The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

Spring is just around the corner – just six days away – March 20. While it’s certainly possible that we could get some more snow and cold weather before the calendar hits May, the snow won’t hang around very long.

But don’t put away the shovels and ice scrapers just yet. We’ve had a few blizzards in Massachusetts during the months of April and May. Let us not forget the April Fools’ Day Blizzard of 1997, which buried most of the region with two to three feet of snow. Thirty-three inches of snow fell in Worcester while Logan Airport reported 25.4 inches.

Winter is never over until it’s over. That’s some wise advice.

 

Happy St. Patrick’s Day!

On this coming Monday – March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day will be observed. But the celebration was already underway this past Monday, with restaurants across the region serving up the traditional corned beef with cabbage, potatoes and carrots.

Drivers, be careful out there this weekend as you travel on the roads. Beware of the driver who’s had too much to drink. St. Patrick’s Day is one of those drinking holidays where quite a few of those who like to celebrate with some Irish brew don’t know their limitations.

Many years ago while on the cop beat with The Eagle-Tribune of North Andover, I asked a lieutenant for permission to ride with him on the streets of Lawrence for the entire early night shift. And what I observed confirmed my suspicions that St. Patrick’s Day was a big party day. I remember observing a lot of stupid crime that night which turned out to be booze-related.

 

Here’s to a super Saugus 4-1-1

I’m curious to see how big a crowd that this year’s Saugus 4-1-1 will draw tomorrow (Saturday, March 15) at the Saugus Middle-High School. This is a town election year. I would think that anyone who is seriously interested in running for Town Meeting or a seat on the Board of Selectmen, School Committee or Housing Authority would use tomorrow’s forum as an opportunity to become a more polished candidate. Or, if they’re a newcomer, they would seize the opportunity to become better oriented to town government. Whether a person is a veteran candidate or a beginner, there would also be a chance to meet a lot of people.

In fact, to the readers who are entertaining a possible first-time run for town office this fall, I would recommend that they check out this valuable forum as a source of great knowledge on what they need to do to become a candidate. Get knowledge and get known. Shake as many hands as you can during the three hours (9 a.m. to noon).

I’ve been to the two previous forums held in 2022 and 2023, and I was impressed with the level of access that Saugus citizens had to some invaluable information about the town. And as far as people new to the community, this is a great opportunity for them to learn all sorts of things about the Town of Saugus. It’s a great introduction for young and inquiring Saugonians to expand their knowledge about their hometown.

 

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. Food drives resumed this month.

 

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”

Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian offered this compliment to Finance Director & Treasurer/Collector Wendy Hatch after a pleasant experience he received at the Treasurer/Collector’s Office: “Yesterday I paid a bill with Karen DeFeo. I just want to say how grateful I am for the professional respectful interaction that all of your staff provide with the public. It does not go unnoticed. Of course, your leadership has a lot to do with how that office runs and how your staff treats the public. Just wanted to reach out and share these thoughts.”

  Lin Bell offered these words of praise for a generous stranger’s kind and generous act: “Would like to give a Shout Out to the lovely woman at Lowe’s who gave me the balance of her gift card while checking out at Lowe’s Saturday afternoon!”

Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo made this nomination to recognize one of Saugus’ beloved public servants: “This ‘Shout Out’ is for Laurie Davis, Director of the Senior Center. Laurie is being honored as Person of the Year for 2025 by the Essex Media Group. Congratulations Laurie!”

 

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 (mv***@co*****.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.

 

Meetings on Stocker Playground dog park

The Conservation Commission is scheduled to meet next Wednesday (March 19) at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Annex Meeting Room at 25  Main St. to resume last month’s consideration of a Notice of Intent (NOI) for the proposed dog park at Stocker Playground. In preparation for that meeting, the ConCom has scheduled a site review at Stocker Playground at 9 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, March 15).

At last month’s meeting, ConCom members heard testimony from citizens who support or oppose the dog park project at Stocker Playground.

The ConCom will consider whether the project is environmentally safe and does not harm the wetlands near the project site.

 

The SHS Alumni Association announces scholarships

The Saugus High School Alumni Association will be awarding Scholarships to graduating seniors again this June. Applications for Alumni Association Scholarships may be obtained from the Guidance Office. Students need to complete the application at home. Seniors should attend a brief meeting in the school library on Thursday, May 1, between 2:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. to answer two questions and attach their application.

Scholarships will be awarded to successful candidates in the amounts of $1,000 to $5,000. Seniors are encouraged to apply. There will be a minimum of 10 Scholarships awarded this year. Students pursuing further education at the college/university level, nursing and trade schools are encouraged to participate.

 

Saugus Little League Parade April 12

Saugus Little League President John Benoit was at Tuesday night’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting to request permission to hold a parade to celebrate Opening Day on Saturday, April 12. For the second year in a row, Saugus Little League will join up with Saugus Softball Little League for the parade, which will exit the parking lot of the Belmonte STEAM Academy at 9 a.m., turn left onto Adams Avenue, onto Central Avenue and left onto Hurd Avenue up to Grabowski Field. Selectmen approved the parade route.

Guy Moley is working on getting 20 show cars to join in the parade, according to Benoit.

 

Student Government Day returns

Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta announced this week that Saugus High School students will get to participate in a Student Government Day on May 1 in the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall. The program will include a mock Board of Selectmen’s meeting with students acting as selectmen based on an agenda. There will also be a mock School Committee meeting as well as a mock Town Meeting, with students acting out their roles as tomorrow’s leaders of Saugus town government.

Stay tuned.

 

Memorial Day observances

Plans are already in the works for this year’s annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony, which is set for Saturday, May 24. Contact the Saugus Veterans Council if you would like to help out. Council Commander Steve Castinetti can be reached at 781-389-3678 or st*************@co*****.net.

 

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 previous classes, there are still two more workshops scheduled: March 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.

• Needlecrafting: Hello to fans of Needlecrafting: knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch, embroidery, etc. The SPL Needlecrafting Group will be on Thursday, March 20, from 10–11 a.m. in the Brooks Room. No registration needed, drop ins welcome. Bring your Work in Progress and enjoy the conversation. Cocoa and tea will be provided. Any questions, call Reference at 781-231-4168
• Game Night: We will be having a Game Night program on Monday, March 24, from 4:00-5:30 in the Teen Room. There will be board games, card games and a lot of fun to be had by all! Laugh and play with friends. Call 781-231-4168 or access rh*********@no******.org
• Watercolor heart mosaic: Please join us for creating a watercolor heart mosaic taught by a professional! This event will be in the Brooks Room from 1:00-2:30 on Saturday, March 29. Registration required – 5th grade and up.
• Slime Night: Would you like to make slime? Join us on March 17 (5th grade and up) in the Brooks Room at 4:00. Prepare to get Yucky!

 

Saugus Sachems Spring Track Program 2025

Coach Christopher Tarantino – also known affectionately as “Coach T” – announced 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.

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 ch********************@gm***.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 mv***@co*****.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.