THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 7, 2023 Page 13 THE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 11 not April 17 as originally scheduled. April 17 happens to be Patriots’ Day, a state holiday – a day when the Saugus Public Library and all municipal and school buildings in Saugus will be closed. We also decided to change the date of the “Saugus Over Coffee” forum that was planned for Precinct 5 on May 8. As it turns out, Saugus’ Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 1. And each Town Meeting session happens on a Monday. So the Town Meeting would most likely be meeting on May 8. Because of that potential conflict, we switched the forum for Precinct 5 to a Tuesday, May 2. For those unfamiliar with the “Saugus Over Coffee” forums, they are cosponsored by The Saugus Advocate and the Saugus Public Library. The primary purpose is to give citizens in each of the town’s 10 precincts an opportunity to voice their concerns about top issues in their respective precincts. It also gives them an opportunity to meet their Town Meeting representatives and chat over a cup of coffee or tea. Town Meeting members will benefit by getting to know more about concerns in their precincts. Viewers of the forums videotaped by Saugus TV will also get to learn a little about the history or interesting things about the precinct being featured each month. Finally, the town and each respective precinct benefits by the potential of the forums spurring new candidates for Town Meeting. The public should keep in mind that there was a paucity of candidates for Town Meeting seats in the town elections back in 2021. In five of the 10 precincts, only five candidates ran for the five seats. That means half of the 50-member body was elected without competition. Stay tuned for more information as “Saugus Over Coffee” continues. Here is the remaining schedule: Precinct 4 – April 25 Precinct 5 – May 2 Precinct 6 – June 12 Precinct 7 – July 10 Precinct 8 – August 14 Precinct 9 – September 11 Precinct 10 – October 23 Please check with The Saugus 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. Seeking Sachem Sports Historical Data If you are knowledgeable about the Saugus High Sachem Boys and Girls sports team prior to 1969, Saugus Public Schools could use your help. The School District is looking for data on Saugus High Sachem Boys and Girls sports teams prior to 1969 that won a conference, regional and/ or State Championship. “For example, we need data on the 1966, ’67 or ’68 Saugus varsity cross country team that won the State Championship,” Saugus School Committee Member Dennis Gould wrote in a press release this week. “We need the team, the year and what championship they won. Pictures of the teams, trophies or old banners would be great also,” Gould said. “The data will be used by the School District to generate historical banners to hang in the new complex and to give to the Saugus Sports Hall of Fame for permanent record.” If you happen to have access or knowledge of such data, please email it to Dennis Gould, School Committee, jdgould1969@aol. com. Dennis can also be reached at 1-617-257-4847. Saugus History and Parson Roby discussion Learn about Parson Roby and Saugus’ contribution to the American Revolution. A special program is set for at 7 p.m. on April 12 at the Saugus Historical Society at 30 Main St. Historical Society President Laura Eisener will present the history of this dramatic figure who carried his sermon under one arm and his musket under the other. The program is free and open to the public, and light refreshments will be served. When the American colonists began to consider separating from England, our town of Saugus was still part of Lynn, but its residents were ready to fight when the time came. One of those most eager was the minister of the church, Joseph Roby, known by his title of “Parson.” Joseph Roby (May 12, 1724–January 31, 1803) was minister of what was known as Lynn’s Third Parish Church (the ancestor of First Congregational Church of Saugus) for a total of 51 years. He lived on Main Street, and the elm he had planted on his front lawn was once the most famous tree in Saugus. Roby’s influence on the town’s participation in the fight for independence, and his own activities during the battle of Lexington and Concord in 1775, have earned him a permanent place in our history. He was buried in the cemetery in Saugus Center. The local Daughters of the American Revolution named their chapter after him, and the brick school that later became the School Superintendent’s office for many years was also named for him. Who is the Saugus Cultural Council? As a matter of public education, Tori Darnell of the Saugus Cultural Council requested that we use this column to educate readers who may not know much about the council. Here’s what Tori would like the public to know: We are a group of resident volunteers that have a passion to fund arts and cultural opportunities for Saugus residents. Working as your Local Cultural Council since 1998, the Council THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 14
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