Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 16, 2020 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Here are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. Kind words for drivers Saugus, of course, has some ongoing concerns about traffic safety, which would probably be a huge priority right now if town officials weren’t swamped with all kinds of issues stemming from the COVID-19 pandemic. The group called Citizens for a Safer Saugus would probably be very active in its lobbying for traffic improvements for the benefit of pedestrians as well as bicyclists and drivers. But there are more pressing issues right now for local town government. Yet, every time I drive into Saugus on the main roadways, I am constantly reminded of the ongoing concern as evidenced by those speed limit signs that actually thank the driver for driving the speed limit! I am one of those drivers who strives to obey the speed limit whether it’s on local roads or the highways that wind through Massachusetts. And usually I get the middle finger salute, horn blasts, high beams, potty mouth tirades and dirty looks from drivers who take great umbrage to my commitment to driving 65 mph or less in the travel lane. But every time I drive the speed limit in Saugus on the major roads that have the electronic speed limit signs, I actually get special appreciation. Go figure. Cultural Council seeks funding proposals Attention, creative people! The Saugus Cultural Council is looking for you. Proposals for community-oriented arts, humanities and science programs will be considered for possible grants totaling $7,000. The council has set a Nov. 16 deadline for organizations, schools and individuals to apply for grants that support cultural activities in the community. According to Council Chair Mike Sullivan, these grants can support a variety of artistic projects and activities in Saugus – including exhibits, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, performances in schools, workshops and lectures. The Saugus Cultural Council is part of a network of 329 Local Cultural Councils serving all 351 cities and towns in the Commonwealth. The LCC Program is the largest grassroots cultural funding network in the nation, supporting thousands of community-based projects in the arts, sciences and humanities every year. The state legislature provides an annual appropriation to the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, which then allocates funds to each community. Previously funded Saugus projects have included: a field trip to see Charles Dickens’ “A Christmas Carol,” an artist workshop at Breakheart Reservation, dramatic performances and local author speaking engagements. For local guidelines and complete information on the Saugus Cultural Council, contact Mike Sullivan at michaelsullivan027@gmail.com. Application forms and more information about the Local Cultural Council Program are available online at www.mass-culture.org or https://mcc.smartsimple.com/s_Login.jsp. We have a winner! We have a winner in last week’s “Guess Who Got Sketched” contest. Congratulations to Anna May Simoes. She contacted us first and guessed correctly by naming a Saugus first responder: Lt. Arthur Connors of the Saugus Police Department. “He was a next door neighbor of mine. And he is a fantastic man,” Ann May told The Saugus Advocate this week, when contacted. Here’s last week’s answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist: “Your Hero “Anyone who is a Saugus First Responder and someone called with the name and what Dept. was the answer! GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED? In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist goes out and mingles with townsfolk and sketches them. Got an idea who this Saugus resident might be? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. The first reader to respond between now and Tuesday morning and correctly identify the person sketched is the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location at Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”) A “shout-out” for Laura Eisener It’s always a shame when a week passes by and we fail to get a nomination from one of our loyal readers to “shout-out” a fellow Saugonian. Surely, folks aren’t that jaded that they can’t find something good to say about somebody. Sure, it’s tough in these days of the pandemic to maintain a positive outlook on things. But one of our loyal contributors – Laura Eisener – has done her part to entertain, inform and enlighten our readers with her ongoing series, “Saugus gardens in the pandemic.” Her primary audience is the plant, flower and garden lovers of Saugus. But she also set out to capture the walkers and joggers who try to get some exercise or a much-needed break from the daily challenges of COVID-19. Come to think of it, my leisurely walk several times a week is one of the few fun things that the Coronavirus didn’t take away from me. Ever since I began reading Laura’s articles about the gardens of the pandemic, I pay closer attention to the many plants, flowers and trees that I walk by. It makes the walks more fun and much more interesting if you take time to observe some of the plants that Laura has been writing about. 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 photo. Food Drive on Oct. 24 This just in from Board of Selectmen Vice Chair In Person Early Voting – dates and times In Person Early Voting begins tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 17). So, Town Clerk Ellen J. Schena requested that we let folks know about it. It will take place in the Saugus Public Library at 295 Central St. Use the Taylor Street entrance. Here are the times: Saturday, Oct. 17 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 18 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 19 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 20 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 21 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 22 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 23 – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 24 – 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. (This is also the last day to register to vote.) Sunday, Oct. 25 – 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Monday, Oct. 26 – 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 27 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 28 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 29 – 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Friday, Oct. 30 – 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. Some other important dates: Oct. 24, last day to register to Vote/Make changes to Voter Registration; Nov. 2, last day to apply for Absentee Ballot – deadline is noon; Nov. 3, 2020, State/Presidential Election. Politics and religion The public is invited to a Zoom book discussion on “The Righteous Mind: Why Good People Are Divided by Politics and Religion,” By Jonathan Haidt. The Rev. John T. Beach of St. John’s Episcopal Church in Saugus will lead the discussion group that will take place on Tuesday evenings for six consecutive weeks, THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS | SEE PAGE 11 “After all it was only a ‘depiction’ just a representation of our workers based on Janice K Jarosz and her appreciation of our First Responders! “No actual person sketched just a generalization of our heroes! “Saugus First Responders out there ready, and weary from the battle, a bit exasperated but ready with a kind helping hand to assist with whatever is at the forefront in the battle. Thankyou “Yours truly, The Sketch Artist” Corinne Riley: “The Town of Saugus, organized by the Board of Selectmen, has scheduled a third drop-off food and necessities drive to benefit the Saugus Senior Center and the Saugus Food Pantry, on Saturday, October 24th, 9 a.m. to Noon at the Saugus Senior Center, 466 Central St. “All items are appreciated, but there are many specific items that are in need, especially with the holidays fast approaching. They are: cranberry sauce, canned vegetables, turkey gravy, stuffing mix, canned ham, canned soups, canned pasta sauce, oatmeal, small cereal boxes, peanut butter, jelly, loaves of bread, pasta, paper towels and toilet paper.”
11 Publizr Home