The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

Town Election 2025 is definitely on, at least unofficially. Officially, the election cycle will begin three weeks from Monday (July 21) when candidates will be able to pull their nomination papers from the Town Clerk’s Office. But Precinct 7 Town Meeting Frank Federico got the campaign season started early by declaring himself a candidate for one of the five seats on the Board of Selectmen. He had a political function at the VFW that he said raised about $4,000 for his campaign war chest.

I’ve spoken with one other candidate who also may be declaring shortly. Stay tuned for that development if and when it happens.

In the name of fair play, I would be glad to sit down with any candidate for the Board of Selectmen over tea or coffee for an interview on why you are running and the background that qualifies you to serve on one of the town’s most important elected positions. I will also make the same offer for candidates seeking a two-year term on the Saugus School Committee.

The Town Clerk’s Office will decide who the official candidates are for this fall’s town election shortly after Sept. 16 – the deadline for filing the required nomination papers. But if you want to commence your campaign as soon as possible and get the word out earlier, feel free to contact me to schedule an interview. And this offer applies to challengers and incumbents alike.

Stay tuned.

 

A “Zip Trip” today

Today should be a fun and exciting day for Saugus folks who happen to be hanging around Saugus Center, particularly near the entrance to the historic Town Hall. How does three hours of live telecasting of Saugus people sound? From the young at heart to the senior citizens; from ordinary folks to prominent town officials and community leaders; from some of the most interesting folks of Saugus you would ever want to meet. Does that sound good?

Well, it’s all part of a “Zip Trip” that Boston 25 has been planning for weeks to do – live from 7 to 10 a.m. today – Friday, June 27. Jessica Howard DeThomas, the Senior Morning Producer for the television station, tells me they will spend a few hours this morning interviewing Saugus folks about what makes the town special.

With the event taking place at Town Hall, about the best ambassador you can have from Saugus would be Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree. And Jessica tells me she’s expecting him to be there to opine about the attractions of his hometown.

There will be a special guest from the Giggles Comedy Club, Janice Jarosz from the Parson Roby Chapter of Daughters of the American Revolution (DAR) and Saugus Veterans Council President Steve Castinetti are among some of the prominent community leaders who will be there. Dance Junction dancers from Saugus will perform and there will be representatives from Saugus Karate, Saugus Little League and other groups on hand. Some will perform. Others will share with Boston 25 their views on what makes Saugus a special town on the North Shore. Jessica tells me there will be a few tents set up by local businesses who will participate in the event.

If you happen to be free today, catch up with the crowd camped outside of Town Hall. Be a passive observer or be passionate in talking about the town if the camera lights shine on you!

How often do Saugonians get three hours of facetime on live TV for a non-sporting event? The last time Saugus was the subject of a Boston 25 “Zip Trip” was 2011.

 

This week’s “SHOUT OUTs”

We had a few “Shout Outs” this week:

From weekly Saugus Advocate columnist Laura Eisener: “I’d like to give some shoutouts to people who helped at the strawberry festival: Joanie Allbee, Karen Rakinic, Randy Abber, Jayne Parrott, and Allen Humphries who spent most of the day in the Legion Hall preparing and selling shortcakes, hot dogs, etc. and to the Saugus Garden Club and all the vendors who enlivened the Roby School lawn on Saturday.”

From Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo: “This ‘Shout Out’ is for Eric who works for the DPW as summer help. I met Eric this morning picking up the trash in Cliftondale Square with a bucket and a stick. Such a hard working and friendly young man. So this big ‘Shout Out’ is for him for doing such an unpleasant job in this scorching heat. The residents of Cliftondale are grateful to him.”

From Jessica Neeley, camp director and afterschool program director for the Saugus YMCA: “to the Saugus PD and Saugus Fire. They came out and did an event at Camp Hillside.”

 

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***@*****st.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.

 

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.

 

“Sideshow Tony” Gangi returns Monday

Join us for an evening of Barrel Organ Music & Italian History on Monday, June 30, from 6 to 7 p.m., in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library. Come hear some good music like you used to hear in Boston’s North End, learn some Italian American history and maybe sing along to some favorite songs. Performer Anthony “Sideshow Tony” Gangi is back at the library by popular demand! No reservations required.

 

A special call for art

Here’s a special request from Tori Darnell, co-chair of the Saugus Cultural Council:

I wanted to share with you that the Saugus Cultural Council has partnered with Bike to the Sea to host an outdoor art show along the Northern Strand Trail on Saturday, July 19th. This special 1-day event is to celebrate local creativity and community spirit by showcasing artwork from residents of all ages who live along this community-connecting trail.

I am reaching out to community groups and leaders along the trail; Everett, Malden, Revere, Saugus, and Lynn, for their support in promoting the call for artists for this community-connecting event. Artists are to submit artwork through this online form: https://forms.gle/sM9KLBzskdJHKaUc6/. Artwork deadline entry is July 1st, 2025.

Tori can be reached at 339-440-1017 for more details.

 

Help plan the Second Annual Saugus Cultural Festival

Join the Saugus Cultural Festival Subcommittee to help organize the 2nd Annual Saugus Cultural Festival! The Saugus Cultural Council is looking for Saugus resident volunteers to serve on a Subcommittee to help plan and organize the 2026 Saugus Cultural Festival, which is happening on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Saugus Middle High School!

Help out with:

• Coordinate diverse entertainers, food vendors and miscellaneous activities
• Work with Saugus 411 Committee on community/information tables for community groups & local businesses/nonprofits
• Support in social media, print and other digital marketing
• Support in crowdsourcing for grants and festival sponsors
• And more!

Other commitments:

• Monthly evening meetings starting August 2025; Subcommittee may meet twice a month starting October 2025 until March 2026.
• Share progress at Saugus Cultural Council public meetings every first Tuesday starting September 2025 until March 2026

Interested in volunteering? Email us at sa*******************@***il.com by July 31.

 

Saugus Sachems Summer Track Camp 2025

Coach Christopher Tarantino – also known affectionately as “Coach T” – has announced plans for his Summer Track Camp. Registration is already underway.

“This vibrant program, now in its 20th year, is where student athletes from a wide range of ages come together to listen well, work hard, and have fun!” Coach T said in an email.

Track Camp runners will be guided by Coach Tarantino, his coaches, counselors and alumni, as well as current middle and high school track team members.

“Participants work on social and team building skills, as well as setting individual and team goals, all while learning the fundamentals and or the advanced techniques of this dynamic sport, track and field,” Coach T. said.

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

Who: 5-18 years old.

Where: Belmonte Track.

When: 6-8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

June 23-27: final registration week/returning athlete training.

June 30-July 4: first formal week.

July 19: Summer Showdown in Cranston, R.I.

July 23: wrap up.

Cost: $300 first year ($250 if registered by June 1), $200 returning with uniform, $150 if three years or more in summer program; includes pasta dinner, t-shirt, uniform and entry into Summer Showdown.

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

 

Narcan presentation July 14 at Senior Center

The Saugus Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee will hold a Narcan Presentation at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St. in Saugus) on Monday, July 14, at 10 a.m. This is a free hour-long presentation. Become educated on how to save lives from an accidental overdose. Light refreshments will be served. Call the Senior Center at 781-231-4178 to reserve your seat. Walk-ins are welcome.

 

An ongoing demonstration

Saugus resident Lin Bell, a member of the new group called Saugus & Friends Resist, held another demonstration on the Town Hall lawn last Saturday (June 21) to express displeasure with the current White House administration running the country.

“Last Saturday, June 21st, we had another successful standout with quite a lot of support from passersby,” Bell wrote in an email to the newspaper.

“We will continue our weekly standouts indefinitely every Saturday morning from 11 am till noon at the corner of Central and Hamilton Streets alongside Town Hall. Please join us to Resist if you feel: Our Rights are being threatened and our Constitution ignored. Checks and Balances are being removed,” she said. “For further information, contact us at sa*****************@***il.com.”

 

Visitor Services available at Saugus Iron Works

The Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site has begun its “visitors’ services,” marking the opening of restrooms and the museum. This is the expected schedule of tours for the summer: Wednesday–Sunday at 11 a.m., house tours, 1/2 hour; Wednesday–Sunday at 2 p.m., industrial site tours, which will include waterwheel demonstrations when staffing permits. On Fridays and Saturdays only, there will also be a 10 a.m. waterwheel demonstration. Visitors’ services will end on Oct. 31.

 

Library events

• Henna For Teens: Get a free Henna Design tattoo from a professional Henna artist; July 21 from 5 to 7:30 p.m. in the Brooks Room. Registration required. Fifth grade and up.
• Level Up at your library: Now through Aug. 20, submit what you read this summer and you may win an Amazon gift card. Enter to win by going to our website and filling out the book review form. Grades 7-12.
• Adult Summer Reading Contest at the library: June 18-August 20; adults ages 18 and up can participate in our Adult Summer Reading Contest for the chance to win a gift card to a local restaurant! Fill out an online (www.sauguspubliclibrary.org) book review form for every book you read over the summer, and you will be entered to win! The more books you read, the greater your chances of winning! Graphic novels, manga, cookbooks, e-books and audio books count, too. Good luck!

 

Buy-A-Brick for a veteran

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 a 8″ x 8″ brick (five lines). Each line has 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 September 10 to ensure the bricks will be ready for Veterans Day. Please contact Corinne Riley at 781-231-7995 for more information and applications.

 

C.H.a.R.M. Center is open

The Town of Saugus Solid Waste/Recycling Department announced that the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (C.H.a.R.M.) has opened for the season, with normal operational hours of Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The C.H.a.R.M. Center is located at 515 Main St., Saugus, behind the Saugus Department of Public Works. Residents are welcome to use the C.H.a.R.M. Center for their recycling needs. Saugus was the first municipality in Massachusetts to open a C.H.a.R.M. Center.

The C.H.a.R.M. Center accepts the following items at no cost to residents:

• Bottles and cans
• Paper and cardboard
• Scrap metal
• Shoes, clothes and other textiles
• Fluorescent light bulbs and batteries (button and rechargeable)

Residents are also permitted the free disposal of three TVs or computers/CRT monitors per household each year at the C.H.a.R.M. Center.

Residents can obtain new stickers for this year free of charge when visiting the C.H.a.R.M. Center. By purchasing a $25 sticker that is valid for the entirety of the season, residents will be permitted to dispose of yard waste and brush at the C.H.a.R.M. Center. The $25 sticker also covers the cost to dispose of hard/rigid plastics at the facility. The C.H.a.R.M. Center accepts CHECKS ONLY, no cash or cards.

Please note that the C.H.a.R.M. Center does not accept any household trash or construction materials and debris. The Town of Saugus reserves the right to refuse any material if quantity or quality is questionable. Go to https://www.saugus-ma.gov/solid-waste-recycling-department and click on “Recycling Guide” for a comprehensive list of items that are accepted or not accepted at the C.H.a.R.M. Center, in addition to guidelines for how to prepare different items for disposal at the facility.

The C.H.a.R.M. Center will remain open on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the season until the winter. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

Saugus High Class of 1980

Attention, Saugus High Class of 1980. Mark your calendars for Nov. 29 (Saturday after Thanksgiving) and reach out to your friends that you’d like to see at the 45th Class Reunion for 1980 graduates and friends. The reunion will be held that day from 1 to 6 p.m. inside the Saugus Elks.

Invite Saugus High friends from other classes that you may want to be at our 1980 Class Reunion. Our last Saugus Class BBQ event a couple of years ago had three sisters from three different classes attend and they had a blast – so many loved seeing them and appreciated them being there. So many old friends reconnecting after decades; friends from overseas and across the country came; Saugus Classmates that left in Jr. High and that went to other High Schools came. How special it was for so many people to see each other after over 40 years.

Reach out to your friends who are not on Facebook to give them some early notice in case they may want to attend and need to make travel plans. Some of our Classmates have kept in touch with some of our High School teachers, and they attended our last two Saugus High Reunion events – we hope they’ll join us again. Feel free to reach out to any of your favorite teachers that you may want there – I’m sure they would love to hear from you.

More information is forthcoming. Any questions, please feel free to reach out to Andrea or Pete:

Andrea Saunders (1980 Class President) can be reached at pa********@*ol.com or 978-482-5787.

Pete Nicolo can be reached PS**********@*****st.net or 978-815-8234.

 

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***@*****st.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.