Saugonians at the Topsfield Fair

Several town residents impressed the judges in their respective competition categories at this year’s event

By Laura Eisener

Phyllis Berrett won Best of Show for her honey-flavored brioche in the “cooking with honey” competition and second prize for a carrot vertical layer cake in the same event, made like a jelly roll cake but sideways for an unexpected direction of layers! Phyllis is a volunteer and coach for cooking competitions in Coolidge Hall. Her daughter Lori Burke is Mrs. Essex County for this year, reigning until a new one is crowned on Sunday. She has had quite a year – attending many events, especially this week at the fair!

Saugus beekeepers have been busy as bees this year, if their exhibits at the Topsfield Fair are anything to go by. The beekeeping Duggan family has been tending their hives for many years now, and they are the ones to watch when the Topsfield Fair time rolls around. Ryan Duggan won first prize for his beekeeping-themed curio shelf in the beekeeping building, and his mother, Dorie Duggan, won second prize in that same contest. The tables were turned in the handmade beeswax candle competition, where Dorie won first prize and Ryan’s exhibit came in second. In yet another competition, Ryan won second prize for his drawing of a beekeeper and hive. Ryan also won first prize for a beekeeping tool he forged in the blacksmith shop at Saugus Iron Works! He racked up so many points in the varied contests that he was awarded a big blue ribbon for most points in the Adult class of the beekeeping building.

Margie Berkowitch exhibited two large quilts at Coolidge Hall, the Home Arts building, both of which looked stunning hanging from the rafters during the fair. Each won second prize. Margie’s quilting prowess is well known in town. She is a longtime member of the Hammersmith Quilt Guild and has several times contributed wall quilts for the silent auction at the annual Strawberry Festival. Her daughter Gretchen, who no longer lives in Saugus, also had a quilt in the Topsfield Fair. Another member of the Hammersmith Quilt Guild, Dale DeLuca, a resident of Lynn, had some beautiful quilts on display at the show: a red and white heart quilt and one featuring sheep, a very appropriate theme for an agricultural fair.

Also, some members of the Saugus Garden Club exhibited some cut branches and flowers in the Flowers pavilion at the fair. Because of the perishable nature of cut flowers, the show has one display in the first half of the fair, Friday until Tuesday, and another display in the second exhibit, which began October 9. Garden Club President Donna Manoogian and her daughter Myra Monte served as volunteer hostesses for several hours on Wednesday in the Flowers pavilion.

The fair has been held almost continuously since 1818, with a few breaks for the Civil War, Influenza of 1918 and part of World War II.

If I have missed anyone from Saugus who had an exhibit or otherwise participated in the Topsfield Fair this year, please let Laura Eisener know at LDELD@shore.net.