Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, APRIL 9, 2021 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. A “Shout-Out” to the garden builders We received no recommendations this week from readers who wished to recognize a fellow Saugonian for a good deed or for making a significant contribution to the betterment of Saugus. So, the editor’s choice for this week is a loud “Shout-Out” for all of those people who are involved with the plans to build a community garden this spring in the backyard of the St. John’s Episcopal Church rectory. Special praise goes to Rev. John T. Beach, who has been organizing a community effort to produce vegetables which will help fight food insecurity in Saugus. And a huge “Shout-Out” goes to Laura Eisener, who Rev. Beach has credited as the spark plug for this noble project. Laura is a local resident and agricultural expert who writes a weekly column for The Saugus Advocate – “Saugus gardens in the pandemic.” Anybody who feels like assisting the project or donating money or supplies to help out can contact Rev. Beach at 774-961-9881. I’m told that participation in this project by local school students could qualify for community service credits. Also, some young Saugus residents – as well as some old ones – might pick up some pointers on how to garden. Stay tuned for progress reports. Want to “Shout-Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@ comcast.net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout-Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or photo. Selectman Panetta has Sachem pride Count veteran Saugus Selectman Debra Panetta as a proud Sachem supporter. “I enjoyed your article on Saugus and the Sachem logo,” Debra wrote in an email this week in a response to “A reader’s perspective” essay in last Friday’s edition by longtime local writer and occasional Saugus Advocate contributor Janice K. Jarosz. “I also agree with your opinion. Saugus residents take great pride in the rich history of our Town. We have tremendous respect for Native Americans and we don’t do anything to tarnish the Native American culture. “Thank you, Debra Panetta.” Any readers who would like to opine for or against the Sachem logo – or any other subject that interests them – should contact The Saugus Advocate about writing an essay for “A reader’s perspective.” One reader’s rant for comic relief Avid Saugus Advocate reader David Spink sent me an interesting email this week in response to last Friday’s paper, and I had a few good laughs for his effort at Saugus sarcasm. “Consequential week of news in Saugus as reported by the Advocate. “Following a Saugus tradition, a school committee member lets his mouth get a big head start on his brains. “Covid picture not getting any brighter in Saugus. My barber, who lives in Saugus and whose daughter went down to Florida for spring break. “With the blessing of Trump coat-holder Ron DeSantis, the lassie partied on unmasked and came home to Saugus with a case of Covid. “In the most important news of the week, the Advocate reported exclusively that worms were turning all over town, prompting an influx of returning Robins. “That’s just a sample of the kind of stories that make the Advocate a household word in Saugus.” A special birthday Every Aug. 7 – at least for the last 12 years – I have received a special package from Alden, Michigan, with several packs of cat treats and a birthday card GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! 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 correctly identifies the Saugonians being sketched between now and Tuesday at noon qualifies 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 certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location on Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification 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”) two weeks. But we will recognize the person featured in our “Sounds of Saugus” page. “The answer to last week’s sketch is one very busy wishing my long-haired Tuxedo cat a “Happy Birthday.” It’s a sweet gesture from Annette Notman – the sister of New Hampshire friend and former newspaper colleague Kathie Ragsdale, who I worked with at The Eagle-Tribune for many years. Annette looked after the mother who had the litter that produced Panda. Back in 2009, when I was a reporter at The Eagle-Tribune daily newspaper in North Andover, Kathie put the word out to folks in the newsroom that her sister was trying to find a home for several cats. Several ladies in the newsroom somehow talked me into taking one of the kitties. They even helped me pick him. Kathie and her husband, Rick Sibley, who live in Chester, N.H., drove my kittie Panda all the way from Michigan to my home in Methuen, where he is strictly a house cat. Panda is an unusual and very affectionate lap cat who loves to play fetch once in a while and hangs out in the bathtub and on the bathroom sink. He also likes to nap on my legs when I’m in a reclining chair watching television. And he also jumps into my bed at night and snuggles up to my chest after purring in my face to wake me up. Panda makes life interesting and is a great company. He also guards the house, earning his keep by capturing any field mice that might trespass in my house. No winners in last week’s contest For the third week in a row, there was no winner in our “Guess Who Got Sketched?” contest. Come to think of it, nobody gave an answer during the last lady! Rebecca Wise-Bono. “Rebecca is a Girl Scout Troop Leader for Saugus. She ensures her Troop gets the very best trainings, adventures and Entertainment for future growth and Inspirations. Rebecca oversees many projects as she ventures forth with her Troops! Rebecca had her first Girl’s Scout Troop from the Bario (gangs) in 1970 when she was in College in Southern California. She then started again in 1979 for her daughter and continued on since .She states, ‘that it has given me a long life of plenty of memories’ And to Quote Rebecca’s kind words ‘I guess I don’t say much because I don’t think of anything I do as special. I just do what I love doing and Sharing the benefits of Girl Scouts seems to be my passion. I have girls in their 40s that are community service minded because of what they learned as Girl Scouts, so I never really think of what I do… just of what they do because of it,’ Rebecca said. She is one amazing lady who wears many hats! Keep on shining forth Rebecca! “Yours Truly, “The Sketch Artist” Saugus Public Library Foundation seeks new board members (Editor’s Note: The following is a press release issued recently by the Saugus Public Library Foundation.) Do you love libraries? Do you want to help support public library services in Saugus? The Saugus Public Library Foundation (SPLF) is seeking people who can bring new ideas and energy to our Board of Directors. The SPLF is a 501(c)(3) charity which supports the Saugus Public Library. The Foundation Board returns 100 percent of the profits of all fundraising efforts to the Library by supporting events and funding purchases that are not typically covered by the Library’s Town-funded budget. In the past several years the Foundation has purchased electronic signage, a flat screen TV for the Community Room, new computers, new furniture, paid for a redesign of the Library’s THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 11
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