The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

The spirit of Thanksgiving was alive and well in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church on Saturday morning. More than 40 volunteers showed up in the basement – home of the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry – to hand out turkeys with all of the trimmings to about 140 families who might not otherwise get to enjoy the conventional Thanksgiving Day. Each meal contained a box of fresh produce and a bag of nonperishable items to complete the meal. From what I observed over a couple of hours, it was clear that there was a lot of love flowing as the corps of volunteers helped members of needy families carry out the meal to their cars. And the recipients of these meals were pretty grateful.

It was great to see Saugus High Football Head Coach Steve Cummings, a few assistant coaches and many of this year’s Sachems team participate in the event before they headed off to practice on a cold, rainy day. Team Captain Cody Munafo told me it was an experience that touched his heart, and one that he will remember every Thanksgiving going forward. Tenth graders Rose Means and Andrea Montenegro said it was heart-warming for them to feel the gratitude of the people they helped on Saturday. It helped them understand how fortunate they are to have a sit-down Thanksgiving Day meal every year and how too many people take the meal for granted.

 

My favorite meal of the year

For a lot of people, I’ve encountered during my travels as a reporter, turkey and all of the trimmings on Thanksgiving is just another meal. For those less fortunate people showing up at the food pantry on Saturday, it was a huge deal.

It’s always been a big deal to me, from my childhood on. I’ve always seen it as a time for family and friends to gather around the table for a delicious meal – usually prepared by somebody who stayed up all night to make sure everything was just right. I know what goes into it firsthand from watching my mom at work all those years. Her turkey dressing was delicious. And I loved the way she blended the carrots with the mashed potatoes. It was a great meal. The best.

In November of 1973 during the fall of my senior year at UMass Amherst, I drove all the way from Washington, D.C., dropping off some fellow interns in Central and Western Massachusetts before heading to Swansea. It was probably a 500-mile trip. I remember driving through torrential rain to make it home for that meal prepared with lots of love. I might have got in at 3 a.m. or later. But my mom was still up preparing that special meal.

During the parts of 10 years I spent in Florida and Texas – times when I couldn’t get home for Thanksgiving – I always got at least one invitation to enjoy Thanksgiving in somebody’s home. And I was never disappointed. Sometimes I would join some of my newsroom friends.

 

Count your blessings

On this particular holiday, it’s always a nice time to pause and reflect on all of the good things in life that we too often take for granted. Last Friday, I went in for my annual wellness visit at the office of my primary care physician. I was a little apprehensive going into the checkup. But I’m happy to report that I had pretty good numbers. Sure, I could stand to lose some weight. But all of the results from the blood work I had done was positive. And I had an encouraging conversation with my primary care physician. So, as I near my 72nd birthday, I’m grateful that my health is good enough to allow me to continue working as a newspaperman.

But I’m hoping that the storm forecast for Thanksgiving Day doesn’t materialize and threaten my travel plans to Southeastern Massachusetts, where I hope to enjoy another Thanksgiving Day buffet with my brother Wayne at White’s of Westport. Best wishes to all of our readers and Saugus residents for a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving.

 

Holiday Trash Delay

The Town of Saugus announces that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Thanksgiving holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Thursday, Nov. 28, due to the Thanksgiving holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Friday, Nov. 29. 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.

 

Food Pantry notes

  The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be closed on Friday, Nov. 29, in honor of the Thanksgiving Day holiday and will reopen on Friday, Dec. 6, 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

There’s a good 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 2024-25 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.

 

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”

Here’s a mega “Shout Out” from the Saugus United Food Pantry:

“The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is grateful for the many people, organizations, and businesses that partner with us to fight food insecurity on a weekly basis and to provide a special Thanksgiving meal every holiday. We are grateful for our regular volunteers (Robin, David, Roger, Vinny, Donald, Karen, Jo, Steve, Sandy, Bonnie, Elizabeth, Ronnie, Mitch, Edna) and our pantry admin (Debbie), as well as for other community members who donated of their time to help us sort, pack, and distribute meal baskets with a turkey, produce box, and grocery bag to over 130 families. We are also grateful for food and financial donations from businesses like Market Basket, Price Rite, Trader Joe’s, NorthShore Bank, Saugus Everett/Elks, and also MetroCredit Union and Eastern Bank who donated the tote bags for the groceries. We also counted on generous food drives from the Saugus library, Belmonte STEAM Academy through the leadership of teacher Anita Cafarelli, and the Hammersmith Restaurant. The Saugus High Football team once again helped us carry out the meal baskets for clients and spread holiday cheer – even in the rain! We also thank the many churches of Saugus, including the Saugus Catholic Collaborative and East Saugus United Methodist Church for taking a special offering for the food pantry. There are dozens and dozens of people to thank. We could not do this alone, so we give thanks to God for bringing the community together for this special initiative. Happy Thanksgiving!”

 

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.

 

Two Winter Concerts for December

The Saugus Band Parents Association announced this week two special concerts that will be performed at Lemoine-Mitchell Performing Arts Center at Saugus Middle-High School. Here are the details:

• The Middle School Band and Chorus Winter Concert will be held on Tuesday, Dec. 3, at 7 p.m.
• The High School Band and Chorus Winter Concert will be held on Tuesday, December 10, at 7 p.m.

Raffle basket tickets and band merchandise will be available for purchase at both shows. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact saugusbandparents@gmail.com

 

Saugus Tree Lighting set for Dec. 6

Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree announced at a Board of Selectmen’s meeting that the town’s annual Christmas Tree Lighting and Festivities is set for Friday, Dec. 6, from 5 to 8:30 a.m. in front of Town Hall. The arrival of Santa Claus on a horse-drawn sleigh, some time for children to have their photos taken with Santa, a petting zoo, rides and amusements for kids, a DJ to play songs and hot chocolate to go with cookies (while they last) are the more popular highlights of this special night, which draws hundreds of people – town residents, former Saugonians and folks from neighboring communities – in one of the most popular community events of the year. Stay tuned for more details.

 

Lions Club continues toy drop-off

The Saugus Lions Club organized a toy drop-off to support the Saugus Fire Department’s Annual Toy Drive – through Dec. 7 at Webster First Federal Credit Union at 509 Main St. in Saugus. On Saturday, Dec. 7, children will get to meet Mrs. Claus and Lillie the Lion from 8 a.m. to noon at Webster First Federal Credit Union and enjoy some hot chocolate and snacks.

 

St. Margaret’s Christmas Stroll Dec. 7

St. Margaret’s Church at 431 Lincoln Ave. will hold its annual Christmas Stroll on the weekend of Dec. 7 and 8. On Saturday the 7^th, we will be serving a meatball sub lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Sunday the 8th we will be serving breakfast from 8:30 to 11:30 a.m. During the two days we will have raffles, raffles and more raffles and a gifts table with Christmas gifts for purchase along with baked goods. Join us for a fun weekend!

 

St. John’s Christmas Fair Dec. 7

St. John’s Episcopal Church, at 8 Prospect St., Saugus, plans to hold its annual Christmas Fair from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Dec. 7. The church is located near the Saugus Iron Works National Historical Site, at the corner of Central and Prospect Streets. The fair will feature holiday crafts tables, yard sale items, homemade candies and baked goods, lunch, books and puzzles, a raffle table, face painting, jewelry and knit items.

 

Santa at Breakheart

Come and meet Santa from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 8, at Breakheart Reservation at the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center at 177 Forest St. in Saugus. Take a photo of yourself and Santa with your phone or camera. Candy canes from Santa and light refreshments will be served while you enjoy a few minutes by the roaring fire.

 

Wreaths Across America set for Dec. 14

  On December 14 at noon, the Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (MA0136P) is sponsoring its fourth Wreaths Across America event – helping both Riverside and Old Burying Ground Cemeteries to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes. To sponsor your wreath(s) at $17 each or to volunteer to help place wreaths on December 14, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/MA0136P or use the QR code. There will be a brief ceremony at noon to honor all branches of the military followed by laying wreaths on our fallen heroes. Invite your friends and family to join us in honoring our servicemen and women. The cut-off date to order is November 28.

“2021 was our first year sponsoring this event, which had over 360 wreaths sponsored. The community really stepped up and we are grateful for all the support we received. However, there are more than 1200 veterans’ graves in Riverside and we are hoping that between the community and businesses there will be enough sponsored wreaths to cover all those graves this year.

“The Daughters of the American Revolution’s mission is to preserve American history and secure America’s future through education and promoting patriotism. For more information on how to participate or ‘What We Do’ email the Parson Roby Chapter DAR at parsonroby.saugusdar@gmail.com.” or go to www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/MA0136P. This ensures your wreath(s) are placed at Riverside Cemetery.

 

Saugus 4-1-1 set for March 1, 2025

The Saugus 4-1-1 Committee would like everyone to know that the Saugus 4-1-1 event will be taking place on March 1, 2025. Invitations to all new residents as well as nonprofits 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!” Selectman Corinne Riley wrote in an email recently.

“Also, if you have a local business or service to promote, send your request or further inquiries to Saugus411@gmail.com. There are ‘Welcome Bags’ that are given out to the new residents with all kinds of information which could include your business or services offered to our Saugus residents. Stay tuned for further updates!”

Selectman Riley was the driving force behind the nifty program, which had two previous well-attended Saturdays at the Saugus Middle-High School in recent years (last year and 2022).

 

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 second 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-ins welcome.

 

A Video for Vets

  Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and Veterans’ Service Officer Paul Cancelliere have collaborated on a video that highlights the work the Town of Saugus’ Veterans’ Services Office does to help local veterans and their families. In the video, Cancelliere explains how the Veterans’ Services Office follows three main pillars in advocating for veterans. These pillars are:

• Implementing a variety of state benefits to aid veterans and their families
• Processing U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) claims for veterans and offering assistance for things such as homebuying, education, life insurance and burials
• Community outreach by working with the Saugus Veterans Council to help put together events such as the Memorial Day Parade, POW/MIA Recognition Day and the Veterans Day ceremony

The Saugus Veterans’ Services Office is located on the main floor of Saugus Town Hall at 298 Central St. Paul Cancelliere serves as the veterans’ services officer and Nancy Stead is the administrative assistant for the department. For more information call 781-231-4010 or email pcancelliere@saugus-ma.gov, veteransservices@saugus-ma.gov or nstead@saugus-ma.gov

 

About The Saugus Advocate

We welcome press releases, news announcements, freelance articles and courtesy photos from the community. Our deadline is 6 p.m. on Tuesday. 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.