The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

Good morning, Saugus!

  You know that Christmas is right around the corner when retired Saugus postal worker Karen Coburn dusts off her special “Santa’s Mail Box” and sets it up near the entrance inside the Saugus Post Office in Cliftondale. I got a call from Karen this week that she’s prepared to be a pen pal again to dozens of kids in town and a few others in surrounding communities who want to write letters to Santa.

With the support of the Saugus Post Office, she’s been gathering “Letters To Santa” for about two decades. Though Karen retired from the U.S. Postal Service in May of 2019 after three decades – most of it in Saugus – she continued to receive Santa letters because she couldn’t find somebody to take over the project.

The red metal mailbox with the inscription “LETTERS FOR SANTA” is all set in the lobby of the Saugus Post Office in Cliftondale to spread a little Christmas cheer. It’s a wonderful tradition that Karen has begun, and, hopefully, more Saugus kids will take advantage of the opportunity in the remaining days leading up to Christmas – only three weeks away from Monday (Dec. 4).

Karen has some advice for parents to help make this homegrown holiday tradition more enjoyable: Be sure to include the child’s address on the envelope so Santa knows where to send his responding letter. Also include a little information about good things the child has done – something positive or something that really stands out – so that Santa can get more personal in his letter.

Food Pantry notes:

  The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Dec. 1) from 9:30-11 a.m.

Legion Breakfast today

  There’s a good breakfast deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2023-24 season. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served free.

Special “Shout Outs”

  We had a few nominations from readers this week:

Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Jeannie Meredith: “Thank you all for your continued support and faith in my ability to serve you and our Town. I will continue to advocate for my precinct as well as our community as a whole. I look forward to working with each and everyone of you. Thank you again for your vote!”

Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo offered two “Shout Outs”: “This sad ‘Shout Out’ goes to Joh Reed who passed away … Joh was brilliant, funny, and just a wonderful person to know. She was a member of the Finance Committee for several years and was an important part of that committee. She was a great animal lover. I will miss her. Rest in peace my dear friend.

“The second ‘Shout Out’ goes to Steve Doherty, Town Meeting Moderator, for the great job he did at the Orientation for the new Town Meeting Members, last night at the Library. It was great to see 8 out of 12 new Town Meeting Members who attended. It was also an opportunity for several of us veteran members who attended to have a refresher course.”

Mary Lou Graham: “Please find below a shout out for the Veterans School Drive by Food Drop Off. Thank you to everyone who participated in this on 4 November 2023. This was a great success that could not have been accomplished without the support of our wonderful community. All the churches in town, businesses and individuals who dropped off non-perishable food at the drive by to help support those in need. Also, to all those who continue to support the food bank throughout the year. Special thanks to our organizer, Corinne Riley, the Saugus Board of Selectmen, volunteers from the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry, and the Veterans School Custodian for his help.”

Nancy Fitzgerald Doherty: “On January 5th, 25-year-old John O’Brien was sworn in as the 24th Register of Deeds for Southern Essex County. (Including 1636-1637, Clerk of Quarter Courts in Salem & Ipswich). Over the next four decades, John O’Brien would become a champion for the people in his district and nationwide—a forward thinker and solution finder. Over the years, he’s pushed for the advancement of technology while protecting the integrity of the land recordation system. He was also a pioneer in electronic recording of Land Court Documents. There’s a reason why he won a Smithsonian award for innovative use of technology.

“John’s progressive thinking moved all areas of this Registry forward. He lived by the motto ‘How May We Help You!’ operating the Registry like a family-owned business. He hit the street with outreach programs, created a free Property Fraud Watch Alert program, and always had an open-door policy for employees, constituents, friends, and family.

“As this year is about to end, so does John’s tenure as Register. A four-decade career as a public official is quite astonishing. His dedication to the people of the Southern Essex District is an inspiration. The phrase ‘thank you for your service’ seems trivial for the 46 years, 11 months, and 26 days, or 17,161 days he has been in office.

“John, we’ll remember you not only as the longest-serving Register of Southern Essex District Registry of Deeds but as a great man full of humor, wit, and compassion.”

Editor’s Choice: Jake D’Eon of Saugus Boy Scout Troop 62 will finally be getting his Eagle badge at an Eagle Scout Court of Honor that is set for 1 p.m. Sunday (Dec. 3) at the Saugus Elks, at 401 Main St. in Saugus.

Jake is one of those quiet, but confident Eagles who aspired to achieving Scouting’s Highest Honor when he was just a kid. I interviewed him while he was competing in a Cub Scout Pinewood Derby.

As one Eagle to another, I congratulate this outstanding young man and I have high expectations for his future endeavors in whatever career path he chooses.

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 (mv***@*****st.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.

WIN Waste cleanup at Crescent Marsh tomorrow

  WIN Waste Innovations, a sustainable provider of essential waste and recycling services, will sponsor a community cleanup of Crescent Marsh tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 2), in partnership with the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and the state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR). Local political and community leaders, members of the community and employees of the company are expected to collaborate on tomorrow’s cleanup project at Crescent Marsh, which is located at Route 107 North in Saugus between Brown Circle and the WIN Waste Innovations facility. Those who want to join in the cleanup are welcome to park at WIN Waste (100 Salem Turnpike) in Saugus. The cleanup will take place from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Look for the kids and grown-ups gathering and bagging trash and other items. There will be refreshments for participants.

What’s new at the Saugus Public Library?

  There’s always something interesting going on. Here’s a few activities with checking out:

Interested in learning a little about the Saugus Annual Town Meeting? In representative Town Meetings, members elected by the citizens of their precinct participate and directly vote on legislation. Are you a new Town Meeting Member or just an interested citizen who would like to learn more about Town Meeting? From Robert’s Rules of Order to how to get your articles on the ballot, these sessions will help and inform you on the what, why and how of Town Meeting.

One class was recently held. A second session is planned for Monday, Dec. 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library at 295 Central St. in Saugus. Intended for new Town Meeting Members (as well as any other interested citizens) and hosted by Precinct 10 Town Meeting Peter Manoogian, these sessions are free of charge and all members of the public are welcome – no registration required.

The December Art Exhibit will be The Sketch Artist’s Art Exhibit of sketches done in 2023–2023: “Sketches of Our Saugonian Luminaries.”

About The Saugus Advocate

  We welcome press releases, news announcements, freelance articles and courtesy photos from the community. Our deadline is noon Wednesday. If you have a story idea, an article or photo to submit, please email me at mv***@*****st.net, or leave a message at 978-683-7773. Let us become your hometown newspaper. The Saugus Advocate is available in the Saugus Public Library, the Saugus Senior Center, Saugus Town Hall, local convenience stores and restaurants throughout town.