THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 3, 2022 Page 9 A client perspective: 21 years with Adult Foster Care G LOUCESTER, Mass., May 31, 2022 — Adult Foster Care of the North Shore (AFCNS) is proud to celebrate the 21st anniversary of one of its clients, the Fushpanski family. Stan and Georgette Fushpanski began fostering children shortly after their own two daughters left home. In 1989 they took in a girl by the name of Lucille (Lucy). After taking Lucy in as one of their own for over a decade, the Fushpanskis came across an article in their local paper about a new organization based out of Gloucester, Adult Foster Care of the North Shore. They met with Founder and Program Director Cynthia Bjorlie, MD in 2001 and have been a part of AFCNS’ family ever since. As part of their client status with Adult Foster Care, the Fushpanskis receive a monthly stipend, an assigned care manager and nurse practitioner who visit them monthly and two weeks of respite care to support them in their role as caregivers. “Lucy has been with us for 32 years now. We’ve spent 21 of those years as clients of Adult Foster Care of the North Shore,” said Georgette. “Every client is diff erent and has diff erent needs. Some require more help than others, and AFCNS is there to provide that help.” As a MassHealth-funded program, AFCNS provides a wide range of solutions for its clients and their caregivers. These include family, health and social support programs and over-the-phone counseling that is available 24/7. Eligible caregivers also receive a MassHealth-funded stipend through the program. PICTURED FROM LEFT TO RIGHT: Lucille Blanchard, Dr. Cynthia Bjorlie of Adult Foster Care of the North Shore and Stan and Georgette Fushpanski. The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Hats off to the Saugus High Class of 2022 Let’s hope the weather cooperates tonight as 165 graduating seniors will make history at Saugus High School’s 151st commencement exercises. This will mark the fi rst time that the Christie Serino, Jr. Athletic Sports Complex will host a graduation ceremony. An interesting statistic released this week by Saugus Public Schools is that 63 of the 132 students who will continue post-secondary education are First Generation College Students — 48 percent. So, close to half of the families of those college-bound students will get to experience an unprecedented level of academic achievement. This class of graduates, like the previous two (2020 and 2021), has been challenged by the COVID-19 pandemic, so the level of scholastic success they achieved should be appreciated even more. I look forward tonight to getting a chance to meet and talk to as many Sachem graduates as I can. And best wishes to the seniors as they begin the next phases of their lives in whatever endeavors and career paths they choose. Take time tonight to enjoy your final hours as a student body. And look ahead into the future with high expectations and dreams. Make your families proud. Make Saugus proud. Be the best you can be in whatever you choose as your future profession or occupation. Go Sachems! There is going to be at least one more baseball game for Saugus High School. They fi nished their regular season 1010, good enough to qualify for the state tournament. They are scheduled to play Martha’s Vineyard Regional High School (11-9) tomorrow at 5 p.m. in a game that will be hosted at World Series Park, here in Saugus. World Series Park Superintendent Bob Davis says this will be only the second time in the 18 years of the park’s existence that a state tournament game will be hosted locally. So, if you love baseball and have the time, go root for the hometown team tomorrow afternoon. Cheer on the Sachems for at least one more time. Strawberry Festival and Plant Sale — June 18 The Saugus Historical Society will hold its annual Strawberry Festival at the Legion Hall on June 18 in conjunction with the Saugus Garden Club Plant Sale. Old-fashioned strawberry shortcake will be served in the American Legion Hall (44 Taylor St.) from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., along with hot dogs, chips and drinks. Shortcakes are $5.00 each and can be eaten on the premises or taken out. Hot dogs are $2; water or soda, $1 each. The Garden Club Plant Sale will be held on the Roby School lawn from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., and there will be several craft vendors, including jewelry, hair products and many other items of interest. Authors Alison Simcox and Doug Heath will have signed THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 10
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