Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, FEbrUAry 3, 2023 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus! “The first of 10 Monday nights of Saugus Over Coffee” debuted this past Monday (June 30) in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library, leading off with Precinct 1. There were both positive and negative takeaways for the first forum, which drew about a dozen people and lasted about 40 minutes. On the plus side, the people who attended seemed to be very enthused about the fact that this precedent-setting forum – cosponsored by The Saugus Advocate and the Saugus Public Library – is providing residents of all 10 precincts an opportunity to get acquainted with key issues and challenges in precincts all over town. The forum, of course, also provides residents of all precincts the opportunity to meet their Town Meeting Members and hear what they have to say. Residents also have a chance to get up to the microphone and speak their mind in a constructive and positive fashion (without being interrupted) about major concerns and issues. With town elections set for November, voters in every precinct will be better informed on the issues and where candidates stand in the respective Town Meeting races. One encouraging thing I observed was that several residents in other precincts came to watch out of curiosity. Some of them said they wanted to get an idea about the forum format before attending their own forum. Town Meeting Members Susan C. Dunn and Mark J. Bell sat at the front table and led off with opening statements before Precinct 1 residents in —Cont est— CONTEST SKETCH OF THE WEEK the audience were allowed to speak from the lectern. Dunn and Bell both welcomed the opportunity to share their views with residents in their precinct. Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Ronald Wallace and Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta also sat in on the forum and were allowed to speak after the residents had their chance. Also a very positive aspect of Monday night’s forum is that folks who couldn’t attend can still view Vimeo Saugus TV on Channel 8 via a computer at any time during the day. You can also watch it on cable television. The first scheduled airing will be Sunday (Feb. 5) at 11 a.m. Residents will be able to watch “Saugus Over Coffee” again on Wednesday (Feb. 8) at 12:30 p.m. On the downside, it was disappointing that three of the Town Meeting members didn’t attend. Anthony Arone told me he couldn’t make it because he was involved in firefighting training. Sue Paloma texted just before the forum to let me know that she couldn’t make it because of an illness. And Christopher Jones also missed the forum. He didn’t respond to invitations mailed and emailed to him in advance. It was also disappointing that there were more residents from outside Precinct 1 attending than those living in the precinct. But as the election season draws nearer, expect to see larger precinct audiences and greater participation by Town Meeting member. Stay tuned. Here is the remaining schedule: Precinct 2 – Feb. 13 Precinct 3 – March 13. Precinct 4 – April 17 Precinct 5 – May 8 Precinct 6 – June 12 Precinct 7 – July 10 Precinct 8 – Aug. 14 Precinct 9 – Sept. 11 Precinct 10 – Oct. 23 Please check with The SauGUESS 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’s being sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@ comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who identifies the Saugonian sketched in this week’s paper between now and Tuesday at Noon qualifies 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 certificate, compliments of Hammersmith Family Restaurant at 330 Central St. in Saugus. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification 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”) gus Advocate or library for any changes in dates. Residents can check the programming guide on the station’s website (www. saugustv.org) for dates and times. A video of the forum will also be available for viewing on the station’s Vimeo page within a day or two after the event (www.vimeo.com/saugustelevision). Comedy at the Kowloon The Kowloon Restaurant set its latest comedy lineup featuring Robbie Printz on Feb. 3 at 8 p.m. Here’s the rest of this month’s lineup: Feb. 10: Frank Santorelli – 8 p.m. – $20 Feb. 17: Paul Gilligan – 8 p.m. – $20 Feb. 24: Mike Donovan – 8 p.m. – $20 Here’s the comedy lineup for March: MARCH 3: Paul D’Angelo – 8 p.m. – $20 MARCH 10: Corey Rodrigues – 8 p.m. – $20 MARCH 24: Jimmy Dunn – 8 p.m. – $20 Tickets are $20 and show time is 8 p.m. at the Kowloon Restaurant (Route 1 North in Saugus). For tickets, call the Kowloon Restaurant at 781233-0077. Bingo is back! The Kowloon Restaurant announces Bingo every Wednesday 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 in March. 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 shi pork, salt and pepper calamari and sushi – along with a full bar menu, including the signature mai tais and scorpion bowls. Celebrating the Saugus High band The Saugus Historical Society is planning its spring season of programs and a new exhibit that will open in March. The exhibit will feature Saugus High School Band memorabilia from several time periods and some color day posters recently donated to the society. Anyone who was a band member at any time, or who had an ancestor who was a band member, is invited to share some of their memories. Please call Saugus Historical Society President Laura Eisener at 781-231-5988 to share your story. “We are looking for some anecdotes and stories from people involved in Saugus High School Band at any time,” Laura said. “The Historical Society is putting together a display of band uniforms, parents’ jackets, photos etc. which will be ready by the first meeting in the Spring,” she said. Laura can be reached at 781231-5988. Craft Fair and Flea Market The Knights of Columbus Council 1829 will host an indoor craft fair and flea market on Saturday, Feb. 18 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 57 Appleton St. in Saugus. A snow date has been set for Feb. 25. Vendors/ Table cost: $25. There will be refreshments, a Cash Bar and Raffles. To reserve a table or obtain more information, please call Paul Giannetta at 978-2391392. Food Pantry notes: The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, January 27) from 9:30-11 a.m. Two “Shout Outs” It’s always great to have multiple “Shout Outs.” We had two this week. Sue Fleming offered the first one: “I would like to give a Shout Out to Laura Eisener for her very enjoyable and informative gardening column each week. The photos are fantastic and she always gives some interesting information on the plants and flowers she writes about. It reminds us that even though it is winter right now there is still a lot of beauty in our world!” “The Sketch Artist” offered the second “shout out”: “Hello I’d Love to give a nice loud shout out to Hammersmith Family Restaurant 330 Central Street Saugus, Ma. 01906 (1781-233-8089) for sponsoring the winner’s prize $10.00 Gift Certificates for the ‘Guess Who Got Sketched Contest’. Debbie, your food is prepared excellent and of top quality! Hammersmith is a wonderful place for enjoyable lunches & hearty breakfasts in a welcoming atmosphere surrounded in the midst of neighbors and friends. “THANKYOU!!!” 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. We have a winner! Congratulations to Carole Drake for making the right identification in last week’s “Guess Who Got Sketched” contest. Carole was one of several readers answering correctly. But she was the only one THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 17
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