The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

It’s hard to believe that the Saugus High Class of 2025 has only a week before its members assemble next Friday night for their graduation ceremonies – hopefully, outside in Christie Serino Jr. Memorial Stadium.

Classes are done for the seniors, who will be spending considerable time together next week in commencement rehearsals and a number of fun events leading up to the big night when they get to walk up on the stage on the stadium turf to receive their diplomas. Best wishes to the Class of 2025 for a safe, healthy and happy final week of Sachem seniors.

 

Touch A Truck Event Sunday

This Sunday, June 1, Moms Cancer Fighting Angels 6th Annual Touch A Truck Event returns to the Blessed Sacrament Church lot, 14 Summer St., Saugus. This year’s event will be raising funds for breast cancer awareness and the National Kidney Foundation. This event is shaping up to be their biggest event yet, with a crane from Iron Tree Service, monster trucks, military trucks, local trucks and vehicles, Aqua Flow Plumbing, Agganis Construction, Junkster Bags and the Saugus Police and Fire Departments. Also, food vendors for J&M in Saugus, ice cream and Emma’s Lemonade Stand, raffles and a 50/50 . Also new this year, Tiger Institute will be doing a karate demonstration. Also will be a Melrose Police K9 demonstration. This is a free event. Donations are always welcome and will go to the cause. The event will run from 2 to 5 p.m.

 

Happy Birthday, Annette M. Slocomb!

This Monday (June 2) will be a special day for Annette Slocomb. She will be celebrating her 102 birthday, and she’s really looking forward to it, based on the note I received from her in this week’s mail. “We all are meeting on that day to meet our pen pals,” Annette wrote, apparently referring to grade school kids who have paired up with some of the town’s senior citizens to swap letters.

Best wishes for a great day, Annette!

 

A “Zip Trip” stop in Saugus on June 27

Mark Friday, June 27 on your calendar if you happen to have some free time that morning. Boston 25 is hosting a Zip Trip in Saugus, right outside Saugus Town Hall. Jessica Howard DeThomas, the Senior Morning Producer for the television station, tells me they will spend a few hours that day interviewing Saugus folks about what makes the town special.

Stay tuned for more information as that day approaches.

 

Two more weeks of Kindergarten Kickers

Kindergarten Kickers, a youth soccer program in Saugus for children ages four to six (in kindergarten or entering kindergarten in the fall), will be finishing its spring season soon. The program runs Sundays from 2:30-3:30 at Anna Parker Playground. The final two sessions are June 1 and June 8.

“It was a big success in the fall and again this spring,” according to Liz Venezia.

“We have 76 players (with a waitlist) across 6 teams with the help of 18 awesome coaches,” she said.

 

This week’s “SHOUT OUTs”

We had a busy week handling “Shout Out” nominations from readers who wished to publicly acknowledge the good deeds or efforts by a fellow Saugonian to make the town a better place to live. Here they are:

  Sue Fleming: “I would like to give a Shout Out to everyone involved in the Scott Procopio Gold Star Run for Honor on Saturday. It is a 5K, 10K or a one mile walk. In the past we have done the 5K (walking) but this year we decided we know our limitations and did the one mile walk. It is an honor to do this in memory of Scott and the perfect way to start the Memorial Day weekend. We also would give a Shout Out to the organizers and participants in the parade. It was great to see!!”

  Joanie Allbee: “A BIG SHOUT OUT TO Thoughtful Joyce Vecchiarelli! Once again there she is; rain or shine. There’s Joyce compassionately doling out bottles of water to thirsty Parader’s celebrating Saugus festivities. Joyce’s water table sits in front of Peter Rossetti Insurance 436 Lincoln Ave (right on parade Route). Often amidst the rain showers she bolted up to floats and walkers to hand out H2O to marching over heated costume wearers & thirsty ones who looked her way. Thank you.”

Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo: “This ‘Shout Out’ is for J&M Italian American Cuisine for donating pizza for the children who helped put flags on the graves of our Soldiers at Riverside Cemetery last Friday afternoon in honor of Memorial Day observance. J&M has done this for many years and we are grateful, thank you J&M.”

Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti offered this gigantic, collective “shout out” for residents, businesses and groups who went out of their way to make this year’s annual Memorial Day Parade and observance a huge success: “Thank you WIN Waste Innovations – Major Sponsor; Grand Marshal Gene Decareau, Korea; Beantown Advertising (Media Truck); Benjamin ‘Your Friend Ben’ Rabinovitz, WMEX Boston 1510; Gold Star Wives; Keynote Speaker, CDR Shelby Nikitin, United States Navy; National Anthem singer Todd Angilly from the Boston Bruins; Saugus Veterans Council; Parson Roby Chapter of the DAR; Saugus Everett Elks; Saugus Lions Club; Fox Hill Yacht Club; Saugus Police Department; Saugus Fire Department; John Prudent, Saugus TV; Saugus Senior Center; Veterans WWII Reenactors; Hingham Militia; Essex County Marine Corps League; Stuart Highlanders Pipe Band; McGann Marching Band; Scott Elias & NE’s Best DJ’s; Saugus High School Band; All of our Parade Participants; JROTC’s Lynn English High School, SgtMaj Jose Beato, USMC (Ret), Beverly High School, Maj Gato, USMC (Ret) & MSgt Miller, USMC (Ret), Salem High School, LtCol Grace, USMC (Ret), Peabody High School, MSgt Lanning, USAF (Ret); Guy Moley – Vintage vehicles and motorcycles.

“Randy Briand and all of the folks that came May 23 to flag our graves; J&M Italian American Cuisine; A special thank you to Gordon Shepard for all the work he does here at Riverside Cemetery to keep our veterans’ graves looking so great!! Although he is not with us today, we always remember Gordie on Memorial Day; Town Manager Scott Crabtree for arranging for the Porta Potties here and at Anna Parker.”

 

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 (mv***@*****st.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.

 

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.

 

Final Legion Breakfasts today

The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus will complete its 2024-25 breakfast season today, Friday, May 30. 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.

 

American Legion Blood Drive

The American Legion Post 210 in Saugus will hold a blood drive from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, June 7 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus. Please call 1-800-Red Cross (1-800-733-2767) or visit RedCrossBlood.org and enter Saugus community to schedule an appointment.

 

Visitor Services available at Saugus Iron Works

The Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site has begun its “visitors’ services,” marking the opening of restrooms and the museum. This is the expected schedule of tours for the summer: Wednesday–Sunday at 11 a.m., house tours, 1/2 hour; Wednesday–Sunday at 2 p.m., industrial site tours, which will include waterwheel demonstrations when staffing permits. On Fridays and Saturdays only, there will also be a 10 a.m. waterwheel demonstration. Visitors’ services will end on Oct. 31.

 

Nice and Easy Hikes at Breakheart

On May 31 from 9:30–11:30 a.m., join the Park Interpreter for a guided hike at Breakheart Reservation. The trip highlights natural and historic features that make Breakheart unique. The hike is moderately paced and ranges from two to three miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain; best for ages eight years and up. Meet at the Visitors Center (177 Forest St., Saugus). Heavy rain cancels the event.

 

Town Democrats meet June 11

The Saugus Democratic Town Committee invites you to join our next monthly meeting on Wednesday evening, June 11, at 7 p.m., on the 2nd floor of the Saugus Public Safety Building, 27 Hamilton Street, Saugus.

If you have shared democratic values and want to resist the threats to our Constitution, please attend and be with fellow concerned citizens and take action. Any questions, contact sa*******@***il.com (submitted by Lin Bell, SDTC Secretary).

 

Strawberry Festival June 21

The Saugus Historical Society Strawberry Festival and the Saugus Garden Club annual plant sale will be held on Saturday, June 21. Strawberry shortcakes will be served at the American Legion Hall from 10-2, and the plant sale will be taking place on the lawn of the Roby School, facing Main Street, along with several craft vendors.

 

Conversation Circle at the Saugus Public Library

Would you like to practice speaking English in a comfortable and supportive environment?

Intended for intermediate and advanced-level speakers of English to practice speaking in an informal setting, the Conversation Circle promotes speaking and listening in English. It improves fluency and confidence. This group will meet from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Brooks Room on the second and fourth Tuesday evenings of June 2025: Tuesday, June 10, Tuesday, June 24. If there is enough interest, additional dates will be scheduled. There is no cost for this program. Walk-ins are welcome.

 

Saugus Sachems Summer Track Camp 2025

Coach Christopher Tarantino – also known affectionately as “Coach T” – has announced plans for his Summer Track Camp. Registration will get underway soon. “This vibrant program, now in its 20th year, is where student athletes from a wide range of ages come together to listen well, work hard, and have fun!” Coach T said in an email.

Track Camp runners will be guided by Coach Tarantino, his coaches, counselors and alumni, as well as current middle and high school track team members.

“Participants work on social and team building skills, as well as setting individual and team goals, all while learning the fundamentals and or the advanced techniques of this dynamic sport, track and field,” Coach T said.

Here’s a summary of what interested kids and their parents need to know.

Who: five to 18 years old.

Where: Belmonte Track.

When: 6-8 p.m. unless otherwise noted.

June 23-27 – final registration week/returning athlete training

June 30-July 4 – first formal week

July 19 – Summer Showdown in Cranston, R.I.

July 23 – Wrap up

Cost: $300 first year ($250 if registered by June 1), $200 returning with uniform, $150 if three years or more in summer program; includes pasta dinner, t-shirt, uniform and entry into Summer Showdown.

For any questions, further information or to register, please contact Coach Christopher Tarantino (Coach T) at 781-854-6778 or ch********************@***il.com

 

Buy-A-Brick for a veteran

The Saugus War Monument Committee, once again, is sponsoring the Buy-A-Brick Program to honor all those who have served their country. If you would like to purchase one in the name of someone who is presently serving or has served, in the memory of a loved one, or just someone from your family, school, etc., the general pricing is $100 for a 4″ x 8″ brick (three lines) or $200 for a 8″ x 8″ brick (five lines). Each line has a maximum of 15 characters. The improvement and upkeep of the monument on the corner of Winter and Central Streets rely on the generosity of donors through fundraising.

The brick application must be in by September 10 to ensure the bricks will be ready for Veterans Day. Please contact Corinne Riley at 781-231-7995 for more information and applications.

 

C.H.a.R.M. Center is open

The Town of Saugus Solid Waste/Recycling Department announced that the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (C.H.a.R.M.) has opened for the season, with normal operational hours of Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

The C.H.a.R.M. Center is located at 515 Main St., Saugus, behind the Saugus Department of Public Works. Residents are welcome to use the C.H.a.R.M. Center for their recycling needs. Saugus was the first municipality in Massachusetts to open a C.H.a.R.M. Center.

The C.H.a.R.M. Center accepts the following items at no cost to residents:

• Bottles and cans
• Paper and cardboard
• Scrap metal
• Shoes, clothes and other textiles
• Fluorescent light bulbs and batteries (button and rechargeable)

Residents are also permitted the free disposal of three TVs or computers/CRT monitors per household each year at the C.H.a.R.M. Center.

Residents can obtain new stickers for this year free of charge when visiting the C.H.a.R.M. Center. By purchasing a $25 sticker that is valid for the entirety of the season, residents will be permitted to dispose of yard waste and brush at the C.H.a.R.M. Center. The $25 sticker also covers the cost to dispose of hard/rigid plastics at the facility. The C.H.a.R.M. Center accepts CHECKS ONLY, no cash or cards.

Please note that the C.H.a.R.M. Center does not accept any household trash or construction materials and debris. The Town of Saugus reserves the right to refuse any material if quantity or quality is questionable. Go to https://www.saugus-ma.gov/solid-waste-recycling-department and click on “Recycling Guide” for a comprehensive list of items that are accepted or not accepted at the C.H.a.R.M. Center, in addition to guidelines for how to prepare different items for disposal at the facility.

The C.H.a.R.M. Center will remain open on Wednesdays and Saturdays through the season until the winter. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

Saugus High Class of 1980

Attention, Saugus High Class of 1980. Mark your calendars for Nov. 29 (Saturday after Thanksgiving) and reach out to your friends that you’d like to see at the 45th Class Reunion for 1980 graduates and friends. The reunion will be held that day from 1 to 6 p.m. inside the Saugus Elks.

Invite Saugus High friends from other classes that you may want to be at our 1980 Class Reunion. Our last Saugus Class BBQ event a couple of years ago had three sisters from three different classes attend and they had a blast – so many loved seeing them and appreciated them being there. So many old friends reconnecting after decades; friends from overseas and across the country came; Saugus Classmates that left in Jr. High and that went to other High Schools came. How special it was for so many people to see each other after over 40 years.

Reach out to your friends who are not on Facebook to give them some early notice in case they may want to attend and need to make travel plans. Some of our Classmates have kept in touch with some of our High School teachers, and they attended our last two Saugus High Reunion events – we hope they’ll join us again. Feel free to reach out to any of your favorite teachers that you may want there – I’m sure they would love to hear from you.

More information is forthcoming. Any questions, please feel free to reach out to Andrea or Pete:

Andrea Saunders (1980 Class President) can be reached at pa********@*ol.com or 978-482-5787.

Pete Nicolo can be reached PS**********@*****st.net or 978-815-8234.

 

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 mv***@*****st.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.