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SOUNDS | from page 14 cycle, I think about the early years of my journalism career when I had high aspirations of covering a Democratic or Republican National Convention. As things turned out, I never got to cover either political convention, but I did get to meet three presidents – before they became presidents. And I did get into the White House once as a credentialed reporter (a fluke that should never have happened). I was a college intern in Washington, D.C., back in 1973, assigned to the U.S. Labor Department’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance in what turned out to be a fairly interesting assignment. But it was also a fun time to be there, watching the fallout of the Watergate scandal, especially if you had a press card. So, as a parttime reporter for the Springfield Union, I used mine well – to gain admittance to various press conferences. For instance, I heard a rumor about former Massachusetts Gov. John Volpe being flown in from Italy (where he was ambassador) to be Vice President Spiro Agnew’s replacement. Some junior editor back in Springfield told me to get in and cover the story because of the Massachusetts angle. Right! I did, though. And it cost me that press card. The newspaper’s editor later accused me of getting into the White House without proper authorization and demanded that I return my press card. I cut it up in tiny pieces and mailed it back. I figured the Newhouse Newspaper Bureau’s news executive was probably drunk that Friday when he gave me clearance to walk through the White House doors. My editor later told me to call him and apologize. I never did. I was just a college kid who used a little initiative to talk somebody into getting me in so I could see some history. Getting roughed up by Secret Service bodyguards while trying to interview Democratic presidential candidate Jimmy Carter was memorable, too. Back in the fall of 1976, I was working in Williamsburg, Va., for a local paper that was covering the debate. While hanging around outside a hotel, I noticed Jimmy Carter walk out to remove luggage from a car and greet his wife, Rosalyn. I rushed toward him with notebook and pen in hand. One of the goons wearing a suit and sunglasses pushed me to the ground, spoiling my chance to grill Jimmy. I had a legitimate reporter’s pass issued to me by the Newport News Daily Press. But the Secret Service got spooked because I had a different colored pass than the one worn by a group of photographers. My brief encounter with Carter was a pleasant one. He struck me as a well-intentioned, decent man. Perhaps the best human being to serve in the White House. Instead of a Carter interview, I wrote about how the national press covered the debate. ABC’s Sam Donaldson was a prima donna even back then. He said the best way to do it was to watch it on television. A year later, I had an interesting interview with Ronald Reagan at an oil millionaire’s house in Midland, Tex. No bodyguards, no press passes needed – just Texas hospitality. Reagan gave me a good interview, raking President Ford over the coals for not sticking with the fired U.S. Secretary of Agriculture, Earl Butz. Reagan mentioned bumper stickers he’d seen saying “We want our Butz back.” Reagan impressed me as one of the good ole boys, the kind you’d love to drink with. Too bad I was on duty. I could have bragged about having a drink with the president. But looking back on that interview, I’m sure that Reagan would have been raked over the coals for his staunch defense of Butz had he made his remarks during contemporary times. The comments that got Butz fired from his cabinet secretary’s post were clearly THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, September 4, 2020 racist, obscene and offensive to African American men. Page 15 COVID-19 grants to Saugus Police and Fire Hats off to the Saugus Police Department and the Saugus Fire Department for being among 100 local and state public safety agencies to win grants to help in the fight against the Coronavirus. The Baker-Polito Administration announced last week that the two local departments are among those receiving more than $9.6 million in federal Coronavirus Emergency Supplemental Funding Program (CESFP) grants awarded to the Executive Office of Public Safety and Security’s Office of Grants and Research (OGR) from the U.S. Department of Justice. The Fire Department plans to use the grant for Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) and disinfecting equipment. The Police Department plans to use it to pay for overtime during the pandemic. “These awards to municipal departments and state agencies across the Commonwealth demonstrate our commitment to providing our police officers, firefighters, and other public safety personnel with the necessary tools to effectively serve their communities while continuing to fight a pandemic,” said Governor Charlie Baker. Eligible municipalities were invited to solicit up to $50,000 in total funding to benefit their police and/or fire department needs. In total, 65 fire departments and 44 police departments representing 94 cities and towns will directly benefit from the CESFP awards. “These grants will help aid local municipalities to purchase the additional safeguards necessary to protect our frontline workers against COVID-19,” said Lieutenant Governor Karyn Polito. “Massachusetts has made great strides in slowing the spread of this virus, and we will continue to support our local heroes with the resources they need to protect themselves and their communities.” CESFP awards were also made available for competitive solicitation by state public safety agencies responsible for confronting the pandemic. The funding will assist agencies with outfitting staff with PPE, purchasing deep cleaning sanitation equipment for correctional facilities and academies, utilizing video technology to conduct hearings remotely and obtaining materials to reconfigure office space to enhance social distancing and protect essential workers. “These funds will address critical needs that will not only protect our essential public safety employees but also the people they protect and serve,” said Public Safety and Security Secretary Thomas Turco. “These awards are well deserved and my office is committed to doing all that it can to continue providing the financial resources needed to assist our state and local officials in their efforts to combat this pandemic,” said OGR Executive Director Kevin Stanton. Changes to Grab and Go food program The Saugus Council on Aging has announced some changes to the Grab and Go Fresh Fruits and Vegetables program. “Every Tuesday morning, for the remainder of the summer, there will be individual boxes of fresh fruit and vegetables available at the Senior Center for our senior residents to grab and go,” according to the Council’s Administrative Assistant, Laurie Davis. “Due to the limitation, any senior interested in picking up a box is required to register by calling the Saugus Senior Center at 781-231-4178, Monday-Friday between the hours of 9:00 a.m. until 12:00 Noon,” she said. People interested in the program must talk to a staff member, must be a Saugus resident and also must register, Davis said. “Please do not leave your name and number on our answering machine, this will not be considered as a registration,” she said. “Thank you to the organizations that made this possible: USA Farmers, USDA, and Costa Fruit & Produce Company.” Food Pantry still open The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will continue to remain open on Fridays between 9:30 a.m. and 11:00 a.m. despite concerns over the Coronavirus. But they have made adjustments to protect their core of volunteers and the needy people who receive the food. “For the protection of our volunteers & clients, and to limit personal contact & crowding/gathering, the food pantry has been distributing pre-bagged groceries,” says Wendy Reed, Clerk of the Saugus Board of Selectmen, who also oversees the operation of the all-volunteer food pantry. “We understand clients may receive items they don’t want or need, but feel this is the best course of action to mitigate the potential spread of COVID-19. Those in need, even for short term or one-time assistance are encouraged to come.” The food pantry is in the basement of the Cliftondale Congregational Church at 50 Essex St. in Saugus. SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 17 1. On Sept. 4, 1833, the publisher of The Sun in what city hired the first-ever paperboy? 2. The oldest surviving U.S. victory garden (1942) is in what part of Boston? 3. On Sept. 5, 1927, the animated short “Trolley Troubles” – introducing Oswald the Lucky Rabbit – was released; who directed it? 4. What is the tallest dog breed? 5. When was POTUS first used for “President of the United States”: 1895, 1953 or 2009? 6. In September 1882, labor unions in what city created the first Labor Day parade? 7. On Sept. 6, 1991, Leningrad’s name change to what was approved by the Russian Parliament? 8. What country grows the most watermelon? 9. Downton Abbey is set in the County of York, which is usually called what? 10. On Sept. 7, 2008, the U.S. government took over what two mortgage corporations? 11. What two leisure activities use a cue? 12. In 1495 what explorer made the first-ever hurricane report? 13. Does the Emily Post Institute agree with the old rule that you cannot wear white after Labor Day? 14. International Literacy Day – celebrated annually on September 8 – was founded by UNESCO, which stands for what? 15. The first ice cream trucks, which sold “Good Humor Ice Cream Suckers” in Youngstown, Ohio – debuted in what year: 1920, 1939 or 1945? 16. September 9 is annual Teddy Bear Day; when was “Teddy” invented: 1799, 1862 or 1903? 17. What country has a harvest festival when moon cakes are eaten? 18. Sapphire is September’s birthstone; Sri Lanka, which is famous for sapphires was previously called what? 19. The 1935 Fair Labor Standards Act prohibited whom from working? 20. On Sept. 10, 1823, the Champlain Canal opened, which connects what? ANSWERS 1. NYC 2. 5. 6. NYC 7. 8. 3. Walt Disney 4. China 9. Yorkshire 10. Fannie Mae (Federal National Mortgage Association) and Freddie Mac (Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation) 11. Pool and shuffleboard 12. Christopher Columbus (near present-day Haiti and Dominican Republic) 13. No – “Of course you can wear white after Labor Day, and it makes perfect sense to do so in climates where September’s temperatures are hardly fall-like.” 14. United Nations Educational, S cientific and Cultur al Organization 15. 1920 16. 1903 17. China 18. Ceylon 19. Children 20. Lake Champlain and the Hudson River The Back Bay Fens Great Dane 1895 (by telegraph operators) Saint Petersburg

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