The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

Whether you plan to travel away to a special holiday destination or will be spending your time at home for the traditional Thanksgiving, best wishes to our readers for a safe, healthy and happy holiday weekend. Enjoy your time with family and friends. Embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving. Be grateful for all the good things in your lives and count your blessings.

 

This week’s “Shout Outs”

We received a “shout out” this week from Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo, who wanted to congratulate the three new Saugus police officers who were recently sworn in: Officer Gina Vozzella, Officer Andrew Cipriano and Officer Bruno Auzec.

  Editor’s Choice: Hats off to the more than 40 volunteers who showed up Saturday morning in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church for the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry’s annual Thanksgiving food drive. Collectively, they helped to make tomorrow brighter for 140 families who received a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal, including the turkey.

 

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 will be closed this week (Friday, Nov. 28) in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. It will reopen on Dec. 5, operating at its normal Friday hours 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.

 

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

 

Tree Lighting set for Dec. 5

Saugus is little more than a week away from celebrating one of the town’s signature community events – the Tree Lighting Ceremony and holiday festivities, which is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. outside Saugus Town Hall. The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is one of the most special days in our community when families gather together to enjoy some holiday magic, with highlights that include: riding the trackless train (weather permitting), the petting zoo, sleigh rides, the bounce house, photos with winter characters and complimentary treats, such as cookies, hot cocoa and cider. The festivities all lead up to the big moment at 7 p.m. sharp when Santa arrives and turns on the dazzling lights strung up on trees on the Town Hall grounds and Saugus Center rotary.

“Please join us for the Tree Lighting to celebrate the start of the holiday season,” Town Manager Scott Crabtree said in a press release issued recently by his office. “This is a wonderful event for the whole community to enjoy. We can’t wait to see you there!”

Town Manager Crabtree thanked the dedicated municipal employees, volunteers and local businesses whose contributions help make the Tree Lighting such a resounding success each year. The Youth and Recreation Department, Department of Public Works, Building Maintenance Department, and other town employees all play key roles in planning and setting up the Tree Lighting.

 

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.

 

Wreaths Across America deadline Nov. 28

On December 13 at noon, the Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American

Revolution (MA0136P) is sponsoring a Wreaths Across America event helping both Riverside and Old Burying Ground Cemeteries to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes.

To sponsor your wreath(s) at $17 each or to volunteer to help place wreaths on December 13, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/MA0136P . There will be a brief ceremony at noon to honor all branches of the military followed by laying wreaths on our fallen heroes. Invite your friends and family to join us in honoring our servicemen and women. The cut-off date to order is November 28.

In 2021, our first year sponsoring this event, we had over 360 wreaths sponsored. The community really stepped up and we are grateful for all the support we received. However, there are more than 1,200 veterans’ graves in Riverside and we are hoping that between the community and businesses there will be enough sponsored wreaths to cover all those graves this year.

The Daughters of the American Revolution’s mission is to preserve American history and secure America’s future through education and promoting patriotism. For more information on how to participate or “What We Do,” email the Parson Roby Chapter DAR at pa******************@********************************ca.org/MA0136P

This ensures your wreath(s) are placed at Riverside Cemetery.

 

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 this week that fall curbside leaf collection will take place from Monday, Dec. 8 to Friday, Dec. 12. 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.

 

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.