The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

Happy Valentine’s Day to all of our readers and the citizens of Saugus. May your Valentine’s Day be full of lots of love, happiness and good health.

Going back to my childhood, I always sent out Valentine’s Day cards – to my parents, my grandparents, aunts and uncles, a handful of close friends (including girlfriends) and old folks in my life. These days, the cards go out to my brother, my cousin and his wife who live across the street and a small circle of longtime friends.

The days of spending hundreds at my favorite candy store are over, as my parents, my grandparents, all of my aunts and uncles have passed. A few of some very special people in my life still get some candy in addition to the card.

This time of year, I like to hum the song “What the World Needs Now Is Love,” the original version sung by Jackie DeShannon back in 1965. The late Burt Bacharach composed this beautiful song and the late Hal David wrote the lyrics. This classic song became popularized by peace groups during the Vietnam War.

But at a time when our country, from Washington to Saugus, is so polarized, I think the song would be just as relevant in today’s world. I know from covering town government and milling around the town over the past decade (my 10-year anniversary will be on March 1), I think the dedicated Saugus citizens who chose to run for public office or participate in the process could use a little more love from the public – and also show it by serving the public well. In this case the love would incorporate patience, civility, compassion and serving the greater good of the town instead of engaging in petty and polarizing politics. Over the years, I’ve seen so many citizens get involved with local government with the best of intentions – only to overshadow the good they do with petty politics while forgetting the main reason they ran for public office – for the betterment of Saugus (or whatever town or city I happened to be covering). Let’s hope the new Town Meeting, Board of Selectmen, School Committee and Housing Authority strive for that common goal this year – for the betterment of Saugus.

Last Thursday night’s forum on E-Bike Safety was a great starting point for what could turn out to be a shining example of productive discourse in Town Hall, which can lead to positive action when elected town and appointed town officials collaborate on possible solutions to a serious public safety issue. See this week’s cover story. Stay tuned.

 

One-day trash delay for holiday

The Town of Saugus announces that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Presidents’ Day holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, Feb. 16, due to the holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Tuesday, Feb. 17. 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.

 

A relaxing week of fun ahead

Saugus residents should be in great spirits, beginning tomorrow with the celebration of Valentine’s Day and the holiday weekend extended to Monday (Feb. 17) with the observance of Washington’s Birthday, the name for the federal holiday also known as Presidents’ Day. The students of Saugus Public Schools will be on school vacation for the rest of the week.

 

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Feb. 13) 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”

  From Joanie Allbee aka “The Sketch Artist,” who is a frequent contributor to The Saugus Advocate – doing sketches, taking photos, writing columns and articles: “I’d love to give a BIG shout out to a super thoughtful Ed and Jean Lyons. Throughout the year, many hearts are touched by the Lyons’ thoughtful cards. Each card is thoughtfully handwritten with quotes or an article pertinent to the recipient’s situation at hand. Ed and Jean take action to light sparks of hope to people rehabilitating from an injury, grieving, illness or surgery. They send ‘thinking of you’ and holiday cards.

“I’m touched to have received a Birthday card today with a beautiful quote Jean wrote [–] ‘Love lights more fires than hate extinguishes,’ by Ella Wheeler Wilcox, American Author and Poet 1850-1919. Thank you.”

Here are a few “Shout Outs” from the editor:

–A special “Shout Out” to Joanie Allbee, a frequent contributor to the newspaper, who produced Valentine’s Day-themed photos, a column about love and a “Shout Out” for this week’s paper. No local freelance writer, photographer or author captures Valentine’s Day like Joanie – a Saugus resident who was born on Valentine’s Day. Happy birthday, Joanie!

–A “Shout Out” to outgoing Saugus High Head Football Coach Steve Cummings, who had been at the helm of the Sachems since 2019. He decided to step down after the 2025 season so he could watch his son play football at Wakefield High School. During his time at Saugus High, Coach Cummings impressed me as a standup guy who sought to mentor his players to better themselves beyond the football field – using their experience to become good citizens in their lives after football. That’s a coach who really cares about his players.

–A “Shout Out” to the new Saugus High Head Coach, Greg Bluestein, a lifelong Saugus resident who set coaching as a personal goal during his freshman year at Saugus High. He has 14 years of High School coaching experience – including the last four at Saugus High. He is well-known throughout the community, having served as President of Saugus Youth Football & Cheer during the last three years. He played four years of varsity football at Saugus High.

–A “Shout Out” to Eugene and Arlene Decareau, who are enjoying 73 years of love and marriage. That’s a lot of Valentine’s Day celebrations shared by family and friends.

 

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.

 

SRWC Annual Meeting on Feb. 23

The Saugus River Watershed Council has rescheduled its Annual Dinner Meeting to Monday, Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Marina at The Wharf (543 North Shore Rd. in Revere). The Sunday/Monday snowstorm led to the cancellation of the original dinner meeting. 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.

 

WIN Waste donation sends Saugus students to the slopes

  Paul Halloran of PKH Communications submitted the following press release.

The Saugus Middle-High School Ski and Board Club is again hitting the slopes this winter, with the help of WIN Waste Innovations.

WIN Waste again made a $10,000 donation that covers most of the transportation costs for the weekly ski trips, reducing fees so that more students could afford to be a part of the experience, according to Jill Lauziere, a parent volunteer who coordinates the Ski and Board Club.

“The transportation is so expensive,” Lauziere said. “We need coach buses to carry all the equipment. The support from WIN is giving kids an opportunity they might not otherwise have.”

The Saugus students and 8-10 adult chaperones travel to Pat’s Peak in Henniker, N.H. on five Mondays in January and February. They leave the middle-high school at approximately 1:30 p.m. and return at about 8:30, giving them about four hours on the slopes.

“This is a program that Pat’s Peak runs and we participate in,” said Lauziere, adding that while some students have prior experience, others learn to ski or snow board over the course of the program.

Lauziere, who is in her fourth year running the club, said WIN Waste has covered the cost of transportation all six years it has been in existence.

“We value the strong partnerships we have across the Saugus community,” said Mary Urban, Senior Director of Communications & Community at WIN Waste Innovations. “We’re proud to support parents and teachers who give students access to extracurricular activities that encourage growth beyond academics and help build stronger communities.”

 

“The Fashions of Downton Abbey” Feb. 21

Last Saturday’s snowstorm prompted the Saugus Public Library to close, leading to the cancellation of several programs – including “The Fashions of Downton Abbey.” Head Reference Librarian Lisa LeJeune announced this week that the program has been rescheduled for Saturday, February 21, at 1:30 p.m. in the Community Room. LeJeune invites residents to watch an informative presentation about the lives and fashions of the residents of Downton Abbey. The library is promoting the event as an opportunity to travel through time while exploring the styles of 1912 through the 1920s. Presenting the program will be Karen Antonowicz of Spirits of Fashion. Register online at sauguspubliclibrary.org.

 

This month’s Fireside Chats at Breakheart

Speakers for the Fireside Chats held on Saturdays at 10 a.m. at Breakheart Reservation in the Visitors’ Center (177 Forest St., Saugus) are as follows:

Tomorrow, Feb. 14: Amelia Zani, State Lands Management forestry assistant.

Feb. 21: Sean Riley, stewardship research biologist, and Lis Kernana, shorebird protection coordinator.

Feb. 28: JP Patton, staff archeologist, and Leah Hopkins, indigenous peoples partnership coordinator.

Fireside Chats require no walking, just sitting inside with a cozy fire!

 

Pen to Paper writing workshop

The library’s monthly “Pen to Paper” writing workshop – led by Laura Eisener – which usually takes place on the third Tuesday of each month, will be held on the fourth Tuesday, February 24, for this month only so as not to conflict with Mardi Gras and Chinese New Year events. The writing workshop is held in the Brooks Room from 6:30-7:30 p.m. and is free and open to any writers who would like to participate, no preregistration required. This and other events are listed on the library’s website Events calendar: https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/events/