The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

During eight years and nine months as editor of The Saugus Advocate, I’ve had a few technical difficulties that got in the way of meeting deadlines. There have been a couple occasions when Comcast went out in the Methuen region, forcing me to take my computer down to the Advocate Newspaper Office in Everett and hook up the computer there. I’ve also had several Internet outages that gave me a scare, but forced me to be a few hours late.

But I faced my worst technical dilemma when my trusty Dell 2-in-1 finally died late Tuesday night, forcing me to write several stories off my Samsung cell phone. Not an ideal situation. But it was my only contingency plan. And, hopefully, at this time next week I will be filing stories on a new desk top computer.

Newspaper reporters and editors live and die by the deadline. If I butcher my deadline badly, that’s going to make it difficult to get the paper out on time.

The worst deadline disaster I ever encountered as a newsman was caused by the weather on Nantucket, when I was editor of The Nantucket Beacon. The airport called us to say that fog had rolled in and that it was shutting down for the rest of the day. We missed the last flight to Hyannis. I decided to take the newspaper flats over on the Steamship and then drive from Hyannis to Plymouth, where The Beacon got printed. Despite my efforts, the paper came out two days late. I slept in a rental car in the parking lot. And our readers were very angry, as was my Publisher.

Hopefully, that never happens while I’m Editor of The Saugus Advocate.

I’m looking forward to tonight’s Tree Lighting Ceremony and Festivities. I’m also looking forward to getting my new computer set up some time over the weekend.

Be well.

 

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. If you are able to donate to the food pantry, you can also stop by during those hours, drop off donations at the Saugus Public Library during library hours or contact office@cliftondalecc.org to make an appointment. Please note that the food pantry will be closed on Friday, December 27, in observance of Christmas.

 

Wrong Church

Everyone makes mistakes, even the Editor of The Saugus Advocate. In last week’s story titled “Thanksgiving Heroes,” I made a dumb mistake in misidentifying the location of the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry after getting it correct hundreds of times over the past eight-plus years that I have written about the food pantry. I mentioned in my story that the food pantry is located in the basement of First Congregational Church instead of Cliftondale Congregational Church. Of course, the food pantry is in Cliftondale Congregational Church.

 

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”

We received two “Shout Outs” this week. Here’s one from Joanie Allbee: “Hello to all, here’s a BIG SHOUT OUT to John Cannon! Congratulations on being voted the Heritage Heights Resident Commissioner for the Board of Saugus Housing Authority.

“CONGRATULATIONS John for winning a LANDSLIDE VOTE against the opponent. Woo hoo!”

We also received this “Shout Out” from Margie Berkowitch: “SHOUT OUT: Hammersmith Quilt Guild has donated 100 pillow cases filled with a quilt and goodies to Home for Little Wanderers, North Shore and Dept. of Children and Families in Salem.”

 

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.

 

A Winter Concert for Dec. 10

The Saugus Band Parents Association announced another special concert that will be performed at Lemoine-Mitchell Performing Arts Center at Saugus Middle-High School. Here are the details: 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 the show. For more information or if you have any questions, please contact saugusbandparents@gmail.com

 

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 tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 7 ) and Sunday (Dec. 8). On Saturday, we will be serving a meatball sub lunch from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m., and on Sunday, 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!

 

Cliftondale Congregational Church events

The Cliftondale Congregational Church acknowledges that the Christmas season is the “most wonderful time of the year” for many, and for others it is bittersweet or even painful. Wherever you fall on that spectrum, you are invited to join us to experience the hope, peace, joy and love of Christmas. Services are on Sundays at 10:45 a.m. in person and streaming on Facebook, and a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service will be held on December 24 at 7 p.m. On Saturday, December 14, at 7 p.m. the church is hosting a free Carols, Cocoa & Cookies event for the community. All are invited to join us at 50 Essex St. for these services and events.

 

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. tomorrow (Saturday, 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 Sunday

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.

 

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 is the driving force behind the nifty program, which had well-attended events at the Saugus Middle-High School last year and in 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.

  Foreign language books for adults! Books will be located on the second floor past the Young Adult Fiction section. Spanish, Portuguese, French, Vietnamese, Arabic and Haitian Creole books will be available to check out. Read in your native language or practice a language that is new to you!

Please come to the Teen Manga and Cosplay event in the Brooks Room at the Saugus Public Library on Monday, December 9 from 5:30-7:00 p.m.

 

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.