THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 2, 2022 Page 5 A submarine near Saugus? Local author Stephen Wilk will discuss that unusual event on Sept. 15 at the Saugus public Library (Editor’s Note: The following info is from a press release issued by the Saugus Public Library this week.) H ow did an S-49 Submarine get so close to Saugus? Join us at the library on September 15 at 6:30 p.m. to hear the answer to that question from local author Stephen Wilk. Launched in 1921, Submarine USS S-49 was built for the United States Navy but was sold 10 years later to “Captain” Francis J. Chrestensen, who turned it into a fl oating tourist attraction for which he charged 25 cents admission. One of its stops was Point of Pines in Revere. Stephen Wilk has been writing and publishing since 1979. He’s interested in the ADVOCATE ASKS | FROM PAGE 4 started singing. I was holding her hand and I was singing “I am falling more in love with you. And day by day, my love continues to grow.” And I gave her a little kiss on the cheek and off I went to get my bus to get back to Medford. We’ve been married 72 years. We’ve known each other for 74 years. Two years later, in 1949, we had a different song right here in St. Margaret’s Church. When we got through with that ceremony, I was on Cloud Nine, never realizing the treasure I just inherited. And I do mean inherited. Q: And the wedding? A: I have lived in Saugus since 1949, when I got married, right here in this house. My father-in-law, Arthur Matrona, was a concert clarinetist. We lived on the second fl oor and her parents lived on the ground fl oor. Q: So, it sounds like you have led a very busy and interesting life. A: Here’s the kicker: With all this notoriety and success, I forget one very, very important thing – my wife. I started to realize that it was because of her. She was always by my side. How much could I tell her how much I love her? Music, another song I sing to this day – Time after Time – I tell myself that I’m so lucky to be loving you, so lucky to be the one that you run to see … in the evening, when the day is through. I only know what I know – the passing years have shown – you have to keep our Saugus area residents got a chance to view the submarine USS S-49 at Point of Pines in Revere during one of its many stops along the East Coast for several years in the 1930s. (Courtesy photos to The Saugus Advocate) unusual, including edible lasers, and questions like “Why do vampires dissolve in sunlight?” Anyone interested in local love so young and so new. The power behind me was one who sacrificed her life. True love demands a sacrifi ce, and she was willing to do that for me. Something had to be done, and she did it and she’s still doing it. Q: How did the name Tony Barrie Marching Band come into being? A: I already had the name Tony Barrie from the Totem Pole Ballroom. And the Saugus Vets Band just didn’t sound right, so I printed on the bass drum “Tony Barrie Band” with my telephone number. And it was born. It just evolved. Q: Originally, your band was … history or submarines will enjoy this free program. No registration is required. Contact info: Saugus Public Library, 295 Central St., SauA: Jack Lee, Arthur Matrona, Saugus Vets … and Saugus Vets didn’t sound too exciting, so I combined the dance band with the marching band into one element – Tony Barrie Band. Yipee! And we were born and never gave it a thought. Q: How often do you perform now? A: We don’t do any parades. We haven’t done a parade since 2019. Q: So, you had been doing parades up until COVID-19? A: Oh, I loved marching! But the year 2006 was a disaster. I had a sore on my anADVOCATE ASKS | SEE PAGE 6 The Submarine USS S-49 gus, MA 01906; 781-231-4168 / sauguspubliclibrary.org / www.facebook.com/SaugusPublicLibrary/
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