The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

It was just a few years ago that Paul Kourkoulis, owner of The Continental Restaurant (Route 1 northbound just below Walnut Street), had to shut down his restaurant for a few days, but for a positive reason – so a Hollywood filming crew, movie cast and staff could use it for a movie scene. His family’s then 70-year-old eatery was picked as an ideal place to shoot scenes for the 2023 movie, “The Holdovers,” starring Paul Giamatti as a teacher in a New England boarding school who got the unlucky task of chaperoning students who got stuck there on Christmas break.

“Yeah, it certainly does give us visibility. When the movie comes out, whether people will be able to tell whether it’s The Continental or not, I don’t know,” Kourkoulis said in an interview with The Saugus Advocate at the time of the filming back in February of 2022.

“But, just the idea of thousands of people driving by and seeing what’s going on, it’s definitely going to pique their interest. Whether it’s going online looking at The Continental to see what’s being filmed there, yeah, it puts it in people’s minds, I think,” he said.

As things turned out, though, business didn’t exactly flourish after the Hollywood filming crew left town. Many people driving up and down Route 1 this week learned that the popular restaurant plans to close its doors after serving up its last meals on Nov. 24 – the Sunday before Thanksgiving. People with gift cards to The Continental need to use them over the next few weeks.

“Lots of events, annual dinners, birthday, parties, etc. happened at that place over the years as well as just regular lunches and dinners. The popovers were the best!” Laura Eisener opined in an email to me this week.

 

Kayaking on the Saugus River

Laura Eisener offered this observation of an interesting sight she saw last Saturday, along with a photograph to go with this week’s column:

“The last day of Trails and Sails included free kayaking adventures on the Saugus River, sponsored by Saugus Ironworks.

“Coast to Coast Paddleboard and Kayak from Beverly provided the ocean kayaks, which are very stable and almost untippable. The configurable kayaks could be converted from single to tandem, so people could paddle alone or with another person in each. 3 groups of people went out at 1-hour intervals from Stocker Park to paddle along the Saugus River early on Saturday. It was a peaceful morning on the river with beautiful weather.”

 

Food Pantry notes

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Oct. 4) 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 today

The American Legion Post 210 has begun its 2024-25 breakfast season. There’s a good deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. 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.

 

World War II Presentation Wednesday

This just in from Laura Eisener, of the Saugus Historical Society:

“The Saugus Historical Society has a presentation next Wednesday (Oct. 9) on World War II, a continuation of our April theme. Bill Stewart will be speaking on growing up in Saugus during World War II, Jack Klecker will be talking about the Navy career of Saugus high graduate John Howard Currant during the war as well as about the Navy in general, and John Cannon is scheduled to tell the story of the Four Chaplains as well as some recent updates to their moving story. The meeting is at 7 PM at 30 Main Street, and is free and open to the public.”

 

This week’s “SHOUT OUTs”

We had several “Shout Outs” this week. Here are our nominations:

• Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo offered two “Shout Outs”: “A ‘Shout Out’ to the First Baptist Church celebrating their 100th Birthday and to Mother Margretta Green, 90, receiving an Appreciation Award for being the oldest church member. Congratulations!”

“A ‘Shout Out’ for Laurie Davis, Director of the Senior Center and all of her staff for the great job they did putting together the Pasta Dinner Fundraiser last Friday night. The food and entertainment were great. A huge thank you to all who sponsored it. Truly was a fun-filled night!”

• Donna Arone: “I would like to shout out to Saugus DPW for filling in the pits alongside the edge of the road on Dow Street.

“Thank you for all you workers do!

“Now when it rains we don’t have to step in puddles.”

• Margie Berkowitch: “A Big Shout Out to Laurie Davis and staff at the Saugus Senior Center for hosting the best Pasta Dinner Friday Night.”

 

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.

 

Author Laurie King’s virtual visit on Oct. 7

  Residents who use the Saugus Public Library will be able to have an hour-long virtual visit with Laurie King, The New York Times bestselling author of the Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series, via Zoom on Monday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. Mystery lovers everywhere are welcome to meet the writer of one of the most celebrated mystery series – featuring Sherlock Holmes’ apprentice, Mary Russell, and the great detective himself – and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the publication of “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice,” the first book in the series. Follow the unlikely pair from their first meeting when the great detective, now retired, mistakes 15-year-old Mary Russell for a boy, to their most recent adventure uncovering Sherlock Holmes’s family secrets in “The Lantern’s Dance.”

Library visitors can register for An Evening with Laurie King at https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/events or https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform.cfm?curOrg=SAUGUS&curID=722396

Every registrant will be entered to win A Beekeeper’s Apprentice Gift Basket! See photo with this week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.”

 

Town-wide fall street sweeping program continues

The town’s annual fall street sweeping program will continue on Monday, Oct. 7, weather permitting. Sweepers will make their way across town, working from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The work will generally follow the schedule listed below:

• Week of Oct. 7: Precincts 6, 8, 1, 4, 9.
• Week of Oct. 14: Remaining work not accomplished in the areas listed above.

Please use the town precinct maps posted on the town website to identify your precinct.

As the sweeping efforts are based on many variables, including weather, this schedule is subject to frequent changes. Please check back with the town’s website for updates.

Residents are kindly asked to keep vehicles off the street when sweepers are in the area. Locals may assist the Department of Public Works by sweeping their driveways or sidewalks into the gutter area prior to the program’s start. Residents are asked not to sweep driveways and/or sidewalks once the sweepers have swept.

Keep in mind that street sweepers are unable to collect stones, branches, leaves or other foreign objects. In addition, residents are asked to be mindful that sweepers cannot pick up large piles of sand.

If you have any questions, please contact the Department of Public Works at 781-231-4143. Thank you for your patience and consideration.

 

One-Day trash delay for holiday

The Town of Saugus announces that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Indigenous Peoples’ Day holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, Oct. 14, due to the holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Tuesday, Oct. 15. Residents are kindly asked to leave their trash and recycling curbside by 7 a.m. the day after their normally scheduled collection day.

The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

Trivia Night Oct. 17

  The Saugus Business Education Collaborative (SBEC) is gearing up for the 12th Annual Trivia “Travaganza,” which is set for Oct. 17 at 7 p.m. at the Kowloon Restaurant.

All teams and players must be registered in advance. Entry costs $250 per team, with five players to a team. The price includes an all-you-can-eat buffet. The buffet opens at 6 p.m. and ends at 7 p.m. The overall winning team will win a trophy and bragging rights. Registration forms may be picked up at any Saugus public school, at the school administration building, at North Shore Bank (Route 1 South) and at Rossetti Insurance.

Spectators are welcome to cheer on the teams for only $25 per person. The price includes an all-you-can-eat buffet.

Please make checks payable to SBEC. For more registration information, please email Kim Lovett at Klovett@northshore-bank.com

 

Knights planning Oct. 19 flea market and craft fair

The Knights of Columbus Council 1829 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 several 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.

 

Halloween Pet Parade Oct. 20

Breakheart Reservation will be hosting its Second Annual Halloween Pet Parade on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 11:30 a.m. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at Breakheart Reservation (177 Forest St., Saugus). There will be a $10 donation to enter the costume contest – cash only. Prizes will be awarded for best behavior and best pet costume. Raffle prizes will be open to all who donate. This fall event will include the Pet Parade, the Pet Costume Contest, Pet Photo Opportunities, local vendors, raffles and giveaways.

The event is sponsored by the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), the Friends of Breakheart Reservation and Peter A. Rossetti Insurance Agency, Inc. For questions, please call Joyce at 781-233-1855, extension 1019 or Lisa at 781-808-7817.

 

Health and Wellness Fair Oct. 21

The Saugus-Everett Elks and the Saugus Senior Center are teaming up to cosponsor a Health and Wellness Fair on Monday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St., Saugus). There will be a variety of health organizations that will offer free health screenings, educational tables, giveaways, raffles and much more. This is a free event and open to the public for all ages.

 

Saugus DAR prepare for Veterans Day Field of Flags

Preparations for the Fourth Annual Veterans Day Field of Flags to be placed on the lawn of the Saugus Town Hall to honor and remember all veterans on Nov. 11 is underway. The Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring this event to honor all veterans, living or deceased, including those currently serving.

American flags may be sponsored through the Parson Roby Chapter DAR at a cost of $5 each. The flags will be placed on the Saugus Town Hall prior to Nov. 11 and will wave throughout the week until Nov. 12 with your veteran’s name on the flag. Flags may be sponsored to honor a family member, friend, neighbor or employee who has served or is currently serving our country. The deadline to sponsor flags is Oct. 30.

You may send a check ($5 per flag) made payable to Parson Roby Chapter along with the information of the veteran – Name/Rank/Branch of Service/Years or War, if known – to Treasurer, 27 Pearson St., Saugus, MA 01906. After noon on Nov. 11, you can pick up your sponsored flag to either keep or put on a grave.

2021 was our first year sponsoring the Field of Flags and it has been a huge success. So many members of the community stopped by to thank us in remembering our veterans this way. There were over 140 flags sponsored with veterans’ names waving in the wind, and we hope for many more veterans to be sponsored this year. REMEMBER OUR VETERANS!

All proceeds from the Veterans Field of Flags will support the Daughters of the American Revolution’s mission to preserve American history and secure America’s future through education and promoting patriotism. For more information on how to sponsor a flag or on joining the Parson Roby Chapter DAR, please email parsonroby.saugusdar@gmail.com

 

Keeping us in stitches

Children in the second grade and up with an interest in sewing can learn to sew using needle, thread, fabric (and maybe a sewing machine) with their teachers, Miss Joyce and Miss Kristin, Wednesdays, Oct. 9 and the 23rd at 3:30 p.m. at the Saugus Public Library.

 

Halloween clay bobblehead craft

Make a spooky character using air-dry clay and paint on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Saugus Public Library. Registration opens Monday, Oct. 14, for children ages nine to 12.

 

Halloween Costume Party at the Iron Works

There will be costumes, candy and dancing at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site on Thursday, Oct. 31, in a Halloween Costume Parade being organized by the Saugus Public Library. Meet us at the Iron Works in your costume for Halloween Music, a parade and trick or treating. Special guest Matt Heaton will perform seasonal tunes. Please check the online event calendar for weather updates.

 

A Pumpkin Parade at the library

Decorate a pumpkin inspired by a favorite book! Paint it. Dress it. But don’t carve it. Ages three to 12. Drop off the pumpkins between Oct. 16 and Oct. 27. All participants will win a Halloween treat.

 

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.