The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

Do you remember what happened on Aug. 9, 1974 – 50 years ago today? The memory of that sad, but historic day when President Richard M. Nixon resigned in disgrace to avoid a Constitutional Crisis created by the Watergate scandal is forever etched in my mind. Vice President Gerald Ford, who was nominated to replace Vice President Spiro Agnew during the previous autumn (Oct. 10, 1973) because of a scandal dating back to Agnew’s days as Maryland’s governor, became the 38th president.

I happened to witness that historic night in the White House as a visiting member of the Washington, D.C., press corps. At the time, I was in the fall semester of my senior year at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, interning at the U.S. Depart of Labor’s Office of Federal Contract Compliance in Washington, D.C. I shared an apartment for four months with four other UMass interns, living within a short walking distance to the U.S. Capitol building.

I also happened to be a cub reporter who worked weekends manning the Northampton Bureau for The Springfield Union while also filing any stories I could report and write in between classes. By the time I graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Journalistic Studies at UMass (Class of 1974), I already had the equivalent of two years of working experience for what was then one of the largest daily newspapers in Massachusetts. That newspaper experience gave me a definite edge in my job search. I had a bunch of front-page clips that came in handy at job interviews.

But the time I spent in Washington, D.C., devouring daily stories written in The Washington Post by Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein – the Pulitzer Prize-winning reporters who busted the Watergate story – were priceless, as was the opportunity for me to write a few stories for papers back in the Bay State, including The Massachusetts Daily Collegian at UMass. It was a memorable time to be a young journalist, whose career path was influenced early by Woodward and Bernstein, whose groundbreaking reporting set in motion the events that toppled the administration of President Nixon.

Eleven years later, at the Florida Bar’s Annual Media Awards banquet in Miami, Florida, I got to meet Washington Post Publisher Katharine Graham. She was the guest speaker and presented me with the Florida Bar’s Grand Prize – which was awarded for the best newspaper story in Florida during 1984. Graham’s brother-in-law, Gov. Bob Graham, had presented me with a ceremonial bill-signing pen the previous year for an investigative series on dozens of convicted felons certified as schoolteachers. The articles were credited with a passage of state law requiring more stringent background checks and fingerprinting of teacher applicants.

 

“No Brats on Bikes”

In the good news department, I haven’t heard a word this summer about “The Brats on Bikes.” That’s the nickname I used in the headlines in a number of news stories during the spring-summer seasons of 2021 and 2022 to describe the unruly kids who would drive their bikes around in packs in very nefarious ways. They would terrorize walkers, joggers, mothers pushing baby carriages and even people driving cars. Even town officials shared horror stories about feeling threatened by “the brats.” Selectmen called for a crackdown by police of the juveniles’ scary conduct.

The “Brats” seemed to disappear last summer and haven’t been heard from since. Perhaps they grew up. But surely the crackdown by police and the start-up of police bike patrols on the rail trail and around town may have been enough to discourage “the brats” from continuing their harassment of Saugus citizens.

 

A Coalition organizing Monday to help kids

There’s a small group of Saugus Citizens planning to meet Aug. 12 at 9:30 a.m. at the Boys & 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.”

 

Coach T.’s Cross Country for kids

The Saugus Youth Cross Country 2024 program for students in Grades 1-5 and 6-8 not running for a school team begins Tuesday, Aug. 27. The popular seasonal running program directed by Coach Chris Tarantino is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. at the track behind Belmonte STEAM Academy and on Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Breakheart Reservation. Training distances: first-third grades at 0.7 miles, fourth-fifth grades at 1.2 miles and sixth-eighth grades at 1.9 miles.

Practice races Saturdays (to be announced) at Frey Park, 285 Walnut St. in Lynn. Other important dates:

• Saturday, Oct. 26, Fun Run practice at Breakheart Reservation. Athletes are encouraged to wear a costume.
• Saturday, Nov. 2, 15th Annual Massachusetts State Middle School Cross Country Invitational at Willard Field, in Devens. More information to be announced.
• Monday, Nov. 11, 10th Annual Massachusetts Elementary School Cross Country Championship; 8:30 a.m. arrival and 9:30 a.m. start at Lynn, Mass., Gannon Golf Course, 60 Great Woods Rd. Lunch will be at Prince Pizzeria following the meet. More information to be announced.
• Program ending Thursday, Nov. 14; wrap up session at Belmonte.

The program cost: $100 for first year; $50 for athletes returning from Cross Country 2023. For more details, please contact Coach T. at 781-854-6778 or email him at christophertarantino24@gmail.com.

 

Founders Day Book Sale Sept. 14

The New Friends of the Saugus Public Library are preparing for their annual Founders Day Book Sale, which is set for Saturday, Sept. 14 in the library’s Community Room. The Friends are requesting donations of gently used adult hardcover and softcover adult, young adult, and children’s books; no text books, encyclopedias, or pamphlets. And please… Donate clean and newer books only; no tattered pages, odors, stains or faded/battered/dirty covers!

Books may be dropped off at the Library’s Main Circulation Desk during normal business hours. Please do not place donations in the outdoor book drops.

The New Friends, a nonprofit organization, is a group of people with an interest in improving the Library building, programs, services and collections. The New Friends sponsor activities and provide services that benefit and stimulate interest in the Saugus Public Library by:

• Presenting free programs for all ages at the Library
• Purchasing museum passes for use by Saugus Public Library patrons
• Purchasing books, videos, magazines and equipment for the Library
• Funding the Library’s online events calendar and museum pass reservation software
• Holding used book sales and the on-going used book sale in the Community Room in addition to other fund-raising events to benefit the Library
• Becoming Library Volunteers

Thank you for your support of the New Friends of the Saugus Public Library.

 

A “shout out” to Lance Penney

Lance Penney, a member of Planet Fitness at 367 Broadway in Saugus, sent this “shout out” to the fitness club: “The home franchise Company reviewed all of their franchisees and awarded Planet Fitness in Saugus as having the cleanest, the most signups, the most efficient, helpful, the most sales and the best service and support to clients.”

 

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 later 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 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. 9) from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity. If you are able to donate to the food pantry, you can also stop by during those hours or drop donations off at the Saugus Public Library during library hours. Please note that the Food Pantry will be closed on August 16.

 

Legion Breakfasts resume next month

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, Sept. 6.

 

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 as we explore different aspects of Breakheart! Meet outside the Visitor Center; rain cancels. 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.