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Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, February 22, 2019 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. Some theatre thoughts I’m not a theatre buff and I’m somewhat ashamed to say I had an abysmal career as an actor – having succeeded in an audition to act in “Stalag 17,” but not having the commitment to memorize my part so that I could go on to participate in the play. That was back in 1978 when I was a reporter for The Midland Reporter-Telegram out in West Texas. I had an opportunity to shine in a bit role for a character I forgot the name of. Actually, I was in a group of several reporters on the paper who went out for a few brews and cocktails at a local watering hole. Someone got the bright idea that we should go right from the bar to the audition that was going on at the Midland Community Theatre. For some reason, the people at the theatre were impressed with my audition and signed me up. But then I wondered what I had gotten myself into. Being a busy reporter chasing after stories five days a week and sometimes weekends, too – working split shifts – it was clear I didn’t have the time to devote to local theatre, as a participant, that is. So, as I sat watching a rehearsal of the Theatre Company of Saugus this week, as they practiced for this weekend’s performance of “Children of Eden,” it suddenly dawned on me how gifted, talented and committed these local theatre actors are. It takes a special dedication from these people – or storytellers, as some call themselves – to do what they do. They are special people who love their craft. And if you got time this weekend, go check them out tonight, tomorrow night or Sunday afternoon at the American Legion Hall. It’s worth the price of admission. Pinewood Derby time! Pack 62 will be holding its annual Pine Wood Derby on Saturday, March 2, at the Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. The Open Race (adults, Boy Scouts, parents and siblings) starts at 10 a.m. Pizza will be served around noon. Cub Scouts start racing around 1 p.m. for anyone who would like to come down and watch some good, clean family fun. One of the highlights of this year’s event could be a car designed and built by Selectman Jennifer D’Eon. It’s kind of a neatlooking derby entry that looks like a miniature Titanic on wheels. But Jen is concerned that might be too heavy to speed down the track. Come down to Cliftondale to check it out! Armstrong Ambulance community hiring event Armstrong Ambulance Service is pleased to announce that it will host a hiring event next week. On Monday, Feb. 25, members of the Armstrong Ambulance team will be at Buffalo Wild Wings (180 Main St., Saugus) to talk with anyone interested in a variety of open positions with the emergency medical services provider. The hiring event will take place from 2-5 p.m. Armstrong will be conducting on-the-spot interviews for EMT, paramedic, dispatch and chair car positions, and all attendees will also have an opportunity to win tickets to a Red Sox game. Food and drinks will be served. Armstrong Ambulance has been a leader in emergency medical services for 70 years, and offers extensive benefits to employees, including competitive pay, health and dental insurance, retirement contributions, long- and short-term disability benefits, flexible scheduling and opportunities for advancement. “I hope anyone who is interested in pursuing an EMS career joins us for this event to learn more about the ways we serve so many communities,” CEO Rich Raymond said. “We pride ourselves on making Armstrong a great place to work, and we are looking forward to meeting potential future members of our team.” Corned beef at “The Pumpkin Church” This just in from Bob Davis, of the First Congregational Church Saugus: This year’s Annual Corned Beef Supper is set for Saturday, March 9. The doors will open at 4:30 p.m. Dinner will be served from 5 to 7 p.m. A donation of $13 is requested in advance, or $15 at the door. Youth sports collaborate next month! Saugus Youth Soccer, Saugus Pop Warner, Saugus National Little League, Saugus American Little League, Saugus Softball and Saugus Lacrosse are excited to announce our joint fundraising event! Come join us for a night of food, dancing, poker and lots of fun at Breakaway in Danvers on Friday, March 22! This is a great opportunity to support one league or multiple leagues all at the same great event! There are two ticket levels available for purchase: $20 General Ticket – includes cheese pizza, salad and DJ entertainment; $40 Poker Ticket – includes Texas Hold’em Tournament entry fee, cheese pizza, salad and DJ entertainment. Prizes will be awarded to players who place in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m., and the tournament will begin at 7:30 p.m. There is a limited number of tickets, so make sure to purchase them early. Tickets can be purchased at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/saugus-youth-sports-fundraiser-texas-holdemtournament-and-dancing-at-breakaway-tickets-55458865961. As much as we love our kids, this is an adult only event. Please share with aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends so that we can come together to support all the sports that our children love to play! Calling civic-minded Saugonians Once again, Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Board of Selectmen are looking for a few good men and women who would be interested in serving as volunteers in local government. Selectmen are accepting applications for appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Library Board of Trustees. These are volunteer / nonpaid positions for Saugus residents. Those interested may submit letter of interest / resume, no later than March 12, to: Saugus Board of Selectmen Saugus Town Hall 298 Central St., #4 Marching as one league – in one parade The newly-formed Saugus Little League has announced it will host its annual Opening Day Parade on Saturday, April 20 at 9 a.m. This year the Saugus National and Saugus American Leagues will march as one. Parade participants will assemble at 8:30 a.m. at the Oaklandvale School, which is located at 266 Main St. With a police and fire escort, the marchers will leave the Oaklandvale School at 9 a.m. and head north up Main Street. They plan to arrive at the Elks Field, which is located at 401 Main St., at about 10 a.m. in time for the Opening Day Ceremony. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Board of Selectmen are expected to participate. Tom Whittredge, executive president of the Saugus Little League, says he’s expecting 300 players to participate in Opening Day. Deadline for Town Meeting Warrant Anyone who has an Article to be inserted into the Annual Town Meeting Warrant may submit the Article with appropriate number of signatures to the Selectmen’s Office or bring it to the April 2 meeting. The meeting will begin at 7:00 p.m. in the Town Hall Auditorium (298 Central St.). For more information you may contact Wendy Reed, clerk of the Board of Selectmen, at (781) 231-4124 or email her at wreed@saugus-ma.gov or drop by the first floor office at Saugus Town Hall (298 Central St.). The Annual Town Meeting begins on the first Monday in May, which is May 6 this year. Budget time coming soon The Board of Selectmen has a set a budget session with Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree for Thursday, Feb. 28, most likely in the first floor conference room at Saugus Town Hall. This most likely will kick off a series of Finance Committee meetings as town officials begin to craft the budget for the 2020 fiscal year that begins July 1. It appears that traffic safety will be a major issue on the agendas of the town manager and several Town Meeting members. Meanwhile, the Finance Committee plans to do some preliminary work at a meeting set for next Wednesday, Feb. 27 at 7 p.m. in the first floor conference room at Saugus Town Hall. Stay tuned for more details. Main attractions at the Saugus Public Library There’s always something interesting or entertaining going on at the Saugus Public Library – for people of all ages – from young children to senior citizens. Here are a few events to check out: Friendship Storytime on Fridays continues. This special program for children that begins at 9:30 a.m. is sponsored by the Coordinated Family Community Engagement grant. It can help parents nurture their child’s social and early literacy skill with structured storytime. Keeping Us in Stitches has returned. It will continue every second and third Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.; for Grade 2 and up; older children can learn to sew using needle, thread (and maybe a sewing machine) with teachers Miss Joyce and Miss Margie. Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten playgroup! This program, which is sponsored by the Coordinated Community Engagement grant, runs from 10 to 11a.m. on Saturdays. It’s recommended for children ages three through five. Stop-Motion Animation Workshop! This workshop teaches kids how to create their own animated mini-movies through storyboarding, filming and postproduction. The workshop, which is by Empow Studios, is set for Thursday, Feb. 28, 6-8 p.m. in the Brooks Meeting Room at the library. This program is for Grade 6 and up. Please call 781231-4168 to sign up. Materials like clay and paper are used to create characters, backgrounds and props. Participants work in pairs and depict their stories to show setting, rising action, conflict and resolution. Use computers, webcams and animation software to bring your stories to life! Movies are available to take home to share with family & friends! This program is supported in part by a grant from the Saugus Cultural Council, a local agency supported by the Massachusetts Cultural Council. Saugus Public Library: 295 Central St., Saugus. A conversation about addiction What is addiction? How does my addiction affect those around me? What are its causes and effects? Am I an addict? Where can I get help? How can I help someone in the throes of addiction? Join us for a conversation with Walter E. Johnson, a Certified Addiction and Drug Abuse Consultant (CADAC), on Tuesday, February 26 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the Saugus Public Library (295 Central St.). This program is free and open to the public The Yoga Experience Here’s a free, basic yoga class that is ideal for beginners. This 60-minute slow flow class opens with a brief meditation, followed by a gentle warm up, some core strengthening, standing postures, and flexibility poses. Each session winds down with deep relaxation. Lisa Poto is a registered yoga teacher and a member of the Yoga Alliance. She graduated from Barre & Soul’s 200-hour yoga teacher–training program. SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 19

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