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By Mark E. Vogler
Good morning, Saugus
Breakheart Reservation strikes me as a great place to walk. And if you have been seriously considering reactivating or launching an effective walking program, tomorrow (Saturday, June 13) would be a great day to do it, and you might be joining a number of other Saugus residents who have the same walk-for-your-health objective. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree’s Office has been promoting the first-ever Saugus Wellness Collective Walk, which is set to begin at 9 a.m. tomorrow at Breakheart Reservation.
“The Saugus Wellness Collective organized this walk to promote healthy lifestyle choices while fostering a sense of community and support,” the town manager’s office said in a recent press release. “The walk will utilize the Healthy Heart Trail at Breakheart Reservation, which is a two-mile loop that has been recognized by the Massachusetts Department of Conservation and Recreation as a premier route beneficial to cardiovascular health.”
Highlights of the Saugus Wellness Collective Walk include:
- Free T-shirts for registered walkers
- Light refreshments
- Live entertainment featuring Saugus Health Director John Fralick
To secure your spot and a free T-shirt (while supplies last), please preregister for the walk by emailing Karli Brazis at kb*****@*******ma.gov.
“The walk for wellness at Breakheart Reservation is intended as a signature kickoff event for the Saugus Wellness Collective,” according to the Town Manager’s Office. “The Saugus Wellness Collective aims to raise awareness for mental health and substance use disorders, as well as to provide resources for residents seeking assistance in their recovery efforts. The Saugus Wellness Collective is excited about partnering with the community in the future.”
Saugus United Parish Food Pantry
The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, June 12) 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.
This week’s “Shout Outs”
We received this tribute from Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo:
“This sad ‘Shout Out’ is for Joan Fowler, a Saugus legend. Joan was known and beloved by all of us who knew her. She was a decades long member of the Hammersmith Quilt Guild, a Town Meeting Member, Chairman of the Conservation Commission for many years, and was also on the Charter Commission. She was absolutely brilliant. She loved Saugus and volunteered her time for many years to make this town a better place. She was devoted to her son, daughter and granddaughters. You never saw Joan without her knitting needles. She will be missed by all of us who knew and loved her.”
Town Meeting members observed a moment of silence at Monday night’s meeting for Fowler, who died last Friday at the age of 86. Town Moderator Stephen Doherty described her as “a longtime Town Meeting member and volunteer.”
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.
Countdown till Saugus celebrates America’s 250th
Here’s an updated report from the Saugus 250th Celebration Committee:
The Saugus 250th Celebration Committee is putting some of the final touches on the event. We have started to hear from precincts that will be submitting a patriotic decorative truck and hope to continue to hear from more in the next week or two! The committee will be doing a spot with SCTV that will have a lot of information on the event itself, so watch out for it! Again, Saugus has a rich history in its role in the Revolutionary War. We have a very hardworking committee; however, we need volunteers for the event! If you can help out on the 4th, overseeing children’s games, serving food, etc., let us know. America’s 250th Celebration is just weeks away! It will be observed locally at the Saugus Iron Works, Saturday, July 4th, noon to 4 p.m. There will be speeches by Parson Roby, General George Washington and reenactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There will be entertainment, children’s games played back in the 1700s and an old-fashioned community get-together and BBQ! We are looking forward to the 10 precincts entering a patriotic decorated vehicle! Join us for a fun-filled historical event celebrating our Founding Fathers who created our country’s democratic form of government.
The time is coming up quickly, and we heard from Precincts 2 and 4 on submitting a vehicle. We’d like to hear from the other eight precincts on submitting a patriotic decorated vehicle. If you are going to submit one, please let us know no later than June 20.
Several of our volunteers did an informational spot on SCTV for the celebration; it was great and we can’t wait for everyone to see it. Thank you, John, Michelle and Maureen!
If you want more information or have questions, email cc*****@*****st.net.
Yard sale at St. Johns tomorrow
St. John’s Episcopal Church will be hosting a yard sale tomorrow (Saturday, June 13) from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. at 8 Prospect St., right around the corner from the Saugus Ironworks National Historic Site. For details, please call 781-233-1242 or 617-240-9003.
Elks to hold Narcan program June 15
The Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee is holding a Narcan presentation at the Saugus Senior Center on Monday, June 15, at 10 a.m., at 466 Central St. in Saugus. This is an hour-long free event. Drug overdose is the leading cause of death in the United States. Witness the benefits of Narcan and its many uses. Samples will be shown to all present. Don’t miss out on this event. Light refreshments will be served.
Strawberry Festival June 20
A note from Laura Eisener: The Saugus Historical Society Strawberry Festival and Saugus Garden Club Plant Sale will be Saturday, June 20. Strawberry Shortcakes, hot dogs, soda, and chips will be available at the Legion Hall from 10-2, and the Garden Club as well as several craft vendors will be set up on the Roby School Lawn as usual. There are some new vendors planning to come in addition to several vendors who have been there for several years in a row. The festival is Rain or Shine! Hope to see you there for this popular town tradition.
Home Base on June 20
On Saturday, June 20, Team Marshalls4Vets and Staff Sergeant Arthur F. DeFranzo VFW Post 2346 will be cosponsoring a Fundraiser Party Benefiting Home Base from 7 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Post. Tickets will be $50 per person with a limit of 100. Catering will be provided by Kowloon, Texas Roadhouse and other local restaurants. There will be prize Raffles, 50/50 raffle & more.
Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, is dedicated to healing the invisible wounds for Veterans, Service Members and their Families through world-class clinical care, wellness, education and research. To donate online: https://runtohomebase.org/support/#marshalls4vets.
KOC Crafts fair Aug. 8
The Saugus Knights of Columbus No. 1829 will host a crafts fair Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 57 Appleton St. in Saugus: baked goods, candles, handmade textiles, jewelry, wood carving and much more. Visitors can also enjoy making their own sundaes, or popcorn, hot dogs, hot coffee and donuts and raffles.
Upcoming events at the Saugus Public Library
Here are some programs worth checking out at the Saugus Public Library:
- Join WCVB-TV and Chronicle’s own Ted Reinstein for his presentation of “Greetings from Breed’s Hill and Other Stories of Fact & Folklore for the 250th.” The event is set for June 18 from 6 to 7:45 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library (295 Central St., Saugus). As America commemorates and celebrates its 250th Anniversary, Ted Reinstein looks back. Way back. Even years before independence was actually achieved, events took place that would shape how the new nation would look back at its founding.
Paul Revere’s ride? One of the most momentous nights in U.S. history. And, like any big night, there was a bill. And America’s first expense report. Who knew? (The first bean counters even tried to stiff Revere!).
While many New Englanders pride themselves on knowing the difference between Bunker and Breed’s Hill, few know that the bad blood over this historical inaccuracy continues — meet Jed Breed, thirteenth-generation direct descendant of the Boston farmer whose name should be in the history books, not an answer in “Trivial Pursuit.” Find out why Concord and Lexington are still doing battle — not with the British, but each other. Visit historic Copp’s Hill Burying Ground, and find the one headstone the British used for target practice — and why.
All drawn from Ted Reinstein’s nearly three decades of reporting around New England, these stories and more are crafted into an entertaining talk. If you like history, enjoy learning a story behind the story or just want a good laugh along with your 250th — ”Greetings from Bunker Hill!” There will be time for Ted to answer questions from the audience.
Seating is limited. Registration is required. Register online at https://SaugusPublicLibrary.org/events or call 781-231-4168 ext. 3106.
This event is sponsored by the New Friends of the Saugus Public Library.
- See Jonah Knight perform a magic show and facilitate a Dungeons and Dragons game! Please join us on Monday, June 22, at 4 p.m. in the Brooks Room. Suitable for 5th grade and up; registration required.
SAVE Annual Meeting June 16
Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment will hold its 53rd Annual Meeting & Dinner on June 16 at 7 p.m. at Magia’s Restaurant & Bar (126 Newbury St., Danvers). A social time will be held at 6:30 p.m. The program will feature a brief business meeting, stewardship award, guest speaker, raffles and an update on SAVE activities. The guest speaker will be Kirstie Pecci, Executive Director of Just Zero, a national zero waste, nonprofit organization, who will be presenting on the topic “Massachusetts: Time to Change our Solid Waste System.”
The Dinner Buffet will include fresh garden salad, penne with pomodoro, baked haddock, chicken parmigiana, vegetable, rolls and butter, dessert, coffee and tea. Free parking is available on-site, and the facility is ADA accessible.
SAVE was founded in 1973 to promote a better quality of life in Saugus through environmental concern and action.
Summer Track Camp 2026 coming up
The Saugus Sachems Youth Summer Track Camp 2026 is coming up. This vibrant program, now in its 21st year, is where student athletes from a wide range of ages come together to listen well, work hard and have fun! They will be guided by veteran coach Christopher Tarantino, his coaches, counselors and alumni, as well as current middle and high school track team members. Participants work on social and team building skills, as well as setting individual and team goals, all while learning the fundamentals and/or the advanced techniques of this dynamic sport, track and field.
Cost: $350 first year, returning $300, $250 if 4th+ year in summer program; includes pasta dinner, t-shirt, uniform and entry into Summer Showdown. Subtract $50 from cost if returning with uniform.
For any questions, further information or to register, please contact Coach Christopher Tarantino (Coach T) at 781-854-6778 or ch********************@***il.com.
Here’s what parents and participants need to know:
Who: five to 18 years old.
Where: Belmonte Track.
When: 6-8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.
June 22–26 – final registration week/returning athlete training.
June 29–July 3 – first formal week.
July 6–9 – second formal week.
July 10 – 10 a.m.-12 p.m. – makeup practice (if necessary).
July 10 – 6 p.m. – Pasta Dinner at Prince Pizzeria.
July 11 – 9 a.m. – in-house meet at Serino Stadium.
July 13 – 16 – retrain week.
July 18 – Summer Showdown in Cranston, R.I.
July 22 – wrap up.
Veterans Day Bricks Program is back
The Saugus Veterans Council is pleased to reinstate the Brick Program! After our vendor retired last year (thank you, Del from Pavlok, for working with us over the years), we have found another engraver, who will be taking our orders for Veterans Day! Proceeds from the brick sales are devoted to the upkeep of Saugus Veterans Park. If you are interested in purchasing a brick, a 4×8″ will be $100 (three lines) and an 8×8″ (five lines) is $200. Please contact Corinne Riley (781-231-7995) for an application or more information. All orders must be in no later than Sept. 10.
