Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 22, 2025 The Bands of Summer continue John Jerome and The implications rock the iron Works By Laura Eisener O n Wednesday evening, August 13, a great blend of rock, country, calypso and other genres was played by John Jerome of Gloucester and his bandmates Millie Manning and Geoff Small, known as The Implications. This lively trio, which is new to the Iron Works summer lineup, led off with Paul Simon’s “Graceland” and segued into Johnny Cash’s “Folsom Prison.” “Jump in the Line (Shake, Shake, Shake, Senora),” written by Lord Kitchener (born Aldwyn Roberts) in 1946, was the first of several calypso-influenced songs. The most familiar is likely to be the “Banana Boat Song,” often known as “Day-O,” which they sang near the end of the evening. Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton made “Islands in the Stream,” written by The Bee Gees, very popular in the mid80s. Smokey Robinson’s “Cruisin,’” Glen Campbell’s “Gentle On My Mind,” Jim Croce’s “Bad, Bad Leroy Brown” and the Eagles’ “Peaceful Easy Feeling” are just a sample of some of the ASKS | FROM PAGE 3 Millie continues to live in the four-bedroom, Cape-style house that she and her late husband bought more than six decades ago. After a century of living, she maintains a remarkable and independent lifestyle for somebody her age. She cooks for herself, and up until a few years ago she was still driving a car. She has a passion for reading nonfiction books, which are scattered all over her house. She’s very articulate in conversation and seems to be very knowledgeable about current events. She credits her good health and longevity to a life of great faith, smart eating and regular exercise and her “main hobby”: dancing. She proudly displays a trophy that sits on the mantel in 1957, a husband and wife writing and performing team, and was first made famous by the Everly Brothers but was later covered by Simon & Garfunkel, and by George Harrison in the 1970s. Boudleaux Bryant also wrote “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” another Everly Brothers hit, which we heard later in the evening. While we’re talking about John Jerome and The Implications played at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site on August 13. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) songs played to give some idea of the diversity of music styles. In addition to many familiar songs, the trio offered a few of their own original works: “I’d Give It All” and “Come Back.” John Jerome walked out in the crowd and greeted participants, which led to the cozy feeling of the event. Millie Manning’s parents were among those out on the lawn enjoying the music. One of the regular summer concertgoers requested Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl,” and soon in her living room for being “Overall Winners” with her partner John DeGeralamo in a 2006 dance contest at the Saugus Senior Center. She presided as “Prom Queen” at Senior Prom hosted by Saugus High School students two years ago at the Saugus Senior Center. She ran the ballroom dance hall at Blessed Sacrament Church in Saugus for six years. During World War II, she entertained the troops with her dancing at USO functions held at North Station. She also helped organize ballroom dancing at the Roller World Skating Event on Route 1. For many years, dancing was a big part of her life. She has a 10-yearold female Turkish Van cat named “Winter,” who keeps her company. Highlights of this week’s interview follow. there were several people line dancing on the lawn. Someone told the band that a person in the audience was celebrating a birthday this week, and pretty soon I was being serenaded with “Happy Birthday.” Simon & Garfunkel’s work recurred a few times during the night, with “Diamonds on the Soles of Her Shoes,” “Cecilia” and another song I recall from an album I played often in high school, “Bye Bye Love.” “Bye Bye Love” was actually written by Boudleaux and Felice Bryant Q: Please tell me a little bit about your family, growing up. A: My mother and father came from Italy and settled in Everett, where I was born. I had a brother, Joseph Saveriano, who died in Palm Springs, California, last year. He was 98. My father was a tailor. He made sample suits for men. He was an excellent tailor and made all of my clothes for school Q: As you look back over your life, what are you most proud of? A: I had three wonderful children who loved each other deeply and never fought. We had two boys and a girl. One child is still alive; Paul Doucette of Saugus lives with his wife Cheryl. He’s very helpful. He was ASKS | SEE PAGE 10 “Dreams,” the trio sang the Fleetwood Mac song at a very appropriate moment, since there was a distinct rumble from the skies at the line “Oh, Thunder only happens when it’s raining.” By 7:40 the sky grew dark from some ominous clouds, and the breeze picked up. There was a sense of suspense developing, but the band played valiantly on through a few more songs. Just a little before 8:00 there were a few flashes of distant lightning, and the band decided it was time to stop. People quickly packed up, and most made it home before any rain started. This marks the fourth consecutive summer that the Saugus Public Library and the National Park Service are collaborating on a local outdoor event that seems to get more popular every year. The concert series celebrates local musical talents in Essex County and creates opportunities for residents and visitors to engage with the park during evening hours. Upcoming shows begin at 6 p.m. on Wednesday in August. People can bring blankets and chairs, snacks, etc. The events take place on the stage behind the museum building, and spectators can settle down on the upper lawn. It is suitable for all ages. Restrooms are available until nearly 8 p.m., when the concerts conclude. If weather looks bad for any particular Wednesday, concertgoers are urged to check the library website (www.sauguspubliclibrary. org), which will be updated for cancellations on that day. Jon Waterman was scheduled to perform “A journey through the roots of American popular music this week (Wednesday, Aug. 20). For the final concert of the summer, Jump Street will perform a selection of Classic Rock, Motown, Jazz and Funk next Wednesday (Aug. 27). LOVING LIFE: During an interview earlier this month, Millie Doucette sits relaxed in the living room of her Clinton Avenue home, reflecting on her century of living. She turned 100 yesterday. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler)
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