The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

 

  Hope you are having a great summer – one that has brought your family and friends fun, happiness, good health and great memories.

As far as most of the town residents are concerned, there are 11 days on the calendar until the official start of a new school year. Classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 27. And there’s always a lot going on for families of school-age kids this time of year, whether it’s updating the wardrobe or getting haircuts or hairdos and acclimating schedules. It will be a time of major transition for the kids going into the first grade as well as the seniors of the Class of 2025, who will be making future plans for life after graduation – whether it be college, the military or a career.

Autumn is a great time of the year. Other than the task of blowing and raking the leaves in my yard, it’s my favorite season. I love the turning of the leaves, which feature the brilliant gold, brown and orange colors. Football season makes it fun for the rooting fan, whether it’s High School, College or the Pros.

We’re already two-thirds of the way through the calendar year. But we’re just beginning a new academic school year full of promise, new challenges, new goals and high expectations. To the families of school-age kids, the best to you and yours for a safe, prosperous and healthy new academic year. Likewise, best wishes to the faculty and staff who have been working and planning all summer for the start of school.

 

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.

 

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.

 

Food Pantry notes

  The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be closed today ( Friday, Aug. 16). It will reopen again next Friday (Aug. 23) 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.

 

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.

 

Coach T.’s Cross Country for kids starts soon

  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: 1st-3rd grades at 0.7 miles, 4th-5th grades at 1.2 miles and 6th-8th grades at 1.9 miles.

Practice races on 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. at 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.

 

A “Shout Out” to all of the parents

  We didn’t receive any nominations this week from readers who want to publicly acknowledge or show appreciation to who has helped make Saugus a better place. So this week’s “Shout Out” goes to the parents of those kids who are the heart and soul of Saugus Public Schools. Hats off for all you do to be a positive force in the lives of your children.

 

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.

 

Non-profit weight loss group plans “Open House”

  TOPS MA 50 Saugus will be holding an “Open House” on Aug. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Kelly’s on Route 1 (Southbound side). Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) is a nonprofit weight loss support group organization. The group’s meetings are held on Monday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. at East Saugus Methodist Church (85 Chestnut St., Saugus). The Hall Room, which is level to the street, is handicap accessible. Weigh in time is anytime between 5:45 and 6:45. Guests are welcome to the first meeting to learn what the group is about. Anyone interested in the Aug. 24 Open House should call 617-394-8340 or send an email to TOPS50MA@gmail.com.

 “I sure hope that we can interest more people to get healthy and join our chapter,” said Julie Virnelli, the leader of the TOPS Club, Saugus MA 50.

 

Elks plan Alcohol/Drug Recovery program Sept. 16

  The Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee is sponsoring an Alcohol and Drug Recovery presentation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept.16 at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St. in Saugus). This will be an hour-long presentation to be conducted by Sober Shuttle Inc. explaining the benefits offered to recovering individuals. This is a free event and people who are interested are welcome to attend. If you or someone you know would like to know more about these services, you should not miss this informative event. Some services provided are cost-free transportation into treatment, recovery coach services, placement assistance, food assistance, clothing assistance, community engagement and much more. Light refreshments will be served.

Call the Saugus Senior Center to attend at 781-231-4178. Walk-in’s are also welcome.

 

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).

 

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

 

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.