THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JUNE 30, 2023 Page 11 “An overwhelming success” Former Saugus High teacher Michael Maruzzi gets to meet students and friends at book launch By Mark E. Vogler S augus native Michael R. Maruzzi, an advocate for spinal cord injured persons who was paralyzed in a high school hockey game 36 years ago, said he received a warm welcome for this week’s book launch. Maruzzi, author of “Walking is Overrated,” called the Tuesday night event at Kowloon “an overwhelming success.” “We had more than 250 people, and each one of them walked away with a copy of my book and hopefully some memories to take with them,” Maruzzi told The Saugus Advocate. “I was overwhelmed by the outpouring of support and love that was a part of the evening. Many people who I have not seen in years turned out. Some of the highlights from the evening — collecting with former students and friends that I have not seen in many years,” Maruzzi said. “Being a part of their lives when there are significant challenges that could shape the direction of their life makes me happy to see so many of them now, leading lives of purpose and happiness,” he said. Maruzzi said the crowd’s reception has provided him with “concrete evidence that I did make a diff erence in the lives of my students.” He stressed the feeling was mutual and hopes they understand “they made so much of a diff erence in my life.” Maruzzi was joined by his wife Arlene and all seven of their grandchildren in the same place at once for the fi rst time. “Seeing the face of my wife smiling because this journey could not happen without her,” Maruzzi said. “Now the book can be found on Amazon. It should now be available to purchase,” he said. Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano was involved in helping to set up the book launch for his longtime friend. “Michael is an inspiration to us all, and I’m happy I got to take part in setting up this night for him,” Cogliano said. “I wish him nothing but success with the book and all his future endeavors. I love how this community always rises to the occasion, and tonight was no exception. Special thanks to the entire Wong Family and the Kowloon Restaurant for being so supportive of this event. We love you Michael!” Selectman Corinne Riley called the event “inspirational.” “The book signing and event was well attended showing him and his family how well respected he is as well as loved by so many, including his past students and teachers he worked with,” Riley said. Maruzzi, 54, suff ered a devastating injury while playing in a hockey game for Saugus High School on Jan. 17, 1987, when he crashed into the boards head-on, leaving him paralyzed. Though confi ned to a wheelchair for the rest of his life as a quadriplegic, Maruzzi made the most of his opportunities to pursue a career. He is a 1987 graduate of Saugus High School. Maruzzi authored his memoir to show how any human being has the capacity to overcome any physical obstacle. Water Main Break on Route 1 South generates daylong traffi c headaches A Wednesday morning water main break in the vicinity of Prince Pizzeria on Route 1 South forced the closure of several lanes of traffi c and contributed to hours of gridlock into the evening. MassDot work crews had to use a crane in order to remove an overhead sign installation that had been compromised due to soil erosion caused by the water main break. The water main break was about 4 feet deep but right next to concrete support for the traffi c sign. MassDOT crews turned off the water off from Taco Bell to Eastern Bank. About five to 10 businesses were aff ected. On Tuesday night Michael R. Maruzzi (right), joined by his wife Arlene, greeted the crowd at Kowloon Restaurant, where he did a book launch for “Walking is Overrated,” his inspirational story of overcoming life’s challenges 36 years after a hockey injury left him a quadriplegic. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) READING | FROM PAGE 10 It’s easy — just download the Beanstack app, register under the Saugus Public Library and you’re on your way. It’s like a Fitbit for reading! For more information, or to register in person, stop by the Children’s Room at the library or visit our website (www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/children/ summer-reading-program/). The Saugus Public Schools recommends that students read at least 20 minutes a day this summer. The library is here to help families create a summer reading routine that is fun for kids and their families. The kids’ 2023 Summer Reading Program is open to young people, preschool through fi fth grade. We have all kinds of great books on hand, but don’t forget we have free ebooks, audio books, comics, magazines & music you can download using the hoopla and Libby digital collections. We reward our readers! We’ve once again partnered with local businesses to reward summer reading. We’d like to thank those businesses that generously donated prizes and the New Friends of the Saugus Public Library who purchased others. The New Friends of the Saugus Public Library will be donating to the Cape Cod-based Atlantic White Shark Conservancy in honor of the kids’ reading. It’s important to keep reading to retain skills — and an opportunity to catch up with peers. Research shows that children who do not read during the summer fall behind. The eff ect is cumulative — over many summers these students fall signifi cantly behind their peers. Most importantly, perhaps, it’s an opportunity to build a reading routine: Turn off the media, sit with a child and enjoy some wonderful stories. Try reading a longer book to them or let them read to you. Log in to Beanstack to track reading — but also to complete fun shark activities, shark drawing lessons, stories and cool, informational videos. Kids can learn about different kinds of sharks, from great whites to tiger sharks, and about the critical role these majestic creatures play in our ocean ecosystems. Need some help registering for summer reading or finding a “just-right book” for your child? Stop by the Library and see us! All programs are free of charge.
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