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Page 12 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | FROM PAGE 11 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, JULY 30, 2021 Stuck on Tony Tony Barrie – the popular leader of the famous Tony up. Meet at the kiosk by Pearce Lake Beach. DCR, an agency of the Executive Office of Energy and Environmental Affairs, oversees 450,000 acres of parks and forests, beaches, bike trails, watersheds, dams, and parkways. Led by Commissioner Jim Montgomery, the agency’s mission is to protect, promote and enhance our common wealth of natural, cultural and recreational resources. To learn more about DCR, its facilities and its programs, please visit www. mass.gov/dcr. Town of Saugus Election Calendar for 2021 The town’s political season has been underway since July 19 when election nomination papers became available at the Town Clerk’s Office. Over the past week, two incumbent members of major town boards pulled papers: Selectman Michael Serino and School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould. That’s it so far, but it’s still fairly early. Here are some important dates released by the Saugus Town Clerk’s Office: Sept. 7 at 5 p.m.: last day for incumbent Town Meeting Members wishing to become a candidate for reelection to submit written notice to the Town Clerk. Sept. 10 at 5 p.m.: last day to OBTAIN nomination papers. Sept. 14 at 5 p.m.: last day for candidates to SUBMIT nomination papers to the Board of Registrars (Town Clerk’s Office) for certification of signatures. Sept. 30 at 5 p.m.: last day to file objections or withdrawals. Sept. 30 at 5:30 p.m.: drawing of ballot positions (Town Hall Auditorium). Oct. 13 from 8:15 a.m.-8 p.m.: last day to register to vote. Fifty certified signatures of registered voters are required for the Board of Selectmen, School Committee and Housing Authority. Ten certified signatures of registered voters are required for Town Meeting Members. Signatures must be of registered voters in the candidate’s precinct. Oct. 26: Office of Campaign Finance Reports are due on this Monday, the eighth day preceding the election. Nov. 2: Town Elections. Dec. 2: Office of Campaign Finance Reports are due on the 30th day following the election All candidates are expected to comply with the Town of Saugus Zoning Bylaws (Article 7, Section 7.3, Sub-Section 8) regarding political signs. A “Shout-Out” for Joanne Genzale Loyal Saugus Advocate reader Shirley Bogdan contributed this week’s Shout-Out to Joanne Genzale. Here’s an email Shirley sent to us: “During the shutdown of the Saugus Senior Center, Joanne Genzale has transformed the various rooms into rooms of beauty with splashes of color and design. “Now as you walk into the front foyer you feel like you’re walking into an Italian villa. What a welcoming feeling. The artistry on the walls is beautiful. An easy chair and small table almost say: ‘Come, sit for a while and have a glass of wine.’ “If you are using the exercise equipment, you’ll find yourself on a Caribbean island, an incentive to work those muscles harder! “And if you’re playing cards, you might feel like you are in a beautiful forest. “Even the bulletin boards have been transformed. “What talent this lady possesses!” Want to “Shout-Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@ comcast.net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout-Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or a photo. Barrie Band – made history last week when his sketch inadvertently replaced another one in our “Guess Who Got Sketched” contest. Tony, who recently celebrated his 100th birthday, was the subject of a sketch appearing in the July 16 Saugus Advocate. But when it came to including the sketch for our July 23 edition, I attached the wrong sketch to “The Sounds of Saugus” column. So Tony enjoyed the distinction of having a sketch of his face appear in The Saugus Advocate for two consecutive weeks – by accident. I was shocked and chagrined that not one person emailed me or called to rub it in about my mistake, or to at least submit the right answer to qualify to have his or her name drawn from the green Boston Red Sox hat. Seeing that the answer to “Guess Who Got Sketched” had appeared in last week’s column, it wasn’t much of a challenge to identify Tony. But nobody offered up an answer. So, here’s last week’s answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist: “The answer to last week’s sketch And a Big Happy Birthday to him is ...... 100 year old (as of July 9th) Multi talented, Anthony Bicchieri Of ‘The Tony Barrie Band,’ known more by his entertainment name as Tony Barrie “Tony’s popular band started in 1949 and has been in demand for decades. The band is the Longest running band around these areas. “They have not done a parade since 2019. It was great to see Tony’s talented band in the Wakefield parade! Tony’s band loves to interact with the crowds. “Tony’s band performs in multiple parades a day, such as Beverly Farms Parade, Manchester by the Sea Parade, Wakefield parades, Saugus parades. When they performed at parades, his wife Ann was right there too doing her part as driver. “What energy! “Tony’s Barrie’s band would start off with ‘When The Saints Go Marching In’ adding some of Tony’s favorites ‘Over There’ and ‘the Marines hymn’. “Tony loves to sing and a few of his favorites are Tony Bennet and Frank Sinatra. He likes Frank’s ‘When somebody loves you, it’s no good unless they love you All the way.’ And Tony loves his wife Ann All the way just like that song! Tony sings to his wife, writes notes to her and constantly tells her in all different ways how much in love with her he is. These two have been married 72 plus years. All this love and music created 3 children! “They were married in 1949 and as soon as they said ‘I do’ at St. Margaret’s he was on cloud 9. I don’t think This man ever left that cloud! Tony just gushes over his wife Ann and all she did and still does for him. Such a beautiful love these two share. “Tony was an Ensign in the U.S. Navy, Masters in Electrical Engineering from Tufts, G.E. employee 44 years and of course his Tony Barrie Band which is his joy. Tony has been a lifelong resident with his true flame, his wife Ann. “Thank you Tony and Ann of The Tony Barrie Band. You two shine “Yours Truly, “The Sketch Artist” A food drive for pets continues If you are an animal lover and/or have a soft spot in your heart for needy dogs and cats, you might want to contribute to the Pet Food Donation Drive. Marcia Benson wants to remind Saugus residents about the food drive that the Good Hope Food Pantry is hosting now through tomorrow (Saturday, July 31). Good Hope is located at 47 Grove St. in Lynnfield and is part of the Calvary Christian Church. The pantry is held on Thursday mornings and hundreds of vehicles show up from Saugus and area communities. Saugus residents who would like to donate some food for our fury, four-legged friends can do so by visiting drop-off spots at Saugus Town Hall, Carpenito Real Estate and the Saugus Public Library. Marcia writes that the organizers are seeking wet and dry dog and cat food, treats and litter – and are especially in need of cat food and litter. For more details, check out https://create.piktochart.com/output/55052935-pet-food-drive. Or you can email Marcia at Marciabenson5@icloud.com. A community garden update If you are young or old and feel like doing some real earthy community service, why not join the growing team that’s been assisting in the creation of the Community Garden that’s helping feed the hungry and needy people of Saugus? Contact The Rev. John Beach of St. John’s Episcopal Church to get the latest update on how the garden is doing and what you can do to help. Anyone who wants to help out Rev. John on this noble project can call him at 774-961-9881 or send him an email at revjbeach@gmail.com. We will keep you posted as the garden continues to grow. Remember folks, this is your garden. Be a part of it. The Rev. John Beach St. John’s Episcopal Church Saugus, Massachusetts 01906 A reunion for Saugus High Extension Program Justine Dolan asked us to put the word out for some of his classmates in Saugus and the general area “who don’t participate with social media forms of communication” regarding a first reunion for the Saugus High School Extension Program (Est. 1971) by Anthony J. DeMatteo. That first reunion is set for Sunday, August 22, 2021, at the Saugus/Everett Elks Grove, 401 Main St., Saugus, from noon to 5 p.m. Tickets are $20 in advance. “The program was a lifesaver for many as well as instrumental in helping students graduate from SHS,” Justin wrote to us this week. For more info call Justine Dolan at 781-690-3137 or Marsha Silver at 207-658-7723. Clarifying some veterans’ issues Jay Pinette, the Veterans Services Officer for the Town of Saugus, wanted to pass along a few words to clear up any confusion about how his office works. “Veterans Service Officers (VSOs) are not VA employees and do not have direct access to VA systems or information,” Jay wrote to us in a recent email. “Local VSOs are employees of their respective cities and towns. VSOs are generally able to assist veterans and eligible dependents with VA-related claims and benefits activities. “One of the primary duties of the VSOs is to administer a program for veterans and eligible dependents that is referred to as ‘Chapter 115’. Under Chapter 115 of Massachusetts General Laws (M.G.L. CH. 115), the Commonwealth provides a uniform program of financial assistance for low income veterans and their dependents. Qualified veterans and their dependents who meet the income and asset eligibility criteria may receive monthly financial benefits that are intended to assist the veteran with housing and living expenses. “If local Veterans wish to enroll in VA healthcare and/or obtain a VA ID card, representatives from the VA Bedford will be on-site at the Lynn VA Clinic twice a month. The on-site enrollment will be held on the 1 st and 3 rd Tuesday of each month from 9:00 am to 3:00 pm. Appointments are advised and the dates and times are subject to change. The Lynn VA Clinic is located at 225 Boston Street, Suite 107. For more information or to schedule an appointment for enrollment, call 781-687-3348 or e-mail vabedoutreach@ va.gov. “The Veterans Services Offices of Saugus and other surrounding communities have partnered with the Greater Boston Food Bank to hold monthly mobile food markets for veterans. With the closure of the Saugus Senior Center during the pandemic, the food market was moved to Melrose. We have now moved THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 13

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