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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, MAY 28, 2021 Page 13 REMEMBER | FROM PAGE 8 nally signed him to a one-year contract for 1995. Eckersley signed with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1996, following La Russa becoming the new manager. In his two seasons with the Cards, he had 66 saves, keeping him among the best in the game. Eckersley signed with the Red Sox for his final season, 1998. He became the setup pitcher for reliever Tom Gordon as the Sox made the playoffs, and he retired at the end of the season. His pitching style was unusual with a high leg kick and a side-arm toss, with extreme accuracy. When he became a reliever, he dropped his style to two pitches: a sinker and a back-door slider. The Sporting News ranked him number 98 on its list of the greatest 100 players of THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | FROM PAGE 12 tain and respect social distancing from others while visiting the site. Residents may call Lorna Cerbone at the Solid Waste and Recycling Department at 781-231-4036 with questions or for more information. Help the Vietnam Vets “Roll To DC” This came in from Joseph “Dennis” Gould, a Vietnam War Era veteran who served four years with the U.S. Navy. He has organized a fundraising drive that will help area Vietnam Era veterans visit Washington, D.C., in the fall of next year. “I am glad to announce that we will have a ‘Roll to DC’ for Vietnam Era Veterans from Melrose, Saugus, Lynn and surrounding towns September 2022. “The managers of this effort will be Saugus VFW Post # 2346. “Gould will be Chair and David Nelson, Saugus American Legion and Stacey Minchello, Melrose Senior Center will be Vice Chairs. “Stan King, Quartermaster Post # 2346 be Treasurer. “The trip will be a four night trip to DC staying at Presidential Inn on Andrews Air Force Base, home of Presidential Aircraft. It will include a ceremony and laying of a wreath at the Vietnam Wall and the Tomb of Unknown Soldier as well as visiting all Military Memorials and Statues.” “We are looking for major sponsorship and donations from all. The Vietnam Veterans will go on this trip free, but it will take approximately $70,000 of sponsorship and donations,” Gould said “If you would like to be a major sponsor, please contact chairman Dennis Gould cell 617 257 4847 or e mail “Jdgould1969@aol.com “If you would like to send in a donation, please make check out to: “‘Saugus VFW–Roll to DC’ write ‘Roll to DC 2022’ in comment Line and mail to: “Saugus VFW Post 2346 “190C Main St “Saugus Ma 01906 “Any questions or if you would like to volunteer to assist the committee, please contact Dennis at contact info above.” Food Pantry still open The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will continue to remain open on Fridays between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. despite concerns over the Coronavirus. They have made adjustments to protect their core of volunteers and the needy people who receive the food. For the protection of volunteers & clients, and to limit personal contact and crowding/gathering, the food pantry has been distributing pre-bagged groceries. Even though clients may receive items they don’t want or need, food pantry organizers feel this is the best course of action to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19. Those in need, even for short-term or onetime assistance, are encouraged to come. The food pantry is in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. Food help for veterans Saugus offers a Veterans Food Pantry on the third Wednesday of each month. all time, and he was named to the MLB All-Century Team. On January 6, 2004, he was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in his first try with 83.2 % of the votes. Washington High School, where Eckersley started out, named their baseball field in his honor. Dennis Eckersley became a broadcaster both as a studio analyst and color commentator for the Red Sox on NESN since 2003. In the 2009 season, Eckersley filled in for Jerry Remy when Remy had to stop because of health reasons. He continued with the Sox through the 2018 season, and he also worked for TBS as a studio analyst from 2008 to 2017. Eckersley was a League AllStar six times (1977, 1982, 1988, 1990, 1991, 1992), pitched for a World Series Champion (1989), was AL MVP (1992), won the AL Cy “We have been holding it in Melrose since the Saugus Senior Center has been closed,” Saugus Veteran Services Officer Jay Pinette says. “The pantry provides a mix of fresh produce and non-perishable foods. The pantry is open to Veterans and/or surviving spouses. Registration is required and may be done by contacting the Veterans Services Office.” “The food market is generally held at the Saugus Senior Center, but given the current COVID-19 pandemic, we are currently offering a contact-free, drive-thru food pantry at Memorial Hall on Main Street in Melrose. If you are unable to pick-up, some limited deliveries may be available. This offering is year round. Please call the Saugus Veterans’ Service Office at 781-231-4010 or e-mail VeteransServices@saugus-ma.gov in order to register. Proof of Veteran status is required.” Helping the Vet During these challenging times, your local Veterans’ Service Officers (VSOs) would like to share some information on a benefit program that is available to those who qualify. If you are a Veteran or the surviving spouse of a Veteran, the “Chapter 115 Benefits Program” is a Massachusetts state initiative that provides financial aid for Veterans and/or their surviving spouses who reside in Massachusetts and meet certain income and asset guidelines. Benefits may include monthly ordinary benefits and/or payment/reimbursement for medical expenses. Whether you are laid off, in transition or living on a fixed income, the program is designed to provide short-term or long-term assistance as needed to provide relief. The program is overseen by the Massachusetts Department Veterans’ Services (DVS), which runs the program in partnership with local VSOs. Every town or district in Massachusetts has a VSO. VSOs assist Veterans and their dependents in learning about, applying for and receiving Chapter 115 benefits. VSOs can also help you in applying for other benefits and connecting with local resources. Your local VSO handles applications, obtains program approval from DVS and provides local benefits. The program is funded by a combination of state and local funds. DVS pays for 75% of the approved benefits, and your city or town pays for 25%. There are income and asset limits for the program. As a general rule, income and asset requirements are: Family of 1 – monthly income less than $2,081and an asset limit of $5,000. Family of 2 – monthly income less than $2,818 and an asset limit of $9,800. To determine if you may be eligible for financial assistance through the Chapter 115 program, visit the following link and follow the instructions – https:// massvetben.org/ – or call your local VSO for more information. The VSOs are also able to help Veterans apply for Federal VA benefits and local benefits and provide food assistance monthly. For example, did you know that if you own a home and have a VA service-connected disability, you are eligible for a partial or full exemption of your property taxes? “Please contact your local Veterans’ Service Officer for more information on any of the services mentioned. We are all here to assist. We are regularly checking voicemails and emails as we continue to work remotely and in our offices throughout COVID-19.” Melrose: Karen Burke, 781-979-4186, kburke@cityYoung Award (1992), was ALCS MVP (1988), twice won the AL Rolaids Relief Man Award (1988, 1992), had a no-hitter (May 30, 1977); his number (43) was retired by the A’s and he was inducted into their Hall of Fame and the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame, and he was selected for the MLB All-Time Team. Boston fans will always remember the great Dennis Eckersley. ofmelrose.org. Wakefield: David Mangan, 781-246-6377, dmangan@ wakefield.ma.us. Saugus: Jay Pinette, 781-231-4010, jpinette@saugus-ma.gov. Front Door Pickup at the Saugus Public Library “We miss our patrons and look forward to the day when we can be open to the public once again. In the meantime, Front Door Pickup makes borrowing books, movies, and CDs easy. It’s also a great way to pickup take and make crafts, supplies for virtual programs, and remotely printed documents. Please watch our video for more information about the service. “To use Front Door Pickup, simply place items on hold and then, once notified that the item is ready, contact us to schedule a pickup date. You can call us at 781-231-4168 extension 3102 or email us at SAU@NOBLENET.ORG. “Pickup dates and times are: “Tuesday: 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm “Wednesday: 10:30 am to 2:00 pm “Thursday: 3:30 pm to 6:30 pm “When you arrive at the Taylor Street entrance to pickup, please enter through the door into the hallway (one at a time, please, and don’t forget to wear a mask!) and retrieve the bag with your name on it. All bags will be sealed to protect your privacy. “And should you need assistance, a librarian will be standing by to help. “Fast, simple, and easy!” Let’s hear it! Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been over five years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@comcast.net. Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15- to 20-minute interview over a hot drink at a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coffee or tea. Or, if you prefer to continue practicing social distancing and be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation recovers from the Coronavirus crisis. If it’s a nice day, my preferred site for a coffee and interview would be the picnic area of the Saugus Iron Works. 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 being 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”)

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