THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 24, 2022 ~ The Advocate Asks ~ Page 3 Husband and wife owners of Central Street hair salon say Saugus’s Annual Strawberry Festival deserves better support E ditor’s Note: For this week’s interview, we met with Mary and Doug Jones, the Peabody couple who own and operate His and Hers Hair Salon on Central Street. They contacted The Saugus Advocate, requesting to be interviewed about their observations of last Saturday’s (June 18) Annual Strawberry Festival. The Advocate invites readers to be subjects of interviews for “The Advocate Asks” if they wish to elaborate on a particular topic. Mary and Doug wanted to talk about what they considered to be a disappointing turnout for the Strawberry Festival last Saturday (June 18). They have been married for 27 years. Doug grew up in Winder, Georgia, but eventually moved to the area (His mother was from Everett.) He lived in Revere and is a 1981 graduate of Malden High School. He once worked for an elevator company on Main Street in Saugus. Mary is a Saugus High School graduate and has spent more than 40 years in the hairdressing fi eld – all of it in Saugus and most recently at the Central Street salon she operates with her husband. Even though they have lived in Peabody for several years, they consider themselves “proud Saugonians” because of their longstanding ties to the community. Highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: What is your connection to the Strawberry Festival? Mary: Last year, we had two spaces at the Strawberry Festival. We didn’t have any tables this year; however, on Saturday we were excited to go and enjoy a day seeing old clients and friends. We closed the Salon early to go to the Strawberry Festival. It’s such a great day with hot dogs and chips for $2 and that delicious real strawberry shortcake for $5. Q: It sounds like you had a good time. So, what more do you need to say? Mary: Where was everyone? Those lovely ladies are so friendly, working hard, and all the great buys — plants. We bought a walking talking dinosaur for $8. Handmade items $2? I worry this wonderful historical treasure will be lost. People are missing out on a very good thing. It ’s a missed opportunity for people who have been in Saugus a long time. I understand they have been having it for over 80 years and that originally it was a fundraiser to benefi t the Fire Department. Doug:The ladies who serve up the Strawberry Shortcake wear bonnets and dress up old-fashioned. It’s a real trip back in time. It’s really a great day. We got to see some old friends and old clients. It would be a shame to see an event like this go away. We take a lot of pride in the community. Q: I understand that you like to play the guitar to entertain customers at the salon — and also something you did at last year’s festival? Doug: Yes. I started playing the guitar when I was 14 and have been doing it at the salon for about six years now — for the clients — and last year I brought the guitar along to the festival to play. Q: During the COVID-19 pandemic, I hear you had a peaceful outdoor oasis for customers and that you would serenade them. Doug: Yes. Playing the guitar is something I love to do. I’m in a band. This is my town. I’ve lived here since 1982. I mean, this is where I work, so I try to have fun. Q: Are you a hairdresser, too? Doug: I’m Mary’s assistant. I get people coff ee. I answer the phone and take appointments. And I serenade them. I do everything but hair. It’s just Mary and me, but we do the work of fi ve people. Q: How can you call yourselves Saugonians if you live in Peabody? Mary: I’ve been around here my whole life. My life has really centered around Saugus. I’ve been doing hair here for 40 years. Years ago, I bought a little beauty shop on Lincoln Avenue and then I bought this building. Doug: I can tell you, it’s more than your average salon: It’s a warm and friendly place. We had one lady who fl ew up from Texas to get her hair done, and we have one client who drives all the way up here from Fall River. Mary: So, for us, it’s all about Saugus. We will always consider ourselves Saugonians. And that’s why we care so much about keeping the Strawberry Festival a tradition here. Let’s not lose it. A SERENADE SPECIAL: Mary and Doug Jones at their Central Street salon in Saugus. Doug loves to play his guitar for the customers while their hair gets done. This week they teamed up to express some noise about what they consider a disappointing turnout for the Annual Strawberry Festival held last Saturday. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler)
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