The Sounds of Saugus

It was a great night anyway

  It was a little nippy out there on the front lawn outside Saugus Town Hall last Friday night as a large crowd gathered for the town’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Festivities. And it’s too bad that Town Hall wasn’t open to the public, so that a long line of parents and their kids could warm up in the second floor auditorium while waiting for photo ops with Santa Claus. But recent concerns about a resurgence of confirmed COVID-19 cases in Saugus over the past several weeks prompted Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree to play it safe and keep Town Hall closed. If it wasn’t safe for the 50-member Town Meeting body to assemble for its Special Town Meeting this past Monday night (Dec. 6), then there’s no way the town manager was going to allow a crowd in the auditorium for photo ops with Santa Claus.

  Santa did sit down to have his photo taken with children. But it was outside this year in front of the entrance of the Saugus Public Library.

  As the old saying goes, “Beggars can’t be choosers.” Certain adjustments had to be made to ensure public health and safety. The event was scaled down a little, but I’m sure all of the folks who turned out were grateful that the town’s beloved community event wasn’t canceled like last year. All in all, the crowd was a little smaller. But the grownups and kids seem to be having fun and getting in the holiday spirit.

  The petting zoo was a hit. So were the trains and the horse-drawn cart rides up Central Street. Hot chocolate, hot apple cider, cookies and popcorn satisfied people’s appetites. And WIN Waste Innovations, a sponsor of the event, sprung for the complimentary pizza from Charlie’s Pizzeria. WIN Waste also arranged for the 98.5 FM Street Team to appear and provide giveaways.

  It was kind of sad that the late Gregory Nickolas, the town’s longtime Saugus Youth & Recreation Department director, wasn’t there to be a part of the tree lighting ceremony and festivities, as he has in years past. But Greg Nickolas was there in spirit. And it was a nice gesture by the town manager and Interim Youth & Recreation Director and Programs Coordinator Crystal Cakounes to express a few words of appreciation for the town employee who has been the heart and soul of this event for many years.

  Greg was missed by many folks and he will be missed for years to come. But the show will go on, and future organizers will build on the foundation that Greg established in his efforts to make this a great event for his hometown.

  Hats off to the folks who stepped up and helped make this year’s Tree Lighting and Festivities a special memory for many Saugonians.

Nice gesture on the tree ornaments

  As they say, it’s the thought that counts. And Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano had his heart in the right place by coordinating the creation of four large tree ornaments that went up on the town Christmas tree in the Saugus Center rotary on Friday. These ornaments, which were fashioned by Sachem Signworks, paid tribute to four popular Saugonians who passed away this year: Theresa Whittredge, Carmela “Cam” Cicolini, Greg Nickolas and Wendy Reed (longtime clerk to the Saugus Board of Selectmen).

  Not everybody liked the ornaments, apparently. Some folks felt uncomfortable seeing the faces of loved ones up on the tree. Some critics said it struck them as “political” and wasn’t authorized by the town. Some wondered why the faces of other Saugus residents who had passed weren’t up on that tree.

  Actually, the concept initiated by the Board of Selectmen chair has some promising potential and great merit. In future years, why not let families and friends of loved ones who passed that year hang an ornament in memory of a loved one? Include that courtesy for every Saugus resident who passes. And instead of the loved one’s face on the ornament, have their name inscribed with a date of their passing. Make them smaller. Get the leaders of the Saugus Faith Community to coordinate the event. Minimize the politics.

  But for what it’s worth, I think this was a nice gesture by Board of Selectmen Chair Cogliano. It’s an idea that’s worth developing for future years.

A pair of “Shout-Outs” for good deeds

  This week, we received two shout-outs from our readers who wanted to recognize some good deeds in the community:

  Susan McBride: “I would like to give a shoutout to Kathy Krasowski for always picking up trash on her daily dog walks. She never fails to have a shopping bag with her to pick up other people’s trash that has been left behind.”

  Margie Berkowitch: “Hammersmith Quilt Guild collected food for the food bank on Wednesday, December 1st. Shout out to Michael Boudreau who volunteered to deliver the food. He was completely surprised to find the food had completely filled his SUV. Thank you Mike.”

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.

The day I became a front page deer story

  Back in December of 1975, when I was the Williamstown bureau chief for The North Adams Transcript, I had a notorious encounter with Mother Nature. I was picking up some laundry at Drummond’s Cleaners when I got knocked down while leaning over the counter. A scared 150-pound doe came crashing through the side window, cutting itself and scaring witnesses inside the store.

  “Deer season opened today, but merchants on Spring Street are probably wondering who is hunting whom,” I wrote in my lead paragraph for that afternoon’s front-page story. “Three large plate glass windows were shattered within a few minutes. There were no injuries, but the doe did brush up against the back of this reporter after breaking the first window at Drummond’s.”

  “This reporter was trying to figure out whether a sports car had crashed up against the side of the building. Once he got his bearings straight, he was staring down at the nose of a hefty, terrorized animal,” the story continued.

  It’s been 46 years since that harrowing experience. But I can still remember my first reaction was to rush into the restroom; then I ran out, my heart pounding wildly as I tried to make sense of things. “The front door wouldn’t quite open for the reporter’s escape. But doe’s destination was the front window…” I wrote.

  After smashing that window, the doe sprung across Spring Street, right into the front window of a sporting goods store. The doe shattered the front window of Goff’s Sports Inc., but did not penetrate inside the building because of a backboard for a parka display. Witnesses said they saw a hoof kicking around.

  The doe was temporarily stunned and lying down in the street. A passing mailman thought the deer was dead. But, when he went to touch it, she sprang up quickly and took off down the street and into the woods.

  When I got back to the office, my editor told me I was all over the local radio station in North Adams – so he wanted me to write a first-person story for the front page about the opening day of deer hunting season in Massachusetts. I remember I was still shaking an hour after the incident as I began writing my story, which was headlined “Doe invades Spring Street. Deer season opens with a crash of glass.”

  Since that incident, I’ve had many close encounters in my car with deers, one time having to jam on my breaks on Nantucket Island to let a family of six cross the road. But, fortunately, I never hit a deer. Knock on wood.

We have a winner!

  Congratulations to Marty Graney for making the right identification in last week’s “Guess Who got Sketched!” contest and then being the one selected from among several readers whose names were entered into the green Boston Red Sox cap. Here’s the correct answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist:

  “The answer to last week’s sketch is the multitalented Janice K. Jarosz!

  “Where does one begin with such a woman of substance and depth?… How do you spell Saugus? My answer would be Janice Jarosz that’s how!

  “Janice has such a beautiful spirit and as a published author it flows out to the pages of her writings. She is deeply saturated with the love of bringing alive and enriching Saugus History so that you can almost taste it!

  “Janice is blessed with many gifts and talents which she spreads throughout Saugus! This Proud native Saugonian’s roots fostered and enriched our Town. Janice graduated Saugus High school class of ‘61’

  “Here’s a list of some of the Titles and Positions Janice holds/held in Saugus: Janice is a Saugus Business owner/Manager of Nevron Plastics.

  “Woman of the Year 2008, Town Meeting Member. Clerk to the Board of Selectmen. First Chair of the Recycling Committee. Weekly Columnist for The Saugus Advertiser while contributing Articles to The Saugus Advocate

  “Saugus Historical Society Member and Author of several books (My Home Town) with History of her family.

  “Janice is a Historian who oversees the M.E.G Center daily, from Arts to Annual Christmas Tree Festivals, and festivities.

  “Mr. Charles Bond, with his generous nature, loved and sponsored the Arts and would most likely be well pleased with her honoring his traditions of his nature. Janice is a ‘YES we can Woman’ who took an abandoned rundown building (Bond School AKA Cliftondale School) which became Maleah Graves MEG Center in 1994; and with her ‘YES we can attitude’ formed a Committee in 2007 and with her team, turned the building into what it is today.

  “Janice is the Author of the 200-Page novel ‘The Golden Leaf Love affair Saugus Massachusetts’ the History of Charles Henry Bond of Bond Cigar (The Cliftondale Legend.) Published Nov. 25, 2020 Outskirts Press.

   “You can purchase on Amazon for 19.95, Barnes and Noble several bookstores have it on their shelf too!

  “I’m sure Mr. Charles Bond is proud to have such a woman as Janice K. Jarosz grace the halls of his old Bond School AKA MEG Center where his stately Portrait hangs regally showcased. The connection to these two souls is born out of depth and love.

  “Thank you Janice for breathing your light of love into our hometown! Maybe when I see you out and about you can autograph my copy of your Excellent visual History book ‘The Golden Leaf Love Affair.’

  “Your Truly, The Sketch Artist”

Breakheart’s “First Day Hike”

  So, have you resolved to lose some weight for the new year and engage in a healthier life? If so, start off the New Year with an invigorating “First Day Hike” and make a resolution to burn off those extra holiday calories.

  The state Department of Conservation & Recreation and the Friends of Breakheart Reservation are cosponsoring “Breakheart Reservation First Day Hike” again. A flier issued recently by both groups notes “We will have two guided hikes through the paved loops of Breakheart.

  “Be prepared for cold weather – dress in layers and wear winter boots. Bring your friends and family and afterwards warm up with a cup of hot chocolate by the fire pit outside.”

  Jot this down on your calendar, folks: Jan. 1, 2022. Hike starts at 10 a.m. Meet outside the Visitor’s Center of Breakheart Reservation (177 Forest St. in Saugus). The center will remain open until noon. For more information, call 781-233-0834.

COVID-19 halts Friday breakfasts

  Concerns about COVID-19 have led to a temporary shutdown of the Friday morning breakfasts at the Saugus American Legion Cpl Scott J. Procopio Post 210 Legion Hall located at 44 Taylor St. Last week, we received the following email from Debra Dion Faust, Building Manager of American Legion Post 210:

  “Be aware that, due to a loss of one of our members to Covid (He caught it at a family wedding, not at the Legion itself.) we shut down the breakfast the Friday before Thanksgiving, intending to re-open tomorrow, December 3.

  “However, concerns about the new Omicron variant, the fact that the rather unseasonably warm weather actually works against us, and the fact that the success of the breakfast means that the numbers who come make it difficult to ‘socially distance,’ we took a poll of those breakfast-goers who have given us their email addresses to make notifications possible, and have made the decision to shut down the breakfast for the month of December.

  “We plan to re-open on Friday, January 7. (We hope by that time to have had a truly hard freeze to help short-circuit transmission fears.) Thanks for your support. Have a good holiday season and a Happy New Year.”

  We will keep you posted on any developments affecting the Friday breakfasts at Legion Hall.

Compost/Recycling Drop-Off Site closing

  The Town of Saugus Compost/Recycling Drop-Off Site will close for the winter season tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 11) at 2 p.m. This site will be open from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on that day prior to closing.

  The site will reopen from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. on the third Saturday of the month in January, February and March, weather permitting.

  Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Lorna Cerbone at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

Please remember Saugus’s fallen heroes

  Honor those who serve and teach our children the value of freedom. On Dec. 18, at noon, the Parson Roby Chapter, National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR, (MA0136P) will be sponsoring their first “Wreaths Across America Project”: helping Riverside Cemetery to Remember and Honor our veterans by laying Remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes. Please help us honor and remember as many fallen heroes as possible in several ways: sponsoring remembrance wreaths, volunteering on Wreaths Day or inviting your family and friends to attend with you. All are welcome!

  Please forward this article to friends that may be willing to also join us in honoring our servicemen and women. To learn more about the Wreaths Across America Project, go to http://www.wearthsacrossameria.org/MA0136P

  Thank you for supporting our newly formed Parson Roby Chapter, NSDAR, Saugus, Mass. For further information contact Regent Charlotte Line at linejj@comcast.net.

Want to be a Knight?

  The Knights of Columbus is looking for new members to join. If interested in becoming a member of this local organization, please call 781-233-9858.

“A Very Merry Christmas Party’”

  The Kowloon Restaurant is set to host “A Very Merry Christmas Party” today (Friday, Dec. 10), featuring Samantha Rae Whiskey-6 in concert. The holiday party includes a Kowloon Chinese buffet and dancing. Doors open at 6 p.m.; the buffet will be served from 6 to 8 p.m.; and the concert is from 8 to 11 p.m. Tickets are $50.00 per person. Every guest is invited to bring a wrapped toy or gift for Toys for Tots.

  The Wong family devised the idea of the Christmas party as a community event for everyone during the holidays, and for a good cause. “It is a great way to have your Christmas party with your co-workers, friends or family. Let us take care of the details, so you can have a wonderful time,” stated Bobby Wong, owner.

  A Note on Samantha Rae Whiskey-6: Samantha Rae Whiskey-6 is a country-rock act that delivers a mix of country rock originals and pop country radio favorites driven by a powerful rhythm section. The band is fronted by Samantha Rae. Critics call her “a beautiful and energetic small town country spitfire who packs both a punch and sultry country tone.” The band was nominated and won the prestigious fan-voted New England Country Music Group of the Year.

  For tickets, call the Kowloon Restaurant at 781-233-0077.

Saugus River Watershed Council annual meeting

  Members of the public are invited to join the Saugus River Watershed Council (SRWC) on Wednesday, Dec.15 at The Marina at the Wharf at 543 North Shore Rd. in Revere from 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. for their annual meeting and dinner featuring a keynote presentation on Rumney Marsh. The Saugus River Watershed Council will also present River Stewardship Awards, highlight 2021 accomplishments and elect 2022 board members.

  Admission to the annual meeting of $30 per person includes the keynote presentation plus a delicious dinner buffet. The menu will include rigatoni served in a pomodoro sauce or a white wine sauce, chicken parmigiana or chicken piccata, baked haddock, seasonal vegetable medley, roasted potatoes, dinner rolls, salad and homemade pastries. A cash bar will be available. This event is handicap accessible and open to the public. Online registration and payment information is available under the events section at https://www.saugusriver.org/event-details-registration/annual-meeting-and-fundraiser. Preregistration is requested.

  This year’s Steward Awards will be presented to state Rep. Jessica Giannino (D-Revere) and Altar’d State.

  SRWC President Debra Panetta stated that “Representative Giannino continues to be an environmental champion for Saugus and Revere, and I am delighted that Jessica will be receiving this award.”

  SRWC Executive Director Mary Lester is very excited for this award to be presented to Altar’d State; they have been such an environmentally minded and local supporting retailer.

  This year’s event will also feature sale of holiday wreaths for $40 each. These handmade wreaths feature fresh woodland evergreens, pinecones and other decorative elements. Order online today and pick one up at the annual meeting. SRWC will also be having silent auctions, raffles (including a kayak) and a 50/50. All proceeds will benefit the Saugus River Watershed Council’s environmental education, SRWC scholarship and river restoration programs.

Saugus Boy Scout Troop 62 selling Christmas Trees

  Paul, Sharon Cacciola, and family has joined with Saugus Boy Scouts Troop 62 in selling fresh Christmas trees at the Soc’s Ice Cream location on the Lynn Fells Parkway. More than 1,100 fresh trees are available in all sizes, shapes and prices. Your choice of tree will be cut to order, wrapped and secured on your vehicle. The troop will also be selling wreaths, kissing balls and log baskets to add to your Christmas celebration. The Christmas tree lot will be open Tuesday–Friday, noon to 8 p.m.; Saturday and Sunday, 9 a.m. to 8 p.m. It will be closed on Mondays.

  This project is the annual fundraiser for the Boy Scouts. Up until last year, the scouts’ tree lot was located at the end of Ballard Street. But since that property was sold, the troop needed a new location and eventually got together with the Soc’s owners in a partnership.

Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus program

  (Editor’s Note: The following info is from an announcement submitted by Julie Cicolini, a member of the Board of Directors for Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus, providing information about the program.)

  Who we are: Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2) is a nonprofit group of volunteers that are helping to offset food insecurity in households. HS2 provides students/families that enroll in the program a supply of nutritious food for when school lunches and breakfasts are unavailable to them on weekends.

  How HS2 can help you: HS2 bags are distributed at school on Fridays to take home. Bags include such items as peanut butter, jelly, a loaf of bread, canned meals/soups/tuna/vegetables, pasta/sauce, fruit cups, cereal, oatmeal, goldfish, pretzels and granola bars. To sign up, complete the online form: https://forms.gle/gmMGguycSHBdziuE9.

  Want to partner with us: HS2 relies on donations to create take-home bags for a weekend full of meals. All food is provided to children free of charge. It is our hope these resources will support the health, behavior and achievement of every student who participates. We would love to partner with organizations, youth groups, PTOs, businesses and individuals to assist in feeding students of Saugus. To learn more about how you can partner with us, visit the Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus Facebook page or email us at HS2Saugus@gmail.com.

  Checks can also be sent directly to: Salem Five C/O Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus, 855-5 Broadway, Saugus, MA 01906. Online donations can also be made at https://givebutter.com/HealthySaugus.

 

Let’s hear it!

  Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been over five and a half years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@comcast.net.

  Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15- to 20-minute interview over a hot drink at a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coffee or tea. Or, if you prefer to continue practicing social distancing and be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation recovers from the Coronavirus crisis. If it’s a nice day, my preferred site for a coffee and interview would be the picnic area of the Saugus Iron Works.

GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who was sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who between now and Tuesday at noon correctly identifies the Saugonian who was sketched qualifies to have their name put in a green Boston Red Sox hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location on Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”)