THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 19, 2024 Page 9 ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 Q: Please tell me how you became an artist. A: This is a cool story of how I got into the field of art in general. My mom was a single mom raising three kids. I was working at a Jack in the Box when I graduated from Everett High School. I used to paint the windows at the Jack in the Box in Everett. I painted Jack in the Box characters for Christmas. I loved doing it. One day a photographer named Bruce [DiLoreto] from Nordel Photography Studio in Everett came in and complimented me on my window art. He asked me if I did it for a living. I said “no.” He said “Get yourself back to that high school and get yourself help. And you get yourself a portfolio.” HOCKEY | FROM PAGE 8 leading goal scorers for a short period of time in that series, one for oral surgery after taking a puck to the face that caused him to lose 10 teeth, and the other one from a bad hit into the bench. It was more of a mental battle than anything else for us, because we had the guys to win. We just were not executing at the level we were before, because of the adjustments we had to make. But give Cleveland credit. They saw blood in the water and capitalized. Once we got through that series, we were back to playing Bears hockey, and were able to beat Coachella in six. We dominated the physical aspect of the game in that series, and it took a toll on them, which is why I believe we were able to win the last three games to secure our second Cup.” Mike assesses his last two years with the Bears Vecchione is signed through next year with the Bears, the Triple A affiliate of the NHL’s Washington Capitals, but that doesn’t mean he’s still not planning his future. “These past two years basically ended the same way, but from a player’s perspective, they were completely different,” he said. “I felt I had another great year, but if you compare my points to last year, then you would think I had a bad season. The reason for that was because I took on a different role. I was a guy that stepped in and played every position up front, while moving up and down the lineup to play where I was needed. I Two years out of high school, he got the ball rolling for me. I took a night course at Everett High School because of him. I learned so much from that night course. I created about six pieces of art for a portfolio. Because of that, I ended up going to the Art Institute of Boston. Bruce from Nordel Photography inspired me to make a career as an artist. I am a skilled illustrator with more than 20 years as a freelance artist. My work has been published in the greeting card, advertising and publishing industries. And recently I have been doing art for children’s books. I also enjoy creating murals and carving logos in the sand. Q: How did you get inASKS | SEE PAGE 12 had to take on more of a leadership role, and do what was best for the team. I played primarily on the third line during the playoffs, helping to take the weight off a couple of first and second year linemates, who had zero Calder Cup playoff experience. I was asked to take big faceoffs when needed, and block the most shots as a forward. There are so many different ways to produce or make an impact in this game, and it’s always up to the player to go out there and do it.” But beyond next year, Vecchione says he’s done trying to move around to chase that NHL dream. “I absolutely love playing in Hershey. NHL scouts are in the stands every night, including our own Washington scouts. They are watching the games, but I have not gotten any calls as of yet,” he added. Good to be home Mike is now enjoying his time back home in Saugus, where he will continue to do his training and skating in the area to get ready for the start of next year, which gets underway in just two short months Specifically, he has also been playing street hockey with friends on rollerblades. This type of activity keeps the hands and legs loose. But it’s not all business. Socially, he has a couple of weddings and golf outings to attend. But otherwise, during his down time, he will rest to get his body back to where it needs to be to compete for a third straight Calder Cup championship. HER FIRST SAND SCULPTURE: Saugus resident Deborah Barrett-Cutulle stands alongside the care bear she created in 2005 during her debut at the Annual International Sand Sculpting Festival at Revere Beach. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) Going down memory lane Championships aside, Vecchione will always remember his teammates the most. It’s as simple as that. “The season happens so fast that you have to forget about the games. You just played them, and move forward,” he said. “It does not matter what happened the night before, you just have to continue to build and build until you have reached the top. “We forget about the games almost immediately, except for the big ones, of course. But [teammates] you will never forget. During the long workdays, where we battle each other for what seems like forever, we skate together until we cannot feel our legs.” The fun times were even more memorable. “During the long bus rides home after a road sweep, we would be laughing, playing cards, listening to music or just singing together with smiles from ear-to-ear. I also liked the road dinners, where we would get to go out and spend your per diem money at a nice, fancy steakhouse, and then just talk, laugh and eat for three hours. The locker room banter, sauna sessions and freezing our bodies in the cold tub while watching music video concerts on TV just to get ready for the next game will never be forgotten, as well,” he recalled. “Being able to share my biggest career moments with J& • Reliable Mowing Service • Spring & Fall Cleanups • Mulch & Edging • Sod or Seed Lawns • Shrub Planting & Trimming • Water & Sewer Repairs Joe Pierotti, Jr. my fiancé and her parents [he plans to get married next Aug. 8] is more stuff that I will always remember,” added Mike. “You don’t win championships if you don’t come together and become a family. That’s what our head coach, Todd Nelson, has come to Hershey and accomplished, besides winning back-toback championships. He has been able to take a group of guys ranging from 19 to 36 years-old and make them a family. I will always remember winning back-to-back Calder Cups, and scoring the game-winning goal last year in overtime, but I will also never forget my teammates. They will forever be my brothers.” S LANDSCAPE & MASONRY CO. Masonry - Asphalt • Brick or Block Steps • Brick or Block Walls • Concrete or Brick Paver Patios & Walkways • Brick Re-Pointing • Asphalt Paving www.JandSlandscape-masonry.com • Senior Discount • Free Estimates • Licensed & Insured 617-389-1490 Designing and Constructing Ideas that are “Grounds for Success” Landscaping
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