The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus!

It was about this time eight years ago that I had just begun my second journalistic tour of duty covering Saugus – this time as editor of The Saugus Advocate. I had last reported on the people and events of the town for a five and a half year–stint with North Shore Sunday that ended in the spring of 1992. In between the two Saugus stops, I had spent three years as editor of The Nantucket Beacon followed by 18 years at The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover.

I still remember my first night back in Saugus, sitting in the cramped, but cozy first floor conference room at Saugus Town Hall. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree presided over his annual briefing of Saugus selectmen on what was then his proposed budget for the 2017 Fiscal Year.

I was just a guest that night, and didn’t have to file a story on the proposed budget. But I would hit the ground running the following week, covering Super Tuesday. I hung around outside the Precinct 9 polling location at the Oaklandvale Elementary School.

I remember interviewing a bunch of Saugus residents who voted for Bernie Sanders that day. The U.S. Senator from Vermont won a close race for Democratic votes in Saugus over Hillary Clinton. Meanwhile, Donald Trump trounced his nearest Republican challenger, John Kasich.

What I remember most about those hours outside the Precinct 9 polls was getting to talk to two first-time voters and how thrilled they were to be exercising their democratic rights. And they were more than proud to discuss their choice of Sanders during interviews with The Saugus Advocate after they voted.

I plan to spend a couple of hours on Tuesday covering what would be my third presidential primary. Hopefully, I will find the same passion and young idealism that I found eight years ago in first-time voters Hannahy Lydon, then 18; and Nick Dicredico, who was 21.

But that may be a challenge, given how jaded and down people are on politics. And this is the first time I can recall in many a Presidential Election Year where the primary really doesn’t mean anything for voters in either party.

Stay tuned.

 

No retirement plans yet

It’s about this time every year that I make a decision on whether to go another year as a newspaperman. It was professionally fulfilling for me to make it to a half century of reporting. At age 71, I know I don’t have too many years left in a dying profession that’s been rewarding to me. It all depends on good health. Journalism is something that I still enjoy and take pride in – knowing that a consistently good newspaper is an asset to any community.

After eight years covering the town for The Saugus Advocate – plus the five and a half years in a previous newspaper stint – I have invested more than 13 years of my professional life in Saugus. Driving up and down Route One has always been the least desirable part of the job. But it has been a fun, interesting and challenging job that I’ve always taken pride in doing.

But, as they say, all good things come to an end at some point in life. If I had the energy and commitment to go another decade, I would. But I wouldn’t want to convert to an online journalist. I’m a print guy. I have to feel and see the real paper.

 

Two sad “Shout Outs”

Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo contributed this week’s “Shout Outs.” “I have two sad ‘Shout Outs,’” Jeanie wrote in a recent email.

“The first is for Carol Davis, wife of Bob Davis, who passed away last week. All of us who go to World Series Park knew Carol. She was just the sweetest person, I never saw her without a smile on her face and a kind word for everyone. I will miss her. Rest in Peace,” Jeanie wrote.

“The second sad ‘Shout Out’ is for Ruth Swanson who also passed away last week. I first met her when we were on the Cultural Arts Council together. Her love for the Arts was such that she was a founding member of the M.E.G. Cultural Arts Center in Cliftondale Square. She was smart, funny and witty and I will miss her too. Rest in Peace.”

 

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 (mvoge@comcast.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.

 

Food Pantry notes

  The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, March 1) from 9:30-11 a.m.

 

Legion Breakfast today

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 2023-24 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.

 

Countdown Till Town Meeting

The 2024 Annual Town Meeting convenes on Monday, May 6 – that’s still more than two months away. Having collaborated with the Saugus Public Library and SaugusTV while moderating 10 months of “Saugus Over Coffee,” in which we featured the town’s 10 precincts last year, I feel invested in the Town Meeting process.

As a special service to our readers and the registered voters of Saugus, we will reach out to the Town Meeting members in each precinct, focusing on one precinct each week, in the weeks leading up to the start of Town Meeting. We plan to ask Town Meeting members about their expectations for the upcoming Town Meeting. This week, we received responses from three of the five Town Meeting Members in Precinct 1. Next week, we will reach out to Town Meeting Members in Precinct 2.

By the time Town Meeting convenes, all 50 members will have had a chance to respond to these four questions:

1) What do you consider the top priority for the town as you prepare for the opening of the 2024 Town Meeting session?

2) What do you consider the top priority for residents in your precinct as you prepare for the opening of the 2024 Town Meeting session?

3) Are you working independently or in collaboration with other members on articles to be introduced for this year’s Town Meeting? Could you please elaborate? Summarize your article and what you hope to accomplish.

4) Please feel free to share any other views about the upcoming Town Meeting.

 

Town Meeting forums at the library

In recent weeks, Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian has been providing a wonderful opportunity for Saugus citizens who want to learn the basics about Town Meeting – the legislative body of Saugus town government. Manoogian has presided over several Town Meeting forums held at the Saugus Public Library. Manoogian is a veteran of about four decades in local town government at various levels, including many years as a Town Meeting member.

Manoogian will be leading two more sessions this year that are tailored for newly elected Town Meeting members or veterans who want to refresh themselves about Robert’s Rules of Order or how to put forward an article for consideration. The sessions for March 25 and April 22 will be held in the Community Room at the library from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

 

Learn about Appleton’s Revolution on March 13

The first Saugus Historical Society meeting of the spring will be at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 13 at 30 Main St. in Saugus. Paul E. Kenworthy will talk about “the first American Revolution,” which began in Saugus when Samuel Appleton spoke from a high rock adjacent to what is now Appleton Street on September 19, 1687, denouncing Governor Edmund Andros. In 1686, Edmund Andros was appointed governor of the Dominion of New England by Great Britain. He instituted many laws and policies that were not popular in New England.

One of the most significant protests during Andros’ three-year administration occurred here in Saugus. A year after Andros’s appointment, Appleton spoke from the top of the rock outcrop against Great Britain’s demands from the colonies. The Appleton’s Pulpit historical marker at that spot is familiar to many residents and was recently restored by the local Parson Roby Chapter of the DAR. This program will give the background of that incident, including political changes in England and in the colonies that profoundly changed the relationship between them. Paul is a National Park Ranger at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site and vice-president of Saugus Historical Society.

The program is free to the general public. There will be a brief meeting at 7 p.m. to allow Saugus Historical Society members the opportunity to vote on the slate of officers for this year, followed by a presentation of a booklet of photographs of the work of Carmine Moschella, created by his daughter Carla Moschella, for the historical society archives. Many Saugus residents will remember Mr. Moschella’s work at the high school and the many projects he contributed to the town. He passed on many of his skills to the high school students and adults who took woodworking and furniture restoration classes from him. The “Appleton’s Revolution” talk will follow immediately. As usual, light refreshments will be served.

 

Compost/Recycling Drop-Off Site winter hours

  The Town of Saugus Compost/Recycling Drop-Off Site is closed for the winter. But it will reopen for recycling on the third Saturday of this month weather permitting. Please note: The site will be open March 16 during the period from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Please contact Scott Brazis, Director of Solid Waste/Recycling, with any questions at 781-231-4036.

 

Welcome to Cliftondale

The Meg Foundation Board of Directors is inviting former students, family members, friends, or anyone interested in attending an “Open House” event at The MEG Building, formerly known as the Cliftondale School, from May 4–5, 2024.

Many of our visitors to the school – located at 54-58 Essex St. – have shared with us incredibly special memories of their childhood while attending the first, second, third and fourth grades. Oftentimes they bring their grandchildren as well to take a tour of the building and view firsthand what an elementary school looked like those many years ago.

The purpose of this event is to highlight Cliftondale, the school, the people and the businesses that have made this part of Saugus special. Presently board members are in the process of gathering historical items, class pictures, schoolbooks and handwritten letters of young students. If you have any class pictures or school memorabilia that the committee could borrow to display, or if you have any questions, please contact Paula Walsh at 781-520-2122.

 

Kindergarten Enrollment 2024-2025

Open enrollment for kindergarten will begin on Monday, April 22, and continue through Friday, April 26. Kindergarten is free and full day (8:30 a.m.-2:30 p.m.). Families can pick up a kindergarten registration packet at the main office of the Veterans Early Learning Center between the hours of 9:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m. Completed registration packets will be due on Wednesday, May 22, and Thursday, May 23, during the following hours: 9:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. (All registration documents must be included on the packet return dates.) Staff will be available to collect your documentation at the main entrance. Once all documentation is confirmed we will schedule an appointment for a mandatory kindergarten screening. Kindergarten screenings will be held on June 3 & 4 and will last 20 minutes.

*While there is no official deadline for kindergarten registration, we ask that you register your student by May 24, to help us effectively plan staffing and programming for next year.”

 

SAVE 2024 Environmental Scholarship Available

  Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) is very pleased to announce that it is offering a $1,000 Environmental Scholarship to a Saugus resident who is or will be attending a two- or four-year college or other educational institution and pursuing a degree in an area that would positively impact the environment. A qualifying applicant may be a 2024 high school graduating senior or a current college undergraduate student continuing their education.

Applicants can download the SAVE 2024 Environmental Scholarship Application Form found at www.saugusSAVE.org. Please note: Section C of the application should be identified with your initials only and should provide a brief summary of any of your activities relating to the environment, as well as describe how you feel your career choice will positively impact the environment.

Please email your application – no later than midnight on April 19, 2024 – to: SAVE Co-President Ann Devlin at adevlin@aisle10.net

 

What’s new at the Saugus Public Library?

  There’s always something interesting going on. Here’s an activity worth checking out:

Join us at the Saugus Public Library on March 11 from 6-7:30 p.m. for an adult painting class with the Pop Up Art School. Each participant will create a painting on canvas of a starry night sky. The presenters will provide instructions on proper brush techniques, how to stabilize the hand to allow for better fine motor control and how to create texture using different paint colors and brushstrokes, plus how to mix paint to create shadows and highlights. By the end of the class, participants will not only have created a painting, but will have learned techniques for continuing on their own.

No experience is necessary. This is a free class with all materials provided, but space is limited. Please register on our events calendar (https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/) or call 781-231-4168, ext. 3107.

Pop up Art School has been teaching for nine years and has taught over 1,750 art programs in public libraries, plus afterschool enrichment in public and private schools. Their artists/teachers have taught in private and public schools on the South Shore of Boston.

 

Bingo is back at the Kowloon!

  Join the Kowloon Restaurant for Wednesday Night Bingo. The event takes place every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. and will continue to April 3. Entry is free. Games, prizes and music highlight the event. For more information, call the Kowloon Restaurant at 781-233-0077 or visit online at www.kowloonrestaurant.com

 

March 8 Night Dance Jam at the Kowloon

  The Kowloon Restaurant is set to host Friday Night Dance Jam where Motown meets Freestyle, starring the Classic Supremes, The Cover Girls, P2, Lance Bernard Bryant and Jovian Ford. DJ Ricky will spin club classics. The event is slated for March 8.

VIP Tickets are $75 per person for reserved seating, buffet and photos with the artists. Doors open for VIP tickets from 6-8 p.m. General admission tickets are $65 per person for reserved seating only. Doors open for general admission tickets at 8 p.m. Showtime is 9 p.m. Tickets are available by order online at Kowloonrestaurant.com or the Kowloon front desk or charge-by-phone: 781-233-0077. For more information, call the Kowloon Restaurant at 781-233-0077 or visit online at www.kowloonrestaurant.com

 

A Pro Wrestling Legend visits Saugus

The Kowloon Restaurant is set to host Mark Henry for a night of Standup and stories of his life as a World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) Hall of Famer and All Elite Wrestling (AEW) and Pro Wrestling Legend. The event is scheduled for March 12. VIP Tickets are $85.00 per person for Priority Seating and Post Show Meet and Greet. The VIP tickets include one autograph and one selfie with your own device. General admission is $35.00 per person and includes the show only. The doors open at 6 p.m. and showtime is 7 p.m. Tickets are available by order online at Kowloonrestaurant.com or the Kowloon front desk or charge-by-phone: 781-233-0077.

Mark Jerrold Henry is an American former powerlifter, Olympic weightlifter, strongman and professional wrestler currently signed to AEW as a commentator/analyst, coach and talent scout. He is best known for his 25-year career in WWE.

 

Maple sugarin’ time!

  Come to Breakheart Reservation on Saturday, March 9, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. for this fun annual event. Experience the process of maple sugarin’ from tapping a tree to sampling real maple syrup. The hands-on tour includes the history of maple sugaring from Native Americans to today, tree identification & tapping, wood splitting, the evaporator and a tasting station.

For more information or questions, please call 781-233-0834 or stop by the Visitor Center at Breakheart Reservation (177 Forest St., Saugus).

 

Winter is calling at Breakheart

  If you love hiking, nature and the great outdoors, there’s a lot going on this winter at Breakheart Reservation – courtesy of the state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR). All programs are free and open to the public. An adult must accompany children.

Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Parking fees may apply depending on the program’s location. For more information, please email Jessica Narog-Hutton, Visitor Services Supervisor, at jessica.narog-hutton@mass.gov

Here are a few programs that DNR has in the works:

• On Sundays through March, why not do something easy, like a Sunday morning hike from 10 a.m. to noon? Check in at the Visitor Center (177 Forest St., Saugus). Join the Park Interpreter for a weekly guided hike. Each trip will highlight natural and historic features that make Breakheart unique. Hikes will be moderately paced and range from two to three miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain. This activity is best suited for ages eight years and up. The hike will be canceled in the event of heavy rain.
• On Thursdays through March, the Camp Nihan Educational Center (121 Walnut St., Saugus) will offer the Wild Breakheart Series from 9 to 10 a.m. Join Breakheart staff for this rotating nature series that will explore different aspects of Breakheart in the wintertime. In March be a part of the Breakheart Birding Club. Discover what birds are starting to come back for the spring and what birds stay from the winter.
• On Fridays through March, check out Kidleidoscope from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m. at the Visitor Center (177 Forest St., Saugus). Come join a park interpreter for a story time and nature walk. Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately one mile, though not accessible for strollers. This activity is appropriate for families with children who are three to five years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
• On Saturdays through March, “Step into the Past” from 10 a.m.to noon at the Visitor Center (177 Forest St., Saugus). Join the park interpreter to discover the park history. Hikes are about two and a half miles and of moderate difficulty along rocky trails with several stops. Best for adults and older children with a keen interest in history. Meet outside the Visitor Center. This activity will be canceled in the event of rain.
• First and third Saturdays: Stories in Stone: Breakheart has been shaped not only by nature but by the many people who have called it home.
• Second and fourth Saturdays: Glacial Giants: Countless clues to a glacial past dot the landscape. If one knows where to look, this hidden geologic history can be revealed.

 

About The Saugus Advocate

We welcome press releases, news announcements, freelance articles and courtesy photos from the community. Our deadline is noon Wednesday. If you have a story idea, an article or photo to submit, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a message at 978-683-7773. 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.