The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

Good morning, Saugus

It’s going to be a long red, white and blue weekend, beginning with the celebration of Valentine’s Day today and the observance of the Presidents’ Day holiday on Monday. And we will be seeing a lot of white with snow forecast for Saturday and Sunday. Happy Heart Day to all of our readers, young and old.

One-day trash delay for holiday

The Town of Saugus announces that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Presidents’ Day holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, Feb. 17, due to the holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Tuesday, Feb. 18.

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.

Saugus Cultural Festival Feb. 23

We’re just nine days 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.

Council members will put the finishing touches to the festival when they meet this Tuesday (Feb. 18) at 6 p.m. in the Brooks Room of the Saugus Public Library.

Saugus 4-1-1 set for March 15

Planning for The Saugus 4-1-1 forum that is scheduled for March 15 at the Saugus Middle High School continues. This is the special event aimed at briefing new residents, as well as those folks who have lived in Saugus for years, on what the town has to offer.

“The letters were mailed to all the nonprofits last week, and we already have 15 tables secured for the event,” Selectman Corinne Riley said this week in an email to The Saugus Advocate.

“Letters to the recently moved-in residents will be mailed beginning of next week. We have a new participant this year from the Girl Scouts of Eastern Massachusetts after a Troop Leader of Saugus referred me to them. They will be giving out information to try to get volunteers to become much needed Troop Leaders,” she said. “We have already heard from the Garden Club, Saugus Fire Department, Saugus Boys and Girls Club, the YMCA, Saugus Youth Football and Cheer, SCTV….Just to name a few.”

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.

This week’s “SHOUT OUTs”

We received several “shout outs” this week from our readers. From Jeannie Meredith and the Meredith family:

“To All our DPW Workers and Private Contractors,

“I want to take a moment to sincerely thank each of you for your hard work and dedication in keeping our roads safe and clear, especially during challenging weather conditions. Your long hours, early mornings, and late nights do not go unnoticed!!!

“Your efforts ensure that our communities can continue to travel safely, whether it’s plowing snow, repairing roads, or maintaining infrastructure. We truly appreciate your commitment and the sacrifices you make to keep everything running smoothly.

“Stay safe, and thank you for all that you do!”

From Selectman Corinne Riley:

“I would like to submit a shout out for Tony Speziale. He was honored at the Lions District 33N Mid-Winter Banquet. As King Lion of the Saugus Lions Club, he was recognized for all he has done in our club for the community and the district, especially raising funds for eye research and several other causes the Lions help throughout the year. Tony has definitely been a wonderful president and has worked very hard during his tenure as King Lion!”

Editor’s Choice: Happy Valentine’s Day to Eugene and Arlene Decareau, who are enjoying 72 years of love and marriage.

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 a period of 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 two Fireside Chats is as follows: 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. For those folks who missed the past Tuesday class, there are still five more workshops scheduled – Feb.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 at 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.
• 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 began Saturday, Feb. 8, on our online Events Calendar – sauguspubliclibrary.org
• Watercolor Heart Mosaic: Please join us for creating a watercolor heart mosaic – with a professional! This event will be in the Brooks Room from 5:30-7:00 on Monday, February 24. Registration required – 5th grade and up.
• Cookie decorating: Come join us for our cookie decorating program! We will be having a professional come over on Monday, March 3, from 4 to 5:30 p.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor. Fifth grade and up – registration required.

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.