Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 1, 2022 ~ The Advocate Asks ~ Saugus photographer Charlie “Zap” Zapolski talks about his pursuit of the bald eagle — America’s national emblem Editor’s Note: For this week’s interview, we decided a good way to welcome the Fourth of July for our readers would be to interview the Saugus photographer who shared with us several photos this year of the bald eagle — the majestic bird that America’s founding fathers decided would be our national Gerry D’Ambrosio Attorney-at-Law Is Your Estate in Order? Do you have an update Will, Health Care Proxy or Power of Attorney? If Not, Please Call for a Free Consultation. 14 Proctor Avenue, Revere (781) 284-5657 We Sell Cigars & Accessories R.Y.O. TOBACCO ---------TUBES S CIGAR SMOKERS DELIGHT! 15 Handmade Churchill Size Cigars including a Cohiba - Long wrapped $43.95 WE’RE OPEN JULY 4th 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM HUMIDOR SPECIAL! $99.95 Complete! Reg. Priced $149.95 * Travel Humidors * Desk Top Humidors * Many Types of Lighters * Ash Trays * Juuls * Vapes * Glass Pipes * Rewards Program * CBD Infused Products * GIFTS UNDER $30 - GIFT CERTIFICATES A.B.C. CIGAR 170 REVERE ST., REVERE (781) 289-4959 STORE HOURS: Monday - Saturday: 8:00 AM - 7:00 PM Sunday & Holidays: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM EYES ON THE EAGLE: Charlie “Zap” Zapolski in a local coff ee shop this week talks about his experience capturing the bald eagle. He said he’ll maintain a watch of the bird’s hangout spots in Saugus over the July Fourth weekend, hoping to score a fresh holiday photo. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Take Advantage of all our HOLIDAY SPECIALS! Buy Cigars by the Box & SAVE! Competitive prices on all Brands, Great Selection School, which will be celebrating its 60th reunion in August. (“Of course, I will take my camera and it should be interesting.”) He developed a passion for photography as a teenager growing up in Lynn. His High School yearbook notes “Charlie will make a good photographer because he is interested in everything and has a wonderful personality. …Ambition: Freelance Photographer.” Instead of having a career as a professional photographer, in 1963 he entered the Apprentice Program at GE in Lynn, where he made a career for himself. He started out as a machinist, worked several foreman jobs and also in a management position. He was a casualty of GE layoff s in 1967, but he was able to return several years later and wound up working an aggregate of 35 years for the company — enough to get a good pension. Photography remained his favorite passion throughout his working career. But his priority was raising a family. He married Kathy Johnston in 1965. She is a 1963 Saugus High School graduate. They were living in Lynn when they decided to look for an apartment in Saugus. They ended up buying their fi rst of three homes and have been Saugus residents since 1967. They have three sons — Michael (of Marlboro), John (of Franklin) and Kevin (of Danvers) — and four grandchildren. Zap has taken some great shots over the years. In 1967 he happened to be listening to info on his police scanner about activity at the Lynn-Saugus line. It piqued his interest enough for him to grab a camera and head out into the cold. Zap took photos of the roadblock set up for Albert DeSalvo — reputed to be the notorious “Boston Strangler” — who police believed was responsible for the killing of 13 women in the Boston area in the 1960s. Zap wound up snapping two photos of DeSalvo, who was later murdered in prison. Several years ago, one of his photos of a jet plane soaring skyward with the moon in the background wound up in Parade Magazine. It was a rare daytime shot that he waited about a half hour to shoot. The moon was visible on “a cool and crystal-clear day,” and Zap fi gured it would be a great shot if he could capture a jet plane in the same photo with the moon. In Zap’s retirement, his passion for photography continues to burn brightly. He always packs a camera in his car when he goes out, just in case he comes upon a photo opportunity worth taking. He shares his work on two Facebook web sites: “Charlie Zapolski Photography” and “Charles Zapolski.” Highlights of this week’s interview follow. Q: You moved to Saugus because of your wife’s ties? Or do you have family roots here? “ZAP” | SEE PAGE 6 emblem. Earlier this week, we sat down with Charlie “Zap” Zapolski, one of the town’s bestknown amateur photographers, who has spent many hours this year checking out popular spots around Saugus where the bald eagle nests and is known to hang out. Zap, 77, is a 1962 graduate of Lynn Classical High
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