Buon Natale – the rich Christmas traditions of Italy By Helen Breen Italians celebrate Christmas for a full month from the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 8 through the Feast of the Epiphany on January 6. Although some regional differences exist, the month basically is devoted to religious observances and spending time with family and friends. While food is an essential focus of the season, other traditions include: The crèche The presepe or crib, depicting the stable scene surrounding the birth of Christ, is essential to the observance of Christmas. Its origins date back to St. Francis of Assisi, who in 1223 wished to create a “natural…
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Festive (Not) Ugly Sweaters coat drive to benefit needy children this winter
By Tara Vocino People got festive last Wednesday at Volare by wearing (Not) Ugly Christmas Sweaters at Coats for Kids, where guests donated toys and winter accessories to needy children. “I was volunteering at Youth in Action four years ago, and saw that there was one child who didn’t have a winter coat, but that’s one too many,” said event co-organizer Mike DiGangi, who was wearing a Nutcracker sweater. DiGangi asked the school department if there were more needy children – there were – and that’s how the third annual coat drive was initiated. He organized the drive with Ward 4 City Councillor Patrick Keefe and Matthew Parlante, who were…
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Small Saves
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Christmas Lights
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The Advocate Asks: Selectman Jennifer D’Eon shares her “Christmas List” for Saugus residents
THE ADVOCATE ASKS: Selectman Jennifer D’Eon shares her “Christmas List” for Saugus residents Editor’s Note: For this week, we sat down with Jennifer D’Eon, who has been a member of the Board of Selectmen since the recall election in March of 2015. We asked her to identify and talk about the top five presents she would give to the town this Christmas if she had the ability to do so. D’Eon, a 1993 graduate of Malden High School, has lived in the Cliftondale section of Saugus since buying a Myrtle Street home from her husband’s grandparents in 1999. She and her husband – Saugus Fire Department Deputy Fire Chief…
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EXTRA EXTRA! Superintendent Foresteire retires
Superintendent Foresteire retires Late Thursday evening, the Advocate received a copy of a letter submitted by Superintendent Fred Foresteire to Everett School Committee Chair Beradino D’Onofrio announcing that he was returning by the end of that day. The two line letter, dated for Tuesday, December 18, reads in full: “This letter is to inform you I am retiring at the end of the day, Tuesday, December 18, 2018. It has been a wonderful fifty-two and one half years!”
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Jennifer Inglis chosen as new library director
By Christopher Roberson Following recent deliberations, the Board of Trustees of the Lynnfield Public Library extended an offer to Salem resident Jennifer Inglis to become the library’s new director. Board Chairman Robert Calamari said her start date and compensation package could not be released as her contract is still being negotiated. Inglis was interviewed by the trustees on Nov. 19 and was ultimately favored over fellow finalists Rita Gavelis and Laura Keyes. “Ms. Inglis was chosen from among approximately 40 applicants and a very strong slate of three finalists based upon her extensive experience as a library director in other Massachusetts communities as well as her fit and familiarity…
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Santa Claus makes his annual visit to Pine Banks
Santa Claus made his 69th visit to his Pine Banks Office this past weekend. Hundreds of families came to meet him, drop off their Christmas lists, enjoy the festive lights and have a cup of hot chocolate and some cookies. Santa’s visit is a long standing tradition hosted by Pine Banks Park and Ward 5 Councillor Barbara Murphy. (Photos by Paul Hammersley)
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Letter to the Editor: First Congregational Church to hold Christmas Candlight Service
Letter to the Editor: First Congregational Church to hold Christmas Candlight Service The First Congregational Church of Revere (230 Beach Street) will hold a Christmas Eve Candlelight Service on Monday, December 24th at 6 p.m. In His peace, Rev. Nicholas G. Granitsas, Pastor
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Brodie’s Pub owner sued for alleged lease violation
By Christopher Roberson Pasquale Todisco, the owner of the O’Shea Building at 1 Main St., has filed a $103,000 lawsuit against Michael Votto, the owner of Brodie’s Pub, claiming that Votto violated a signed lease to occupy a 5,920-square-foot space on the ground floor. Todisco purchased the building at 1 Main St. in June 2017 for $1.47 million at a foreclosure auction. In a six-page complaint filed on Dec. 5 in Salem Superior Court, Attorney Thomas Delaney, counsel for Todisco, said that on Jan. 20, Votto and Todisco entered into a commercial lease that would have remained valid until April 30, 2028, and when the lease took effect on Feb.…
