Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, April 3, 2020 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. How Saugus copes with COVID-19 A huge part of my job these days is trying to make sense of these challenging, uncertain SABATINOINSURANCE AGENCY Call for a Quote 617-387-7466 Or email Rocco@sabatino-ins.com We cover: * Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available http://www.sabatino-ins.com SABATINO 564 Broadway Everett, MA 02149 617-387-7466 Hours of Operation are: Mondays - Fridays 9am to 5pm Saturdays by appointment only and scary times that confront mankind. These days, the priority is covering the novel coronavirus, also known as COVID-19. As a grizzled newspaperman, I consider it a civic responsibility to provide comprehensive COVID-19 coverage for our loyal readers as the good citizens of Saugus – like their brothers and sisters throughout the state, nation and world – make adjustments in their lives that most never dreamed they would be making. At the same time, I have to make adjustments in my own job that I never dreamed I would have to be making. Every time I drive down to Saugus, I fi nd it more diffi cult to interview people on the street – which has been an invaluable skill that has served me so well over a course of close to 48 years in the profession. Oh, I can still interview people – over the phone or via emails and text messages. But the best reporting is done one-on-one, in coff ee klatches or over drinks in a bar. Or knocking on doors or out in the street. You can’t observe the expression on somebody’s face and sense whether they are sincere or not when you are online or on the phone. Most folks feel more comfortable being interviewed in person – at home, in their offi ce or a neutral site where a favorite beverage is served, hot or cold. Now, I must develop better digital skills and engage in phone tag without the benefi t of being able to develop useful details from fi rsthand observations. And with covering local EVERETT’S NEWEST RE COMPANY A VIRTUAL “BOOKS IN BLOOM”: The Sixth Annual “Books in Bloom” event, which was scheduled to open today at the Saugus Public Library, was cancelled this year because of concerns about the deadly COVID-19. But Laura Eisener, who is a member of the Saugus Garden Club, still went ahead and created three fl oral displays she would have entered. The fl oral display for this one includes a book about the history of the Saugus Iron Works. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) government, it’s an even bigger chore to deal with public offi cials who don’t return phone calls or emails because they have no use for the media. Or, they are just so overwhelmed with their own jobs. What they fail to realize: They should make some time for local newspaper reporters because not everyone in town looks at the town government website. Some folks don’t even have a computer. A lot of folks do appreciate a free weekly newspaper that is fi lled with Saugus news and announcements of interest to town residents. I got the same basic job of 560 Broadway, Everett, MA 02149 SAM RESNICK ADRIANA RESNICK 617-512-5712 sam@broadwayRE.com | www.broadwayRE.com DOMENICA RIGGIO Commercial Sales and Leasing. Residential Home Sales, Real Estate Consulting, Apartment Rentals, Real Estate Auctions, Business Brokerage, Personal Property Appraisals, Mass. Licensed Auctioneer every full-time working newspaper reporter in the nation, in tenacious pursuit of answers to reasonable questions: How is the Coronavirus aff ecting my readers? How are people in the community I cover adjusting to this highly contagious, killer disease? What are some of the interesting things they do to fi ll the voids in their lives? What new activities can they engage in while still practicing social distancing? Finding the answers to these questions provides no lack of stories to write. The challenge is getting the right mix to fi t in news holes that are shrinking with the loss of advertising. It’s a worry that all newspapers, magazines, TV stations and radio stations face in these uncertain times. Journalism is in survival mode these days more than ever. Stay tuned. Social distancing at Breakheart Reservation If Saugus residents get bored walking the same street routes, they always have Breakheart Reservation as an attractive option. “The park itself is open,” said Peter A. Rossetti, Jr., a member of the Friends of Breakheart Reservation Board of Directors. “But the Visitors Center and the bathrooms are not. And they also took away the trash receptacles. We’re encouraging people to do the social distancing and also take away their own trash…What I’m hearing is there are a lot of people going there to hike the trails and see nature. They want to get out of the house after being cooped up inside. When people go out on the trails at Breakheart, it’s natural for them to clump together. So, people are encouraged to practice social distancing.” The park, which covers over 652 acres in Saugus and the neighboring town of Wakefi eld, has been a recreational oaTHE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 8
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