The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

Good morning, Saugus

It should be an interesting year for state politics, particularly in the race for the 9th Essex House District seat, which state Rep. Donald Wong (R-Saugus) has practically owned since he got elected back in 2010, unseating then-Democratic incumbent state Rep. Mark Falzone by 382 votes. Wong, who will be seeking his ninth two-year term at the State House, has been elected without opposition in the last three elections. But two Democrats from Lynn city government have declared their intentions of running for Wong’s seat.

Wong and the Massachusetts Republican Party made clear in a December party fundraising email that they’re aware of the challengers, according to a recent story by State House News Service. “Democrats are coming for me and I need your help!” Wong said. “This won’t be an easy fight. I’m facing two Democratic opponents and I expect one of them to raise nearly $100K by year’s end.” Wong’s December campaign finance report featured a $1,000 donation from Republican candidate for governor Michael Kennealy and $500 donations from political action committees that represent correction officers, firefighters, State Police and the Massachusetts Dental Society.

Wong might be worried, as it’s been a while since he faced a challenger. But beating him will be no easy task, especially by candidates running from Lynn. Saugus is the heart of the district, with its eight precincts accounting for about 60 percent of the vote, with Lynn and Wakefield each accounting for about 20 percent.

The Nov. 3 state election is more than nine months away. But two Democratic challengers who face each other in the Sept. 1 State Primary Election are already making some noise. Stay tuned.

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Jan. 23) 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 at 781-233-2663 or go to the website (cliftondalecc.org) for details.

Legion Breakfast on Fridays

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 2026 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.

This week’s “Shout Outs”

We received no nominations from our readers this week for individuals or groups deserving of some public praise. Using my editorial discretion, I will send a special “Shout Out” to the members of the Saugus Cultural Council, the Saugus 411 Committee and all of the other people who are hard at work planning the upcoming Saugus Community Festival: Culture and 411, which is set for Saturday, March 21, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Saugus Middle High School. This free event is a day to celebrate culture and community. Stay tuned for more details.

Another “Shout Out” is in order for Cummings Community Giving, which recently announced the awarding of $2,000 grants totaling $8,000 to four Saugus nonprofit organizations: Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2) Inc., Massachusetts Center for Native American Awareness, Saugus United Parish Food Pantry, and YMCA of Metro North. This annual grant program allows employees of Woburn-based real estate developer Cummings Properties to each direct up to $2,000 from the company to a nonprofit of their choice. Now in its 14th year, the initiative is designed to support the communities where Cummings team members live and work. More than 240 organizations across approximately 80 local cities and towns will benefit from this cycle of Cummings Community Giving. The program’s latest round awarded a combined $520,000.

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 Youth Football & Cheer Scholarships

  In celebration of its 55th Anniversary, Saugus Youth Football & Cheer is proud to give back to the Town of Saugus by supporting former athletes as they take the next step in their educational journey. As part of this milestone year, Saugus Youth Football & Cheer will award two $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who previously participated in Saugus Pop Warner and/or Saugus Youth Football & Cheer. One scholarship will be awarded to a former football participant and one to a former cheer participant. These scholarships reflect the organization’s longstanding commitment to building character, leadership and community values through youth sports.

Eligible applicants must be members of the Class of 2026, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, have participated in at least one season between 2015 and 2022 and plan to continue their education at a trade school, two-year college or four-year college. Applicants must submit a 300-word or longer essay by Sunday, April 26. Scholarship recipients will be announced in June 2026.

For application details and more information, visit www.saugusyfc.com. Essays and questions may be submitted to sc*********@*******fc.com.

SRWC Annual Meeting Jan. 26

The Saugus River Watershed Council will hold its annual meeting Monday, Jan. 26, at 6:30 p.m. at the Marina at The Wharf (543 North Shore Rd. in Revere). This is being billed as a fun night with stewardship awards, silent auctions and raffles. Steve Fantone will present the keynote presentation and wildlife slide show. Those who attend the annual meeting can also learn about the new Rumney Marsh Conservancy. Tickets cost $35. For details, go to www.saugusriver.org.

Sideshow Tony returns to library on Feb. 7

On Saturday, February 7, at 11 a.m., the Saugus Public Library welcomes back magician and music man Tony Gangi. Step back in time for a one-of-a-kind performance that blends music, history and magic. Tony Gangi of Great American Street Organ brings a beautifully restored, hand-cranked organ to life, filling the air with lively melodies while sharing fascinating stories about the history of these remarkable instruments. As the tunes play, Tony weaves in moments of wonder with clever feats of magic, surprising audiences of all ages. Part concert, part storytelling and part magical spectacle, this immersive experience celebrates the charm of old-world music and the joy of live performance in a truly unforgettable way.

The fashions of “Downton Abbey” on Feb. 7

Saugus residents who love “Downton Abbey” will have a special treat at the Saugus Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Community Room. Join us for an informative presentation about the lives and fashions of the residents of Downton Abbey. Travel with us through time while we explore the styles of 1912 through the 1920s.

Presenting the Program is Karen Antonowicz of Spirits of Fashion. Register online starting January 24 (sauguspubliclibrary.org).

Teen Creative Writing Group meets Feb. 9

Teenagers who want to get creative are welcome to join the Teen Creative Writing Program being offered at the Saugus Public Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, in the Brooks Room on the second floor. You can work on any creative writing project, such as a story, novel or poem. No registration required. This program is suitable for 5th graders and up. For details, please contact Rachel Huntington, the Reference and Young Adult Librarian, at 781-231-4168 or rh*********@******et.org

C.H.a.R.M. Center Winter Dates

  The Town of Saugus Solid Waste/Recycling Department announced that the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (C.H.a.R.M.) will be open on the following winter dates, weather permitting: Saturday, Feb. 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, March 21, 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 will have access to the compost facilities as well as to the recycling facilities during the winter dates. 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 are guidelines for how to prepare different items for disposal at the facility.

By purchasing a $25 sticker, residents will be permitted to dispose of yard waste and brush at the C.H.a.R.M. Center. The $25 stickers purchased in 2025 are still valid for yard waste/brush disposal on the winter C.H.a.R.M. Center dates.

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.

Saugus residents are also allowed to dispose of three TVs or computer/CRT monitors for free, per household, each year at the C.H.a.R.M. Center. Free stickers from 2025 will no longer be valid for the disposal of televisions and computer/CRT monitors. Residents will need to get new stickers for 2026 free of charge when visiting the C.H.a.R.M. Center.

Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. 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 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.