The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus

In another two days (Sunday, June 21), it will officially be summer. And if you are the parent of a child in pre-K through the sixth grade, make sure he or she takes advantage of the Summer Reading Program being offered at the Saugus Public Library. It’s a great way to spend a few hours each week. The program drew participation from about 400 Saugus kids last year.

 

Strawberry Festival tomorrow

Here’s a reminder from Laura Eisener: The Saugus Historical Society Strawberry Festival and Saugus Garden Club Plant Sale will be tomorrow (Saturday, June 20). Strawberry Shortcakes, hot dogs, soda and chips will be available at the Legion Hall from 10 a.m.-2 p.m., and the Garden Club as well as several craft vendors will be set up on the Roby School Lawn as usual from 9 a.m.-1 p.m. There are some new vendors planning to come in addition to several regulars. The Festival is Rain or Shine! Hope to see you there for this popular town tradition, which has been running since at least the 1980’s with the exception of 2020.

 

Home Base tomorrow night

Tomorrow (Saturday, June 20), Team Marshalls4Vets and Staff Sergeant Arthur F. DeFranzo VFW Post 2346 will be cosponsoring a Fundraiser Party Benefiting Home Base from 7 p.m.-1 a.m. at the Post. Tickets will be $50 per person with a limit of 100. Catering will be provided by Kowloon, Texas Roadhouse and other local restaurants. There will be prize Raffles, 50/50 raffle & more.

Home Base, a Red Sox Foundation and Massachusetts General Hospital Program, is dedicated to healing the invisible wounds for Veterans, Service Members and their Families through world-class clinical care, wellness, education and research. To donate online: https://runtohomebase.org/support/#marshalls4vets.

 

Saugus United Parish Food Pantry

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, June 19) 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.

 

2026 Pumpkin Patch Scholarship Winners

First Congregational Church Saugus, also known as “The Pumpkin Church, this week announced its Pumpkin Patch Scholarship Winners for 2026. They are Lily Panico, Connor DeSantis and Mason Ranno. All three graduated from Saugus High School, according to Pastor Rev. Bill Ladd.

“Lily Arrow Panico is going to North Shore Community College and then to Salem State College to study nursing. Connor DeSantis is going to Salem State College to study computer science. Mason Ranno is going to Wheaton College to study finance,” Rev. Ladd said.

“They are three extraordinary kids and we are just so proud of them,” he said.

“Every year when the pumpkins return to Saugus, our front lawn is overrun with wonderful volunteers from all ages and sizes helping us to unload the thousands of pumpkins that will be looking for new homes. A very large part of the incredible volunteers are students, especially high school students who give of their time and energy. As a result of the generosity of our friends and neighbors from as far away as five states, The Pumpkin Patch raises thousands of dollars for the church. So every year it is our pleasure to honor high school students with scholarships to thank them for their love and kindness. Each year we get so many inspiring essays from these young people chronicling their life paths and their educational journeys going forward and then we have to make the difficult decisions in selecting the recipients. It is never easy and there’s always much prayer involved.”

 

Summer Reading time at the library

The 2026 Summer Reading Program at the Saugus Public Library begins Monday (June 22) and will last through Friday, Aug. 21. Preregistration using the Beanstack app began this week.

Here’s a summary of the program:

WHO: Kids Pre-K through 6th grade.

WHAT: Kids read the books they love, log their reading and earn prizes! They’ll enjoy reading what they love, free programs, crafts and activities.

WHY: Don’t lose those hard-earned skills! Summer reading plays a vital role in helping reduce the “Summer Slide” – the learning loss experienced between school years, which can leave students significantly behind their peers. The Saugus Public Schools recommend kids read at least 20 minutes every day. We also recommend reading to your child, even as they become an independent reader. Talk about what you’ve read together. Help them find books they like – we can help with that. Make it a fun part of a daily routine they look forward to!

PRIZES: Every reader wins prizes, and books to keep. We’ll also raffle vouchers for ice cream, pizza, roller skating, mini golf, bowling and much more. Grand prize drawings include tickets to Canobie Lake Park and Nova Adventure Park!

HOW: Download the Beanstack App!

• CREATE AN ACCOUNT: If this is your first time participating in one of the SPL’s reading challenges using Beanstack, here are step-by-step instructions [https://www.loom.com/share/0efe0cc7c0f64b96b3c0a38ade8b04f6] on how to create a Beanstack account. If you’ve used Beanstack before, simply register for our 2026 Summer Reading Challenge.
• REGISTER FOR A CHALLENGE: This video [https://www.loom.com/share/9cfd52f03a4c4444bc9ab86d94b51cea] will show you how to register for a reading challenge using the app.
• LOG YOUR READING: This video [https://www.loom.com/share/fda67bebf80e443faaad2529fa3ca486] will show you how to log your reading using the mobile app.
• FROM A COMPUTER: If you prefer not to use the app, here’s a link to access the SPL’s 2026 Kids Summer Reading Challenge using a computer. Beanstack Link [https://sauguspubliclibrary.beanstack.com/reader365]
• Or Register in Person: Stop by the library to register in person and use our paper reading log.
• Download free e-books and e-audiobooks from the library!

Can’t make it to the library? Our digital collections provide easy access to the books kids love, 24 hours a day seven days a week. Download free, fresh titles all summer using the hoopla and Libby apps! [https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/children/family-resources/]

 

This week’s “Shout Outs”

From Gloria Dipietro: “Annette Chapdelaine (Slocomb), longtime resident of Saugus celebrated her 103rd birthday on June 2, 2026 with her friends at the Saugus Senior Center, where she spends most days out, enjoying bingo, socializing with friends, etc. Annette is a Spitfire and one of the most wonderful people I’ve ever met on the planet, always spunky, happy and upbeat, as well as independent. I think that’s her secret as well as her nature.”

 

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.

 

Countdown till Saugus celebrates America’s 250th

Here’s an updated report from the Saugus 250th Celebration Committee:

The Saugus 250th Celebration Committee is putting some of the final touches on the event. We have started to hear from precincts that will be submitting a patriotic decorative truck and hope to continue to hear from more in the next week or two! The committee will be doing a spot with SCTV that will have a lot of information on the event itself, so watch out for it! Again, Saugus has a rich history in its role in the Revolutionary War. We have a very hard working committee, however we need volunteers for the event! If you can help out on the 4th, overseeing children’s games, serving food, etc. let us know. America’s 250th Celebration is just two weeks away! It will be observed locally at the Saugus Iron Works, Saturday, July 4^th, noon to 4 p.m. There will be speeches by Parson Roby, General George Washington and reenactment of the signing of the Declaration of Independence. There will be entertainment, children’s games played back in the 1700’s and an old-fashioned community get-together and BBQ! We are looking forward to the 10 precincts entering a patriotic decorated vehicle! Join us for a fun-filled historical event celebrating our Founding Fathers who created our country’s democratic form of government.

The time is coming up quickly, and we heard from Precincts 2 and 4 on submitting a vehicle. We’d like to hear from the other eight precincts on submitting a patriotic decorated vehicle. If you are going to submit one, please let us know no later than June 20th.

Several of our volunteers did an informational spot on SCTV for the celebration; it was great and we can’t wait for everyone to see it. Thank you, John, Michelle and Maureen! If you want more information or have questions, email cc*****@*****st.net.

 

KOC Crafts fair Aug. 8

The Saugus Knights of Columbus No. 1829 will host a crafts fair Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 57 Appleton St. in Saugus: baked goods, candles, handmade textiles, jewelry, wood carving and much more. Visitors can also enjoy making their own sundaes, or popcorn, hot dogs, hot coffee and donuts and raffles.

 

Upcoming events at the Saugus Public Library

Here are some programs worth checking out at the Saugus Public Library:

• See Jonah Knight perform a magic show and facilitate a Dungeons and Dragons game! Please join us on Monday, June 22, at 4 p.m. in the Brooks Room. Suitable for fifth grade and up; registration required.
• Next month the library is scheduled to host Mahjong Lessons on Tuesdays, July 7, 14 and 21, from 6-7:30 p.m. in the Reference Room. Please register in advance on our website sauguspubliclibrary.org starting June 23. The class is limited to four people. Participants must be able to attend all three classes. The classes will be taught by Amy Podhurst

 

Summer Track Camp 2026 coming

The Saugus Sachems Youth Summer Track Camp 2026 is just 10 days away. This vibrant program, now in its 21st year, is where student athletes from a wide range of ages come together to listen well, work hard and have fun! They will be guided by veteran coach Christopher 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.

Cost: $350 first year, returning $300, $250 if 4th+ year in summer program; includes pasta dinner, t-shirt, uniform and entry into Summer Showdown. Subtract $50 from cost if returning with uniform.

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

Here’s what parents and participants need to know:

Who: five to 18 years old.

Where: Belmonte Track.

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

June 22–26 – final registration week/returning athlete training.

June 29–July 3 – first formal week.

July 6–9 – second formal week.

July 10 – 10 a.m.-12 p.m. – makeup practice (if necessary).

July 10 – 6 p.m. – Pasta Dinner at Prince Pizzeria.

July 11 – 9 a.m. – in-house meet at Serino Stadium.

July 13 – 16 – retrain week.

July 18 – Summer Showdown in Cranston, R.I.

July 22 – wrap up.

 

Veterans Day Bricks Program is Back

The Saugus Veterans Council is pleased to reinstate the Brick Program! After our vendor retired last year (thank you, Del from Pavlok for working with us over the years), we have found another engraver who will be taking our orders for Veterans Day! Proceeds from the brick sales are devoted to the upkeep of Saugus Veterans Park. If you are interested in purchasing a brick, a 4×8″ is $100 (three lines) and an 8×8″ (five lines) is $200. Please contact Corinne Riley, 781-231-7995, for an application or more information. All orders must be in no later than Sept. 10.