The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

  It was quite a surprise when I walked into the Town Manager’s Office on Monday and ran into Mike Gaffney. He was the heart and soul of the once-proud Saugus Advertiser, where he worked covering Saugus for 18 years as the paper’s editor and as a reporter, before he left in the fall in 2022 to take the job as Community Engagement and Communications Coordinator for Gloucester Public Schools.

Sure, Mike was definitely my chief competitor while he was working as the Advertiser’s editor. But I didn’t really look at him like I’ve looked at most competitors in my 50-year-plus career. He was a nice guy and a class act and did his job well in covering the town he loved – and still loves. A gentleman who I always enjoyed talking with during intermissions at Saugus Board of Selectmen’s meetings and Town Meeting.

Actually, I would have preferred to see him remain as Advertiser editor. There was more than enough news for the both of us to cover in Saugus. He was a credit to the journalism profession, concentrating his efforts to providing a solid community weekly newspaper in the best tradition of New England newspapering.

Well, Michael is back in town, having accepted the position of Media Website Content Manager for the Town of Saugus. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree created the position primarily to improve the town’s website and public information/communications. He will no doubt be a welcome addition down at Town Hall, providing the kind of useful information that citizens have been craving and selectmen have been seeking for some time.

His work ethic, journalism expertise and vast knowledge of Saugus should benefit the community immensely. Mike brings a lot of integrity to the job in addition to his many talents. I look forward to sitting down with him soon for an “Advocate Asks” interview to let our readers know what to expect. Stay tuned.

 

A Coalition to help kids

There’s a small group of Saugus Citizens planning to meet Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the Boys and Girls Club Teen Center at the Square One Mall.

“We started in May, so we are still in the beginning stages of planning, but wanted to get the word out about what we are doing,” Amy Chiaravalloti told me in a phone conversation this week.

Curious about this group, I went on the Internet to check out Amy’s background. As it turned out, Amy is a Saugus resident who works in the healthcare field and has been involved in organizing similar groups in Wakefield.

Amy pretty much stuck to the script of the following press release, which we decided to reprint in its entirety in case there are people who are out there in the community who are concerned about the youth of Saugus. Here we go:

“Recently, a group of community stakeholders in Saugus joined together to create a prevention coalition in Saugus. In response to the rising concerns surrounding underage substance use and behavioral health challenges, we came together to try and provide the youth of Saugus with resources and support to prevent substance misuse and assist with behavioral health challenges. The goal of this group is to improve and assist the quality of life for youth in the community through positive youth experiences in a safe adult supported environment. Coalition members include parents, members of town government, representatives from local youth serving organizations, police and fire officials. We look forward to incorporating the youth voice into the coalition during the 2024-2025 school year. We are working on activities and initiatives that will help parents gain the tools necessary to talk to their kids about challenging subjects like underage drinking, vaping, bullying, healthy relationships and mental health challenges. Be sure to look for our table with helpful resources at local events like the community health fair on 6/25 and Founder’s Day in September. For more information about the Saugus Prevention Coalition, please email saugusyouthcoalition@gmail.com.”

I guess I might check out that meeting on Aug. 12. Stay tuned.

 

Mega “shout outs” to youth league coaches and volunteers

  We didn’t receive any nominations from readers this week to publicly acknowledge good deeds that lead to the betterment of Saugus. So, I will use this space to commend the efforts of coaches and volunteers that assist all youth sports in town. We have less than a month to go before kids head back to school. But there’s still some fun for kids to have on the playing fields. Those kids and their parents should express some gratitude for all of the coaches and volunteers who are the backbone of youth sports.

 

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.

 

Founders Day date change

Founders Day, one of the most popular town events of the year, will be a week late this year. It’s usually observed on the first Saturday in September. This year, it will be observed on Sept. 14 instead of Sept. 7.

 

Knights begin planning flea market and craft fair

  The Knights of Columbus Council 1829 announced recently that it plans to hold its Festive Holiday Flea Market and Craft Fair on Saturday, Oct. 19 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 57 Appleton St. The huge indoor affair is still weeks away. But it’s not too early for participants to begin planning. Vendor space for this year’s event will be $30 with free admission and free parking to go along with raffles, food and fun.

Anyone with questions should call the Knights of Columbus at 781-233-9858. For more information, Paul Giannetta can also be reached at 978-239-1392.

 

What’s happening at the Saugus Public Library

For schoolchildren looking for interesting projects and programs to participate in this fall, there’s plenty to do at the Saugus Public Library. There are some very good programs offered for grownups, too.

 

Community Garden volunteers welcomed

  If you love gardening and would love to volunteer a few hours for a good cause this summer, offer your services at the Community Garden at St. John’s Episcopal Church. Volunteers are welcome to come any Friday or Saturday morning for the rest of the summer to help weed and nurture the crops. If these times are difficult, arrangements can be made for other days. For details, contact The Rev. John Beach at St. John’s Episcopal Church (revjbeach@gmail.com).

 

Food Pantry notes

  The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today ( Friday, Aug. 2) from 9:30-11a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church.

 

Legion Breakfasts over for summer

  American Legion Post 210 would like to thank all those who made the 2023-24 breakfast season such a success, and wish them a wonderful summer. We will resume serving breakfast on Friday, September 6, 2024.

 

August Events at the Kowloon

Here’s what’s happening this month at the Kowloon Restaurant: The Kowloon Restaurant (located at 948 Broadway, Route 1 North, Saugus) sets “The Local Connection Acoustic Mic,” night on August 18 from 6 to 9 p.m. All ages and genres are invited. A rain date is set for August 25. Admission is free, no tickets are required. For more information, call the Kowloon Restaurant at 781-233-0077 or access online at www.kowloonrestaurant.com

 

What’s breaking at Breakheart

On Thursdays throughout August, the Visitor Center will host a Wild Breakheart Series from 10–11 a.m. Join us for this rotating nature series as we explore different aspects of Breakheart! Meet outside the Visitor Center; rain cancels. During July, it will be Tree ID – explore the park and discover what trees are in the park and how to identify them. In August, park visitors can participate in Animal Exploration – enjoy discovering what animals call Breakheart home!

On Saturdays throughout August, there will be an Easy, Breezy, Beautiful Hike from 1:30–3:30 p.m. Join the Park Interpreter for this weekly guided hike! Each trip will highlight natural and historic features that make Breakheart unique. Hikes will be moderately paced and range from two to three miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain; best for ages eight years and up. Meet at the Visitor Center. Rain cancels.

On Fridays throughout August, the Visitor Center will host a Kidleidoscope from 10:30–11:30 a.m. Come join our park interpreter for a story time and nature walk! Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately one mile, though not accessible for strollers; appropriate for families with children three to five years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.

There will be Family Fishing on Saturdays throughout August from 9:30–11:00 a.m. at Camp Nihan (131 Walnut St.). Join our park interpreter for a drop-in fishing program! Learn how to fish, what fish live in our ponds and how to catch and release responsibly. Bait and a handful of rods will be provided, but feel free to bring your own gear and fish with us and share your tips! No license is required to fish in this program; appropriate for families with children five years old and up. Meet at Camp Nihan. Rain cancels.

 

CHaRM Center is open

  The Town of Saugus announced that the CHaRM Center is open Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents will be required to buy a $25 Sticker to use the Compost Facilities as well as to recycle hard plastics. The rest of the Facility’s features are free to use for any Saugus resident. Residents are also allowed three TVs or computers/CRT monitors for free per household each year. The Town of Saugus reserves the right to refuse any material if quantity or quality is questionable.

The final date the CHaRM Center will be open for the season is December 14. However, the Facility will be open the following winter dates, weather permitting: January 18, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; February 15, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; March 15, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

Brick program for Saugus War Monument

The Saugus War Monument Committee, once again, is sponsoring the Buy-A-Brick Program to honor all those who have served their country. If you would like to purchase one in the name of someone who is presently serving or has served, in the memory of a loved one, or just someone from your family, school, etc., the general pricing is $100 for a 4″ X 8″ brick (three lines) or $200 for an 8″ X 8″ brick (five lines). Each line is a maximum of 15 characters. The improvement and upkeep of the monument on the corner of Winter and Central Streets rely on the generosity of donors through fundraising.

The brick application must be in by Sept. 10 to ensure the bricks will be ready for Veterans Day. Please contact Corinne Riley at 781-231-7995 for more information and applications.

 

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 mvoge@comcast.net or leave a message at 978-683-7773. Or send your press release to me in the mail at PO Box 485, North Andover, MA 01845. 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.