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Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 1, 2022 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark E. Vogler April Fools newspaper follies Today’s the day to beware of April Fools’ Day jokes and pranks. The newsrooms I’ve been in over the years have had their share of hijinks at the expense of gullible reporters and editors. While covering the Florida Legislature in Tallahassee for The Winter Haven News Chief back in the early 1980s, I remember calling the paper’s editor requesting that he bail me out of the Leon County Jail. For a minute, he was worried. “You better not be causing any trouble up there,” he said. Then I told him “April Fools!” And he didn’t sound very amused. “You know, if you were telling the truth, I would leave you in there,” he said. And probably if I were the editor and on the receiving end of an April Fools’ Day joke like that, I wouldn’t be happy either. But, usually, it was the inexperienced cub reporters on their first newspaper job who were the victims of some cruel hoaxes, like receiving story tips that were totally fake. How embarrassing it can be for a reporter to call a town official for comment, trying to track down a phony story lead. As a cop reporter years ago with The Eagle-Tribune of North Andover, I had cops in the North Andover Police Department calling my pager number and leaving the number for the Golden Banana, a Peabody strip joint on Route 1. I happened to mention it to buddies in the newsroom, and the editor asked me whether it bothered me. “I guess so,” I said. Wrong answer. The editor called up the police chief, and the cops involved in the calls received informal reprimands – something that I didn’t want, because the cops at that police station wouldn’t give me much information for CONTEST SKETCH OF THE WEEK a couple of months as retaliation for their reprimands. So, I probably should have either kept my mouth shut or told the eavesdropping editor that it wasn’t a big deal. Over the years, I’ve also received some fake news tip calls from wise guys in the public, trying to get me to go off on a wild goose chase on stories. So, newspaper people do have fun on April Fools’ Day, though some of the pranks can be risky if people get reckless. I remember back in the early 1970s when I was a reporter at The Massachusetts Daily Collegian at UMass-Amherst; we actually put together an issue with phony stories. And sometimes it irked the public. I remember a photograph of dog manure appearing in the paper with a credit using my pen name, Steve Vigley, and the cutline identifying the dog poop as Kielbasa. A Polish gentleman who worked at the University barged into The Collegian newsroom, demanding to see Steve Vigley. “Where’s Steve Vigley! I want to teach him the difference between Kielbasa and dog [expletive],” he hollered. Of course, Steve Vigley was a fictitious character. And the dog manure photo was meant to poke fun at the terrible food in the UMass dining commons. But I was worried that somebody would identify me for laughs. Can you imagine if we ran a page of fake stories for April Fools’ Day, making satire of Saugus politicos? That would be interesting. Before my time as editor of the now defunct Nantucket Beacon, the paper actually ran a fake story and photo of one of the island’s lighthouses falling into the ocean. And as can be expected, some of the islanders weren’t too happy about that one. Town-wide spring street sweeping begins Monday This just in from Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Department of Public Works: The Town’s Annual Spring Street Sweeping Program will begin next Monday (April 4), weather permitting. Sweepers will start in the area of north Saugus (Precincts 5 and 7) and work their way across town, working from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Residents are kindly asked to keep vehicles off the street when sweepers are in the area. Locals may assist the Department of Public Works by sweeping their driveways or sidewalks into the gutter area prior to the program’s start. Residents are asked not to sweep driveways and/or sidewalks once the sweepers have swept. Keep in mind that street sweepers are unable 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”) to collect stones, branches, leaves or other foreign objects. In addition, residents are asked to be mindful that sweepers cannot pick up large piles of sand. Please contact the Department of Public Works at 781-231-4143 with any questions. Discussion Tuesday on WIN Waste ash landfill site State Rep. Jessica Giannino (D-Revere), whose district includes Precincts 3 and 10 in Saugus, and state Rep. Jeffrey Turco (D-Winthrop), whose 19th Suffolk House District includes part of Revere, are co-hosting a public discussion next week on the future permitting of the WIN Waste Innovations ash landfill site. “We are reaching capacity … What comes next?” says the press release for the event, which is described as a community meeting with the state Department of Environmental Protection (MassDEP). The discussion, which is open to the public, is set for 6 p.m. Tuesday (April 5) at the Point of Pines Yacht Club (28 Rice Ave. in Revere). Email Mary Cordero at mary@communityactionworks.org for more information. The Alliance for Health and the Environment is cosponsoring the event. Elks pre-Easter Ham Shoot next Friday The Saugus-Everett Elks will be hosting a pre-Easter Ham Shoot on Friday, April 8, beginning at 7:00 p.m. This meat raffle will take place in the Elks Terrace Room at 401 Main St. in Saugus and will feature several hams, turkeys, roasts and other prizes to prepare for your holiday feast – with all proceeds to benefit local lodge charities. The Elks will have free pickies and a cash bar. Bring some friends and enjoy a fun night for a good cause. We have a winner! Congratulations to Sue Fleming for making the right identification in last week’s “Guess Who got Sketched!” Contest. She was one of many readers answering correctly, but the one who had her name selected from the green Boston Red Sox cap. Here’s the correct answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist: “The answer to last week’s sketch is the lovely, classy and down to earth Joanne Olsen. “Joanne is the Executive Director of the Saugus Senior Center. She has been working at the Center for over 25 years! “(In 2021 the Center was renamed The Richard J. Barry Senior Center.) Joanne is a hands-on Director with a warm approach. She is very friendly and often takes time from her busy schedule getting to know guests by listening to their life’s adventures. “With the Center’s many programs and groups Joanne is often checking the comfort, quality and accessibility needs. Joanne leads with positivity and compassion. “In the Feb 2017 interview by Editor Mark E. Vogler in ‘The Advocate Asks,’ Mark asked Joanne what the most challenging part of her job was? … and Joanne stated ‘Keeping everyone happy! It’s not always easy with the different personalities and different opinions. I try to work hard to listen, to understand and to make everyone feel that their opinions are important and they have a special place here at the center. Also, trying to reach out to the senior community who may not be aware of our services.’ “Joanne has made the Senior Center into one big family that draws people together to enjoy each other’s company for lunch and various activities. “In the 2017 interview Joanne also mentioned the Mission Statement of the Saugus Senior Center; she stated ‘It is the mission of the Saugus Senior Center to promote and assist in the social, emotional and physical well-being of the seniors in our community by providing services and activities that support and endorse their wellness and independence. “We aim to enhance the quality of life of our elder population by offering a variety of programs and activities including blood pressure and hearing checks, outreach services, multiple exercises classes (line dancing, yoga and weightlifting), medical/local van transportation, access to both day/night trips as well as both daily congregate and homebound meals. “It is our goal to encourage and promote interaction with the community and each other, improve personal development through self-confidence and leadership, and increase and maintain freedom and independence. It is also our purpose to create a warm, safe environment where our senior community can come on a daily basis that will reflect the respect and dignity which they need and deserve.’ “Joanne is a Class of ‘78’ graduate from Saugus High. Her uncle is World War II U.S. Army Sgt. Arthur DeFranzo, a Medal of Honor recipient. Joanne spends her weekends with family and showering her grandchildren with love, time and attention. “Thank you Joanne for being such a bright light everywhere you go and whatever you do! “Yours Truly, “The Sketch Artist.” THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 17

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