The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

We’re nearing the end of another year. There’s only six days left until Christmas – and just five days before this year’s final edition of The Saugus Advocate, which will be delivered to Saugus pickup spots sometime during the afternoon of Christmas Eve (Dec. 24). The newspaper will resume publishing on its normal Friday schedule on Jan. 9 as we will take a much-needed holiday vacation, when we will publish our “Year-In-Review” edition, featuring the top 10 stories of the year, while recapping major events that took place in Saugus each month.

We’ll ask town officials to rank what they think were the top stories of 2025 and compare that to our own analysis of what stories and issues made the front page the most times during the year. What are the goals of the Board of Selectmen or the School Committee as they prepare for the New Year? Stay tuned.

The deadline for news and announcements for our Christmas Eve/New Year’s edition will be 2 p.m. Monday (Dec. 22). As soon as I complete my deadlines for this week’s paper, I’m on to the next one.

It’s a great time of the year for the town, as residents look forward to happy holiday get-togethers with family, relatives and friends while counting their blessings for good health and happiness. It’s also a great time to engage in acts of kindness to brighten up the lives of less fortunate people whose lives are plagued by poor health, hunger, illness, poverty and sadness. Fortunately, there are untold people who live in town who strive to contribute in their own way to make the world and their hometown a better place.

 

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Dec. 19) from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. But it will be closed on Friday, December 26, and Friday, January 2, in observance of the holidays. All in need are welcome to come today (Friday, Dec. 19) for an extra portion of food. The food pantry will reopen on Friday, January 9, from 9:30-11 a.m.

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.

 

Legion Breakfast today

There’s a good breakfast 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 2025-26 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.

 

One-day holiday trash delay

The Town of Saugus announced that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Christmas holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Thursday, Dec. 25, due to the Christmas holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Friday, Dec. 26. Residents are kindly asked to leave trash and recycling curbside by 7 a.m. the day after their normally scheduled collection day.

The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

Holiday events at Cliftondale Congregational Church

The church will be hosting a Lessons & Carols service on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10:45 a.m., followed by free cookies and cocoa for the whole family. All ages are welcome. Kids have Sunday School during the service with crafts and games based on the lesson.

The church will also host a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service on Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m.

 

Saugus Senior Center

The Bible Study at the Senior Center held on Wednesday (Dec. 17) at 10:30 a.m. will be the last session of the year. The Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 7.

 

“Operation Santa Paws” through Dec. 22

Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Saugus, where residents often benefit from animal-assisted therapy visits, has launched “Operation Santa Paws” to collect pet supplies and donate them to a local animal shelter, PAWS Wakefield. Today through next Monday (Dec. 22), the skilled nursing facility at 73 Chestnut St. welcomes donated items, such as blankets and towels, dog and cat beds, unopened pet food/treats, pet toys, grooming products, collars and leashes and food/water bowls.

Therapy animals play a vital role in long-term care residents’ lives, particularly those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Benefits of animal therapy for seniors include emotional uplift, increased self-esteem, improved social skills and reduced risk of depression and anxiety.

 

This week’s “Shout Outs”

We had several “Shout Outs” worth noting for this week’s paper:

From Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta: “A ‘Shout Out’ to Anne Quinlan. Congratulations on 26 years on the Retirement Board. She’s on the Retirement Board and she just retired from the Retirement Board. And the Board of Selectmen have a citation for Anne that will be delivered to her. So, thank you, Anne, for all of your services.”

From Selectman Frank Federico: “Congratulations to the U10 Cheerleaders. Third in the nation, which is an incredible feat. I’ve spoken to so many parents about it. You guys did a phenomenal job and made Saugus proud.”

Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini added to Federico’s remarks: “The U10 Cheerleaders represented Saugus amazingly well – third in the country. I’ve spoken to a couple of coordinators about potentially bringing the girls in to recognize them for their amazing accomplishments.” Cicolini suggested it would be appropriate to present as many of the cheerleaders and coaches as possible with citations signed by the Board of Selectmen at a meeting in January.

“It will be quite an event. Standing room only, I’m sure. And we’re all going to take individual photos with each girl.”

From Tracey Ragucci, the Elementary Math Coach at Belmonte STEAM Academy, and Kristin Barclay, the Elementary Literacy Coach: “Students at the Belmonte STEAM Academy were recently recognized at a school assembly for their achievements on the Spring 2025 MCAS in both ELA and Math. Some students were recognized for exceeding expectations and some were recognized for the growth they made from the previous year.”

Here are the categories:

ELA – Exceeding Expectations: Max Dasher, Dominic Devico, Anthony Dinarello, Alexander Farden, Adam Jahdakane, Francesca Lincoln, James McGrath, Trevor Mullen, Riley Renfrew, Tristan Robinson, Danilo Savic and Madeline Sullivan (perfect score).

Math – Exceeding Expectations: Jack Brown, Emilio Chavez, Benjamin Corbin (perfect score), Max Dasher, Anthony Dinarello, Adam Jahdakane (perfect score), Francesca Lincoln, Trevor Mullen, Chase Nei, Luke Porrazzo, Ana Ristanovic, Tristan Robinson, Danilo Savic, Jaelyn Spinelli, Mason Tau (perfect score), Karim Abel Toussaint, Sugin Uprety, Liam Urrutia, Marie Venezia, Jasmine Yadav (perfect score).

ELA – Student Growth Percentile above 85: Zane Al Hade, Trystan Barton, Lennon Connolly, Alexander Farden, Anthony Kennedy, Andrian Krizhanovskiy, Flor Nieto Lopez, Alexander Martinez-Jourdain, Dominic Ochoa-Roscoe, Riley Renfrew, Charles Robinson, Ritzarys Sarita, Besart Shahu, Melissa Silva Santos, Madeline Sullivan, Thinh Tran, Ethan Veras, Karen Vicente-Tobias, Avery Voong.

Math – Student Growth Percentile above 85: Zane Al Hade, Sarah Batista, Luca Giardullo, Lorenzo Gouveia, Ryan Lacorcia, Ritzer Martinez Aviles, Alexander Martinez-Jourdain, Maya Merino Godoy, Chase Nei, Luke Porrazzo, Zayan Rahman, Ritzarys Sarita, Izayah Thompson, Karim Abel Toussaint.

 

A tribute to a late great Sachem coach

Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta asked for a moment of silence at the outset of Tuesday night’s meeting for the late Michael P. Ginolfi – a former Saugus High School football coach and athletic director who died at his home in Rockport last week (Dec. 11).

During members’ remarks near the end of the meeting, Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Anthony Cogliano thanked Panetta for pausing to share prayers and pay tribute to Coach Ginolfi. “I played for Coach Ginolfi in the 80s,” Cogliano said.

“He’s in the High School Hall of Fame. He was a phenomenal football coach and athletic director here at Saugus High and I just want to let the public know that his service (calling hours) will be Monday night, 5 to 8 at the Greely Funeral Home in Gloucester,” he said.

Cogliano has done a lot of reflecting in the days since the coach passed away.

“I played for Coach Ginolfi in 1981, ’82, and ’83 – which was his last year coaching. He continued his career at SHS as the athletic director. He was a great Coach, mentor and friend. He coached some of the greatest players in SHS history. Doug Mackie, John Nicolo, Steve Gannon and Steve Peach – players I idolized as a kid,” Cogliano told The Saugus Advocate. “He was the best motivator and got the most out of what he had to work with. He inspired me to coach, I hope my players took from me what I got from him. I loved Coach Ginolfi and will never forget him. May he rest in peace.”

Cogliano graduated in 1984. “I was the center, believe it or not when I graduated HS I was only 5’10” 170 lbs. Everyone I faced was much bigger than me, but Coach showed me a technique that was very effective,” he said. It was so effective, Cogliano got the “Most Improved Player Award.”

Coach Ginolfi was a Stamford, Conn., native who developed a passion for football early in his life. His obituary notes that “His talent earned him a full scholarship to Northeastern University in Boston, MA, where he proudly played on the Huskies football team. After graduating in 1965, he began his teaching and coaching career in Keene, NH, serving as a physical education teacher and head football coach. His teams were highly successful, culminating in a New Hampshire State Championship in 1970.

“Mike later moved his family to Billerica, MA, where he continued teaching and coaching at Saugus High School. Under his leadership, Saugus earned North East Conference titles in 1975 and 1977. In recognition of his outstanding coaching career, Mike was inducted into the Massachusetts Football Coaches Hall of Fame in 1992. He was inducted into the Saugus High School Hall of Fame and served as the school’s athletic director from 1982 until his retirement in 2002.

“Throughout his career, Mike guided countless students in pursuing their college and athletic goals and built lifelong friendships, including an enduring bond with former player and dear friend John Nicolo of Saugus, MA.”

Here are the funeral arrangements for the legendary coach: Visitation hours will be on Monday, December 22, from 5:00 to 8:00 p.m. at Greely Funeral Home located at 212 Washington St. in Gloucester. Burial will be held on Tuesday, December 23, at 11:00 a.m. in Locust Grove Cemetery in Gloucester. Family and close friends are invited to attend.

 

The Lions Club Christmas Party

The Saugus Lions Club Christmas Party was held on December 3 at Polcari’s Restaurant. The main event featured the Annual Toy for Tots Collection. Retired Fire Chief Bill O’Malley attended and was presented with a large assortment of gifts for distribution. Chief O’Malley thanked the Lions Members and guests for their generous gifts. Besides toys, as has been a custom the last few years, the Lions Club donated Christmas Trees. These trees, plus ornaments, were distributed to needy Saugus families by the Saugus Fire Department!

The Saugus Lions Club Board wished everyone a most joyous Holiday Season. They celebrated another year of giving. Thousands of dollars for Scholarships, Community Outreach and, of course, Eye Research.

 

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

 

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 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.