The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

  There is so much going on in Saugus right now – with Town Meeting, graduation events, weekend barbeques and various outdoor community activities – that it’s easy to lose track of all of those upcoming and important dates – like the annual Memorial Day parade, which is set for Saturday, May 25.

One of the major functions of this column is to prominently advance important social gatherings, as soon as we hear about them. Unfortunately, some organizations and groups take it for granted that “everyone knows” about their upcoming events and they don’t take advantage of publicizing them as they should. So, it’s worth repeating that Memorial Day weekend activities are just a week away.

Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti is still looking for help to beef up the Saugus Memorial Day Parade. “We’re looking for some bands to march in the parade and play some patriotic numbers,” Castinetti told me recently.

The Veterans Council commander said he could also use some help in flagging the graves of veterans on Friday, May 24 at 3:30 p.m. in Riverside Cemetery. Actually, it’s grave officer Randy Briand – who oversees the planting of mini American flags – who needs the help.

If you would like to volunteer to help flag the graves on May 24 or play some patriotic music on May 25, feel free to call Commander Steve Castinetti at 781-389-3678. He would appreciate hearing from any volunteers in these needed areas.

Speaking of patriotic events, there is a major one scheduled for this weekend – Sunday (May 19) – Boston’s Wounded Vet Run, which will gather thousands of bikers from New England and beyond to raise money for two severely wounded Afghanistan Marine veterans. The route will go through Saugus, Medford/Malden line, Everett and Revere. The motorcycle ride will leave Boston Harley-Davidson at 650 Squire Rd. in Revere at 12:30 p.m. and end at Suffolk Downs in East Boston at 2 p.m. Registration is at 8:30 a.m. at Boston Harley-Davidson.

 

Spring Fun Run/Walk on May 19

  Joyce Vecchiarelli of the Friends of Breakheart Reservation has a special message for people who like running or a little exercise at a pace at which they won’t overexert themselves.

“We are hosting our second annual ‘Spring Fun Run/Walk’ on Sunday May 19^th. We got a very good turnout our first year and am trying to keep it going. If you can post something that would be great. Friends of Breakheart and the DCR are hosting the event. We are asking people to bring their own water ‘containers’ as the DCR has banned giving out any plastic in all the parks.”

The 5K race or 3K walk, which will be cosponsored by the Friends of Breakheart and the state Department of Conservation & Recreation, will begin at 10 a.m. on May 19. Registration is at 9:30. The event will go on, rain or shine. A $10 donation is requested to enter. Cash or check only. The proceeds will be used by the Friends of Breakheart for park activities and future events. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest male and female runners. Raffle prizes will be open to all who donate.

 

Garden Club Fundraiser May 22

  The second floor auditorium at Town Hall will host the Saugus Garden Club’s Annual Fundraiser at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday, May 22. Guest Speaker Neal Sanders will present “Gardening is Murder.”

Why is so much gardening information on the internet so awful? Why is it impossible to do just one thing in the garden? Why should you never compute the value of your labor when you garden? And, why do we have garden benches if we never sit in them? These are the questions that keep Neal Sanders awake at night. As the spouse of an avid gardener with no ‘real’ responsibilities other than to dig holes and move rocks, Neal has lots of time to observe gardeners and their foibles.

“Gardening Is Murder” weaves those observations into an illustrated talk that is humorous, informative and poignant. Is it a gardening lecture? Is it a comedy routine? Whatever it is, it is laugh-out-loud funny while managing to impart a modicum of useful and genuine horticultural information and knocking down some gardening myths.

And it all comes to Saugus on Wednesday, May 22 at 6:30 p.m. when the Saugus Garden Club opens its doors to guests.

After a 35-year “corporate” career, Neal Sanders turned his attention to writing and has since authored 15 mysteries, many of which revolve around horticulture or use garden club settings. He writes the popular “The Principal Undergardener” blog, which addresses gardening as a non-gardener who loves gardens. He lives near Boston and speaks across the country.

 

Upcoming Garden Club events

  The Saugus Garden Club has a busy schedule through the spring. Here are some upcoming events:

• Saturday, May 18, the Saugus VFW will host a workshop at noon to make 20 small floral centerpieces for a fundraiser to benefit Wounded Warriors.
• Saturday, May 25, St. John’s Episcopal Church will host a workshop to make container gardens for the Garden Club Plant Sale at next month’s Strawberry Festival.
• Saturday, June 15, the Saugus Historical Society will host its annual Strawberry Festival from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in the American Legion Hall while the Saugus Garden Club holds its annual plant sale on the front lawn of the Roby School on Main Street.

 

Friends of Bill James fundraiser May 30

  Bill James, a Saugus Hall of Fame wrestler and a dedicated wrestling coach at Methuen High School, experienced a life-altering accident last fall. The Kowloon Restaurant, at 948 Broadway, Saugus, will be hosting a Friends of Bill James Fundraising event on Thursday, May 30 from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. The night will include music, a buffet dinner, raffles, silent auctions and split the pot.

Tickets cost $50. Contact Matt Wall at 781-589-1321 or Darren McCullough at 781-258-5817 to help Bill James out.

Bill James grew up on Clifton Avenue in Saugus. His parents are Jesse and Margarette James. His siblings are Kevin, Chris, Dave and Jenn. He has been married to Laurie Berryman for 23 years. Bill graduated from Merrimack College and eventually went on to get his Master’s degree. He has been a physical education teacher at Methuen High School. His wife Lauri teaches K-8. Bill has a son, Brock, who is a junior at Salem (N.H.) High School and a daughter, Erica, who is a sophomore at UNH. Bill was inducted into the Saugus Hall of Fame for wrestling, track and cross-country.

He has been coaching wrestling and track for the last 36 years, the last 23 at Methuen High School. He has had one the most dominant programs in New England for wrestling. He has had countless kids that have gone on to become State and New England champions. Recently, he was inducted into the USA Wrestling Hall of Fame.

 

Blood Drive at Legion Hall on June 1

  Saugus American Legion Post 210 plans to sponsor a Blood Drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 1 at Legion Hall (44 Taylor St., Saugus). Post 210 Commander John Macauda said the upcoming Blood Drive will be organized in Memory of Cpl. Scott J. Procopio & Capt. William G. Shoemaker.

Please call 1-800-RED CROSS (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter sauguscommunity to schedule an appointment.

 

Let’s hear it for “Shout Outs”

  We received a nomination this week from Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo, who wanted to send out a bunch of “Shout Outs” to everyone who has contributed to the “Shout Out” section of this column.

“This ‘Shout Out’ marks 5 years since Shout Outs started, all thanks to you!!” Jeanie wrote in an email this week to The Saugus Advocate. “Memorial Day marks the 5th anniversary of the Advocate’s Sounds of Saugus ‘Shout Out’ column with a total of 441 ‘Shout Outs,’ so I thought a ‘Shout Out’ for ‘Shout Outs’ to EVERYONE who nominated someone special and a great big thank you to Editor Mark Vogler for printing them every week. Let’s keep it going! Many thanks to all and have a great Memorial Day weekend!”

 

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, May 17) 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 in 2024. 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.

 

Summer track is coming

Coach Christopher Tarantino’s popular Summer Track for youths ages five through 18 begins on July 1. The program is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. at the track outside Belmonte STEAM Academy.

Registration will run from June 24-28. Here is the schedule:

July 1-5: first formal week.

July 8-11: second formal week.

July 12, 10 a.m.-12 p.m.: makeup practice (if necessary).

July 12, 6 p.m.: pasta dinner at Prince.

July 13, 9 a.m.: in-house meet at Serino Stadium.

July 15-18: retrain week.

July 20: Summer Showdown, Cranston, R.I.

July 24: wrap up.

Cost: $250 first year, $200 returning with uniform, $150 if three years or more in summer program; includes pasta dinner, t-shirt, uniform and entry into Summer Showdown.

Please note that these programs are not being offered through the town’s Youth & Recreation Department. Please contact Coach Christopher Tarantino directly with questions at 781-854-6778 or christophertarantino24@gmail.com.

 

CHaRM Center is open

  The Town of Saugus recently announced that the CHaRM Center is open Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents will be required to buy a $25 Sticker to use the Compost Facilities as well as to recycle hard plastics. The rest of the Facility’s features are free to use for any Saugus resident.

Residents are also allowed three TVs or computers/CRT monitors for free per household each year. The Town of Saugus reserves the right to refuse any material if quantity or quality is questionable.

The final date the CHaRM Center will be open for the season is December 14. However, the Facility will be open the following winter dates, weather permitting: January 18, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; February 15, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; March 15, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.

Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

What’s going on at the library?

There’s always something interesting going on at the library. Here’s an activity worth checking 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.

 

Brick program for Saugus War Monument

The Saugus War Monument Committee, once again, is sponsoring the Buy-A-Brick Program to honor all those who have served their country. If you would like to purchase one in the name of someone who is presently serving or has served, in the memory of a loved one, or just someone from your family, school, etc., the general pricing is $100 for a 4″ X 8″ brick (three lines) or $200 for an 8″ X 8″ brick (five lines). Each line is a maximum of 15 characters. The improvement and upkeep of the monument on the corner of Winter and Central Streets rely on the generosity of donors through fundraising.

The brick application must be in by Sept. 10 to ensure the bricks will be ready for Veterans Day. Please contact Corinne Riley at 781-231-7995 for more information and applications.

 

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.