The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

 

Boy, I just can’t wait for this winter to end.

Normally, I go to all of the Board of Selectmen’s meetings in person, rather than watch them on Saugus TV (which I do anyway because the acoustics are so bad in the second floor auditorium that I can’t understand what people say when they don’t talk into the microphone). But this week’s meeting was a rare one I had to cancel, for safety’s sake. Driving down from Methuen to Saugus and back on an evening when you get freezing rain on top of snow makes for treacherous driving conditions. Several friends warned me it wasn’t worth the risk of driving on the ice. I was convinced to stay home after watching WBZ-TV News live photos of cars sliding and spinning on Route 1. Meanwhile, I had a driveway that needed to be plowed.

Sorry, Saugus Board of Selectmen. It wasn’t worth the hassle.

 

Congratulations, Peyton!

The one thing I missed at the Board of Selectmen’s meeting was getting to see Saugus High girls basketball star Peyton DiBiasio honored as a special guest at the meeting. Selectmen presented a citation to Peyton to recognize “her historic achievement on breaking the Saugus High School basketball record, which had stood since 1966, on January 29, 2026.” The citation further congratulated her “for this significant triumph and your continued pursuit of excellence.”

Peyton set the all-time school career scoring record for both girls and boys. Indeed, a shining moment for Peyton, her family, friends, teammates, coaches and fellow students in the Saugus High Class of 2026 and the entire Saugus High sports community.

Well done, Peyton!

 

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, March 6) 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 several “shout outs” this week:

  Josh Dellheim sent this “Shout Out” to his wife, Vanessa, for recent career honors bestowed upon her: “Congratulations to Vanessa (Arone) Dellheim who received in February national recognition from the American Physical Therapy Association with the 2026 Mary Sinnott Award for Clinical Excellence in Acute Care! Vanessa was recognized for her support and advancements towards patient care, professional mentorship, and national speaking contributions to further progress in acute physical therapy practice.”

  Al and Joyce Rodenhiser offered two “Shout Outs” for this week’s paper, one of them to Saugus Advocate Editor Mark E. Vogler: “Hello and congratulations for reporting on Saugus happenings for ten years. We would like to give you a Shout Out for reliable, timely, accurate news for all this time. All our friends who read The Advocate appreciate your dependability and all that you put into your articles. It’s one of the most important parts of democracy and we thank you wholeheartedly.

“We would also like to give a Shout Out posthumously for Margie Berkowitch. She was a wonderful woman, attended so many annual Saugus events, and lived her whole life here. She was proud of her family and was a great friend. One had only to say, I’m going to do this or that and she was right there to help and do her part. She will be missed by so many people.”

  Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo submitted the following: “This sad ‘Shout Out’ is for Margie Berkowitch who passed away last week. She was an absolute legend in this town. Always had a great big smile and a hug for me every time I saw her. She was one of the finest people I know. She was involved in many organizations as well as being Saugus’ Woman of the Year (2013), but we will all remember her most for her devotion to the Catholic Church and her Quilting. Her gorgeous quilts are masterpieces and won many awards over the years. I am lucky to have one of her quilts that she donated to the Library for a silent auction and I won the bid. I treasure it because Margie made it. You will be so missed, Rest in Peace my dear friend.”

  Joanie Allbee offered the following: “I’d like to give a ‘Shout Out’ to the handiwork of Marge Berkowitch’s hands. Although she has sadly passed, Margie’s handiwork lives on and breathes throughout.

“Just this Christmas as I was helping decorate our Saugus Historical Christmas tree, I was hanging handcrafted quilted ornaments by Margie and thinking Is there anywhere this marvelous 2013 Saugus Woman of the Year has not left a mighty fingerprint? Her beauty surrounds us.

“This Eucharistic Minister’s quilts won awards and hung her quilts for all to see on Saugus Senior Center walls for winter warmth. She provided seasonal decor with small quilted squares to Senior Center walls too.

“Margie often gave her quilts to events for raffle prizes.

“It was a pleasure sketching Margie for a ‘Guess Who Got Sketched’ contest of 10/16/2020 and writing about her following week. I look at my mini square quilts she gave to me and I feel immensely the depth of one woman’s span of work touching so many lives throughout decades.”

 

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.

 

SAVE Meets Monday at the library

Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) will hold an informational meeting on Monday (March 9) at 6:30 p.m. at the Saugus Public Library. Members and the public are welcome to attend. Member Ryan Duggan will share an educational overview on the topic of “Reading the Forested Landscape.”

 

Freedom Trail Talk March 11

On Wednesday, March 11, Saugus Historical Society will have its first meeting of spring 2026. This month’s guest will be Peggy Belmonte, portraying Revolutionary War figure Sybil Ludington – often described as the female Paul Revere. Peggy will give us a virtual tour of many sites of the Freedom Trail in Boston.

Peggy is 80 years old and has always dreamed of being a tour guide. Now in her retirement she has time to make this dream a reality. She has been training to become a guide for walking tours on the Freedom Trail in Boston this spring, and has spent much of the winter walking in downtown Boston between snowstorms and reading up on some of the more surprising and interesting stories pertaining to the area, especially events from 250 years ago.

The program will take place at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 11, at 30 Main St., the home of Saugus Historical Society and Saugus Cable TV. Light refreshments will be served. This presentation is free and open to all. This is also the annual meeting of the Historical Society, so there will be a brief election of the officers and board of directors just before the talk.

 

Maple Sugarin’ March 14

Here’s a sweet event that should offer great family fun. Breakheart Reservation will be offering a free Maple Sugarin’ time next Saturday (March 14), from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Here’s your chance to tap a tree, collect the sap and sample real maple syrup. Go to 177 Forest St. in Saugus. Please call 781-233-0834 for more details.

 

St. John’s will host March 14 craft fair

St. John’s Episcopal Church will host an Artisan Marketplace on Saturday, March 14, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., at 8 Prospect St. in Saugus. The Marketplace will feature talented local artisans offering a variety of exquisite, handcrafted items. Shoppers will find unique gifts for birthdays, Mother’s and Father’s Day and anniversaries, or special touches for the home. Visitors are invited to enjoy refreshments from the snack bar and a special 11 a.m. appearance by musician Chris D’Agostino, a Boston-based singer-songwriter, keyboardist and guitarist. He covers musical genres across various decades: rock, pop, soul and folk. Children ages 10 and under may register from 12:15 p.m.-12:45 p.m. to participate in a 1:00 p.m. Easter egg hunt.

 

SRWC Annual Meeting March 16

The Saugus River Watershed Council will host its Annual Dinner Meeting on Monday (March 16) 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.

 

Saugus Community Festival March 21

On March 21, just two weeks from tomorrow (Saturday, March 7), the Saugus Cultural Council and the Saugus 411 Committee will present the first annual Saugus Community Festival from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Saugus Middle High School complex. The six-hour program will feature performances, activities, food and more to celebrate the culture and diversity of the town’s people who make Saugus the community it is. It’s an opportunity for Saugus residents of all ages – from school-age children to senior citizens – to learn more about their community and what it has to offer. It’s an opportunity for newcomers to town to get better acquainted with how to make life easier and various attractions. It’s also a chance for longtime residents to refresh themselves with knowledge about their hometown and to renew connections. Put it on your calendar, Saugonians!

 

Art on the Wing

Join the library and Wingmasters for this unique opportunity! Draw or paint live birds of prey! Wingmasters will present five live birds for 10-15 minutes each while the audience draws and asks questions. Participants need to bring their own art supplies. The library will provide plain paper, pencils and colored pencils. Saturday, March 21, from 10-11 a.m. in the Community Room; age eight and up, please. Online registration starts on March 7.

 

Coach T’s spring track program

Plans are in the works for the Saugus Sachems Youth Spring Track Program for 2026. Here’s the basic information.

Who: Grades K-6^th.

Where: Belmonte Track.

When: 4:00-5:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays – May 19-June 11.

This program is geared toward new track and field athletes. It will prepare them for the larger-scale summer camp.

Cost: $150 first year, $75 if returning.

For any questions, further information or to register, please contact Coach Christopher Tarantino (Coach T) at 781-854-6778 or ch********************@***il.com