The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

Good morning, Saugus

It’s always a sad occasion for a community when a longtime business or institution closes its doors, especially after two centuries. So it is that the East Saugus United Methodist Church will hold its final service at 10 a.m. on Easter Sunday (April 5), ending 211 years of worship at the corner of Winter and Chestnut Streets. It is indeed sad that a church which had been on the front lines of advocating for social causes since its existence is quietly leaving the community. Earlier this week, Laura Eisener, a frequent contributor to The Saugus Advocate who writes our weekly “Saugus Gardens” column, told me that she heard that Sunday would be the last day for the church. Right away, I went on the Internet, looking for confirmation about the church closing, but could find none. Fortunately, Laura, an advocate and writer of all things history in Saugus, offered to write a story for this week’s paper and also submit a few photos, to let our readers know of the passing of what has been an iconic church in Saugus during the town’s history.

I remember back in 2023 when the church held a “Pride Rally” to show support for the LGBTQ+ community after a group of kids tried to steal a “Pride flag” sign from the front lawn. The church congregation numbered about 60 at the time. But the rally was a big deal, as the Board of Selectmen, the police chief, church leaders and community leaders showed up at the corner of Winter and Chestnut Streets to stand alongside church members and take a stand for diversity.

“Let’s make something good out of something bad that happened,” then-Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano told the crowd as he stood in the doorway on the front steps of the church.

Then-Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta read a poem titled “You Are Loved.”

The gathering shared prayers, sang songs and watched later as the church’s Board of Trustees Chair Paul Joyce reached out a second floor window of the church to install a “Pride flag” that would be difficult for detractors to reach.

“Diversity is our strength and we will not allow acts of hate to divide us,” then-Pastor Pat Odour said, referring to the sign incident that prompted the “Pride Rally” in front of the church.

Pastor Pat gave an inspiring speech that night, which reflected the church’s longtime role in the community. “I always tell my congregation that we are small but mighty,” she told the crowd.

“Our church has a history of being an active seeker of social justice going back to the Rev. Sunderland, who was passionate about the abolition of slavery in the 1830s,” she said. “Today we stand united in our commitment to creating a community where everyone can be proud of who they are.”

Indeed, town officials and community leaders stood proud that night with members of the East Saugus United Methodist Church and the local LGBTQ+ community in standing up against prejudice and injustice.

LGBTQIA is an acronym that stands for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, intersex, queer/questioning, asexual and more – terms that are used to describe a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. “We welcome and affirm all of God’s children into this faith community regardless of age, race, ethnicity, economic status, gender or sexual orientation,” Pastor Pat said. “Whoever you are, you are a beloved child of God – at East Saugus UMC everybody is welcome.”

And the church will welcome everyone for one final time on Sunday.

Best wishes to all of our readers for a happy and safe Easter weekend, Passover and other religious observances. Be well.

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, April 3) 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”

We didn’t receive any from our readers this week. So, as editor, I will offer a collective “Shout Out” to all of the members of the East Saugus United Methodist Church – past, present and the departed – who contributed to the betterment of Saugus over the years, particularly people who stood up against any kind of prejudice while welcoming people from all walks of life.

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.

News from the Democratic Town Committee

The Saugus Democratic Town Committee will hold its next meeting on Wednesday, April 29, at the Saugus Public Library at 6 p.m. in the Community Room of the first floor.

Coming Spring Attractions:

• Serenity Gardens tomorrow at the library: Craft your own miniature world using natural textures, personal expression and a little imagination. Therapy Gardens will be in the Community Room at the Saugus Public Library tomorrow (Saturday, April 4), from 10-11 a.m. to guide you through the steps of making your own personal mini garden to take home. Register online at https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/events/

This program is supported in part by a grant from the Saugus Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency.

• Last Call for Town Meeting Warrant Articles: At its next meeting, which is scheduled for 7 p.m., Wednesday, April 8, the Board of Selectmen will be inserting all of the articles to be included on the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting set to convene May 4. Citizens who want to submit a warrant article need to go to the Town Clerk’s Office at Town Hall to get the petition forms, which require 10 signatures of Saugus registered voters. The signed petitions must be validated by the clerk and submitted to the selectmen for acceptance to be inserted in the warrant. Selectmen will officially close the warrant before they adjourn at their April 8 meeting.
• Saugus Historical Society meets for its monthly meeting: On Wednesday evening, April 8, Bill Stewart will speak about several less well-known events of the American Revolution – the temporary move of Harvard College to Concord for the duration of the war, and the military career of Deborah Sampson, the Revolutionary War’s only documented female soldier – as well as some other Boston area events of the time. Laura Eisener will also speak briefly about two current events that mark the end of some memorable Saugus traditions. The bleachers at Stackpole Field, where generations of Saugonians watched graduations and football games, were torn down in March. Also, one of the oldest churches in town, the East Saugus Methodist United Methodist Church, will celebrate its final service on Easter Sunday. Its congregation is dispersing to other local houses of worship, and the future of the historic building is in the hands of the Methodist diocese. The Saugus Historical Society welcomes the general public at this program, which begins at 7 p.m. at 30 Main St. Light refreshments will be served.
• Books in Bloom at the Saugus Public Library: On Friday, April 11, and Saturday, April 12, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. both days, this popular event fills both floors of the library with beautiful flowers matched up with colorful books. Sponsored by the New Friends of the Saugus Public Library and Saugus Garden Club, Books in Bloom is an annual event where local flower enthusiasts put together floral arrangements that interpret a book’s title, book jacket or theme. Want to join in? Go to sauguspubliclibrary.org/get-involved/new-friends/ to learn about the New Friends of the SPL. Stay tuned for more details.
• Little League Opening Day: Just one week from tomorrow – weather permitting – Saugus Little League Baseball will be celebrating Opening Day on April 11 beginning at 10 a.m. at Grabowski Field off of Hurd Avenue, with special guest Boston Bruins National Anthem singer Todd Angilly starting things off. But the league will launch its 2026 season with its annual parade, which will leave Belmonte STEAM Academy at 8:30 a.m. Current plans call for boys and girls players, coaches and other parade participants to assemble at the Belmonte at about 8 a.m. The route for the parade has the Belmonte parking lot as the starting point, exiting toward Adams Avenue, turning left onto Adams Avenue, right onto Central Street and a left onto Hurd Avenue, ending at Veterans Memorial School for the Opening Day Ceremonies. Stay tuned for more details as Little League Baseball gets to celebrate its 75th anniversary in Saugus.
• Student Government Day: Friday, May 1, at 8:30 a.m. in the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall. Here’s your chance to see future Saugus leaders of tomorrow – the kids who are currently students in the Saugus Middle and High School grades – perform in mock sessions of the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee and the Annual Town Meeting. All members of Saugus local government are invited to come and observe, and even share some pointers with the students. The Saugus Business Education Collaborative will be coordinating the lunch.
• Remember The Fallen: Members of the Saugus Veterans Council are hard at work planning and organizing the Memorial Day Parade, which is set for Saturday, May 23. Council members are committed to making this year’s parade and ceremony one of the best-attended in years. That’s a noble goal and an appropriate way to honor all of the Saugus residents who have sacrificed their lives while serving their country in the armed forces over the years. Honor the town’s fallen. Show your support. If you want to volunteer to help or participate in the parade, contact Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti at 781-389-3678.
• Coach T.’s spring track program: Plans are in the works for the Saugus Sachems Youth Spring Track Program for 2026. Here’s the basic information.

Who: Grades K-6^th.

Where: Belmonte Track.

When: 4:00-5:30 p.m., Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays – May 19-June 11.

This program is geared toward new track and field athletes. It will prepare them for the larger-scale summer camp.

Cost: $150 first year, $75 if returning.

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

Theatre Company of Saugus Youth Theatre Workshop (YTW) Summer Program 2026

Theatre Company of Saugus (TCS) is excited to announce that Early Bird Registration is now open for the Summer 2026 Youth Theatre Workshops. NOTE: Early Bird Registration is a discounted rate that applies through May 25, 2026; registered and paid in full by Monday, May 25 = $500.00. Registered and/or payment received after Monday, May 25 = $550.00. Multi-Child Rate = email us for more information.

Sessions and Shows:

• Roald Dahl’s “Matilda the Musical Jr.”: Session I – Grades 1 to 8; meet and greet/auditions week of July 13. Program Duration: July 20–31, Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Tech Week: July 27-31. Performance dates: one show July 31, two shows August 1.
• “Mean Girls Jr.”: Session II – Grades 8 and Up; meet and greet/auditions week of June 15. Rehearsals in the evenings June 22 through August 15, three nights a week, 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Tech Week: August 10-14. Performance dates: one show August 14, two shows August 15.

We are also HIRING for staff positions. The deadline for Staff Application submissions is Friday, April 10, 2026. (Tech Director position for “Mean Girls Jr.” has been filled.)

Interns: Students in at least Grade 9 as of fall 2026 are able to apply for an Internship with Session I and/or Session II this summer. Students in college, community college, taking a year off or recently graduated from college may also apply. (More full details to come.)

For more information about registration, staff applications or how to become a Sponsor please visit the website tcsaugus.org or contact the YTW Committee at tc****@***il.com

TCS Youth Theatre Workshop is a great way to make friends, try something new and expand your theatre horizons! The Workshop aims to offer an inclusive environment where youth can feel empowered to create, learn and grow within the world of theater. Our program is designed to develop and showcase performance skills as well as offer opportunities to learn about and work with the technical and creative design aspects of theater.

Theatre Company of Saugus: 781-816-7019; TC******@***il.com – Tcsaugus.org; Instagram: @tcsaugus; Facebook: Theatre Company of Saugus.