The Sounds of Saugus

Good morning, Saugus

I had a conversation this week with a woman who lives in Precinct 3 who said she was concerned that the town’s proposed conversion of the Stocker Playground into a dog park was “a done deal.” I reassured her that it’s not, as the project is subject to review by the Conservation Commission, which is scheduled to hold a meeting this Wednesday (Feb. 12) at 7 p.m. in the Town Hall Annex, 25 Main St. Saugus residents will get to view the plans and learn more about the project – and share their feedback at the meeting.

In addition to the Conservation Commission, which will determine whether the project poses no environmental threat to the area and wetlands, the state Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) will also be doing its own review to make sure the town complies with state environmental regulations. So, it’s hardly “a done deal.” Should the Conservation Commission or DEP determine the project would have an adverse impact on the local wetlands and environment, that could delay or even threaten the project.

A section called “Stocker Field Dog Park Information” was recently posted on the town website. Anyone who wants to learn more about the project can go on the town website. More information can be accessed at https://www.saugus-ma.gov/home/news/town-saugus-announces-plans-stocker-field-dog-park-ensuring-full-compliance-environmental. Residents can inspect the plans and NOI at https://www.saugus-ma.gov/home/pages/stocker-field-dog-park-information

Any concerned citizen will have plenty of opportunity to weigh in on the project. Stay tuned.

Saugus Cultural Festival Feb. 23

We’re a little more than two weeks away from the first Saugus Cultural Festival, which is set for Sunday, Feb. 23 at Saugus Middle High School from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. This inclusive and family-friendly event will celebrate Saugus’ cultural diversity through the showcase of food, performances and other activities, according to Tori Darnell, Co-chair of the Saugus Cultural Council – the event’s organizers. The Cultural Council has invited musicians, dancers, poets, actors and artists of all kinds to showcase their talents on the local stage. There will also be food vendors on hand to share their culinary creations with festival-goers.

This is a great opportunity to share new experiences with the community. To learn more information, please contact the Cultural Council by email – saugusculturalcouncil@gmail.com – or by phone: 339-440-1017.

An open community discussion on the Saugus Cultural Festival is set for this Tuesday (Feb. 11) at 6 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library.

Saugus 4-1-1 set for March 15

The Saugus 4-1-1 forum that was originally scheduled for March 1 has been rescheduled for later in the month. “The Saugus 4-1-1 Committee would like everyone to know that the Saugus 4-1-1 event will be taking place on March 15, 2025,” Selectman Corinne Riley said in an email to The Saugus Advocate. “(Please note the date change). 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! 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 (2022 and 2023). Stay tuned for more details.

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. Please note that the pantry is pausing food drive donations through the end of February because of the generosity of the community during the holiday season. Food drives will resume in March.

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.

A Super “SHOUT OUT” for Lukeman Nouri

Saugus Public Library Director Alan Thibeault offered some high praise this week for a 17-year-old senior from the Pioneer Charter School of Science II in Saugus who was responsible for creating a tutoring program run by a small group of student volunteers from the local school. “This is definitely Lukeman’s program,” Thibeault said in an interview this week while touting the Tutoring Circle organized by Lukeman Nouri as “a great program.”

“He’s doing a service to the town, providing help to students of all grades,” Thibeault said. “It’s a credit to the school, a credit to him [Lukeman] and also the kids who are involved as volunteer tutors. He came to see me the early part of last year with the idea of doing this. He’s smart. He’s nice. He wants to serve the community. He organized this program and he set it up so kids can go online and register the courses they need help with. This is a great partnership [between the library and the Pioneer Charter School].”

I got to talk with Alan briefly on Monday afternoon in the library’s community room, before spending about 90 minutes observing the tutoring class and interviewing Lukeman Nouri, a very impressive Saugus teenager who is the subject of this week’s “The Advocate Asks.”

For the parents of Saugus kids who might be having trouble with a particular subject – whether your child attends Saugus Public Schools, a local Charter School or a vocational school – the Tutoring Circle is an option you might want to consider. And it won’t cost you anything except for the time and gas you use to drive to drop your children off at the library and to pick them up later. This is the link for parents to register their children: https://forms.gle/YSnjS6KSjFuBQFkT6

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.

February Fireside Chats at Breakheart

For three consecutive Wednesday mornings, through Feb. 26, Breakheart Reservation will host a Fireside Chat at its Christopher P. Dunne Memorial Visitor Center (177 Forest St., Saugus) from 10 to 11 a.m. Each week come warm up by a fire and join a staff member from the state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR) who will be sharing their expertise and experiences at our parks. DCR staff goes well beyond the people you normally meet in the parks. There are many “behind the scenes” experts who are excited to share their role in keeping the park properties safe and healthy for the public.

The lineup for the remaining three Fireside Chats is as follows:

Feb. 12, Ryan Hutton, Digital Strategist

Feb. 19, Sean Riley, Stewardship Research Biologist, and Liz Kernan, Shorebird Recovery Program Coordinator

Feb. 26, Eric Seaborn, Director of Natural Resources

What’s going on at the library

• A workshop for aspiring writers: Pen to Paper: A Writing Workshop, by Laura Eisener, local journalist, historian and horticulturist. There are six workshops scheduled – Feb. 11, 18 and 25 and March 11, 18 and 25 – from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor of the Saugus Public Library (295 Central St. in Saugus). Do you want to write? Perhaps you have thought about starting a blog, creating a memoir, writing your sixth murder mystery in a series, developing a series of articles, explaining how to knit or recreate a special family recipe or writing a textbook or the great American novel? Whatever your level of experience, goals or preferred literary genre, this free workshop can help you enjoy writing more and encourage you to keep at it. We will use a combination of discussions, prompts and writing exercises to give you new incentives and confidence. There is some optional “homework,” but no preregistration is required, and you can attend as often as your schedule allows.
• Hello to fans of Needle Crafting: Are you into knitting, crocheting, cross-stitch embroidery, etc.? The SPL Needle Crafting Group will start on Thursday, Feb. 20 from 10-11 a.m. in the Brooks Room. No registration needed – drop-ins welcome. Bring your Work in Progress and enjoy the conversation. Cocoa and tea will be provided. Any questions, call Reference at 781-231-4168.
• Cookie decorating: Come join us for our cookie decorating program! We will be having a professional come over on Monday, Feb. 10 from 5:30-7:00 p.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor.
• Styling with vintage & thrifted fashion: Saturday, February 22 from 1:30-3:00 p.m. in the Community Room; Karen (Ren) Antonowicz from Spirits of Fashion will be presenting the program. Did you know that you can create a unique wardrobe that suits your “style personality” without breaking the bank? Join us for this fun styling workshop where we explore ways to treasure hunt for vintage and secondhand clothing and accessories that speak to you and will inspire a new way of dressing. Fill your own closet with a personalized wardrobe that will bring you joy for years to come. Registration begins Saturday, Feb. 8 at 9 a.m. on our online Events Calendar – sauguspubliclibrary.org

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 a 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.