The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus!

It was outstanding citizen participation by Ava Rogers at last week’s School Committee meeting. Hopefully, school officials were taking copious notes on some improvements that ought to be made as soon as possible in Saugus Public Schools.

“We don’t have a class that teaches kids about finances,” the Saugus High School student told the committee.

And Ava also talked about how foreign language course offerings are limited to Spanish and Latin. She remembers when students could take Italian, French and other foreign languages, which were discontinued after the teacher left.

Not to mention a teacher shortage that’s so bad that 50 kids are stuck in a library instead of learning in a classroom. Stay tuned.

 

Students don’t need their cell phones at school

The recent incident involving a 13-year-old girl beating up another 13-year-girl in a Middle School gym class while a handful of other classmates ran around with their cell phones videotaping the despicable incident has revived some bad memories for me when I was a substitute teacher at Methuen High School for part of three years. It was bad enough that the students would go out of their way to make a substitute teacher’s life miserable just by being loud and obnoxious. They would use their cell phones – not only to talk to friends and parents from the classroom – but also as a weapon of mass disruption.

I saw absolutely no redeeming value in a student from grade school to high school having a cell phone in school for any reason. Students in Methuen would use them to play music, generate loud noise effects and play video games. They served absolutely no educational purpose.

They were not a necessity for students. If there were a family emergency, and a parent needed to talk to the student, all they had to do is call the main office at the school and a staff person there would promptly go to the classroom and notify the student, who could come down to the office and use a phone to make the call.

A low point in my brief career as a substitute schoolteacher came the day that two vice principals called me to an administrative office to interrogate me about trying to grab an unruly student’s cell phone out of his hands. This punk in my class was listening to music and ignored my repeated requests to put the cell phone away. At Methuen High, there was a rule that a substitute teacher could not take away or confiscate anything from a student regardless of the circumstances. All I did was make a movement like I was going to grab the cell phone. But the vice principals wanted to make sure that I knew the rules.

It was a funny thing, though, that when it came to the cell phone abuse that I witnessed, there were little or no consequences. My bad experiences involving students with cell phones certainly hastened my decision to give up subbing and stick to newspaper reporting.

 

This week’s “Shout Outs”

We received two nominations from our readers for multiple “Shout Outs” this week.

Loyal advocate reader and former Town Meeting Member Joyce Rodenhiser offered the following: “Congratulations to all the folks who feed those who need food. This includes the Cliftondale Food Pantry, those who feed schoolchildren, and those who feed veterans. A ‘Shout Out’ to those who collect this food and to those who donate and distribute. It’s great work that you do and those who receive this food are grateful.”

  Vanessa Dellheim sent this one: “I want to send a ‘Shout Out’ to the Belmonte chairs of the Parents teacher organization, Lori Fauci and Jill Lauziere. Together they have provided fundraisers and events to students dating back to Lynnhurst through the Veterans school and now at the Belmonte Steam Academy. They organize and host such events as the 2nd annual talent show, Christmas stroll craft fair, lunch for field day and inflatables, the fun run and most recently helping coordinate the 5th graders March madness (student teachers basketball game), all of which help students feel included and excited for school. Much of the fundraising goes to supporting some items the school needs, field trips and additional experiences for the students to enjoy and engage in learning and the community. These two most definitely deserve a ‘Shout Out’ and recognition of all they do!”

 

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.

 

Food Pantry notes

  The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, March 22) 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.

 

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.

 

Welcome to Cliftondale

The Meg Foundation Board of Directors is inviting former students, family members, friends or anyone interested to attend 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, which is 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 ad*****@*****10.net

 

What’s new at the Saugus Public Library?

  There’s always something interesting going on. Here are some activities worth checking out:

• Meet Queen Elizabeth II tomorrow (Saturday, March 23) at 2 p.m. in the Community Room. Join us when actress Sheryl Faye performs as the queen in an hour long performance followed by a Q&A. Queen Elizabeth II was a true icon, who inspired people around the world with her strength, courage, resilience and dedication to a life of service. Her reign of 70 years and 214 days was the longest of any British monarch and the longest verified reign of any female head of state in history. Seating is limited and registration is required. Please visit the Saugus Public Library website at Events (https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/events).
• Check out the Great Dane Service Dog Visit! Wednesday, April 17, 10-11 a.m. in the Community Room – Great Danes and their handlers from Service Dog Project in Ipswich will be here to show the dogs and answer all of your questions about them. Meet and pet Great Danes! De-stress from school, homework, work, etc. Come by the library to pet and visit with these gentle giants! No registration necessary – age 11 and up, please.

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Saugus Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

Saugus Public Library / 295 Central St. / 781-231-4168 / sauguspubliclibrary.org

• Check out Toni Gangi’s Italian American Street Culture & the Street Organ on Monday, May 13 at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room. The hand-cranked street organ has a historical connection to Italian-American Culture, particularly in Boston. Italian immigrants brought the hand-cranked street organ to the United States, where it became a melodious fixture in Italian neighborhoods. Join Gangi and hear him play the music of the streets on his Barrel Organ. He may even make his talk really hit home, as he’s researching Saugus history involving organ grinders for his talk.
• Check out Peter Jackson’s Magic To Go on Saturday, May 18 at 2 p.m. in the library’s Community Room. Reservations are required – ages six and up – reservations open April 15. Seating is limited.

 

Holy Week events in Saugus

First Congregational Church has announced its plans for Holy Week.

• On Thursday, March 28, Maundy Thursday will be celebrated with an Agape Supper at 6:30 p.m. (Sign up by March 24.)
• On Good Friday, March 29, there will be a Taize Service at 6 p.m. All are welcome to join a beautiful prayer experience amid candles, music, prayer and stillness as we prepare our hearts for Easter.
• On Sunday, March 31, there will be an Easter Sunday Service at 10 a.m.

For more information, please email 1s*************@***il.com or call 781-233-3028.

  St. John’s Episcopal Church has announced some upcoming Holy Week events. Tomorrow (Saturday, March 23), there will be a Palm Sunday Eve event at 5 p.m., followed by refreshments and conversation. On Palm Sunday (March 24), there will be a liturgy of the Palms at 10 a.m. Evening Prayer will be held at 7 p.m. on Monday and again at 7 p.m. on Wednesday. On Maundy Thursday, there will be an Agape Meal at 6 p.m., followed by worship at 7 p.m. On Good Friday, there will be a Contemplation of the Cross of Christ, with a Noon Liturgy and Evening Prayer at 7 p.m. On Easter Sunday, there will be a sunrise service in the Memorial Garden at 6 a.m. and Easter Eucharist at 10 a.m. All are welcome for Holy Week at St. John’s Episcopal Church (8 Prospect St.).

 

Riverside Cemetery spring cleanup April 1

The Town of Saugus Cemetery Department announced recently that spring grounds cleanup will begin at the Riverside Cemetery on Monday, April 1. The Cemetery Commission kindly asks members of the public to remove any personal and/or holiday/seasonal items from the grounds before the cleanup begins. All Veterans flags will be placed back on gravesites on Friday, May 24 at 3:00 p.m. prior to Memorial Day.

For more information, please contact the Cemetery Department at 781-231-4170 or email Madyson Coburn at mc*****@*******ma.gov

 

Kowloon Komedy in March

The Kowloon Restaurant – located at 948 Broadway, Route 1 North, Saugus – has set its Comedy Club March lineup. Showtimes are at 8 p.m. and tickets are $20 per person. To order tickets, call the Kowloon Restaurant at 781-233-0077 or go online at www.kowloonrestaurant.com

Here is this month’s schedule for “Kowloon Komedy”:

March 22: Robbie Printz, 8:00 p.m., $20.

March 29: Paul Gilligan, 8:00 p.m., $20.

 

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.

 

The Theatre Company of Saugus presents two weekends of Puffs next month

The Theatre Company of Saugus (TCS) will present “Puffs or Seven Increasingly Eventful Years at a Certain School of Magic and Magic,” during two weekends in April 2024. For seven years a certain boy wizard went to a certain wizard school and conquered evil. This, however, is not his story. This is the story of the Puffs… who just happened to be there, too. A tale for anyone who has never been destined to save the world. Third or nothing!

The New York Times proclaims Puffs “a fast-paced romp through the seven increasingly eventful years…. For Potterphiliacs who grew up alongside Potter and are eager to revisit that world, Puffs exudes a jovial winking fondness for all things Harry!”

Performances are April 19-20-21 and 26-27-28, 2024, on Friday and Saturday evenings at 8:00 p.m., and with Sunday matinees at 2:00 p.m.

The location is the Theatre Company of Saugus home at the American Legion Post 210 / 44 Taylor St. / Saugus, Mass. The upstairs performance space is not wheelchair accessible, but it features a bar with soft and alcoholic drinks available at very reasonable prices.

Tickets are now on sale. Tickets paid at the door will be $25 for adults, or $23 for seniors, youths or veterans. Tickets purchased in advance online will be $22 for adults, or $20 for seniors, youths or veterans. For complete info, see the Tickets page on the website tcsaugus.org/tickets

“Puffs” is directed for TCS by Kaycee Wilson. She directed the Saugus production of the musical “Zombie Prom,” presented in fall 2022, which was nominated for several DASH awards, including Best Musical. Kaycee also appeared in TCS’ spring 2023 production of “Comedy of Errors.” The stage manager for “Puffs” is Delys Russell.

Cast members come to Saugus from a variety of towns in the area, and some of them play multiple roles. Residents of Medford are Shawyoun Shaidani, who plays Wayne Hopkins, Caroline DeBrota as Leanne, and Arielle Mercier as Magic #2. Malden residents include Brady Neiss-Moe as Zach Smith, Second Headmaster, and others; Kathy Bedard as Xavia Jones and others; and Stephen Nedell as all the Teachers. Winthrop residents are Lauren Thompson as Ginny, Helga, Bippy and others; and Mandi Totin as Susie Bones. Residents of Boston are Benedict Dawn-Cross as Cedric and Mr. Voldy; and Heidi Fisher as Sally Perks. Those from Quincy are Bec Lowe as Ernie Mac; and Samson Willcox playing Harry, Fat Friar and others. Everett residents are Kaleigh Ryan playing Megan Jones, and Mark Damon as J. Finch Fletchley. Somerville residents include Joseph Grebla, who plays Clumsy Longbottom, Uncle Dave, and others; and Meghan Patrick, who is Magic #1. Thomas Marsh, playing Oliver Rivers, is from Newton. David Lee Vincent from Newburyport is the Narrator. Billy Jenkins from Stoneham is Blondo Malfoy and others. Tricia Smith plays Hannah and is from Revere.

The show has some adult language and situations that may not be suitable for younger kids. “Puffs” is a stage play written by Matt Cox as a transformative and transfigured work under the magic that is US Fair Use laws. Puffs is not authorized, sanctioned, licensed or endorsed by J.K Rowling, Warner Bros. or any person or company associated with the Harry Potter books, films or play.

“Puffs” was originally produced Off Broadway by Tilted Windmills Theatricals (John Arthur Pinckard / David Carpenter). Puffs was developed in part during a residency with the University of Florida School of Theatre + Dance, Jerry Dickey, School Director; originally produced Off-Off Broadway by Stephen Stout and Colin Waitt. “Puffs” (Two Act Edition) is presented by arrangement with Concord Theatricals on behalf of Samuel French, Inc.

For more information and to purchase tickets, see the Theatre Company of Saugus website at TCSaugus.org.

 

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 mv***@*****st.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.

 

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