The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

  Just in time for the finest parts of the fall season! The second floor auditorium at Town Hall looked brand spanking new when I checked it out late Tuesday afternoon. The door was open just wide enough where I could get a good look at the new paint, and the floors that were buffed up were nice and shiny. Just in time to host the Board of Selectmen’s meeting that was scheduled there for last night. And just in time for next Wednesday’s (Oct. 23) free COVID-19/Flu Vaccine Clinic scheduled from 11:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m.

To tell you the truth, even with the chairs and tables still stacked up on the stage or on the floor immediately outside the auditorium, I’ve never seen the place looking this great. Now, after making the auditorium aesthetically pleasing, all the town has to do is get an audible sound system installed so the acoustics of the chamber are enhanced, too. Stay tuned.

 

Parental Misconduct at Serino Stadium

  It’s just too bad that a small group of adults from Saugus and Salem who were attending a Saugus Youth Football game on Oct. 6 spoiled things for the two teams of kids and their coaches who were competing on the field. It’s also too bad that the incident once again sparked TV and radio coverage that sullied Saugus’ reputation and public image.

I’d wager to say that the childish and bratty behavior of adults at a youth sporting event happens in practically every community in Massachusetts. The Saugus incident won’t be the first or last time it happens in Saugus or anyplace else.

It gets me thinking about the similar misconduct I observed when I managed a youth league baseball team of kids from ages 10 to 12 during the summer of my senior year in High School in Swansea, Mass., and the first two years of my college experience at UMass Amherst. I remember keeping a diary of the numerous transgressions by parents that I observed, transforming it into a term paper for a Sociology Class at UMass and later handing it to a sportswriter for The Spectator, a weekly newspaper that was published in the neighboring town of Somerset. The young sportswriter used the recycled college term paper as the basis of a mini-expose on parental misconduct by grownups at Swansea Little League events.

Soon after the article was published, the writer began working on organizing an Independent Little League in Swansea. In my three years of managing the Tigers in the Minor League branch of the Swansea Little League, I witnessed some outrageous behavior of parents who lost sight of the ideals and purpose of youth baseball – to promote physical fitness, good sportsmanship and teamwork among the young athletes. In too many unfortunate cases, youth baseball in my hometown became an outlet for adults to fulfill their sports fantasies through the lives of their kids. I’m sure it goes on in any community. Parents get carried away emotionally over a kid’s game. They take it too seriously and bad things happen.

Bad things, like fighting the parents of their kids’ rival in the stands, like what happened at Serino Stadium.

 

Saugus 4-1-1 gearing up for 2025

  Selectman Corinne Riley, who was the driving force behind a nifty program that helps newcomers to Saugus – as well as old-timers – get better acquainted with their community, said she regrets that “Saugus 4-1-1” didn’t happen this fall after successful Saturdays at the Saugus Middle-High School over the past two years.

“The Saugus 4-1-1 Committee would like everyone to know that the Saugus 4-1-1 event will be taking place, but will be held in March 2025,” Selectman Riley said in a recent announcement.

“Invitations to all new residents as well as non-profits will be mailed out in January. We are looking forward to having this wonderful event for new residents as well as those who have been here for years to learn what Saugus has to offer! More detailed information will be coming soon,” she said.

Stay tuned for updates on “Saugus 4-1-1.”

 

Food Pantry notes

  The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Oct. 18) from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity. If you are able to donate to the food pantry, you can also stop by during those hours or drop donations off at the Saugus Public Library during library hours.

 

Legion Breakfasts today

The American Legion Post 210 has begun its 2024-25 breakfast season. There’s a good deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. 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.

 

This week’s “SHOUT OUTs”

  We received one nomination for a “Shout Out” this week. Janice Jarosz offered a huge collective “Shout Out” for the many who working behind the scenes to make this year’s upcoming Christmas Tree Festival a great event:

“The MEG Foundation members are getting very busy in preparing for the 2024 Christmas Tree Festival opening on November 8, from 3-8PM and continue on November 9, 3-8 PM; November 10 from 12 noon to 5 PM, November 15, 3 – 8 PM and November16, from 3 – 8 PM 2024.

“Committee members have been meeting for several weeks preparing for all the new and exciting events that will be taking place throughout the Festival!

“If you are interested in sponsoring a tree for your group or organization, please contact Linda Ross at auntilinda88@gmail.com, or cell 617-686-4645 at your earliest convenience as space is limited.”

Chris Luongo, chair of the Saugus Republican Town Committee, said he’s looking forward to being a part of the upcoming MEG event. “It would be wonderful to put a picture of the Republican tree from the event and advertise the Meg Foundation at the same time,” Luongo said this week.

Of course, he put a plug in for the Republican Town Committee. “If you are interested in joining the Republican Town Committee, you can reach me at luongo118@aol.com,” he said.

 

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.

 

Knights flea market and craft fair tomorrow

  The Knights of Columbus Council 1829 plans to hold its Festive Holiday Flea Market and Craft Fair tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 19) from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 57 Appleton St. There are 22 vendors with a lot of cool stuff this year. The admission and parking are free. Come bring a friend.

Anyone with questions can call the Knights of Columbus at 781-233-9858. For more information, Paul Giannetta can also be reached at 978-239-1392.

 

Halloween Pet Parade Oct. 20

Breakheart Reservation will be hosting its Second Annual Halloween Pet Parade on Sunday, Oct. 20, at 11:30 a.m. Registration begins at 11 a.m. at Breakheart Reservation (177 Forest St., Saugus). There will be a $10 donation to enter the costume contest – cash only. Prizes will be awarded for best behavior and best pet costume. Raffle prizes will be open to all who donate. This fall event will include the pet parade, the pet costume contest, pet photo opportunities, local vendors, raffles and giveaways.

The event is sponsored by the Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), the Friends of Breakheart Reservation and Peter A. Rossetti Insurance Agency, Inc. For questions, please call Joyce at 781-233-1855, extension 1019 or Lisa at 781-808-7817.

 

Health and Wellness Fair Oct. 21

The Saugus-Everett Elks and the Saugus Senior Center are teaming up to cosponsor a Health and Wellness Fair on Monday, Oct. 21, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St., Saugus). There will be a variety of health organizations that will offer free health screenings, educational tables, giveaways, raffles and much more. This is a free event and open to the public for all ages.

 

Household Hazardous Waste Day

  The town will host a Household Hazardous Waste Day on Saturday, Oct. 26, from 9 a.m. to noon at Belmonte STEAM Academy (25 Dow St.). There is no cost to Saugus residents who discard allowed items at the Household Hazardous Waste Day. The following items can be disposed of at this event:

Household Materials: Acids (Corrosives); Aerosol Cans; Art Supplies; Batteries; Chemistry Set and Photography Chemicals; Fiberglass Resins; Furniture, Floor and Metal Polishers and Strippers; Mercury Containing Devices; Moth Balls/Crystals; Oil Paint; Paint Thinners; Varnish; Stain/Shellac (NO Latex); Rug and Upholstery Cleaners; Solvent Adhesives; Turpentine and Paint Solvents; Wood Preservatives; Hair Dye; Nail Polish Remover; Toilet Cleaners; Brighteners; Chlorine Bleach; Spot Removers; Spray Starch; Whiteners; Drain and Oven Cleaners (Note: Latex paint can be dried out and disposed of with your curbside trash.); Lawn and Garden Materials; Cesspool Cleaners (Corrosives); Flammable Liquids/Gasoline; Flea and Tick Powders; Fire Starters; Herbicides and Pesticides; No-Pest Strips; Poisons; Pool Chemicals; Propane Tanks, Empty or Up to 20 lbs.; Automotive Products; Antifreeze; Batteries; Brake Fluid; Carburetor Cleaner; Oil (used) and Radiator Flush Solvents and Degreasers; Tire Cleaners; Transmission Fluid.

Please contact Town of Saugus Recycling Director Scott Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

Halloween at Town Hall

  Saugus will officially welcome its children for a Trick-or-Treat event on Oct. 31. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree said recently that he plans on opening Town Hall to Saugus children for 90 minutes on Halloween afternoon for a special trick-or-treat event. Children and their parents or guardians are invited to stop by Town Hall on Thursday, Oct. 31, from 2:30-4 p.m. They will be greeted by Town Hall employees, who will hand out candy and assorted treats to the visitors.

“We’d love to see Saugus families join us for this fun – and free – Halloween celebration,” the town manager said in a press release issued by his office.

Saugus Town Hall is located at 298 Central St. in Saugus.

 

Saugus DAR prepares for Veterans Day Field of Flags

Preparations for the Fourth Annual Veterans Day Field of Flags to be placed on the lawn of the Saugus Town Hall to honor and remember all veterans on Nov. 11 is underway. The Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring this event to honor all veterans, living or deceased, including those currently serving.

American flags may be sponsored through the Parson Roby Chapter DAR at a cost of $5 each. The flags will be placed on the Saugus Town Hall lawn prior to Nov. 11 and will wave throughout the week until Nov. 12 with your veteran’s name on the flag. Flags may be sponsored to honor a family member, friend, neighbor or employee who has served or is currently serving our country. The deadline to sponsor flags is Oct. 30.

You may send a check ($5 per flag) made payable to Parson Roby Chapter along with the information of the veteran – Name/Rank/Branch of Service/Years or War, if known – to Treasurer, 27 Pearson St., Saugus, MA 01906. After noon on Nov. 11, you can pick up your sponsored flag to either keep or put on a grave.

2021 was our first year sponsoring the Field of Flags and it has been a huge success. So many members of the community stopped by to thank us in remembering our veterans this way. There were over 140 flags sponsored with veterans’ names waving in the wind, and we hope for many more veterans to be sponsored this year. REMEMBER OUR VETERANS!

All proceeds from the Veterans Field of Flags will support the Daughters of the American Revolution’s mission to preserve American history and secure America’s future through education and promoting patriotism. For more information on how to sponsor a flag or on joining the Parson Roby Chapter DAR, please email parsonroby.saugusdar@gmail.com

 

Fall Curbside Leaf Collection Dates

  Town Manager Scott Crabtree’s office this week released the dates for the Fall curbside leaf collection: Monday, Oct. 28 to Friday, Nov. 1; Tuesday, Nov. 12 to Saturday Nov. 16; (one day delay this week due to Veterans Day); Monday, Dec. 2 to Friday, Dec. 6. Residents may dispose of leaves curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day, between Monday and Friday on these dates listed. Leaves should be left outside at the curb by 7 a.m. on the appropriate days. Please ensure that leaf containers are physically separated from trash and recycling.

Paper leaf bags are the preferred method of leaf disposal. If you are using barrels, they must be clearly marked with yard waste stickers. Yard waste stickers, which are free, may be obtained at Inspectional Services in the lower level of Saugus Town Hall at 298 Central St., or at the Saugus Department of Public Works at 515 Main St. Barrel covers must remain removed so that the leaves are visible.

Plastic bags, cardboard boxes, branches and brush will not be accepted. Please note that separate trucks collect the rubbish, recycling and leaves, so the leaves may be collected at a different time of day. Missed pickups” will not be conducted.

Please contact Recycling Director Scott Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

Hammersmith Quilters Guild Craft Fair is Nov. 6

  The Hammersmith Quilters Guild Craft Fair will be held Wednesday, Nov. 6, from 7-8:30 p.m. at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St., Saugus). The Guild members are selling handmade, beautiful items. Think holiday shopping! Cash and checks are recommended. A scissors sharpener will be available. www.hqgsaugus.org

 

Here’s what’s going on at the Saugus Public Library

  Five bucks for a bag of books! The New Friends of the Saugus Public Library are offering quite a bargain – $5 for a bag of books. Purchase a New Friends of the Saugus Public Library mesh book bag at the Main Desk for $5 and fill it with as many books as you’d like. Proceeds benefit the New Friends so they can support public library services in Saugus.

  Teen Creative Writing Group: Are you interested in writing stories, a novel or poetry? Come to the Teen Creative Writing Group! It will be at 6:00 in the Brooks Room at the Saugus Public Library on Monday, Oct. 21. Our number is 781-231-4168. Drop-ins welcome! Rachel Huntington, the Reference and Young Adult Librarian, will be leading the class.

Keeping us in stitches: Children in the second grade and up with an interest in sewing can learn to sew using needle, thread, fabric (and maybe a sewing machine) with their teachers, Miss Joyce and Miss Kristin on Wednesday, Oct. 23 at 3:30 p.m. at the Saugus Public Library.

Pongala Photographs: Susan Olesiw has been visiting India and photographing its people and festivals since 1976. In her photograph exhibit on display this month and November in the first floor reading room at the Saugus Public Library, she focuses on the ninth day of the annual 10-day Pongala festival held in Trivandrum, Kerala, South India. It is the largest gathering of women in the world; up to two and a half million women attend each year, and though primarily Hindu, the festival is open to all devotees of any faith.

  Halloween clay bobblehead craft: Make a spooky character using air-dry clay and paint on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 3:30 to 5 p.m. at the Saugus Public Library. Registration opened Monday, Oct. 14, for children ages nine to 12.

  Felted Fall Scene: Learn how to “paint” with wool in a seasonal landscape. Use a barbed needle to attach colorful wool to an embroidery hoop. You’ll leave the class with a finished piece, basic tools and the knowledge you’ll need to felt on your own. Needle felting is easier than it looks – plus it’s fun and relaxing! Learn the popular art of wool felting with Popup Art School.

This class will be held at the library on Thursday, Oct. 24, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Brooks Room. Please sign up online – sauguspubliclibrary.org.

Halloween Costume Party at the Iron Works: There will be costumes, candy and dancing at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site on Thursday, Oct. 31, in a Halloween Costume Parade being organized by the Saugus Public Library. Meet us at the Iron Works in your costume for Halloween music, a parade and trick or treating. Special guest Matt Heaton will perform seasonal tunes. Please check the online event calendar for weather updates.

A Pumpkin Parade at the library: Decorate a pumpkin inspired by a favorite book! Paint it. Dress it. But don’t carve it. Ages three to 12. Drop off the pumpkins until Oct. 27. All participants will win a Halloween treat.

 

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. Or send your press release to me in the mail at PO Box 485, North Andover, MA 01845. 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.