The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

As we were headed toward this week’s deadline, Saugus High School girls basketball sensation Peyton DiBiasio was on the threshold of scholastic athletic greatness.

School Committee Member Joseph “Dennis” Gould – one of the town’s most prolific Saugus High sports fans – thought it was an important enough milestone to make sure that selectmen knew about it before it happened, possibly last night. “Peyton is 16 points shy of tying Alex Winn for all-time Saugus High Basketball scorer at 1610 points,” Gould wrote in his email, which was read during the Committee’s meeting.

“Her next game is this Thursday at Saugus MSHS against Winthrop at 6 PM,” he said of the game that was scheduled for last night.

“It is probable Peyton will score more than 16 points to break the record and I would love to see all of us there to cheer her on and be witness to this 60-year old record being broken,” Gould continued.

“With 9 games left in the season, Peyton will shatter this record but hopefully break it … this Thursday.

“I will race over there right after the special School Committee meeting on School District budget. Hope to see you all there. Dennis”

As I write this column, I have no idea whether the record was broken last night – perhaps, sometime after the School Committee voted on its proposed budget for the 2027 Fiscal Year, which begins on July 1. But it’s a great story if it did happen.

So, congratulations in advance to Peyton and her Lady Sachem teammates. You will have made Saugus High proud

 

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Jan. 30) from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The food pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Friday mornings. Volunteers are also welcome. Please call the Food Pantry Office at 781-233-2663 or go to the website (cliftondalecc.org) for details.

 

Legion Breakfast on Fridays

There’s a good breakfast 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 2026 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”

For the second week in a row, we did not receive any recommendations from our readers on Saugus citizens to publicly praise. So, I will use my editorial discretion as an Eagle Scout to borrow the collective “shout outs” of the Board of Selectmen directed at Liam Martin of Saugus Boy Scout Troop 62, who recently earned the rank of Eagle Scout.

Here are some excerpts from the selectmen’s remarks congratulating Liam:

Selectman Michael Serino: “You’re an asset to our community, and I’m certainly proud to be here and honor you tonight.”

Selectman Frank Federico: “It speaks volumes to your dedication, perseverance, showing up day after day. So, it definitely speaks highly of your character.”

Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini: “You are definitely a huge asset to Saugus and one that the younger generation can look up to see what it’s all about to be a class act and dedicated and have the will and drive to get it done.”

Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Anthony Cogliano: “First, I’d like to congratulate your parents for doing a fine job with you. I like the beard! Thank you for your service to the community. You are certainly an asset to the town.”

Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta: “[The Eagle badge] shows strong leadership and a deep tie to our community. And we want to thank you. We’re very proud of everything you’ve done. Being an Eagle Scout is going to help you get into college. It’s going to help you with your jobs. My son got his Eagle back 12 years ago and he still leaves it on his resume. He’s so very proud.”

 

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 Youth Football & Cheer Scholarships

  In celebration of its 55th Anniversary, Saugus Youth Football & Cheer is proud to give back to the Town of Saugus by supporting former athletes as they take the next step in their educational journey. As part of this milestone year, Saugus Youth Football & Cheer will award two $1,000 scholarships to graduating high school seniors who previously participated in Saugus Pop Warner and/or Saugus Youth Football & Cheer. One scholarship will be awarded to a former football participant and one to a former cheer participant. These scholarships reflect the organization’s longstanding commitment to building character, leadership and community values through youth sports.

Eligible applicants must be members of the Class of 2026, have a minimum 3.0 GPA, have participated in at least one season between 2015 and 2022 and plan to continue their education at a trade school, two-year college or four-year college. Applicants must submit a 300-word or longer essay by Sunday, April 26. Scholarship recipients will be announced in June 2026.

For application details and more information, visit www.saugusyfc.com. Essays and questions may be submitted to sc*********@*******fc.com.

 

SRWC Annual Meeting on Feb. 23

The Saugus River Watershed Council has rescheduled its Annual Dinner Meeting to Monday, Feb. 23, at 6:30 p.m. at the Marina at The Wharf (543 North Shore Rd. in Revere). The Sunday/Monday snowstorm led to the cancellation of this past Monday’s dinner meeting. This is being billed as a fun night with stewardship awards, silent auctions and raffles. Steve Fantone will present the keynote presentation and wildlife slide show. Those who attend the annual meeting can also learn about the new Rumney Marsh Conservancy. Tickets cost $35. For details, go to www.saugusriver.org.

 

Sideshow Tony returns to library on Feb. 7

On Saturday, February 7, at 11 a.m., the Saugus Public Library welcomes back magician and music man Tony Gangi. Step back in time for a one-of-a-kind performance that blends music, history and magic. Tony Gangi of Great American Street Organ brings a beautifully restored, hand-cranked organ to life, filling the air with lively melodies while sharing fascinating stories about the history of these remarkable instruments. As the tunes play, Tony weaves in moments of wonder with clever feats of magic, surprising audiences of all ages. Part concert, part storytelling and part magical spectacle, this immersive experience celebrates the charm of old-world music and the joy of live performance in a truly unforgettable way.

 

The fashions of “Downton Abbey” on Feb. 7

Saugus residents who love “Downton Abbey” will have a special treat at the Saugus Public Library on Saturday, Feb. 7, from 1:30-3 p.m. in the Community Room. Join us for an informative presentation about the lives and fashions of the residents of Downton Abbey. Travel with us through time while we explore the styles of 1912 through the 1920s.

Presenting the Program will be Karen Antonowicz of Spirits of Fashion. Register online starting January 24 (sauguspubliclibrary.org).

 

Teen Creative Writing Group meets Feb. 9

Teenagers who want to get creative are welcome to join the Teen Creative Writing Program being offered at the Saugus Public Library at 4 p.m. on Monday, Feb. 9, in the Brooks Room on the second floor. You can work on any creative writing project, such as a story, novel or poem. No registration required. This program is suitable for fifth graders and up. For details, please contact Rachel Huntington, the Reference and Young Adult Librarian, at 781-231-4168 or rh*********@******et.org

 

Pre-K Parent Information Night – Feb. 12

Here’s a chance for new parents to learn about the School Department’s preschool programming. Saugus Public Schools will host a Pre-K Parent information night on Thursday, Feb. 12, at 6 pm at the Veterans Early Learning Center (39 Hurd Ave.). These issues will be addressed: the Preschool Vision, Entering the Lottery, the Registration Process, Financial Obligations, Daily Operations, Parent Questions and Registration Documents.

Based on your child’s birth date, they will be placed in one of the following programs:

• three-year-old AM (8:30 a.m. to 11 a.m.) or three-year-old PM (12 p.m. to 2:30 p.m.) – DOB between 9/1/2022 and 8/31/2023.
• four-year-old (8:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.) – DOB between: 9/1/2021 and 8/31/2022

All pre-k programs run Monday through Friday. (Please note: Wednesdays are early release days.)

For more information, please call Christine Moreschi at 781-231-8166.

 

Saugus High Yearbooks sought

Help the Saugus Public Library fill in the gaps in our Yearbook collection. If you have any of these years, please consider donating them to the library. Thank you. Saugus High Yearbook missing years: 1932, 1933, 1934, 1988, 2007, 2009-2018.

Contact Lisa LeJeune, Head Reference Librarian, for information at 781-231-4168 or email sa*@******et.org

 

C.H.a.R.M. Center Winter Dates

  The Town of Saugus Solid Waste/Recycling Department announced that the Center for Hard to Recycle Materials (C.H.a.R.M.) will be open on the following winter dates, weather permitting: Saturday, Feb. 21, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; Saturday, March 21, 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 will have access to the compost facilities as well as to the recycling facilities during the winter dates. 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 are guidelines for how to prepare different items for disposal at the facility.

By purchasing a $25 sticker, residents will be permitted to dispose of yard waste and brush at the C.H.a.R.M. Center. The $25 stickers purchased in 2025 are still valid for yard waste/brush disposal on the winter C.H.a.R.M. Center dates.

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.

Saugus residents are also allowed to dispose of three TVs or computer/CRT monitors for free, per household, each year at the C.H.a.R.M. Center. Free stickers from 2025 will no longer be valid for the disposal of televisions and computer/CRT monitors. Residents will need to get new stickers for 2026 free of charge when visiting the C.H.a.R.M. Center.

Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

 

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 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.