was given to Thomas Jennings for what kind of cleaning process? ANSWERS Q: So, the wine bottles … A: No. Those weren’t mine. Those are props. I think those are hard to fi nd; I don’t think you can fi nd them anymore; I haven’t seen those in years. Q: What else can you share about what went into this fi lming and what you observed? The most interesting things? A: Just how they all worked so well together. I probably had 50 people in the restaurant, and they all seemed to know what they were doing and what goes on. They all worked well together. It seemed they know what everybody’s duty is. When they’re filming, they know who had to leave and who comes in and who’s supposed to be on the set and who can’t be on the set. They’re running a clean ship, a tight ship. And I guess they’ve got to because they’ve gotta get it done in a day. I can only imagine what it must cost to do a fi ve minute scene or a four minute scene. My parking lot had three acres of trucks and equipment and people. It’s got to be expensive. Q: And you’ve been down there today? A: Yeah. I was there earlier. Q: And it was all full in the parking lot? A: The parking lot is full. You’ve got some workers who drive their own cars, and then you got all these 18-wheelers and food trucks and box trucks and all of the equipment trucks. I mean, just for ASKS | SEE PAGE 21 1. Nikita Khrushchev 2. Colossal squid 3. Rowe on the Deerfi eld River 4. United Kingdom 5. “The Thin Man” 6. Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (Wadsworth Atheneum Museum of Art) 7. It is stuck on its back. 8. Aly Raisman 9. Zero Mostel 10. The Long March 11. Long Island 12. Robert Lowell 13. Honey 14. Star Wars (also called “Darth Vader’s Theme”) 15. A rolling pin with handles connected to a center rod 16. A push-button phone 17. Fred 18. March 19. Finland 20. Dry cleaning ׉ 7cassandra://VCJG002hQ217jtK9yGcpl9fnztiymmKim63IVLWKcWs,w`̰b,MO#qb,MO#q PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://5LAQ5kgoiupJzZOjQIvrfsV2pKzd8_E91OFGb_Z5Z9o H`)׉ 7cassandra://r8cDY0ReLHn1v-AR2XyiNB1wxRnf2mKw5s1JG0Kf6ns͕^`J׉ 7cassandra://UoP-MF7zpy_lFjs-r45MRcNhyb_4VP-xwVh9Lq0Hhxo&`̰׉ 7cassandra://-ruWxkk81JLpHDRC-jXSskCNGEmStgbk_kfqaUOvBrY*͠b,YO#q4ט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://UdlThfOj3Rh87BFC4NvgfZE2FB-n2fYcWQNZuPfXFog h0`)׉ 7cassandra://v6rURc7OubLY4hmoljEvNxENO9_j_eou-6IC8R8lnb8͔`J׉ 7cassandra://UWqaqtI7tKBDa5-H0v0rKvW5gJZUCLNTvUDzaWAYDCw"`̰׉ 7cassandra://flvfd6RXGFBWpZhp499c--ISeCv4aXKhEQ1ZmvDahcgͤ ͠b,YO#q5נb,YO#q;+=9ׁHhttp://glss.netׁ ׁ Јנb,YO#q:̠9ׁHmailto:adevlin@aisle10.netׁ ׁ Јנb,YO#q9Ḓ9ׁHhttp://www.saugusSAVE.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E!Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark E. Vogler Six years and counting With the writing and editing of stories, the crafting of headlines and the work on photos for today’s (Friday, Feb. 25) edition, I have now completed six years as Editor of The Saugus Advocate. As I look back, it seems like a long time – more than half a decade. That is the second-longest period of time that I’ve worked for any newspaper, yet only a third of the time (18 years) I spent at The Eagle-Tribune (North Andover). But when you total the fi ve and a half years I spent covering Saugus for North Shore Sunday in the late 1980s and early 1990s, that is a collective decade-plus of reporting and writing stories about Saugus people and places. At age 69, I don’t have any immediate retirement plans, so long as my health holds out. With the addition of advocating for my brother’s health issues over the last three years and dealing with two-plus years of COVID-19, the task of putting out a weekly newspaper has naturally become more challenging. And I would be the fi rst one to acknowledge that I’m probably 75 percent of the reporter I was 10 years ago. At the same time, I’m confi dent that even with the declined skills in my craft, I’m still probably better than three quarters of the reporters out there today. I still ascribe to a work ethic and take professional pride in whatever I do to present an interesting, informative and entertaining weekly news magazine for our readers. While it’s important to cover major issues and events related to the Saugus town government, it’s also important to incorporate human interest in the paper. I see our main role as being a publication that provides useful information for the public, giving readers a forum to speak out on important local issues and putting a public focus on local government. I would like to think that even during the weeks when there are fewer pages in the paper than usual and no major blockbuster stories, that we are at least relevant to Saugus residents. After six years, the paper has reached the saturation point when I have reported on more stories and written stories than what time and space allows to publish within the confi nes of a 20- to 24page paper. But in the end, I would prefer to have one of my own stories rather than one from a contributor getting bumped from the paper. There are a variety of reasons why a story doesn’t get in the paper in a given week. But I am disappointed when somebody who invests the time and eff ort doesn’t get to see their article or essay in the paper on a particular week. But once the paper hits the street, there’s no time to cry over spilled milk. It’s on to next week’s news. No trash pickup today because of storm JRM Hauling & Recycling Services of Peabody has informed the Town of Saugus that there will be no collection today (Friday, Feb. 25) because of the impending snowstorm. Trash and recycling collection will run on a delayed schedule, according to a press release issued by Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s Offi ce. JRM will be collecting trash and recycling for Thursday’s route on Saturday, Feb. 26. Today’s (Friday’s) route will be collected on Monday, Feb. 28. Meanwhile, trash and recycling will run on a oneday delayed collection next week. Residents whose collection day falls on Monday will be collected from on Tuesday (March 1), and Friday’s (March 4) route will be collected on Saturday (March 5). Residents should make sure trash and recycling is accessible and make sure a path is shoveled through the snow if necessary. The compost/recycling site will be closed until Saturday, March 19, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Lorna Cerbone at 781-231-4036 with any questions. Stumped by The Sketch Artist! There were no winners for last week’s “Guess Who got Sketched!” Contest, so there was no need to CONTEST SKETCH OF THE WEEK use the green Boston Red Sox cap to select a winner from those readers who answered correctly. Here’s the correct answer for last week’s sketch, off ered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist: “The answer to last week’s sketch stands out because of his admiration for his father. The sketch is of John Fralick lll. He is our Saugus Public Health Director. “John Fralick lll is quoted from an answer he gave to Editor Mark E. Vogler in an Interview for The Saugus Advocate, July /31 2020 “The Advocate Asks.” “This is a thin slice that pretty much speaks volumes as to John’s heart, attitude and approach for life’s solutions: Q: So, your dad became your mentor? A: Yes. Essentially. And I look at the things that I’ve learned from him, not just with my career direction and everything … But, I look at some of the things that I’ve learned. Not so much that he’s taught me directly. It’s more the things that I emulate and the things that I have assimilated from him. He’s been such a big influence in my life. He is somebody that I’ve looked up to my whole life. “John’s dad is John Fralick, Jr., the Woburn Public Health Director for 35 plus years. John graduated with the Woburn High Class of 2003. “He played three sports, lacrosse, wrestling and football, and is somewhat a legend. (In 2018, John was inducted in the Woburn School Sports Hall of fame!) “John graduated from Bridgewater State University in 2008 with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Public Health. He was the Wrestling team Captain from 2005-2007. He served as Public Health Director in Stoneham for ten years before coming to us in the height of the pandemic of 2020. John being a wrestler loves a good challenge, so he stepped in the Saugus ring to fi ll a much needed empty seat! “As we clearly see; through his life’s experiences, John is bringing a multi-faceted, wisdom-seeking, tackling approach to his Public Health Director’s job. “John, we wish you much success and a 15 point lead wrestling the ongoing battle of pinning covid pandemic and health challenges to the fl oor for a major win! “May we see the light at the end of the tunnel as you lead us Saugonians to healthier ways. Thank You! “Yours truly, “The Sketch Artist” “Shout-Outs” to those who serve We didn’t receive any nominations this week from readers who wanted to publicly recognize fellow Saugonians for doing something special for the betterment of Saugus, or a remarkable achievement, a good deed or an act of kindness. In recent weeks, we have run stories about town GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! If you know the right answer, you might win the contest. In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who was sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who between now and Tuesday at noon identifi es the Saugonian sketched in this week’s paper qualifi es to have their name put in a green Boston Red Sox hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certifi - cate, compliments of Dunkin’ in the Food Court at the Saugus Square One Mall. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identifi cation in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”) offi cials being frustrated over the prevalent vacancies on volunteer boards and commissions and the diffi culty to fi ll those positions. That’s an issue that refl ects badly on the town, whether it’s the matter of disparaging social media comments discouraging people from serving or people not wanting to serve because they don’t consider public service to be a noble pursuit. But I believe the many who do serve on the volunteer boards – work that entails researching for public meetings, attending those meetings and making diffi cult decisions – deserve some robust “Shout-Outs.” Want to “Shout-Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout-Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or a photo. ׉ 7cassandra://UoP-MF7zpy_lFjs-r45MRcNhyb_4VP-xwVh9Lq0Hhxo&`̰b,MO#q׉E+THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Page 17 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | FROM PAGE 16 Three cheers for these wrestlers! This email came in late, but just before the deadline. A reader wanted to extend “Congrats to our three competitors that traveled to Fitchburg to compete in the D1 State Tournament this past weekend. “Junior Will Pinto (170) went 0-2 losing a nail biter at the buzzer 6-5. He had an amazing season as a NEC/CAL champion and league all-star and will be back next year for us. “Senior Christian Machado (160) went 1-2 and wrestled great for us this year. He leaves us with a season record of 29-7. We are proud of his accomplishments this season as a leader and NEC/CAL champion and league all star. You will be missed Christian. “Finally Senior Captain Chase Ledbury (145) fi nished with a hard fought 5th place and will advance to the MIAA All State tournament this coming weekend. So far, Chase has eclipsed 100 wins, won the NEC/CAL Championship where he was the tourney’s outstanding wrestler and a league all star. He was also voted league wrestler of the year. He will continue his quest to qualify for the New England Championship this March.” A grandmother’s posthumous gift It’s been 18 years this past Wednesday since my grandmother passed away at 97 years old. But the next time I take my brother out for lunch, I will be able to tell him, “This one’s on Nana.” While on my latest clutter cleanup, I came across a credit and business card holder that once belonged to my grandmother, Alice Vogler. I decided to clean out some of the old credit and business cards. In the process of doing that, I also discovered $65 in nicely folded currency. My grandmother worked for more than fi ve decades in the textile mills of Lawrence and Methuen. She had her ways and was sometimes known to use salty language. But as a mother, wife and grandmother, family meant the most to her. My classic Nana story is how this fi ercely tenacious and loyal wife refused to let her husband languish in a nursing home. I remember the words “We’re getting him the hell out of here” as she marched into a hospital with her sister to take my grandfather home, where she would nurse him through his fi nal days. My grandmother deplored the condition of nursing homes and was determined to see that her husband died at home. Irish Night on March 10 The Saugus-Everett Elks will host their annual Irish Night on Thursday, March 10. Cocktails will be served at 6:30 p.m. and a traditional corned beef & cabbage dinner at 7:30 p.m., followed by presentations to their Person of the Year Honoree, Town Moderator Steve Doherty. Tickets are $15 per person. Contact Theresa at 617-771-8297 to reserve individual tickets or a table of 10. But don’t wait – always a great meal and a lot of laughs – this event is usually a sellout. Prostate Cancer Awareness on March 16 Here’s a public health announcement from Peter Manoogian: Due to the overwhelming success and positive feedback from attendees of the fi rst Prostate Cancer Awareness meeting held at the Saugus Senior Center on January 19 a second meeting will be held on Wednesday, March 16 at 10 a.m. Because of the number of participants at the fi rst meeting, the March 16 meeting will be held in the large meeting room at the center. It is our hope to have a respected urologist as guest speaker on that date. Please call the senior center at 781 -231-4178 to register. We encourage men and their partners, ages 40 and above, to attend. Refreshments will be provided. We look forward to seeing you. SHS Class of ’62 plans 60th reunion Leaders of the Saugus High School Class of 1962 would like you to “SAVE THE DATE.” Their 60th Class Reunion will be on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2022, from 1 to 5 p.m. at Prince Pizzeria in Saugus. They are reaching out to contact fellow classmates as well as other years who would like to join them. The well-known 50’s and 60’s music group of Howie Conley will be there for their musical enjoyment. Those of you who have heard them know what a performance they put on. There will be pizza and salad combinations plus soft drinks. The price includes all you can eat, tax, gratuities, plus Howie Conley’s group, and is $29 per person. There is a bar available for wine, beer and mixed drinks. There is no need to purchase tickets at this time. Please let one of the following people know of your interest either by a phone call or a text message so that you can be easily reached when the time draws near. No commitment is necessary. They are just exploring the number of interested classmates. Donna “Cann” Olivera: 781-987-4308. Jonni “Giantonio” Matrona: 781-439-4200. Janice “Cristiano” Pomeroy: 617-512-2097. Larry Seavers: 704-906-2606. SAVE announces 2022 Environmental Scholarship Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) is very pleased to announce that it is off ering a $1,000 Environmental Scholarship to Saugus residents of the Graduating Class of 2022. This is a scholarship for students who will be attending a two/four-year college or other educational institution and pursuing a degree in an area that would positively impact the environment. Applicants can download the SAVE 2022 Environmental Scholarship Application Form found at www.saugusSAVE.org. Together with the completed application form, please include a separate sheet (identified with your initials only) that provides a summary of any of your activities relating to the environment and describe how you feel your career choice will positively impact the environment. Please mail your application (postmarked by April 22, 2022) to: SAVE, P.O. Box 908, Saugus, MA 01906 or email your application (no later than midnight on April 22, 2022) to SAVE Co-President Ann Devlin at adevlin@aisle10.net. Again, the deadline to submit your application is April 22, 2022. A scholarship available to Saugus High seniors Greater Lynn Senior Services (GLSS) has announced it is accepting scholarship applications from Saugus High School (SHS) seniors through the Lique Human Services Scholarship. Two $5,000 scholarships will be awarded to students who have an interest in or are considering a career in human services and who have made an impact in their community or the world through community service. Completed scholarship applications are due to the SHS guidance office by Friday, April 1, 2022. The Lique Human Services Scholarship will be awarded to two seniors who attend one of the eight high schools located in GLSS’s service area of Lynn, Lynnfi eld, Nahant, Saugus and Swampscott. The scholarship is named in memory of Vince Lique, the Agency’s longtime Executive Director, who devoted his career to helping others, particularly vulnerable senior citizens and people of all ages with disabilities, demanding that all people be treated with dignity and respect. “Vince’s legacy is fi rmly rooted in his compassion for people. He measured success by the quality of his service to and advocacy for others,” said Kathryn C. Burns, MHA, GLSS’s Chief Executive Offi cer. “I believe in Vince’s theory that one’s individual success is directly related to the benefi ts received by those around us. The Lique Human Services scholarship honors the man and his service by encouraging others to do the same.” Application forms are available through the Saugus High School guidance offi ce or on GLSS’s website. For more information about GLSS, visit www. glss.net. A Rabies Vaccination Clinic in May Town Clerk Ellen Schena wants cat and dog owners to know about an upcoming rabies vaccination clinic that is set for Wednesday, May 4 from 4 to 6 p.m. This is for cats and dogs only. This will take place at the Animal Shelter at the rear of the DPW Building at 515 Rear Main St. in Saugus. The vaccination costs $10 and can be paid by cash or check only. State Law requires all dog owners to license their dogs. Food pantry seeking driver volunteers The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry seeks volunteers to make food and bread pickups on Thursdays and Fridays from 7:30 to 9 a.m. Anyone who has the time and interest to help out should contact Jeff Hirtle at 781-922-0661. The food pantry operates out of the basement at Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. Friday morning Legion Hall breakfasts are back! Here’s some great news for people who enjoy their Friday morning breakfasts at the Saugus American Legion Cpl Scott J. Procopio Post 210. Legion Hall, which is located at 44 Taylor St., recently resumed its Friday breakfasts and will continue through the last Friday in May of 2022. The buffet breakfast is served at 8:00 a.m. for a donation of $7. Bon app?tit! And good luck to the kitchen crew. Looking for book donations The New Friends of the Saugus Public Library are asking for donations of gently used adult hardcover and softcover fi ction for the ongoing book sale in the Community Room. They would also appreciate donations of gently used children’s books. Please limit donations at this time to only fi ction and children’s books; they do not have storage space for other genres or media. Please....clean and newer books only – no tattered pages, bad odors, stains or dirty covers! Books may be dropped off at the Main Circulation Desk during business hours. Please do not place donations in the outdoor book drops. Live Bingo at the Kowloon The Kowloon Restaurant will continue with Bingo every Wednesday through March 30, from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Hong Kong Lounge. Prizes will be given away each week with a grand prize set at the finale. A full Chinese gourmet spread is available during Bingo – featuring pupu platters, egg rolls, crab Rangoons, Saugus Wings, General Gau’s chicken, lobster sauce, fried scallops, lo mein, moo shu pork, salt and pepper calamari and sushi – along with a full bar menu, including the signature mai tais. Call the Kowloon Restaurant at 781-233-0077 to reserve your table. Comedy shows back at Kowloon The Kowloon Restaurant (Route 1 North in Saugus) brings back their Kowloon Komedy weekends with Boston’s best funny men and women. Here is the February and March Lineup: Harrison Stebbins: Comedy Central, Comcast Comedy Spotlight; Friday, Feb. 25, 8 to 9 p.m.; with Carolyn Plummer and Katlin McFee; $20. Kelly MacFarland: AXS Gotham Comedy Live, Last Comic Standing; Friday, March 4, 8 to 9 p.m.; with Steve Scarfo and Jimmy Cash; $20. Paul D’Angelo: Showtime’s “Godfathers of Comedy”; Friday, March 11, 8 to 9 p.m.; Mark Scalia and Matt Misci; $20; must be 18 or older to attend. Town posts Compost Site Winter Schedule The Town of Saugus has announced that the community’s compost site and recycling center will be open to residents the third Saturday of the month during the winter months. The site will be open on March 19 from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site is located behind the Department of Public Works at 515 Main St. THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 18 ׉ 7cassandra://UWqaqtI7tKBDa5-H0v0rKvW5gJZUCLNTvUDzaWAYDCw"`̰b,MO#qb,MO#q PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://AG4D6Qj1cMEBQW5LqSb5cxtv9e3flMq42So3mjCWF2E 4`)׉ 7cassandra://5fCfgJ2evFdoQhwIZTvjka9ytM2wsIKSsGYC929jCRY͒`J׉ 7cassandra://G_YHaOCG-Qj404tlqdHdJw3Tz-hJx8SaM6kGUl432ps"`̰׉ 7cassandra://5RqmcXhwc9W66rWLeW7kCK7setR6TKnY-2hl-1Vv_Rc͡͠b,YO#q<ט((u׉׉ 7cassandra://qd9X7t2x52ZZLeoOs6X3vmNSM3a4dpZVKTvTK6TEvsE͵`)׉ 7cassandra://t1Yh8EAW5SvSDTheTzV2DBlznR7XeRnmSxWCuJlgH6Q͒`J׉ 7cassandra://ab3J7rW8TbhMBfPBX7j538_Fz-2iUz6dEQ118sds8Z8*`̰׉ 7cassandra://fSFysDDSF-PWxwoFGqDiiq2GAKqQDJT2O02AMl64YnM 0͠b,ZO#q=נb,ZO#qH|̡9ׁHmailto:mvoge@comcast.netׁ ׁ Јנb,ZO#qG؁9ׁHhttps://www.mass.gov/serviceׁ ׁ Јנb,ZO#qFEl9ׁHmailto:jpinette@saugus-ma.govׁ ׁ Јנb,ZO#qEW̼9ׁHmailto:vabedoutreach@va.govׁ ׁ Јנb,ZO#qD/&9ׁH%https://givebutter.com/HealthySaugus.ׁ ׁ Јנb,ZO#qC@Ɓ̷9ׁHmailto:HS2Saugus@gmail.comׁ ׁ Јנb,ZO#qB9ׁHhttps://forms.glׁ ׁ Јנb,ZO#qA ̴9ׁHhttp://sauguspubliclibrary.orgׁ ׁ Јנb,ZO#q@o̳9ׁHhttp://sauguspubliclibrary.orgׁ ׁ Ј׉E,Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | FROM PAGE 17 Yard waste must be disposed of in brown compost bags or open containers. The Town will accept grass clippings, leaves and brush. As in years past, no branches or limbs larger than three inches in diameter are permitted. At this time residents will not need a compost site sticker to access the site. We ask all residents to please wear a mask and maintain and respect social distancing from others while visiting the site. Residents may call Lorna Cerbone at the Solid Waste and Recycling Department at 781-231-4036 with questions or for more information. Jumpstart your Financial Future Just starting out? Join this virtual four-part program to acquire the skills for long-term fi nancial prosperity and independence. Explore real-world fi nancial situations to build lifelong strategies for budgeting, building credit, saving for retirement, and more. This is a free program for ages 17–30 presented in cooperation with The Babson Financial Literacy Project (BFLP), the Saugus Public Library and several local libraries. See sauguspubliclibrary.org to register for one session or all four. Tips and Tricks for Managing Your Credit – Tuesday, March 1, 7-8 p.m. – Alia Georges (presenter). This workshop provides insights on how to manage credit cards, their hidden costs, and tips to avoid credit card traps. Learn about credit reports and credit scores and what steps you can take to improve your fi nancial standing. Managing Your Money to Build Your Best Life – Tuesday, March 15, 7-8 p.m. – Jennifer Bethel (presenter). This workshop will help you learn how to budget your money and start saving for your future. Decisions! Decisions! – Tuesday, April 5, 7-8 p.m. – Matt Trogdon (presenter). Health Insurance? Retirement? Investing? Join us to gain some important insights on how to make these essential decisions. Protecting You and Your Assets – Tuesday, April 19, 7-8 p.m. – Jennifer Bethel (presenter). This workshop will help you prepare for the fi nancial challenges ahead. For more information, contact the Saugus Public Library at 295 Central St., Saugus, MA 01906 or call 781-231-4168 or check out sauguspubliclibrary.org. Want to be a Knight? The Knights of Columbus is looking for new members to join. If you are interested in becoming a member of this local organization, please call 781-233-9858. Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (Editor’s Note: The following info is from an announcement submitted by Julie Cicolini, a member of the Board of Directors for Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus.) Who we are: Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2) is a nonprofi t group of volunteers that are helping to off set food insecurity in households. HS2 provides students/families that enroll in the program a supply of nutritious food for when school lunches and breakfasts are unavailable to them on weekends. How HS2 can help you: HS2 bags are distributed at school on Fridays to take home. Bags include such items as peanut butter, jelly, a loaf of bread, canned meals/soups/tuna/vegetables, pasta/sauce, fruit cups, cereal, oatmeal, goldfi sh, pretzels and granola bars. To sign up go here to complete online form: https://forms.gle/gmMGguycSHBdziuE9. Want to partner with us: HS2 relies on donations to create take-home bags for a weekend full of meals. All food is provided to children free of charge. It is our hope these resources will support the health, behavior and achievement of every student who participates. We would love to partner with organizations, youth groups, PTOs, businesses and individuals to assist in feeding students of Saugus. To learn more about how you can partner with us, visit the Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus Facebook page or email us at HS2Saugus@gmail.com. Checks can also be sent directly to Salem Five c/o Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus, 855-5 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906. Online donations can also be made at https://givebutter.com/HealthySaugus. Food Pantry still open The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry continues to remain open between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. on Fridays despite concerns over the Coronavirus. They have made adjustments to protect their core of volunteers and the needy people who receive the food. For the protection of volunteers & clients, and to limit personal contact and crowding/gathering, the food pantry has been distributing prebagged groceries. Even though clients may receive items they don’t want or need, food pantry organizers feel this is the best course of action to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19. Those in need, even for short-term or one-time assistance, are encouraged to come. The food pantry is in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. Clarifying some veterans’ issues Jay Pinette, the Veterans Service Offi cer for the Town of Saugus, wanted to pass along a few words to promote a better understanding of how his offi ce works. “Veterans Service Offi cers (VSOs) are not VA employees and do not have direct access to VA systems or information,” Jay wrote in an email to us. “Local VSOs are employees of their respective cities and towns. VSOs are generally able to assist veterans and eligible dependents with VA-related claims and benefi ts activities. “One of the primary duties of the VSOs is to administer a program for veterans and eligible dependents that is referred to as ‘Chapter 115’. Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. CH. 115), the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of fi nancial assistance for low income veterans and their dependents. Qualifi ed veterans and their dependents who meet the income and asset eligibility criteria may receive monthly fi - nancial benefi ts that are intended to assist the veteran with housing and living expenses. “If local Veterans wish to enroll in VA healthcare and/or obtain a VA ID card, representatives from the VA Bedford will be on-site at the Lynn VA Clinic twice a month. The on-site enrollment will be held on the 1 st and 3 rd Tuesday of each month from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Appointments are advised and the dates and times are subject to change. The Lynn VA Clinic is located at 225 Boston Street, Suite 107. For more information or to schedule an appointment for enrollment, call 781-687-3348 or e-mail vabedoutreach@va.gov. “The Veterans Services Offi ces of Saugus and other surrounding communities have partnered with the Greater Boston Food Bank to hold monthly mobile food markets for veterans. With the closure of the Saugus Senior Center during the pandemic, the food market was moved to Melrose. We have now moved the food market back to the Saugus Senior Center. The veterans mobile food market is held on the third Wednesday of each month. Veterans and eligible dependents must sign up with the Saugus Veterans Service Offi ce to determine eligibility. VSO Jay Pinette can be reached at 781231-4010 or at jpinette@saugus-ma.gov. Or on the fi rst fl oor of Saugus Town Hall at 298 Central Street, Saugus MA 01906.” A smoke alarm alert for seniors The state Fire Marshal’s Offi ce has launched a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign that is geared toward encouraging smoke alarm awareness among senior citizens – the people who are at greater risk of dying in a fi re. And this should be of particular interest to Saugus residents who may recall the house fi re that killed two elderly people on Richard Street last July. Fire investigators found no evidence of smoke alarms or carbon monoxide alarms in the home. The “Dear Grandma / Querida Abuela” PSA campaign began this month on television and radio stations in the Boston, Worcester and Springfi eld media markets. Recorded in both English and Spanish, it features a granddaughter writing a letter to her grandmother about all the things she looks forward to doing together, interspersed with messages about the importance of having working smoke alarms and replacing alarms after 10 years. “In Massachusetts and nationwide, people over 65 have a disproportionately high risk of dying in a fi re,” state Fire Marshal Peter J. Ostroskey said in a press release. “Everyone should have working smoke alarms in their homes, but we developed this PSA to reach older adults in particular because of the higher statistical risk they face. Installing smoke alarms on every fl oor of the home, checking them regularly, and replacing them after 10 years can dramatically reduce that risk.” Nationwide, about 60 percent of fatal fi res occur in homes without working smoke alarms. And in Massachusetts, people 65 and older comprise about 17 percent of the population but about 50 percent of last year’s fatal fi re victims. “Working smoke alarms are often the fi rst line of defense against injury and tragedy in a fi re,” Ostroskey said. “We invite our partners in the fi re service, family members, caregivers, and social service providers to share these PSAs and emphasize the importance of working smoke alarms, especially among seniors.” Last year when Louis Gallo, 78, and his sister Rosemarie Naples, 80, died in the three-alarm house fi re on Richard Street, fi re offi cials stressed that working smoke alarms in your home can double your chances of survival if a fi re occurs. Home fi re deaths have been cut in half since the early 1970s, when smoke alarms were fi rst marketed, and about 40 percent of fi re deaths in the United States take place in the four percent of homes without smoke alarms. People should install smoke alarms throughout their home, test them monthly, and replace the batteries when they change their clocks. If your smoke alarm is more than 10 years old, it should be replaced, according to fi re offi cials. The PSAs are available for distribution through the Department of Fire Services (DFS). They can be downloaded at the Department of Fire Services webpage – https://www.mass.gov/service-details/dfs-public-awareness-campaigns – and can be linked or shared from the DFS YouTube channel. They complement the DFS Senior SAFE program, which provides grant funding for local fi re departments to provide fi re and life safety education for older adults. Let’s hear it! Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been six years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@comcast.net. Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15- to 20-minute interview over a hot drink at a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coff ee or tea. Or, if you prefer to continue practicing social distancing and be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation recovers from the Coronavirus crisis. If it’s a nice day and the temperature is 50 degrees or better, my preferred site for a coff ee and interview would be the picnic area of the Saugus Iron Works. ׉ 7cassandra://G_YHaOCG-Qj404tlqdHdJw3Tz-hJx8SaM6kGUl432ps"`̰b,MO#q׉ETHE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 25, 2022 Page 19 NORTH SHORE NAVIGATORS SIGN THREE RETURNING PLAYERS FOR 2022 SEASON LYNN, Mass. — The North Shore Navigators will be welcoming three returning players back to their 2022 roster as the team looks to defend its New England Collegiate Baseball League (NECBL) division title from a season ago. North Andover native Jake McElroy is signed to return to Fraser Field for the third straight summer, following his sophomore campaign at the College of the Holy Cross. The outfielder hit.235 with a.336 on-base percentage, 11 RBI and 10 runs scored in 36 games for North Shore in 2021. He finished the regular season on a fivegame hit streak and recorded six hits during the team’s playoff run, highlighted by his first home run as a Navigator in the deciding Northern Division Semifinals contest at Keene in August. Stetson University’s Dylan Brazil will also return to the Navs outfield in 2022. The current sophomore from Lake Mary, Fla., recorded 19 hits, one double, 15 runs scored and nine RBI in 38 games while pitching a scoreless inning. Brazil, who had a pair of three-hit games, hit his only homer of the summer in the opening game of the NECBL Championship Series at Danbury. After joining the team late in 2021, pitcher Graham Jeffries is set to return to Lynn for a full summer. The junior right-hander from Salve Regina University made two regular-season appearances before throwing six scoreless innings in his lone playoff start against Upper Valley, helping the Navs go on to clinch the Northern Division. Jeffries, a Chelmsford native, struck out 16 batters in 9.2 innings and helped the Seahawks win the Commonwealth Coast Conference championship during his last spring season. The Navs kick off their 15th summer of collegiate baseball on Tuesday, June 7 with the home opener at Fraser Field set for Thursday, June 9. Stay up to date on the latest Navs news by visiting nsnavs. com and following the team on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. EMASS Senior Softball League opens registration for 2022 season The Eastern Massachusetts Senior Softball (EMASS) League is opening its annual registration campaign for slow-pitch softball players age 50 and older. With more than 400 members, the league attracts players from towns across Eastern Massachusetts with games played on fi elds in Wayland, Medfield, and Framingham. The EMASS season opens in early May with 18 weeks of regular season games scheduled through Labor Day and year-end playoff s completed in early October. “We are preparing for growth by rebalancing our Saturday divisions and adding a new weekday division to expand from 35 teams to over 40 teams,” said EMASS Commissioner Walker Royce. “EMASS Senior Softball was a welcome outdoor escape from the lifestyle disruptions of the COVID pandemic over the last two years. We had 70 new players last year and with more seniors looking for a healthy outlet, we feel confi dent we will see similar growth in 2022.” EMASS Senior Softball Off ers Flexible Playing Time “In 2022, we are restructuring our younger Saturday division where the average age across fi ve teams will be around 60,” explained Daniel Jolly, the new Colonial division coordinator. “With fi ve teams, we can use shorter rosters so players get more playing time, and more at-bats. Our Saturday players prefer an occasional bye week for summer holidays.” “Our most popular weekday division is being split primarily to off er more opportunity for players who want to play multiple times per week,” said Jeff rey Allan, the new Monday division coordinator. “The Atlantic division had grown to 12 teams. To accommodate more growth, we decided to split into a six-team Monday division and an eight-team Thursday division.” “ The weekday division scheduling supports a day off between play dates for players who choose to play in multiple divisions,” said William Cerrato, the new Thursday division coordinator. “It will help us better balance the skills, improve safety and provide more fl exibility for those who want to play more than one day a week.” “EMASS shuffles up team rosters in every division each year to enhance connections across our large softball-loving community,” said Donald Gould, the National division coordinator. “Our members enjoy competing with and against their friends.” Nothing Like a Team Sport to Make You Feel Young Again EMASS players cherish their weekly double-headers playing with their softball-loving buddies. EMASS has many younger seniors in their fifties and sixties who can still hit a ball over the 300 foot fences or run down a deep line drive in the outfield. They are also inspired by elder players who can still play ball into their late seventies and eighties. That three-hour escape is a weekly high point of camaraderie, teamwork and healthy outdoor competition. When they are out on the field, players feel and act 20 years younger, and when they get home, those stiff joints and sore muscles are mostly perceived as joyful pain. EMASS will open the 2022 season with more than 40 teams competing in six diff erent divisions. The league employs paid umpires and has recently invested in team manager training, umpire clinics/ certifi cation, new equipment and a rich website to ensure a safe, well-managed and competitive league. “Our board members, team managers and division coordinators do a very professional and collaborative job of operating this league. Our players appreciate the fun and camaraderie enabled by our volunteer leadership team,” said Royce. ׉ 7cassandra://ab3J7rW8TbhMBfPBX7j538_Fz-2iUz6dEQ118sds8Z8*`̰b,MO#qb,MO#q PבCט(u׉׉ 7cassandra://R13gg0tCU157yaehANbOqZ1frT5BnhxQ1ZY5kkB6isAQ`)׉ 7cassandra://i7XDOHBT7T6r2wgEAnX9Tfr5d0UXqIkPpbGdg35bsAA͋`J׉ 7cassandra://Ykz_WGHDuJf96ps4j4ieaWNs9zI5eIayEiQeKOPCDi8'`̰׉ 7cassandra://XRaPoAvmVJaM1c0xWAh1mVjVzVSS8ar5WCUxGwC31E4