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A nice start to fall
What a way to begin the autumn season in Saugus. Tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 1), the town is fortunate enough to have two worthwhile outdoor community events going on. And each of these events features a live owl program.
“The World of Owls,” presented by Wingmasters and the Saugus Public Library, will begin at 10:30 a.m. at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site.
Meanwhile, Mass Audubon will present a free educational program featuring live owls as part of Breakheart Reservation’s First Annual Family Fall Festival, which gets underway from 10 a.m. and lasts through 2 p.m.
Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) is cosponsoring the event with the DCR’s (state Department of Conservation and Recreation).
Not a bad weekend day for Saugus families coming up tomorrow. It might be worthwhile to birdwatchers and nature lovers to take in both events. Sounds like a better deal than raking leaves!
Saugus resident braced for Ian
For over a week, I’ve been trading emails with Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Pam Goodwin on a press announcement by SAVE (Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment) highlighting Breakheart Reservation’s First Annual Family Fall Festival. She happens to be down in Florida on a vacation with her husband Phil. Then, all of a sudden, we started hearing reports earlier in the week that Hurricane Ian was threatening to become the storm of the century for Floridians.
“We’re preparing for Hurricane Ian as best as we can. Fingers crossed,” she wrote to me on Wednesday. Then by Wednesday, Pam and Phil hunkered down in the clubhouse of a small manufactured home park located in Largo, where Phil’s brother and sister-in-law live year-round. Pam and Phil have been vacationing there since Sept. 3 and have another week and half to go.
I called yesterday to see how Pam was making out with the storm. The manufactured home park was unscathed. No storm damage or power outage. “If the storm had stayed on the original track, we’d be in big doo-doo,” Pam told me.
“I thank our lucky stars that we didn’t. I feel bad for people who did get clobbered
Other than an uncomfortable night sleeping in the clubhouse as a precaution and feeling a little anxiety over the potential for a heavy duty hurricane, Pam and Phil can enjoy the rest of their vacation, thankful that the story skipped over the part of Florida where she’s vacationing.
A Special Sunday for Saugonians
This just in from Donna Sordello from the Saugus Catholic Collaborative at deadline.
“Deacon Frank and Joanne Gaffney are both recipients of the 2022 Bishop Cheverus Awards Medals to be presented by the Cardinal at the Cathedral in Boston on Sunday (Oct. 2) at 2 PM followed by a collation,” Donna wrote in an email.
“This is an honor for all their work for the people of the parish. They are truly amazing people helping the people of Blessed Sacrament and St. Margaret’s Parishes,” she wrote.
She adds that there are 10 people attending to support Deacon Frank and Joanne.
Stay tuned for more details.
Laura Eisener would have made a pretty good reporter had she gone into journalism as a profession. Not only does she write the weekly column, “Saugus Gardens in the (whatever season), but she’s definitely got a nose for news and occasionally happens upon news that she makes me aware of or writes about. Sometimes when she gets a tip or a hold of a potentially good story on Wednesday, she will file a story with photographs.
On Wednesday (Sept. 28), she came up with an interesting story about people protesting the cutting down of trees in Wakefield at the site of the new Northeast Metropolitan Regional Vocational High School also known as Northeast Metro Tech
“I gather that the supporters of the forest destruction feel this is the only way to avoid having both Wakefield and the MetroTech school sharing playing fields during the construction, so to
prevent this temporary inconvenience they prefer to destroy 20 acres of woods between the current parking lot and Breakheart Reservation. I was told that this forest was formerly part of Breakheart, but for some time has been owned by the school. It seems to me that it is a bad idea to destroy so much more forest, especially after 60 acres worth of adjacent areas of Breakheart Reservation were destroyed this summer by fire. The current plan is to blast the hilltop and pave the area for student parking.
“A ceremonial groundbreaking was held in the middle of the current parking lot under a canopy. I was allowed to take a couple of pictures but I was not “on the list” so was not able to get very close to the event. (I didn’t say I was from the Advocate since I have no press ID
or anything and was not expecting to do interview of those attending the groundbreaking.
“Down at the intersection of Farm St. and Hemlock Rd. a group of people protested the planned destruction of the woods adjacent to the school to create a parking lot. Rather than use already disturbed land for the project, the current proposal is to blast hillside and forest to create
a new parking lot for the new school. The forest area is also adjacent to the Wakefield entrance of Breakheart Reservation. While all the towns involved voted to build the new school, very few people seem to be aware of the plans to destroy the forest.
“According to the Friends of the Northeast Metrotech Forest, rather than build Wakefield’s new Northeast Metro Tech vocational school on the playing fields next to the current school in over 20 acres of open space as recommended in the pre-feasibility report, the new school building
committee voted for a hilltop school with a $40 million view and over 20 acres of athletic fields. Thirteen acres of Northeast Metro Tech‘s forested hilltop https://ebird.org/hotspot/L18308054 adjacent to Breakheart Reservation is scheduled to be clearcut in March 2023 followed by a massive 6-month blasting and rock crushing operation that will disturb or destroy breeding habitat for Eastern Whip-poor-will, American Woodcock, Prairie Warbler, Eastern Towhee, Field Sparrow, Indigo Bunting, Wood Thrush, Pine Warbler, Brown Creeper and more. The
proposed new half-mile road from Farm St to Hemlock Rd runs through endangered species habitat and multiple wetlands including vernal pools.
The area is known for ancient Native American sites and should have required both a full archaeological survey and an environmental impact assessment. The group is not opposed to the building of a new school, but to the destruction of so much undisturbed forest when there is already disturbed land – currently paved parking areas and playing fields that could be repurposed.”
Thank you Laura for sharing this with our readers. Interesting story. Though it’s in Wakefield, it’s still very local as The Town of Saugus could be paying $40-million or more as its share for the new school that’s under construction
Stay tuned for more details.
Autism Eats and Wally
Lenard Zohn, owner of Prince Pizzeria, is hosting the restaurant’s annual Autism Eats With Red Sox Wally event on Oct. 13 at the restaurant on Route 1 South in Saugus from 6 to 8 p.m.
Zohn and Delphine Zohn were motivated to create “an autism friendly environment” at the restaurant “where all behaviors are welcome,” because the parents of a child with autism. Their son Adin got stressed out by the dining experience several years ago. So, the family stopped dining out.
Then they came up with the idea of “Autism Eats.” They trained staff on how to make customers with autism feel comfortable. And they made adjustments in the restaurant environment as well.
“Autism Eats is here to give autism families an opportunity to enjoy restaurant meals without the stress that often accompanies these outings,” a promotional poster says about the special dining program.
“Since everyone in our private room ‘gets it,’ there’s no need to explain any behavior or feel that all eyes are on us. It is a wonderful way to spend time with other families in an autism-friendly, nonjudgmental environment.”
Reservations are required at www.autismeats.org
Saugus Lions Club fundraiser Oct. 22
The Saugus Lions Club is hosting a Halloween dinner/dance on Saturday, Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. at the Saugus Knights of Columbus, 57 Appleton St. There will be a full buffet, cash bar, DJ, raffles and door prizes. Costumes are optional but there will be a prize for best costume. Tickets are $50 with proceeds supporting the Lions’ efforts in funding eye research. For more information or to purchase tickets email pattyfierro@hotmail.com. Or call 781-640-9176.
A “Shout Out” to the pumpkin brigade
We didn’t receive any nominations this week from readers recommending the recognition of Saugus folks doing good deeds and acts of kindness or special contributions to the betterment of Saugus. So, let’s have a few cheers for the brigade of volunteers who showed up last Saturday for the unloading of pumpkins after the “Pumpkin Truck” arrived at the First Congregational Church in Saugus Center.
“We’re happy to get our pumpkins and appreciate all the people who helped unload the truck,” Pumpkin Patch coordinator Carl Spencer said. “We had about 100 people who helped with the unloading. About 50 players and cheerleaders from Saugus Youth Football and Cheer under the direction of president Greg Bluestein participated on Saturday. The church appreciates their help as well as the off-loading of pallets by Agganis Construction. The church truly enjoys providing the community with pumpkins and hosting this great fall event.”
Now that the pumpkins have arrived for the 20th year in what has become an iconic community event, go over to the church lawn on Hamilton Street across the street from Saugus Town Hall and pick one out to take home. The pumpkins came all the way from the Navajo Reservation near Farmington, N.M. And the profits will go for a good cause – split between the Navajo Reservation and the First Congregational Church.
Folks will be able to buy pumpkins daily from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. through Oct. 31, Halloween.
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 the mention in the subject line, “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph. Anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or a photo.
Legion breakfasts resume
Saugus American Legion Post 210 is hosting its popular breakfasts again – from 8 – 9 a.m. on Fridays. The price is $8 for those who are looking for a delicious meal at Legion Hall. Bon appétit!
A chance to vote early
The Town Clerk’s Office has posted the early voting hours for the Nov. 8 general election on the town website.
The First Week of Early Voting
Saturday, October 22nd – 9 am to 3 p.m.
No Sunday
Monday, October 24th – 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
Tuesday, October 25th – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Wednesday, October 26th – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Thursday, October 27th – 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Friday, October 28th – 9 a.m. to 11 a.m.
The Second Week of Early Voting
Saturday, October 29th – 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. (last day to register to vote)
No Sunday
Monday, October 31st – 8:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tuesday, November 1st – 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Wednesday, November 2nd – 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Thursday, November 3rd – 8:15 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Friday, November 4th – 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
We have a winner!
Congratulations to Sue Fleming for making the right identification in last week’s “Guess Who Got Sketched?” Contest. She is one of several readers answering correctly. But Sue was the only one to have her name picked in a drawing from the green Boston Red Sox cap.
Here’s the correct answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist:
“The answer to last week’s sketch is Laura Eisener, Our Saugus Town’s Woman of the Year 2022!
“After two long years of No Woman and Man of the Year, we finally were able to have a new 2022. “ Laura Eisener and Thomas Sheehan! Laura was Celebrated at the Town’s Founders Day and given a beautiful plaque. Her receiving the award was featured in the Sept. 16 Saugus Advocate, with a cover photo and a story.
“In this article, our proud Saugonian, Woman of the Year 2022 mentions how she lives a few streets over from the house where her mother was born in and her deep roots and solid devotion to Saugus. She gives much credit to the people she works side by side with in organizations and to her family; her husband Saugus Iron Works ranger Paul and her niece Monique and her parents who made Saugus their home.
“Laura is President of the Saugus Historical Society, a member of SAVE , member of the Saugus Garden Club (who was awarded Unsung Hero award in 2021.) She Volunteered and worked in the Saugus Iron Works herb garden and Saugus Community Garden growing food for the Saugus Food pantry.
“Laura continually writes a weekly article “Saugus Gardens “in her Garden column in the Saugus Advocate (which is featured on page 17, in this same Saugus Advocate edition mentioned above.) Laura teaches a class at North Shore Community College in “Urban Tree Care “and works at a Nursery in Peabody.
“Laura, you’re an absolute gift to Saugus that keeps on giving! Congratulations
“You sure do shine brightly!
“Thank you
“Yours Truly ,
“ The Sketch Artist”
What’s happening at the Saugus Public Library
For school children looking for interesting projects and programs to participate in this fall, there’s plenty to do at the Saugus Public Library.
Makeup FX 101
Check out Halloween makeup by Decimated Designs, which is set for Thursday, Oct. 13th, 6-7 p.m. in the Brooks Room.Grade 6+ please. Please sign up in advance.
We will cover the do’s and don’ts of effects makeup,hygiene, how to get started, how pro’s make monsters jump to life, and some tricks to improve your costumes/makeup at home.
Volunteer to be used in a demonstration and get your makeup done!
To register, go to the Saugus Public Library, 295 Central St., Saugus, call 781-231-4168 or go on your computer to sauguspubliclibrary.org
Just Sew!
Saugonians are welcome to join a new monthly sewing class for adults, which will be held the third Monday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of Saugus Public Library. The next meeting is Monday, Oct. 17.
The class will cover basic topics like sewing buttons, hemming clothing, mending torn fabric and will move onto more advanced topics in the coming weeks.
This class is free. (see sauguspubliclibrary.org)
A neat, new teen club
The New Manga & Anime Club began recently and its second meeting is coming up tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 1), from 10 to 11 a.m. in the Teen Room. Chat with friends! Make crafts! Try Japanese snacks! Grades 6 & up.
Club meetings will continue on Saturdays, through May, from 10-11 a.m..
They will be held Nov 12, Dec 10, Jan 7, Feb 4, March 4, April 1, and May 13. Please sign up in advance, call 781-231-4168 or stop by the Reference Desk. https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/new-manga-anime-club…/
Saugus Public Library 295 Central Street Saugus Mass.
Owls for Oct. 1 at the Iron Works!
The World of Owls Presented by Wingmasters and the Saugus Public Library Wingmasters will be at the Saugus Iron Works Saturday Oct. 1 at 10:30 am. Bring a chair or blanket to sit on!
No registration is required. This free program is recommended for adults, teens and children ages 6 and up. Check our website after 9:15 the day of the event for weather-related updates.
Owls are probably more misunderstood than any other kind of bird. These are hunting birds, yet their sharp beaks and talons are partly hidden under feathers. Owls have more and softer feathers than other birds, and this unique plumage gives them a plump, rounded look. Add an upright posture and huge eyes set in front like ours, and you have what looks irresistibly like a small, bemused person wearing a fur coat.
In reality, owls are superbly adapted nocturnal hunters. This program shows how owls use their specialized powers of sight, hearing and flight to survive and thrive. A variety of live North American owls provides the focus of this presentation.
WINGMASTERS is a partnership of two people dedicated to increasing public understanding and appreciation of North American birds of prey. Julie Anne Collier and Jim Parks are both licensed wildlife rehabilitators based in Massachusetts. Together they care for injured birds of
prey at their center in Leverett, Massachusetts. Most of the birds they rehabilitate can ultimately be released back into the wild, but in some cases the birds are left permanently handicapped.
Julie and Jim are further licensed to provide a home for these non-releasable raptors, and to use them for educational programs. Since 1994 WINGMASTERS has presented over 10,000
programs at schools, libraries and museums throughout New England
This program is supported in part by a grant from the Saugus Cultural Council, a local agency which is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.
Saugus Public Library
295 Central Street
Saugus, MA 01906
781.231.4168
sauguspubliclibrary.org
facebook.com/SaugusPublicLibrary/
Youth Cross Country
Hey parents! If you have a child or several kids who could use an opportunity to get into a more healthy lifestyle – which might in term – lead to better academic scores, consider getting them to sign up for Youth Cross Country.
Here’s a simple outline of what this entails.
Who: Any Saugus child in grades 1 through 5.
When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m. at the Belmonte Track; Saturdays, 10 to 11:30 a.m.at the Visitor Center at Breakheart Reservation.
Dates: The program began this week and will last through Nov. 15.
Why: to learn to enjoy Cross Country Running and make new friends.
Cost: $100 for new runners; $50 for returning runners.
This weekly program will be guided by Coach Steve Boudreau and Coach Chris Tarantino. Children will learn good stretching techniques and learn the basics of exercise and Cross Country running. Best of all, this will be a great way to make new friends. Participants need to wear a good pair of sneakers, dress in comfortable running clothes and bring a water bottle.
For details, contact Coach T (Not Mr. T.) at 781-854-6778.
Sounds like a worthwhile and affordable fitness program with lots of upside for grade school kids.
Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus Program Resumes for the 22-23 School Year
(Editor’s Note: The following is an announcement submitted by Julie Cicolini, a member of the Board of Directors for Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus, providing information about the return of the program for the new school year)
Who we are:
Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2) is a non-profit group of volunteers that are helping to offset food insecurity in households. HS2 provides students/families that enroll in the program a weekend supply of nutritious food when school lunches and breakfasts are unavailable to them on weekends.
How HS2 can help you:
HS2 bags are distributed at Saugus Public schools on Fridays to take home. Bags include such items as peanut butter, canned meals/soups/tuna/vegetables, pasta, fruit cups, cereal, oatmeal, goldfish, pretzels and granola bars. All food is provided to children free of charge. It is our hope these resources will support the health, behavior, and achievement of every student who participates. To sign up go here to complete online form: https://forms.gle/gmMGguycSHBdziuE9
Want to partner with us:
We would love to partner with organizations, sports teams, youth groups, PTO’s, businesses and individuals to assist in feeding students of Saugus. To learn more about how you can partner with us visit the Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus Facebook page or email us at HS2Saugus@gmail.com
HS2 relies on donations to create take home bags with a weekend full of meals.
Checks can also be sent directly to:
Salem Five
C/O Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus
855-5 Broadway
Saugus MA, 01906
Online donations can also be made at: https://givebutter.com/HealthySaugus
Saugus seeks student poll workers
Town Clerk Ellen Schena’s Office is looking for student election workers. It is a great way for them to learn how their government functions and how important it is to vote. Sixteen-year-old students are eligible to work ½ day (6-8 hours); 17-18 year old students may work a full day (8-12hours). All students can receive community service which is imperative to them in order to satisfy their High School requirement mandated for graduation. Or, they can be paid for their hours worked. In addition, the Town Clerk’s Office will gladly write letters of recommendation for National Honors Society, Colleges, ect. Interested students can stop by Town Hall or contact the Town Clerk’s Office to apply for work. Ask for Andrew DePatto, the Saugus Election Coordinator. He can be reached at 781-231-4102.
Food pantry seeks volunteers
Here’s a message from Pastor Joe Hoyle of Cliftondale Congregational Church about a collaborative community commitment to help needy Saugus residents:
“The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is a partnership between the churches in Saugus to ensure that no one in our community faces food insecurity.
“With faithful donations and volunteers, we have been able to give out thousands of meals to our neighbors in need throughout the years. The Food Pantry is open every Friday from 9:30am-11am, distributing pre-packaged groceries (including meat and produce) at 50 Essex St.
“We are always in need of volunteers. If you would like to volunteer or donate, please contact Pastor Joe Hoyle, Executive Director at office@clindalecc.org or 781-233-2663.”
Buy a brick to honor a Saugus veteran
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 from your family, school, etc., the general pricing is $100 for a 4″ X 8″ brick (three lines), $200 for 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. 15th to ensure the bricks will be ready for Veterans Day. Please contact Corinne Riley 781-231-7995, for more information and applications.
Looking for book donations
The New Friends of the Saugus Public Library are asking for donations of gently used adult hardcover and softcover fiction for the ongoing book sale in the Community Room. They would also appreciate donations of gently used children’s books. Please limit donations at this time to only fiction and children’s books; they do not have storage space for other genres or media. Please… clean and newer books only – no tattered pages, bad odors, stains or dirty covers!
Books may be dropped off at the Main Circulation Desk during business hours. Please do not place donations in the outdoor book drops.
Compost site now open
The community’s compost site will be open to residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site is located behind the Department of Public Works at 515 Main St.
Stickers are required to gain seasonal access to the site. Stickers may be purchased for $25.00 at the Department of Public Works (DPW) located at the Compost Site when making your visit to the Compost Site. The Town of Saugus accepts checks only for payment of the $25.00. No cash will be accepted. Kindly bring a check when visiting. Thank you!
Compost site stickers must be permanently placed on the lower left corner of residents’ automobile windshields. Vehicles registered out of state are not permitted.
Yard waste must be disposed of in brown compost bags or open containers. The Town will accept grass clippings, leaves and brush. As in years past, no branches or limbs larger than three inches in diameter are permitted.
We ask all residents to please wear a mask and maintain and respect social distancing from others while visiting the site. Residents may call Lorna Cerbone at the Solid Waste and Recycling Department at 781-231-4036 with questions or for more information.
Let’s hear it!
Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been nearly six and a half years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@comcast.net.
Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15-to-20-minute interview over a drink at a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coffee or tea. Or, if you prefer to continue practicing social distancing and be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation recovers from the Coronavirus crisis.
If it’s a nice day, my preferred site for a coffee and interview would be the picnic area of the Saugus Iron Works.
CONTEST SKETCH OF THE WEEK
GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED? If you know the right answer, you might win the contest. In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who’s being sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978 683-7773. Anyone who identifies the Saugonian sketched in this week’s paper between now and Tuesday at Noon qualifies to have their name put in a green Boston Red Sox hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ Donuts in the Food Court at the Saugus Square One Mall. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”)
