The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

There’s only two more days until the town hosts the first Saugus Cultural Festival, which is set for Sunday, Feb. 23 at Saugus Middle High School from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This inclusive and family-friendly event will celebrate Saugus’ cultural diversity through the showcase of food, performances and other activities, according to Tori Darnell, Co-chair of the Saugus Cultural Council – the event’s organizers.

The Cultural Council has invited musicians, dancers, poets, actors and artists of all kinds to showcase their talents on the local stage. There will also be food vendors on hand to share their culinary creations with festival-goers.

This is a great opportunity to share new experiences with the community and participate in an event that is truly unique to Saugus. Joseph “Dennis” Gould, who co-chairs the Cultural Council with Darnell, said he learned that there are at least 25 different languages spoken in Saugus. Wouldn’t it be neat to hear residents speak those languages at the event?

Wouldn’t it be neat to sample some of the exotic food that’s prepared by Saugus residents who immigrated to this country in pursuit of the American Dream? And wouldn’t it be neat to watch some of these talented people perform?

Well, if you are not doing anything on Sunday, head over to the High School between the hours of 11 a.m. and 3 p.m.

The Cultural Council and the small core of other volunteers working with the council wrapped up their planning on Tuesday night. Darnell told The Saugus Advocate that the final planning session for the festival was a productive one. Items completed on the punch list included the following: volunteer badges, a land acknowledgment statement supported by the Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness (MCNAA), finalized vendor tables and volunteer schedules.

“We confirmed that representatives from the Mass Cultural Council and MCNAA plan to attend the festival,” Darnell said.

Darnell followed up a busy night with another busy one on Wednesday when she was the guest speaker at the Saugus Lions Club, which had its dinner meeting at Polcari’s. Dining with the Lions was a great opportunity to spread the word about the upcoming event.

To learn more information about the Saugus Cultural Festival, please contact the Cultural Council at email – saugusculturalcouncil@gmail.com – or by phone: 339-440-1017.

 

Saugus 4-1-1 set for March 15

Planning for The Saugus 4-1-1 forum that is scheduled for March 15 at the Saugus Middle High School continues. This is the special event aimed at briefing new residents, as well as those folks who have lived in Saugus for years, on what the town has to offer.

“The letters were mailed to all the nonprofits last week, and we already have 15 tables secured for the event,” Selectman Corinne Riley said this week in an email to The Saugus Advocate.

“Letters to the recently moved-in residents will be mailed beginning of next week. We have a new participant this year from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts after a Troop Leader of Saugus referred me to them. They will be giving out information to try to get volunteers to become much needed Troop Leaders,” she said. “We have already heard from the Garden Club, Saugus Fire Department, Saugus Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, Saugus Youth Football and Cheer, SCTV….Just to name a few.”

Selectman Riley was the driving force behind the nifty program, which had two previous well-attended Saturdays at the Saugus Middle High School in recent years (2022 and 2023). Stay tuned for more details.

 

Legion Breakfasts today

There’s a good deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2024-25 season. 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.

 

This week’s “SHOUT OUTs”

  We didn’t receive any nominations this week from readers who want to recommend Saugonians who they believe are worthy of special recognition for doing something that should make the town proud.

That’s a shame, because there are so many things going on in town which too often get overshadowed by a down and dirty brand of Saugus politics – especially in a town election year.

Using my editorial discretion, I’ll dedicate a super “shout out” for all of those volunteers who have helped organize the First Annual Saugus Cultural Festival, which is set for Sunday (Feb. 23) from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Saugus Middle High School. Members of the Saugus Cultural Council are especially deserving of high praise for their collective planning that went into an event that was designed to showcase the diversity of Saugus residents in the area of food and performances. Hats off to Joseph “Dennis” Gould, one of the council’s co-chairs, for proposing the idea shortly after joining the council last year, and the other co-chair – Tori Darnell – for her tireless efforts to promote the first-ever Saugus event. Also kudos for the entire staff and the legion of volunteers who made it all possible.

I would also like to extend a “shout out” to the members of the Saugus Fire Department and friends who participated in the BFit Challenge at TD Garden earlier this month. The funds they raised go directly to the Professional Fire Fighters of Massachusetts’ New England Firefighter Cancer Fund.

 

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.

 

February Fireside Chats at Breakheart

For a period of consecutive Wednesday mornings, through Feb. 26, Breakheart Reservation will host a Fireside Chat at its Christopher P. Dunne Memorial Visitor Center (177 Forest St., Saugus) from 10 to 11 a.m. Each week come warm up by a fire and join a staff member from the state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) who will be sharing their expertise and experiences at our parks. DCR staff goes well beyond the people you normally meet in the parks. There are many “behind the scenes” experts who are excited to share their role in keeping the park properties safe and healthy for the public.

The lineup for the final Fireside Chat is as follows: Feb. 26, Eric Seaborn, Director of Natural Resources.

 

Countdown Till Saugus Town Meeting

Beginning next week, in our Feb. 28 issue of The Saugus Advocate, we will for the second consecutive year publish a series of articles titled “Countdown Till Saugus Town Meeting.” The 2025 Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 5. As a special service to our readers and the registered voters of Saugus, we will reach out to the 50 Town Meeting members, focusing on one precinct each week, in the weeks leading up to the start of Town Meeting, asking members about their expectations for the upcoming Town Meeting. Next week, we will reach out for comment from the five Town Meeting Members in Precinct 1.

Like last year, we will ask each of the Town Meeting members these four questions:

Question One: What do you consider the top priority for the town as you prepare for the opening of the 2025 Town Meeting session?

Question Two: What do you consider the top priority for residents in your precinct as you prepare for the opening of the 2025 Town Meeting session?

Question Three: Are you working independently or in collaboration with other members on articles to be introduced for this year’s Town Meeting? Could you please elaborate? Summarize your article and what you hope to accomplish.

Question Four: Please feel free to share any other views about the upcoming Town Meeting.

The purpose of the column is to inform the public about key issues and ideas that are in the works as the Town Meeting season approaches. This is also intended as a forum to connect residents in each of the precincts with the five people who represent them in the Legislative branch of Saugus Town government.

 

Town Democrats meet March 4

The Saugus Democratic Town Committee announced this week that their Feb. 26 meeting has been rescheduled to Tuesday, March 4 at 7 p.m. on the second floor of the Saugus Public Safety Building at 27 Hamilton St.

 

Special DAR Program March 8

Here’s a special invitation from the local Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR), who will host a special program on Saturday, March 8, at 11 a.m. in the Saugus High School Auditorium at Pearce Drive in Saugus:

“An event worth attending – the Women’s Issue Project with Ms. Jasmine Grace, guest speaker and founder of Jasmine Grace Ministries – Bags of Hope which is a non-profit organization dedicated to the cause of rescuing young people who are affected by trafficking, prostitution, addiction and homelessness.

“Jasmine Grace grew up in our town, Saugus and appeared to be living a normal life. She attended school and lived at home, but something very sinister was happening. She met a man at a local club at a very young age and slowly … he groomed her into a life of human trafficking, lasting for years. When she was finally able to break away from his hold, she started a non-profit organization to help and assist both young men and women by offering a path to freedom from human trafficking.

“Her presentation is both sad and powerful and filled with stories of innocent victims who found themselves brainwashed and victimized. She explains how she was able to survive and finally breakthrough escaping the grips of her [capturers].

“This is a free event; however, we kindly ask that you donate an item needed for the Bags of Hope. Our goal is to fill 30 Bags of Hope to donate to her cause. Items still needed are: Shower Gel, Shampoo 12 oz, Conditioner 12 oz, Hats, Deodorant, Visine, Body Lotion, Hair brush, Nail Polish, Socks, Toothbrush, ChapStick, Hair Ties, Water Bottle, Shower Puff, Floss, Mittens/Gloves, Trail Mix.

“For any questions or concerns, please contact Gail Cassarino, Regent – Parson Roby Chapter NSDAR (National Society Daughters of the American Revolution) at parsonroby.saugusdar@gmail.com or Janice Jarosz, at 339-222- 2178.”

 

What’s going on at the library

• A workshop for aspiring writers: Pen to Paper: A Writing Workshop, by Laura Eisener, local journalist, historian and horticulturist. For those folks who missed the past Tuesday class, there are still four more workshops scheduled – Feb. 25 and March 11, 18 and 25 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor of the Saugus Public Library at 295 Central St. in Saugus.

Do you want to write? Perhaps you have thought about starting a blog, creating a memoir, writing your sixth murder mystery in a series, developing a series of articles, explaining how to knit or recreate a special family recipe or writing a textbook or the great American novel? Whatever your level of experience, goals or preferred literary genre, this free workshop can help you enjoy writing more and encourage you to keep at it. We will use a combination of discussions, prompts and writing exercises to give you new incentives and confidence. There is some optional “homework,” but no preregistration is required, and you can attend as often as your schedule allows.

• Styling with vintage & thrifted fashion: Saturday, February 22 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Community Room; Karen (Ren) Antonowicz from Spirits of Fashion will be presenting the program. Did you know that you can create a unique wardrobe that suits your “style personality” without breaking the bank? Join us for this fun styling workshop where we explore ways to treasure hunt for vintage and secondhand clothing and accessories that speak to you and will inspire a new way of dressing. Fill your own closet with a personalized wardrobe that will bring you joy for years to come. Registration began Saturday, Feb. 8, on our online Events Calendar – sauguspubliclibrary.org
• Watercolor Heart Mosaic: Please join us for creating a watercolor heart mosaic – with a professional! This event will be in the Brooks Room from 5:30-7:00 on Monday, February 24. Registration required – 5th grade and up.
• Cookie decorating: Come join us for our cookie decorating program! We will be having a professional come over on Monday, March 3, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor. Fifth grade and up – registration required.

 

Saugus Sachems Spring Track Program 2025

Coach Christopher Tarantino – also known affectionately as “Coach T” – announced this week plans for his Spring Track Program. “This program is geared toward new track and field athletes. It will prepare them for the larger-scale summer camp,” Coach T said in an email this week.

Here’s a summary of what interested kids and their parents need to know:

Who: Grades K-5^th.

Where: Belmonte Track.

When: 4:00-5:15 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays; May 6-June 12.

Cost: $100 first year, $50 if returning.

For any questions, further information or to register, please contact Coach Christopher Tarantino (Coach T) at 781-854-6778 or christophertarantino24@gmail.com

 

About The Saugus Advocate

We welcome press releases, news announcements, freelance articles and courtesy photos from the community. Our deadline is 6 p.m. on Tuesday. If you have a story idea, an article or a 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.