The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

  Today begins a three-day holiday weekend, ending Monday with the celebration of Veterans Day – a day in which we honor all of those Americans who have served in our country’s Armed Forces. Saugus, like most communities across America, will pause to honor and express appreciation to its living and departed veterans.

  If you are a proud Saugus resident who is very patriotic, and you are free on Monday (Nov. 11) morning, head down to Veterans Park, at the corner of Winter and Central Streets, where the Saugus Veterans Council will host a Veterans Day ceremony beginning at 11 a.m. It will be a simple ceremony with a keynote speaker, some prayers and a gathering of proud hometown veterans. We might see some local World War II U.S. Army reenactors on hand. Retired and active servicemen and women and their families will converge on Veterans Park, which is dedicated to the memory of all Saugus veterans.

And at about the same time, there will be a Field of Flags planted on the front lawn outside Saugus Town Hall – courtesy of the Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution. This will mark the Fourth Annual Veterans Day Field of Flags organized by the hometown DAR.

 

Election Nights were always special

  As I look back on my half-century career as a newspaper reporter/editor, I have some fond memories of covering local elections in various communities where I worked. It was always a fun and exciting night, where everybody in the newsroom had a role, whether it be exit interviews at the polls or going to candidate post-election parties for a quote, or helping to compile charts with the results or monitoring the wire service stories about state and national results. Presidential elections, of course, were the most interesting ones to cover.

In most of the newsrooms of the daily newspapers where I worked, the paper usually sprang for some pizza – and often a lot more than was necessary. On most election nights, there was plenty to share with the guys (and sometimes girls) in the Sports Department. And if there was anybody still working in the morning, there was no need to go out for breakfast. Then-cold pizza went fine with a cup of coffee or a glass of orange juice. Sometimes there would be pizza waiting to be eaten for reporters who walked into the newsroom the day after election night.

Believe it or not, I’ve been blamed or credited – depending on one’s perspective – with costing local politicians the election because of stories I wrote during the campaign. When I was a reporter at The Eagle-Tribune in North Andover, a Lawrence City Council candidate grabbed me by the lapel and f-bombed me at least 15 times, disparaging me in a not-so-lady-like way and telling me that I was the reason why she lost the election.

During my days as a weekly newspaper editor on Nantucket, I wrote an editorial about the selectmen’s race and criticized an incumbent selectwoman for being in a potential conflict of interest situation by dating the town Finance Director. She lost the election by a small margin and blamed me for ruining her political career on the island.

While a reporter covering Lake County government in Florida, I had written a series of investigative stories critical of the Sheriff’s Department. The sheriff blamed me for losing the election. The new sheriff was obviously happy about the stories.

As far as this year’s election in Saugus, I’m writing this column as some early election results come in. But without a meaningful local election race on the Saugus ballot, there wasn’t much to cover this year. My main focus once the election numbers come in from the Saugus Town Clerk’s Office will be whether former President Donald Trump and the Republicans carry Saugus or whether Vice President Kamala Harris and the Democrats win the Saugus vote. The frustrating thing is that as I head toward my newspaper deadline the presidential election results may not yet be determined by the time my deadline passes.

Stay tuned.

 

MEG’S Christmas Tree Festival begins today

  The MEG Foundation’s 2024 Christmas Tree Festival will open today (Friday, Nov. 8) from 3-8 p.m. and continue tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 9) from 3 to 8 p.m.; Sunday (Nov. 10) from noon to 5 p.m.; Friday (Nov. 15) from 3 to 8 p.m.; and Sunday (Nov. 16) from 3 to 8 p.m. If you want to see some neat trees and get into the holiday spirit a few weeks early, this is a fun family event that will be hosted at the historic MEG Building at 54-58 Essex St.

 

A new Saugus Advocate deadline

  There are changes going on in the production process of The Saugus Advocate, the town’s only exclusively Saugus newspaper, which is delivered to locations all over town on Fridays. I won’t bore you with the details, other than to tell you that I have to make adjustments in how I do my job to make sure the paper gets out on time. My deadlines have been moved up. So, if you have an announcement, news item or notice that you want to submit for the Friday paper, it’s best to email it to me at mvoge@comcast.net by Tuesday night.

 

Food Pantry notes

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Nov. 8) 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.

 

No new Legion Hall bookings till 2025

  The American Legion Post 210 announced recently that it will honor any contract it has signed for a party from now through the end of December, but will not book any new ones until after the first of the year.

 

This week’s “SHOUT OUTs”

  We received a few nominations for a “Shout Out” this week:

DAR Member Joanie Allbee offered this one: “with a megaphone roaring out a BIG SHOUT OUT to DAR Parson Roby Chapter Regent Gail Cassarino and Vice Regent Wendy Renda!

“Our two Officers put in countless hours behind the scenes so the Town Hall lawn is sprawled with flying flags. Each sponsored flag carries a Veteran’s name and service.”

Janice Jarosz wanted to send some praise to “our local trash men.” “They’ve been unbelievable lately.”

A special Editor’s “Shout Out” to all of the town’s living and departed veterans for their dedicated service to the nation. You deserve the appreciation and respect from every proud American for the sacrifices you have made for us all. If you happen to see a veteran you know or one you don’t know (easily identified by a military-style baseball cap or jacket with patches and the branch of the service identified), take the time to thank him or her for their service to the country.

 

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.

 

Holiday trash delay

  The Town of Saugus announces that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Veterans Day holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, November 11, due to the holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Tuesday, November 12.

Residents are kindly asked to leave trash and recycling curbside by 7 a.m. the day after their normally scheduled collection day. The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

Fall Cleanup begins on Nov. 12 at Riverside

  The Cemetery Department announced that on Tuesday, Nov. 12, Riverside Cemetery will begin its fall cleanup of the cemetery grounds. If you have personal holiday/seasonal items that you would like to keep, please stop by the cemetery and remove them before Tuesday, Nov. 12, 2024. The Cemetery Commission and Cemetery Department are not responsible for any personal holiday/seasonal items that are not removed from gravesites by the family on or before Nov. 12, 2024.

Veterans’ flags will remain on gravesites until Nov. 12 and will be removed for the winter season starting on Tuesday, Nov. 12, during the fall cleanup. Flags will be placed back on gravesites in May for Memorial Day.

If you have questions about fall cleanup, please call Maddy at the Cemetery Department office at 781-231-4170.

 

A free program about trains on Nov. 13

The Saugus Historical Society meeting on November 13 will feature a mini-symposium about trains. Todd Geig will be presenting to the Saugus Historical Society an overview of how he came to model railroading through a fascination with the legendary Boston, Revere Beach and Lynn railroad (aka The Narrow Gauge), which ran from 1875 to 1940 and was instrumental in the development of the North Shore. His model layout of this historical local line was on view in the Lynn Museum last winter.

Also, Bill Stewart, the “Old Sachem,” will talk about a train wreck on the Saugus Branch in 1871. Laura Eisener will speak about the present developments on the rail trail of the former Saugus Branch line, which will eventually connect this popular bicycle and walking trail to the sea.

The program will begin at 7 p.m. at 30 Main St. in Saugus. It is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

 

A new town tradition?

  Halloween at the Hall. It could become a new town tradition if Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree has his way.

Hundreds of kids stopped by Saugus Town Hall on Halloween (Oct. 31) for the first-ever community-wide Town Hall Trick-or-Treat, according to the Town Manager’s Office. Children wearing their favorite Halloween costumes strolled through Town Hall from 2:30-4 p.m. collecting candy and treats at different offices. Town Hall employees dressed up for the special occasion while handing out the goodies in the first floor and basement hallways. Town Manager Crabtree got into the Halloween spirit, too, as he sported a Buzz Lightyear costume while passing out candy and welcoming families to the Town Hall Trick-or-Treat.

“As a first-time community-wide event we weren’t sure what to expect, but the turnout was terrific,” Crabtree said. “It was great to see so many children and parent caregivers really get into the trick-or-treat experience at Town Hall. Thank you to all of our town employees who pitched in to make this event possible – hopefully the first of many community-wide Saugus Town Hall Trick-or-Treats.”

 

“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.”

 

Fall curbside leaf collection dates

  Town Manager Scott Crabtree’s office has released the dates for the fall curbside leaf collection: Tuesday, Nov. 12 to Saturday, Nov. 16 (one-day delay this week due to Veterans Day) and 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.

 

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.

  Coming Soon at the Saugus Public Library! Foreign Language Books for adults! Books will be located on the 2nd floor past the Young Adult Fiction section. Spanish, Portuguese, Vietnamese, Arabic and Haitian Creole books will be available to check out. We will also have dual language books and short stories. Read in your native language or practice a language that is new to you!

Pongala Photographs: Susan Olesiw has been visiting India and photographing its people and festivals since 1976. In her photograph exhibit on display this month 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. The color photograph display and the photo captions are worth checking out.

 

Wills, Trusts and Asset Protection Presentation

The Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee and Eagle Bank are sponsoring a Free Presentation for Wills, Trusts and Asset Protection. This event will be held on Monday, Dec. 16, from 10 to 11 a.m. at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St. in Saugus). Eagle Bank will be providing an attorney to discuss many issues: estate taxes, Medicaid, probate, property assignments, advantages and disadvantages of wills and living trusts, and much more. To attend this free event, please call the Saugus Senior Center at 781-231-4178. Light refreshments will be served. Walk-in’s welcome.

 

Notes from the Town Democratic Party

  The Saugus Democratic Town Committee (SDTC) is supporting and encouraging food donations to the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry’s Thanksgiving Meal Drive. Donations of any of the below items are being accepted through November 8 by dropping items off at the donation bin in the Library, at the Cliftondale Congregational Church on Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 10:30 a.m., or by appointment. If you have donation items that you cannot drop off, please let Mary Robblee know by contacting her at 617-240-5439 or via email at mrobb48@aol.com

• jarred or canned cranberry sauce
• canned corn, green beans and carrots
• canned cream of mushroom soup
• boxed stuffing mix
• boxed mashed potatoes
• boxed mac & cheese
• boxed cornbread mix
• boxed dessert mix

  SDTC November Meeting – please join us! It is never too late to be involved in protecting our democracy and freedoms. The November meeting of the STCD will be held at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, November 13, at the Saugus Public Safety Building (27 Hamilton St., 2nd Floor. We hope to see you then.

 

About The Saugus Advocate

We welcome press releases, news announcements, freelance articles and courtesy photos from the community. Our deadline is Tuesday night. 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.