Strawberry Festival raises nearly $1K for Historical Society

By Tara Vocino

Saturday’s Strawberry Festival raised approximately $500 to $1,000 to benefit the Saugus Historical Society at the American Legion.

“June was the only time you could grow strawberries,” Historical Society President Laura Eisener said. “It is one of the first fruits to ripen of the season.”

Eisener was dressed in a bonnet, representing how Saugus was farmland in the 1980s, which is when the Historical Society first began the Strawberry Festival tradition.

Besides the festival, the society puts on six lectures a year, including spring programs that honored Medal of Honor recipient Arthur DeFranzo, who was the first casualty of Worl War II in Saugus, and early industrialist Edward Pranker who built the mills on Central and Elm Streets, which still stand. The Garden Club is an important addition to the festival, as they sold plants outside on the lawn.

Margie Berkowitch made a strawberry quilt, and Eisener thanked the American Legion for letting the Historical Society use the building for the day. Saugus Historical Society Secretary Joanie Allbee said they had last minute necessary cancelations that would have left a lot of triple multitasking duties, and volunteer Linda Call stepped up, rolled up her sleeves, pitched right in, cutting the strawberry shortcakes and the fresh strawberries. Also, volunteer Karen Rakinic showed up and served strawberries with Allbee until the end, doing an excellent job at customer service.

Sitting at a table were sisters Lucia Beechwood, 7, and Maya Beechwood, 5, with their mother, Carolina Beechwood, who said it was the best shortcake they ever had and they’d come back for more. Topping choices were strawberries or mixed berries. “We’re always trying to get involved with the community,” Carolina Beechwood said. “We’re always looking for family-friendly activities to enjoy together.”

At another table was Tonya Chadwick, who said she loves her community and she’s been attending the festival for at least 20 years. “You get to see people who you don’t see on a regular basis,” said Chadwick, who saw her high school classmate Christopher Tarantino at the event. “We are going to check out the jewelry vendors after we eat our shortcakes.”

Chadwick stressed the importance of attending the annual event, because if people don’t go, it’ll go away, and that will be sad.

One of many enjoying a shortcake was Wendy Swible, who said she likes to support the Historical Society. “It’s good to know your neighbors,” Swible said. “How else do you know your neighbors?” She said the shortcakes and hot dogs were delicious.

Their dog, Chloe, 11, who is a chihuahua and dachshund, enjoyed a scoop of whipped cream and a hot dog.

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