The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

We are just six days away from Thanksgiving, one of three popular American holidays that string together the final six weeks of the year. Six weeks might seem like a long time. But with so many holiday-related activities between now and the rest of the year, this period seems to breeze by much too quickly. Saugus, like every other community in America, will soon be hitting the busiest times of the year – times for family and friends to share good times, friendship and fellowship as we await a new year. Enjoy the time you spend with family, relatives and friends as the year 2025 winds down.

 

A library tribute to Tom Sheehan

Anyone who walks around in the main lobby of the Saugus Public Library between now and Dec. 5 will get a chance to see and embrace the spirit of the late Tom Sheehan, the proud Saugonian who dedicated his retirement to writing books – many of them about the place he called home.

Sheehan, who passed away at age 97 on Oct. 16, wrote more than 50 books – many of them about Saugus and many of them available for residents to borrow from the library for their leisurely reading. Last week, the library paid a special tribute to Sheehan by putting them on a display table in the main lobby.

“Mr. Sheehan was a prolific writer and a proud Saugonian through and through,” Saugus Public Library Director Alan Thibeault said this week.

“It’s only fitting that we prominently feature his works here in his hometown library,” he said.

Sheehan had a burning passion for writing from his teenage days as a Saugus High School student in the Class of 1947, where he loved to write poetry. He was a Korean War Veteran who served two years in the U.S. Army, discharging as a staff sergeant. After the service, Sheehan finished his bachelor’s degree at Boston College before spending three decades writing company policies at Raytheon in North Andover and raising a family. But when he really got into his writing, he went on to write more than 50 books and still had more writing projects in the works at the time of his death. He was versatile in his prime as a writer, penning poetry, personal essays, local history and novels – love stories, war stories and even Westerns.

Sheehan’s days of writing are over, but his spirit lives on at the Saugus Public Library. If you are headed to the library this weekend to grab some reading material, check out the Tom Sheehan book collection for something to take home.

 

This week’s “Shout Outs”

We received a few recommendations from our readers this week for Saugus residents to be recognized for contributing to the betterment of Saugus.

From Janice Jarosz, a frequent contributor to The Saugus Advocate: “A shout out to the Saugus Fire Department concerning a recent incident last Friday evening at the MEG building. We had just begun greeting many of the visitors who were hoping to view all the Christmas trees. But, as they came through the door, the smell of gas seemed to be coming in from somewhere outside.

“National Grid was working on installing a new gas meter, and something must have gone wrong so, we all evacuated the building, called the fire department and within minutes they were on the scene.

“It took another hour for the repair, and all the while those handsome firefighters kept their watchful eyes on the progress and stayed until the area was safe. How lucky we all are to have such a fine Fire Department!”

From Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo: “A big ‘Shout Out’ to three Saugus Fire Fighters who recently received promotions: Lieutenant Matt Fowler, Temporary Lieutenant Nick Landry and Temporary Lieutenant Frank Raimo. Congratulations!”

From Selectman Frank Federico: “Our town is so lucky to have volunteers like Chris Howe. He has done so much to take this program to the next level.”

Federico was one of a dozen readers to comment on the Advocate Newspapers Facebook page in response to last week’s article about the success of the Saugus Youth and Rec Girls Basketball program since Howe took over as the program director two years ago. (Please see “A surging Saugus sport” in the Nov. 14 edition of The Saugus Advocate). Seventy-eight readers indicated that they either loved or liked the article.

From John Benoit, president of the Saugus Babe Ruth League and the Saugus Little League, who offered a multi “shout out” to several people who contributed to the successful revival of Babe Ruth League baseball in Saugus: “After a 10+ year hiatus, we have brought Babe Ruth baseball back to Saugus! This fall, we had 15 boys between the ages of 12-15 years old play together on the same Saugus Babe Ruth team and they made a big splash!! They went 7-3 on the season and won the fall championship game against Peabody! Big thanks to Bob Davis who helped make the World Series park available for them to play on and kept the field well groomed for this next generation of ball players. Also, a shout out to Old School for helping our boys look sharp on the baseball field with the fitted caps and making a snazzy logo celebrating Sachem pride!”

 

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 (mvogeatcomcast.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 is open today (Friday, Nov. 21) 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.

 

Festival of Trees continues this weekend at The MEG

The second weekend of the 15th Annual Festival of Trees begins today (Friday, Nov. 21) from 3 to 8 p.m. at The MEG Building (54-58 Essex St., Saugus). Visit the historic building; enjoy some holiday refreshment while you check out the collection of trees.

There’s a special treat in store for visitors tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 22). The MEG will be open from 3 to 8 p.m., with the highlight being a visit from Santa Claus, who will be arriving at 4 p.m. Children can come and meet Santa and have their photos taken with him by photographer Steve Bevacqua from 4 to 7 p.m. There will be refreshments served by Mrs. Claus and a special celebrity.

 

Pancake Breakfast Sunday at Middle-High School

The Saugus Band & Chorus Parents Association is holding a Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on Sunday, Nov. 23, at the Saugus Middle High School cafeteria, from 8:30 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. Tickets cost $10 for adults and $5 for kids and can be purchased at the door. The event will include musical performances, raffle baskets and photo opportunities with Santa Claus.

 

Turkey Trot at Breakheart Sunday

The Friends of Breakheart Reservation will again be sponsoring the Annual Turkey Trot on Sunday (Nov. 23). Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. The races will start at 10 a.m. There will be a 5K run and a 3K walk over a mixed terrain, rain or shine. A $10 donation is required to enter. The Friends will use the proceeds for park activities and future events. Cash or check only. No Venmo. Turkeys will be awarded to the fastest male and female runners. Raffle prizes will be open to all who donate. Meet at Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center, 177 Forest St., Saugus. For more information, please call 781-233-1854, ext. 1019.

 

Community Art Project

The Saugus Cultural Council is organizing a community art project that everyone can participate in! The submission deadline is Friday, Dec. 5. Paper squares with diagonal or zigzag lines representing parts of a bridge can be picked up at the Saugus Public Library or the Saugus Senior Center. Use the square to show your cultural or personal identity using any art medium: drawing, painting, writing, collage or other. Submit your square before closing time on Friday, Dec. 5, by dropping it off at the library or the Senior Center in the receptacle provided at each site. Your square will become part of a large-scale community artwork celebrating the diverse cultures and generations of our town of Saugus! This is open to Saugus residents of all ages The assembled final product will be displayed on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Saugus Community Festival: Culture & 411. If you have questions, email the Saugus Cultural Council at sa*******************@***il.com

 

Senior Center Basket Raffle underway

The Saugus Senior Center has launched the holidays with a Basket Raffle Fundraiser, featuring more than 40 baskets and 25 gift cards. The fundraiser will be open at the center (466 Central St.) Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m., and Saturday, Dec. 6, 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.

Fifteen tickets cost $10 with a chance to win a door prize. The drawing will be held on Monday, Dec. 15, at 10 a.m. at the center. All proceeds benefit the Saugus Senior Center.

 

Holiday crafts fair at St. John’s Dec. 6

St. John’s Episcopal Church is hosting a Christmas Craft Fair on Saturday, December 6, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at 8 Prospect St. in Saugus. We will have a number of assorted crafts, baked goods and vendor tables, as well as an indoor yard sale, snack bar, etc.

 

Wills, Trusts and Asset Protection Presentation Dec. 8

  The Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee and Eagle Bank are sponsoring a Free Presentation for Wills, Trusts and Asset Protection. This event will be held on Monday, Dec. 8, from 10-11 a.m. at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St. in Saugus). Eagle Bank will be providing an attorney to discuss many issues: estate taxes, Medicaid, probate, property assignments, advantages and disadvantages of wills and living trusts and much more. To attend this free event, please call the Saugus Senior Center at 781-231-4178. Light refreshments will be served and walk-in’s are welcome.

 

Library hosts Teen Creative Writing Group Dec. 8

Please join us on December 8 in the Brooks Room of the Saugus Public Library at 4 p.m. for a teen creative writing program! You can work on any creative writing project, such as a story, novel or poem. No registration is required; suitable for fifth grade and up. For details, contact Rachel at 781-231-4168 (Reference) or rh*********@***el.org.

 

Opening on the Finance Committee

  The Town Moderator is seeking applicants to fill a vacancy on the Town’s Finance Committee. The Finance Committee is responsible for reviewing the Town’s annual budget and any financial articles on the Town Warrant and advising Town Meeting on their feasibility. Interested parties should send a letter of interest citing their qualifications to the Town Moderator at pr************@***il.com

 

Fall curbside leaf collection dates

  Town Manager Scott Crabtree announced recently that fall curbside leaf collection will take place during the weeks listed below.

• Monday, Nov. 17 to Friday, Nov. 21, 2025
• Monday, Dec. 8 to Friday, Dec. 12, 2025

Residents may dispose of leaves curbside on their regularly scheduled trash and recycling collection day, between Monday and Friday on these dates listed. Leaves should be left outside at the curb by 7 a.m. on the appropriate days. Please ensure that leaf containers are physically separated from trash and recycling.

Paper leaf bags are the preferred method of leaf disposal. If you are using barrels, they must be clearly marked with yard waste stickers. Yard waste stickers, which are free, may be obtained at Inspectional Services in the lower level of Saugus Town Hall at 298 Central St., or at the Saugus Department of Public Works at 515 Main St. Barrel covers must remain removed so that the leaves are visible.

Plastic bags, cardboard boxes, branches and brush will not be accepted. Please note that separate trucks collect the rubbish, recycling and leaves, so the leaves may be collected at a different time of day.

Missed pickups will not be conducted. Please contact Recycling Director Scott Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

A Call for Art at the library

The Saugus Public Library welcomes artists to exhibit work in the Library at 295 Central St. Amateur and professional artists of all ages are invited to participate in solo shows. Artists who are Saugus residents are encouraged to register, along with artists from other communities, on a first-come, first-served basis. Each selected artist will be assigned no less than one month to exhibit work.

The spacious, well-lit First Floor Reading Room contains space for up to 15 two-dimensional works (painting, drawings, photographs, etc.) The Library also has a glass-fronted locking display case in the Main Lobby with space for four to eight two-dimensional pieces or up to six three-dimensional objects.

• Works will be displayed in the Library for one to two calendar months.
• The library’s Art & Exhibit Display Policy must be adhered to.
• Sales inquiries and transactions are not the responsibility of the Library or its staff and must be handled strictly buyer to artist.
• Replacements for sold work are required.
• The artist will place or hang their own show with the assistance of a staff member (a hanging system on slat board is used in the Reading Room).

If you are interested in exhibiting your work, please email the library at SA*@******et.org.

 

Saugus High Class of 1965 reunion

The Saugus High Class of 1965 will be celebrating its 60th Reunion on Saturday, Nov. 29, at Prince Pizzeria on Route 1 South in Saugus. Cost is $50 per person. You can contact Ellen Santosuosso at 781-666-3470 or es**********@***il.com for more details.

Come join your friends and classmates for our 60th Reunion. There’s a bonus for those alumni who attend the reunion: The new Saugus Middle-High School will be open on that Saturday from 10 a.m. to noon. It will be a great opportunity to see the new campus.

 

Saugus High Class of 1980 Reunion is Nov. 29

The 1980 Saugus High 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 years 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.

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 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.