The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

Tomorrow should be a super Saturday in Saugus. There will be no shortage of things for people to do, as there are three community events that will be competing for people’s attention.

Residents who are in a benevolent mood and feel like doing something to help their community might want to volunteer to help unload a tractor trailer due in Saugus Center at about 9 a.m. from the Navajo Reservation in Farmington, N.M. It will be carrying some 4,000 pumpkins. “The Pumpkin Patch” will reappear for the 23rd year at the First Congregational Church on the side lawn along Hamilton Street, facing Saugus Town Hall. This event has become a popular Saugus tradition or happening, especially for families with young kids. If you’ve never experienced the “Orange Glow,” this is worth checking out. And if you miss it, there will be a second delivery of pumpkins expected on October 11. Stay tuned!

 

Annual Fall Festival at Breakheart tomorrow

Another popular, family-oriented event set for tomorrow is Breakheart Reservation’s Annual Fall Family Festival, which begins at 10 a.m. Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) has a few very special programs in store for festival visitors. SAVE will sponsor a free Live Raptor Show as part of Breakheart Reservation’s annual Fall Family Festival on Saturday, September 27, 2025, from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Working together with their community partners, the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) and the Friends of Breakheart, SAVE sees this as a wonderful opportunity for everyone to view local wildlife up close and personal, as well as learn more about these wonderful animals. These environmental education programs about raptors will be presented by Mass Audubon. Five 20-minute sessions will be offered to the public at the Breakheart Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center, starting at 11:00 a.m. (11:00, 11:30, 12:00, 12:30, 1:00), with the last session beginning at 1:00 p.m. The entire Festival will run from 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., with a number of activities and fun events available.

SAVE will also sponsor another “It’s New To You” SWAP again this year at the Festival. The SWAP – an effort to help keep still usable items out of the waste stream – will be held from 10:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. The SWAP is part of SAVE’s continuing efforts to increase recycling by repurposing still usable goods. The SWAP is another free event – no money, just a simple swap. You can bring items or take items; you do not have to do both.

Bring usable items in good condition to the SWAP, typically those things you no longer want but that are too good to throw away, and perhaps find a treasure or two to take home with you.

(Please, do not bring items that require special disposal.) For more information about the SWAP, please contact Ann at ad*****@*****10.net. You can also visit the SAVE website at saugussave.wordpress.com (click on News and Events).

 

KOC Flea Market tomorrow

The Knights of Columbus Council 1829 of Saugus will be holding a Festive Indoor Flea Market and Craft Fair on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the KOC Hall at 57 Appleton St. in Saugus. Vendors/dealers will be charged $30 per space; one table and chairs provided. Please submit payment as soon as possible. For details, please call KOC at 781-233-9858 or Paul Giannetta at 978-239-1392.

 

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Sept. 26) from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The food pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Friday mornings. Volunteers are also welcome. Please call the Food Pantry Office (781-233-2663) or go to the website (cliftondalecc.org) for details.

 

SAVE Campaign forum for Board of Selectmen candidates on Oct. 8

Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) will sponsor a forum for candidates for the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday, October 8, starting at 6:30 p.m. at the Saugus Town Hall Auditorium (298 Central St.). Doors will be open to the public at 5:45 p.m. for this free event.

As we have in the past, SAVE provides this public-service forum for candidates for the Board of Selectmen so that each candidate can share their views of the critical environmental issues facing our Town. The event will also be televised live on Comcast Channel 8 by SCTV in order to reach as many residents as possible. In addition, the public will be able to view the recorded event, starting the following day during normal viewing hours. SAVE hopes the public will plan to join us for this informative event.

For more information about SAVE, please contact Ann at http://ad*****@*****10.net. You can also visit our website at: http://www.saugussave.com or follow the link to our Facebook page.

 

Attention political Candidates!

As the most widely read newspaper that covers Saugus exclusively, we consider it an important public service to our readers to cover local election campaigns comprehensively. In last week’s paper, we published the list of candidates who are expected to appear on the Nov. 4 Town Election Ballot. As a courtesy to our readers, we are publishing information that will enable the candidates to make themselves known to the public on SaugusTV.

Michelle Fox, the Executive Director of Saugus TV (Saugus Community Television, Inc.) submitted this information to us and we are sharing it with the candidates:

TO ALL CANDIDATES RUNNING IN THE 2025 SAUGUS LOCAL ELECTION ON NOVEMBER 4, 2025

“It is election time once again in the Town of Saugus, and Saugus TV offers a number of different ways for candidates to get information out to Saugus residents.

• Campaign Slides: Any candidate, for any Board or Seat, can place a campaign slide on Saugus TV, that can be seen on Comcast Channel 8, during scheduled and non-scheduled Community Bulletin Board times. Please email all slides to m.*****@******tv.org

“There is NO COST to place a Campaign Slide. Campaign Slides will air in alphabetical order. Campaign Slides will run from October 6th until November 4th at 8PM.

• Candidate Statement Video: Saugus TV invites candidates for the Saugus Board of Selectmen and the Saugus School Committee to schedule a time to come to the studio, located at 30 Main Street, to record their candidate statements. Each candidate is allowed three minutes of air time to let viewers know who they are and why they are running for office. This statement is intended to be shot in one take. We allow for on-site review of your take and will reshoot if necessary. This time-slot is for one hour, all takes will be completed during that hour slot.

“There is no cost to the candidate for participating in this taping.

“Candidates running for Saugus Board of Selectmen or Saugus School Committee who are interested in recording a candidate statement are invited to contact Saugus TV to schedule a filming session.

“Filming will take place between September 15th and October 10th. To book a time slot, please contact Michelle by email at m.*****@******tv.org or call the studio at 781-231-2883 to coordinate with our staff.

“Deadline to record your video statement is October 10th at 5PM so we can air the program for a full two weeks.

“All candidate statements recorded will then be compiled into a single program that will air on Comcast Channel 8 starting October 13th. This program will air three times a day, at random times in the morning, afternoon, and evening until the election is over on November 4th. Air date and times TBD. Saugus TV program schedules are available at www.saugustv.org . The program will also be available to view on our Vimeo page at www.vimeo.com/saugustelevision.

• Candidate Forums: Saugus TV may tape and cablecast other organization’s forums and/or debates, with notice at least 5 days prior to the event, subject to crew availability.
• Additional Political Programming: Saugus TV encourages all Saugus residents, persons associated with a business or organization (whether for profit or non-profit), including candidates for any political office, to use the public access channel to communicate their political views. Candidates and other providers of political programs, as well as the programs themselves, are subject to the same policies and procedures as any other user of Saugus TV, including with respect to the use of a bulletin board.

“Saugus TV is non-partisan; therefore, we do not produce programs/spot(s) endorsing specific candidates or ballot questions. We encourage residents, organizations, and businesses to become members of Saugus TV. If a candidate is a member, or becomes a member of Saugus TV, they may produce, create and submit a program/spot(s) that will air on Saugus TV.

“These programs/spots will be shown on Comcast Channel 8 and will air 4 times a week (like any other member production), at random times, and will run until election day.

“Viewers will be able to find these airings on the Saugus TV Program Schedule.

“We look forward to working with all of the candidates, and hope that you take advantage of everything Saugus TV has to offer.”

 

Want Some Laughs? Sign up for Oct. 4

Check out 100 Years of Boston Comedy with Nick Zaino, at the Saugus Public Library at 295 Central St. on Saturday, October 4, 2:00—3:00 p.m. in the Community Room. The event is free, but registration is required at https://sauguspubliclibrary.assabetinteractive.com/calendar/100-years-of-boston-comedy-with-nick-zaino/.

Join veteran arts journalist Nick Zaino at the Saugus Public Library and explore Boston’s long history of comedy, from vaudeville to YouTube, highlighting some of the personalities that have defined laughter in America using audio and video clips.

Bob and Ray started their radio run in Gloucester at WHDH. Tom Lehrer shocked crowds in song. Jay Leno, Denis Leary, Paula Poundstone, Steven Wright, Janeane Garofalo, Conan O’Brien, Eugene Mirman, Mike Birbiglia, Bo Burnham, Chris Fleming, Sam Jay, Ziwe – all began their comedy careers in the greater Boston area.

Bio: Nick A. Zaino III is an arts freelancer, creator of Boston Comedy Radio, podcaster and musician, and writes features and previews for the Globe on a weekly basis. The 100 Years of Boston Comedy lecture series is the basis for the book he is writing.

 

Trivia Night is Oct. 16!

This just in from Selectman Corinne Riley:

Members of the Saugus Business Education Collaborative have scheduled their popular fundraising event: “Trivia Night”! If you are interested in securing a table for your team, it will be at Kowloon, October 16 at 7 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.

Register your team from businesses, organizations, teachers, PTOs, friends…all are welcome! You will be competing for a trophy, as well as bragging rights!

Teams are at least five members, cost is $275.00 per team or $55.00 per participant. Do you want to come and join in the fun as a spectator? The cost is $25.00 each. Cost includes a buffet dinner.

A fun-filled night that benefits the students of our town! If you are interested please email cc*****@*****st.net or pe*************@*ol.com to register your team no later than October 14.

 

The Library is looking for volunteers

If you love being around books, try hanging out at the Saugus Public Library. If you already hang out there, here’s a message from Lisa, the Head Reference Librarian: “We are looking for teens that need community service hours, and adults to volunteer at the library. We currently have openings on Tuesdays and Saturdays. If you are interested, please email Lisa, Head Reference Librarian at le*****@******et.org, call 781-231-4168, or stop by to fill out a Volunteer Application.”

 

Upcoming library events

The Saugus Public Library will feature two teen-related events later this month. There will be a Comic Book Workshop for Teens on Monday, Sept. 29, at 4 p.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor. This program is open to grades 5 and up and requires registration. A program called “Murder Mystery: Everyone’s a Suspect!” is set for Saturday, Sept. 27, from 12:30-3:30 in the Teen Room. Please come if you want to participate in a murder investigation.

Please join us to play board and card games in the Teen Room on October 20 from 4:00-5:30. Registration is not required – fifth grade and up.

 

This week’s “Shout Outs”

We didn’t receive any nominations from readers this week. I will exercise my editorial prerogative by giving a collective mega “Shout Out” to all the volunteers who plan to turn out at Saugus Center at 9 a.m. tomorrow to unload the pumpkins for this year’s “Pumpkin Patch” on the Hamilton Street side lawn at First Congregational Church.

 

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.

 

A return of the Halloween Pet Parade on Oct. 19

The Friends of Breakheart are gearing up for their Third Annual Halloween Pet Parade, which is set for Sunday, Oct. 19. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at the Christopher P. Dunne Memorial Visitor Center (177 Forest St. in Saugus). A $10 donation is required to enter your pet. The Friends will use the proceeds for park activities and future events. Cash or check. No Venmo. Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume, Best Silly Pet Trick and Best Personality. Raffle prizes are open to all who donate. For more information, please call Joyce at 781-233-1855, extension 1019, or Lisa Mirasola at 781-808-7817.

 

Alcohol/Drug Recovery program Oct. 20

The Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee is sponsoring an Alcohol and Drug Recovery presentation from 10 a.m. to 11 a.m. on Monday, October 20, at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St. in Saugus). This will be an hour-long presentation conducted by Sober Shuttle, Inc. explaining the benefits offered to recovering individuals. This is a free event, and people who are interested are welcome to attend. If you or someone you know would like to know more about these services, you should not miss this informative event. Services provided are cost-free transportation into treatment, recovery coach services, placement assistance, food assistance, clothing assistance, community engagement and much more. Light refreshments will be served.

Call the Saugus Senior Center at 781-231-3178 to attend. Walk-ins are also welcome.

 

2026 Local Cultural Council grant cycle now open

The Saugus Cultural Council has received an allocation of $15,500 from the state to fund enriching and diverse cultural activities, events and school field trips for Saugus and neighboring communities, according to Tori Darnell, co-chair of the Saugus Cultural Council. Grant applications are welcomed between September 2 and October 16. For more information, please email sa*******************@***il.com.

 

Flu Clinics for the fall

The Board of Health announced upcoming Flu Clinics on Sept. 26 at the Saugus Senior Center and Oct. 2 in the Saugus Town Hall Auditorium. Flu and Covid-19 Boosters will be available. The clinics are open to the public, with times to be determined.

 

Newspapers at the library

Thanks to a donation from a patron, The New York Times is now available at the Library, according to Saugus Public Library Director Alan Thibeault. “You can also stop by and read the Saugus Advocate, Lynn Item, Boston Herald, and the Boston Globe as well!” Thibeault said.

 

Saugus Youth Cross Country 2025

Grades 1-5 and 6-8 not running for a school team can run on Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Belmonte; Saturdays 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Breakheart Reservation. The training distances are 1st to 3rd, .7 miles; 4th and 5th, 1.2 miles; 6th-8th, 1.9 miles.

Practice races are Saturdays (to be determined) at Frey Park in Lynn at 285 Walnut St.

Saturday, Oct. 25: Fun Run practice at Breakheart. Athletes are encouraged to wear a costume.

Saturday, Nov. 1: 16th Annual Massachusetts State Middle School Cross Country Championship at Willard Field in Devens (more information to be announced).

Tuesday, Nov. 11: 11th Annual Massachusetts Elementary School Cross Country Championship, 8:30 a.m. arrival – 9:30 a.m. start; Lynn Gannon Golf Course, 60 Great Woods Rd.; lunch at Prince Pizzeria following the meet.

Ending Thursday, Nov. 13: Wrap-up Session at Belmonte.

Cost: $150 for first year, $75 returning from Cross Country 2024.

If you have any questions, need further information or want to register, please contact Coach T at 781-854-6778 or Ch********************@***il.com.

 

Visitor Services at Saugus Iron Works

The park grounds at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site are open now through Oct. 31, 24 hours a day/seven days a week. Restrooms are open Wednesday through Sunday; 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.; Monday through Tuesday, 9:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The Visitor Center is open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The museum and industrial site buildings are open Wednesday through Sunday, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.

 

Saugus High Class of 1980 Reunion is Nov. 29

The 1980 Saugus High School Class will observe its 45th Reunion on Saturday, Nov. 29, at the Saugus Elks Hall. Hello everyone.

Although our 1980 SHS Class is not merging with any other classes, we wanted to extend the invitation to our friends and family members that would like to join us. I (Pete Nicolo) have several friends that did not graduate in our year (1980) that will be attending.

Most of us have kept in touch with some of our classmates / friends throughout the years. But what about the classmates / friends that you would love to see and have not seen in decades? I’ve recently reconnected with a couple of Classmates that I really hung out with and had a lot of laughs with in High School – hadn’t seen them in over 40 years. It has been quite a wonderful experience for me to reconnect with them.

This is an opportunity to reconnect or simply have some laughs with old friends. Come see your SHS friends and be a part of making this a memorable event. We expect a good turnout – you’ll have a Blast!

Some of the people we have sent / extended the invitation to are:

• Invites were extended to our entire 1980 Saugus High Class (over 90% of 1980 Classmates contacted – including Classmates living overseas)
• Saugus Jr. High Classmates that left and graduated from other High Schools
• Saugus High family members (1 Classmate has 2 sisters that graduated a couple of yrs. earlier and later)
• Saugus High School teachers and coaches attending (Babcock, Volpe, Melvin, Ward and others) – please feel free to reach out / invite your favorite teachers that you may keep in touch with and want to see there
• People move, addresses change, friends from other classes may want to attend – please help us extend our invitation to them.
• If you are one of our classmates that hasn’t attended in a long while, you are the people we look forward to seeing. Long Lost Friends!

There already appears to be much interest in this event, so if you plan on going, please RSVP by November 8 or earlier. This will help us plan better for this gathering.

Make checks ($45 per person) payable to: Pete Nicolo, 15 Tilden Lane, York, Maine 03909 or Venmo: Pete Nicolo@Pete-Nicolo

Any questions, please feel free to reach out to: Andrea Saunders (1980 Class President) or Pete Nicolo (Class of 1980) at:

Andrea Saunders: Pa********@*ol.com or 978-482-5787.

Peter Nicolo: Pe************@*TX.com or 978-815-8234 (new email address).

 

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.