Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 29, 2024 PEYTON DIBIASIO | FROM PAGE 11 take advantage of that opportunity. It’s just that now I realize for me to be the very best basketball player I can be, it’s probably time to fully commit to it and really work on my body to help me be the best athlete I can be. I’m sure it will help me on both ends of the basketball court later. … Overall, it’s great that Saugus High School has so many sports to off er the students. There’s really something out there that’s the right fi t for everyone, and having options is such a privilege.” Peyton’s Profile: a snapshot of Peyton DiBiasio of Saugus: Personal background • Age: 16. • School: Saugus High School, sophomore. • Hometown: Saugus. Athletic profi le • Volleyball: Joined the high SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 15 tined to save the world. Third or nothing! The New York Times proclaims Puffs “a fast-paced romp through the seven increasingly eventful years…. For Potterphiliacs who grew up alongside Potter and are eager to revisit that world, Puff s exudes a jovial winking fondness for all things Harry!” Performances are April 1920-21 and 26-27-28, 2024, on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., and with Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m. The location is the Theatre Company of Saugus home at the American Legion Post 210 / 44 Taylor St. / Saugus, Mass. The upstairs performance space is not wheelchair accessible, but it features a bar with soft and alcoholic drinks available at very reasonable prices. Tickets are now on sale. Tickets paid at the door will be $25 for adults, or $23 for seniors, youths or veterans. Tickets purchased in advance online will be $22 for adults, or $20 for seniors, youths or veterans. For complete info, see the Tickets page on the website tcsaugus.org/tickets “Puff s” is directed for TCS by Kaycee Wilson. She directed the Saugus production of the musical “Zombie Prom,” presented in fall 2022, which was nominated for several DASH awards, including Best Musical. Kaycee also appeared in TCS’ spring 2023 production of “Comedy of Errors.” The school team with no prior experience, quickly adapted to become a signifi cant contributor to the team’s historic season and tournament appearance. • Basketball: The core sport where DiBiasio has invested her passion and ambition, playing with the goal of reaching collegiate-level competition. Notable for her leadership on the court, particularly in controlling game tempo and strategy. • Track and fi eld: A new addition to her athletic pursuits, chosen to enhance her speed and physical capabilities for basketball. • Golf: Competed as the team’s No. 1 player, qualifying for state tournaments, showcasing her versatility and competitive spirit across diff erent sports environments. Accomplishments • Northeastern Conference All-Conference honors as a freshman and sophomore and all-star as an eighth-grader. stage manager for “Puff s” is Delys Russell. Cast members come to Saugus from a variety of towns in the area, and some of them play multiple roles. Residents of Medford are Shawyoun Shaidani, who plays Wayne Hopkins, Caroline DeBrota as Leanne, and Arielle Mercier as Magic #2. Malden residents include Brady Neiss-Moe as Zach Smith, Second Headmaster, and others; Kathy Bedard as Xavia Jones and others; and Stephen Nedell as all the Teachers. Winthrop residents are Lauren Thompson as Ginny, Helga, Bippy and others; and Mandi Totin as Susie Bones. Residents of Boston are Benedict Dawn-Cross as Cedric and Mr. Voldy; and Heidi Fisher as Sally Perks. Those from Quincy are Bec Lowe as Ernie Mac; and Samson Willcox playing Harry, Fat Friar and others. Everett residents are Kaleigh Ryan playing Megan Jones, and Mark Damon as J. Finch Fletchley. Somerville residents include Joseph Grebla, who plays Clumsy Longbottom, Uncle Dave, and others; and Meghan Patrick, who is Magic #1. Thomas Marsh, playing Oliver Rivers, is from Newton. David Lee Vincent from Newburyport is the Narrator. Billy Jenkins from Stoneham is Blondo Malfoy and others. Tricia Smith plays Hannah and is from Revere. The show has some adult language and situations that may not be suitable for younger kids. “Puff s” is a stage play written by Matt Cox as a transformative and transfi g• Qualifi ed for state tournaments in golf, highlighting her skill and competitiveness in individual sports. Off the fi eld Academics • Engaged in Honors classes, refl ecting her commitment to excellence not just in sports but in her academic pursuits as well. Community and personal interests: • Active in peer leadership programs, showing a dedication to community service and mentorship • A family-oriented individual, she draws inspiration and support from her family, who have been instrumental in her athletic and personal development. • Finds relaxation and joy in spending time with her pets, emphasizing the importance of balance and mental well-being in her busy schedule a y nior Best Cell Phones for Seniors Say nr Sa y Senior Seni by Jim Miller Dear Savvy Senior, Can you recommend some good cell phones for seniors? My 79-year-old mother needs to get a new mobile phone and has asked me to help her fi nd one that she would like. Searching Daughter Dear Searching, For older adults, choosing a cell phone is not a one-size-fi ts-all proposition. Some seniors love the latest high-tech smartphones with high-megapixel cameras, while others prioritize simple phones with basic functions. So, the best cell phone for your mom will depend on her comfort with technology, priorities and budget. Best Cell Phones To help identify the best ured work under the magic that is US Fair Use laws. Puff s is not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by J.K Rowling, Warner Bros. or any person or company associated with the Harry Potter books, fi lms or play. “Puff s” was originally produced Off Broadway by Tilted Windmills Theatricals (John Arthur Pinckard / David Carpenter). Puff s was developed in part during a residency with the University of Florida School of Theatre + Dance, Jerry Dickey, School Director; originally produced Off-Off Broadway by Stephen Stout and Colin Waitt. “Puff s” (Two Act Edition) is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc. For more information and to purchase tickets, see the Theatre Company of Saugus website at TCSaugus.org. About The Saugus Advocate We welcome press releases, news announcements, freelance articles and courtesy photos from the community. Our deadline is noon Wednesday. If you have a story idea, an article or photo to submit, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a message at 978-683-7773. Let us become your hometown newspaper. The Saugus Advocate is available in the Saugus Public Library, the Saugus Senior Center, Saugus Town Hall, local convenience stores and restaurants throughout town. cell phones for older adults, I consulted Wirecutter, a product testing and recommendation service from The New York Times who recently tested 18 cell phone models. Their testing focus was on three diff erent areas, including best phones for older adults who are comfortable with technology and want to upgrade to a full-featured smartphone with robust accessibility settings; best cell phones for seniors who are not tech-inclined or who prefer a smartphone with fewer features, as well as those who are experiencing vision, hearing, or dexterity issues; and best cell phones for elderly seniors who need specific accessibility features due to physical or cognitive issues. Here are their top choices based on their tests. Apple iPhone 15 Plus: This is a great choice if your mom is comfortable with technology and willing to spend more for a top-tier smartphone with a range of accessibility, health, and safety features. The 15 Plus has an easy-to-read, large (6.7-inch) screen and the most robust health and safety features, including an off - grid SOS, a personal-safety check, and plenty of customizable accessibility options that help seniors with vision and hearing loss, as well as with speaking and/or dexterity problems. ($899, apple.com). Google Pixel 8: If your mom has been using an Android device and is more comfortable with this operating system, the Pixel 8 is a high-end, reasonably priced smartphone that tops their list for older adults. It too has a sharp, large (6.7-inch) screen with an excellent camara and many health, safety, and accessibility features that can help seniors with vision impairment, hearing loss, hand tremors and more. And it costs significantly less than the new Samsung Galaxy and iPhone models. ($699, store.google.com). Lively Jitterbug Smart4: If your mom wants a simplifi ed smartphone that’s very affordable, she might prefer this model. Like the Apple 15 Plus and Google Pixel 8, the Jitterbug Smart4 also has a 6.7-inch screen, but this phone comes with a listbased menu (no icons) that provides easy navigation. It also off ers voice commands capabilities, and a number of health and safety services including a 24/7 emergency monitoring service. This phone would also work well for people with memory or vision issues. ($150, lively. com). RAZ Mobility Memory Cell Phone: This phone is specifi cally designed for seniors with memory issues or more-advanced cognitive decline. Its uncluttered, simple functionality allows users to stay in touch with family and friends while also reducing common problems such as unnecessary calls to emergency services, spam, and fraud. It also has a dedicated SOS link on the screen that can alert up to three contacts; has GPS tracking capabilities; provides caregiver controls and more. ($349, razmobility.com). Snapfon ez4G: This is a non-smartphone if your mom doesn’t want or needall the functionality of a full-featured smartphone. This simple cell phone provides large buttons, big screen type and an SOS emergency button on the back of the phone that will alert up to fi ve preselected contacts by call and text. ($100, snapfon.com). 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. ior
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