The Sounds of Saugus

Good Morning, Saugus!

  And Happy Veterans Day to all of the men and women who have served in this nation’s Armed Forces and those who continue to serve in the military. Unlike Memorial Day – which honors those who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty – this national holiday celebrates all veterans. While the focus is on the living veterans, family and friends still go to the gravesites of those veterans who were killed in action or passed away from non-combat-related causes.

  Veterans Day ceremonies get underway at 11 a.m. at Veterans Park (245 Winter St.). The Saugus Veterans Council will be in charge of the ceremonies honoring veterans past and present for their military service to the country. The keynote speaker for this year’s ceremony is Robert “Boots” Chouinard, a 99-year-old Army veteran from Salisbury who served with the 128th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion in World War II.

  “He landed in Normandy, on Omaha Beach in France five days after D-Day,” Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti said this week.

  Chouinard is expected to talk about his experiences fighting with other soldiers in Germany and other European countries during the war.

  Castinetti, a retired U.S. Navy commander, said this year’s ceremony will be simple. Saugus Veterans Services Officer Mike Saunders will read the governor’s proclamation. The Saugus High School Band will perform. And the Revere High School Junior ROTC, accompanied by JROT Instructor Deborah Bowker, of Saugus, will be the color guards. The ceremonies begin at 11 a.m. But for those folks who get there early, M&T Bank of Route 1 in Saugus will be serving coffee at 10 a.m. in Veterans Park.

  The timing of Veterans Day is symbolic. U.S. soldiers celebrated the armistice ending World War I during the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918.

Veterans Day Field of Flags

  As part of the local Veterans Day observance, the Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution again sponsored a Veterans Day Field of Flags on the front lawn of Saugus Town Hall with a mission to honor all veterans, living or deceased, including those currently serving.

  Earlier this week, as I checked out the “Field of Flags,” I noticed one flag placed in the ground honoring my late twin brother – Lance A. Vogler, a U.S. Air Force sergeant who served in Vietnam and other parts of Southeast Asia during the Vietnam War.

  Lance died in a motorcycle accident on Memorial Day in 1978. He could have avoided going into harm’s way in Vietnam, as his draft lottery number was 362. But Lance volunteered to serve in Vietnam. After surviving dangerous duty, he returned home a few years later, only to become a Memorial Day traffic fatality statistic. Had Lance still been alive, he would be among the veterans being honored today. For me to read my brother’s name in the “Field of Flags,” even though he’s from Southeastern Massachusetts, was a moving experience. And I’d like to give a giant “Shout Out” for the person or people responsible for giving my brother a posthumous “Shout Out” for his service to his country.

Forum to discuss future of closed school buildings

  Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Board of Selectmen invite town residents to attend a public forum to discuss and provide input for potential future uses of closed school buildings and property. The public forum will be held on Nov. 14 at 6 p.m. in the upstairs auditorium at the Saugus Town Hall (298 Central St., Saugus).

  “We hope residents will join us on Monday, November 14th to share and provide input on the use of these important community facilities and properties,” Town Manager Crabtree said in a press release issued this week.

  “It’s important that we receive feedback from many stakeholders in order to create the best possible plan moving forward with input from Town officials and the community,” he said.

  School Committee members voted earlier this year to turn over the vacant Douglas Waybright Elementary School, the Lynnhurst Elementary School and the Oaklandvale Elementary School to the Town of Saugus. The Roby School Administration Building was turned over to the town late last year. These are four buildings and adjoining land that provide a number of potential options for future use. This is an opportunity for town residents and representatives of various organizations to offer recommendations and ideas to town officials on how the properties should be used.

  Stay tuned.

One-day holiday trash delay

  The Town of Saugus announces that the trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 12). There will be no collection today (Friday, Nov. 11), due to the holiday. Services will resume on a one-day delay on Saturday. The compost site will be open normal hours on Saturday, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.

  The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Director of Solid Waste/Recycling Scott Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

Saugus High School presents “SELFIE”

  The Saugus High School Drama Club will be staging “SELFIE” by Bradley Hayward and directed by Alisha Dolan, from Nov. 17 to 19 at 7 p.m. at the Saugus High School Black Box Theatre. Here’s the story line for the play: It’s senior year and problems are mounting for a group of high school students as they prepare for the future. Facing bullies, parents, pressure, sickness and their own self-judgment, the characters search for ways to stand out. As they document their year, one click at a time, they come to realize life is not about what other people see – it’s about the pictures they have of themselves.

  Tickets for the show will be sold at the door for all three performances: $8 for students and seniors, $10 for adults. Seating is Limited. For more information please contact Alisha Dolan of Performing Arts at adolan@saugus.k12.ma.us

 

A “Shout Out” to a “Pumpkin Patch” couple

  Eugene Decareau offered this week’s “Shout Out” for the couple he considers to be the driving organizational force behind this year’s “Pumpkin Patch” on the lawn outside First Congregational Church in Saugus Center.

  “I would like to do a ‘Shout Out’ for Carl and Karen Spencer for doing a magnificent job on the Pumpkin Patch again this year. It was one of the best – if not the best – we’ve ever had. They spent countless hours working on the Pumpkin Patch, both mornings and nights and weekends. They deserve a great round of applause. They did a magnificent job and we appreciate everything they did.”

 

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.

Setting the record straight

  Christopher P. Riley showed up in the roll call vote posted on the Town of Saugus website as having voted in favor of a motion to postpone indefinitely the nonbinding resolution that opposes farther expansion of WIN Waste Innovation’s ash landfill near its trash-to-energy incinerator on Route 107. But a review of the proceedings captured on SaugusTV shows it’s clear that Riley actually voted against the motion to indefinitely postpone Article 7.

  “Myself, I won’t support an IP [indefinite postponement] on this,” Riley said when the question came up about indefinite postponement. I don’t intend to support the article, but I have other things to say about it and it is an important article to get everybody’s voice on. Thank you,” he said.

  Riley requested a correction from Town Clerk Ellen Schena in the Oct. 24 Special Town Meeting minutes and The Saugus Advocate after reading about the Roll Call vote in last week’s “Sounds of Saugus.”

  “Just so you know, I watched the Vimeo multiple times before I posted the meeting to make sure I had it correct,” Schena wrote in an email to Riley.

  She added that the town’s IT Department was looking into the matter as to why Riley’s vote was recorded inaccurately after she had taken steps to make sure the vote was recorded correctly. The acoustics of the second floor auditorium make it difficult sometimes to hear everything. But the video showed it was clear what Riley said on how he was going to vote on the IP motion.

  Many Town Meeting members understandably aren’t thrilled about ending debate on a resolution – which sort of goes against everything a New England Town Meeting stands for.

The main argument raised by those who supported the measure’s indefinite postponement is the concern that passage of the measure might jeopardize ongoing negotiations between the town and WIN Waste Innovations on a Host Community Agreement (HCA).

 

We have a winner!

  Congratulations to Debbie Cox for making the right identification in last week’s “Guess Who Got Sketched” contest. Debbie is one of several readers answering correctly. But she was the only one to have her name picked in a drawing from the green Boston Red Sox cap.

  Here’s the correct answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist:

  “Last week’s sketch is of Mrs. Brigitte Vaudo! Mrs. Brigitte Vaudo is holding her classroom mailbox. She is a fourth grade Saugus Belmonte STEAM Academy Teacher.

  “Brigitte has been teaching for twenty-four years plus and is a favorite of her students. Brigitte is known for her creative and exceptional innovative ways of teaching.

  “She thoughtfully applies herself with a love filled heart for teaching that overflows to her students in all she does. Mrs. Brigitte Vaudo and her class are the feature story and photos in The Saugus Advocate’s Nov. 4th Edition with a front-page photo and story and more photos on pages 5,6,7, ‘Cross Generational Pen Pals,’ by Mark E. Vogler. Together with Saugus Senior Center’s Outreach Coordinator Cheryl Roberto, Brigitte and her Classroom are bridging the gap between generations!

  “Saugus fourth grade Students are learning writing skills through the Senior Student Pen Pal Program.

  “Brigitte stated in the above mentioned article that ‘It’s a really great project that brings the Town and the school together’ (as a pen pal in her program, this sketch artist totally agrees!)

  “If you are interested in becoming a pen pal, contact Mrs. Brigitte Vaudo at Belmonte STEAM Academy at bvaudo@saugus.k12.ma.us. Brigitte has participated in many creative eventful programs for her students in order to better educate and instill appetite to learn & grow in her students.

  “Mrs. Vaudo’s classroom was featured in previous articles for creatively learning the landmarks, Heroes & History of Saugus and for our classroom Valentine projects of outreach to the community!

  “It’s wonderful to see our Saugus students in such a great extensive and integrative learning environment!

  Keep being a bright light out there and shining at ALL you do Mrs. Brigitte Vaudo!

  “Yours Truly,

  “The Sketch Artist”

“Turkey Trot” at Breakheart on Nov. 20

  Friends of Breakheart Reservation is pleased to announce that the “Turkey Trot” will be held on Nov. 20 at Breakheart Reservation (177 Forest St., Saugus; Forest Street is off the Lynn Fells Parkway near Route 1 Southbound).

  The 5 kilometer race course is on pavement through Breakheart Reservation. Walkers are also welcome. Costumes are welcome, but optional. Registration will start at 9:30 a.m. The race itself is free to all; however, entrance to the post-race raffle is by a $10 donation to the Friends of Breakheart. The raffle will be for turkeys and gift cards. The number of winners will depend on the number of entries to raffle. Refreshments will be available. For more details, please contact Breakheart Reservation at 781-233-0834, or Peter A. Rossetti Jr. at 781-233-1855.

Cemetery Cleanup Nov. 28

  The Town of Saugus Cemetery Department announced that fall grounds cleanup will begin at the Riverside Cemetery on Monday, Nov. 28. The Cemetery Commission asks members of the public to remove any personal and/or holiday/seasonal items from the grounds before the cleanup begins. The Cemetery Commission and Department are not responsible for any personal holiday/seasonal items that are not removed from the gravesites by the family on or before Nov. 28.

  All Veterans flags will remain on gravesites until Monday, Nov. 28, upon which time

they will be removed for the winter season. Flags will be placed back on the gravesites in May prior to Memorial Day.

  If you have questions regarding the fall cleanup, please call the Cemetery Department at 781-231-4170.

Legion breakfasts resume

  Saugus American Legion Post 210 is hosting its popular breakfasts from 8 – 9 a.m. on Fridays. The price is $8 for those who are looking for a delicious meal at Legion Hall. Bon appétit!

“Holly Jolly” coming to The Kowloon

  The Kowloon Restaurant announced that the Holly Jolly Holiday Party with the Platters Very Merry Christmas Show is slated for Friday, Dec. 16. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. Showtime is 8 p.m. The Platters are set to perform live in concert – playing all their hits and holiday tunes. Tickets are $25 per person. All seats are reserved. The Platters – hailed a rock and roll, vocal and Grammy Halls of Fame group – will be joined by special guests Smokin’ Joe & The Henchmen. Kowloon food and beverage services will be available. For tickets: online ordering, front desk.

Fall curbside leaf collection is underway

  The Town of Saugus has announced that fall curbside leaf collection will take place during the weeks of Nov. 14–18 and Nov. 28–Dec. 2. Residents may dispose of leaves curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day. Leaves should be left outside by 7 a.m. on the appropriate days. Please ensure that leaf containers are physically separated from trash and recycling.

  Paper leaf bags are the preferred method of leaf disposal. If you are using barrels, they must be clearly marked with yard waste stickers. Barrel covers must remain removed so that the leaves are visible. Plastic bags, cardboard boxes, branches and brush will not be accepted.

  Please note that separate trucks collect the rubbish, recycling and leaves, so the leaves may be collected at a different time of day. “Missed pick-ups” will not be conducted.

What’s happening at the Saugus Public Library

  For schoolchildren looking for interesting projects and programs to participate in this fall, there’s plenty to do at the Saugus Public Library.

  Adult Coloring Group: Come relax with our continuing Adult Coloring Group. It’s a great opportunity to take time to unwind, be creative and have fun. No experience necessary! We have pencils and coloring pages ready and waiting. See you there! Space is limited; please call 781-231-4168 X 3106to register. The next session is Wednesday, Nov. 16 at 10 a.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor of the library (295 Central St., Saugus).

  Just Sew! Saugonians are welcome to join a monthly sewing class for adults that will be held on the third Monday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library. The next meeting is on Monday, Nov. 21. The class will cover basic topics like sewing buttons, hemming clothing and mending torn fabric and will move on to more advanced topics in the coming weeks. This class is free. (see sauguspubliclibrary.org)

  A neat, new teen group called Manga & Anime Club: The Manga & Anime Club began recently, and, from all accounts, it’s a lot of fun for kids in Grades 6 and up. So, if you are curious, check out the Teen Room. Chat with friends! Make crafts! Try Japanese snacks! Club meetings will continue on Saturdays through May from 10-11 a.m. They will be held on Nov. 12, Dec. 10, Jan. 7, Feb. 4, March 4, April 1 and May 13. Please sign up in advance; call 781-231-4168 or stop by the Reference Desk. https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/new-manga-anime-club…/

  All About Crystals with Leeza Masia: This event has been rescheduled to Thursday, Dec.1, from 5:30 to 6:30 p.m. in the Brooks Room. This is for fifth graders and up. Leeza will be showcasing some of her favorite crystals from her personal collection. She will talk about geological & metaphysical aspects of crystals and how to cleanse and charge any stone. Learn which chakras particular crystals associate with, and how to make two types of crystal grids. There will be a crystal giveaway at the end of the workshop! Please sign up in advance. Call 781-231-4168, come by the Reference Desk or sign up online from the events calendar: https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/events/

Christmas Tree Festival at the MEG

  The MEG Foundation has announced its schedule for the 12th Annual Christmas Tree Festival, which begins Saturday, Nov. 26, with the decoration of trees from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. The festival dates are

• Dec. 2 & 3 from 3 to 8 p.m.
• Dec. 4 from 1 to 6 p.m.
• Dec. 9 & 10 from 3 to 8 p.m.
• Santa arrives on Dec. 10 for photos from 4:30 to 6 p.m. There will also be a Petting Zoo on the front lawn from 5 to 7 p.m.
• On Dec. 11 winners can pick up trees at the MEG from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

  For more information, contact Linda Ross at 781-233-4607.

 

Youth Cross-Country

  Hey parents! If you have one or several kids who could use an opportunity to get into a healthier lifestyle – which might, in turn, lead to better academic scores, consider getting them to sign up for Youth Cross-Country. Here’s a simple outline of what this entails.

  Who: any Saugus child in grades 1 through 5.

  When: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45 to 4:45 p.m., at the Belmonte Track; Saturdays, 10 to 11:30 a.m. at the Visitor Center at Breakheart Reservation.

  Dates: The program will last through Nov. 15.

  Why: to learn to enjoy cross-country running and make new friends.

  Cost: $100 for new runners, $50 for returning runners.

  This weekly program will be guided by Coach Steve Boudreau and Coach Chris Tarantino. Children will learn good stretching techniques and the basics of exercise and cross-country running. Best of all, this will be a great way to make new friends.

  Participants need to wear a good pair of sneakers, dress in comfortable running clothes and bring a water bottle. For more details, contact Coach T (Not Mr. T.) at 781-854-6778.

  Sounds like a worthwhile and affordable fitness program with lots of upside for grade school kids.

First Baptist Church presents “Can We Talk…”

  The First Baptist Church Pastor Leroy Mahoney invites troubled people to join others in a special program called “Can We Talk … Community conversations on Trauma and Healing” the first Thursday of every month from 6 to 7 p.m. at Rev. Isaac Mitchell Jr. Fellowship Hall (105 Main St. in Saugus). “Join us as we gather in community to share our stories, thoughts and feelings about whatever you are going through,” Rev. Mahoney writes in an announcement.

  “As always, it is a safe space to come together in community,” he says.

Food pantry prepares for Thanksgiving

  Debora de Paula Hoyle, Administrative Assistant at the Cliftondale Congregational Church, submitted the following announcement on behalf of the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry, which operates with a team of volunteers out of the church basement each Friday:

  “Every year the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry provides the local community with Thanksgiving meals that include a frozen turkey, fresh produce, dessert, and Thanksgiving staples like cranberry sauce, gravy, and stuffing. Last year, we served over 70 families with full meals and anticipate potentially serving more this year with the increasing cost of groceries.

  “We welcome anyone in need to register to receive a Thanksgiving meal on Fridays from 9:30-11 a.m. between now and Friday, November 11. Pick up information will be provided upon registering.

  “We also count on the generosity of the community. We are seeking donations of non-perishable food items (please no frozen or refrigerated items), grocery store gift cards, and financial contributions. Deliveries may be brought to the side door of the Cliftondale Congregational Church (the driveway between the church and the MEG building) on any Friday morning through Nov. 11 between 8-11 a.m.

  “The Food Pantry will be closed on Friday, Nov. 25 in observance of Thanksgiving.

  “P.S. The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is an all-volunteer, collaborative, non-profit, religious organization [comprised] of the town’s churches and community members; donations are tax deductible. Thank you for partnering with us to ensure that our neighbors in need enjoy a wonderful Thanksgiving! For more information, please contact 781 233 2663, or email cliftondalecc.org.”

  If you would like to volunteer or donate to the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry, please contact Pastor Joe Hoyle, executive director, at office@clindalecc.org or 781-233-2663. The Food Pantry is open every Friday from 9:30 a.m.-11 a.m., distributing prepackaged groceries (including meat and produce) at 50 Essex St.

 

Wreaths Across America

  On Dec. 17 at noon, the Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution (MA0136P) is sponsoring their second Wreaths Across America event, helping both Riverside Cemetery and the Old Burying Ground Cemeteries to remember and honor veterans by laying remembrance wreaths on the graves of our country’s fallen heroes. To sponsor your wreath(s) at $15 each or to volunteer to help place wreaths on December 17, please visit www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/MA0136P. There will be a brief ceremony at noon to honor all branches of the military followed by laying wreaths on our fallen heroes. Invite your friends and family to join us in honoring our servicemen and women. The cut-off date to order is Nov. 28.

  Last year was our first year sponsoring this event, which had over 360 wreaths sponsored. The community really stepped up and we are grateful for all the support we received. However, there are more than 1500 veterans’ graves in Riverside, and we are hoping that between the community and businesses there will be enough sponsored wreaths to cover all those graves this year.

  The Daughters of the American Revolution’s mission is to preserve American history and secure America’s future through education and promoting patriotism. For more information on how to participate or “What We Do,” email the Parson Roby Chapter DAR at parsonroby.saugusdar@gmail.com.

Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus

  (Editor’s Note: The following info is from an announcement submitted by Julie Cicolini, a member of the Board of Directors for Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus.)

  Who we are: Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2) is a nonprofit group of volunteers who are helping to offset food insecurity in households. HS2 provides students/families who enroll in the program a supply of nutritious food for when school lunches and breakfasts are unavailable to them on weekends.

  How HS2 can help you: HS2 bags are distributed at Saugus Public Schools on Fridays to take home. Bags include such items as peanut butter, canned meals/soups/tuna/vegetables, pasta, fruit cups, cereal, oatmeal, goldfish, pretzels and granola bars. All food is provided to children free of charge. It is our hope these resources will support the health, behavior and achievement of every student who participates. To sign up go here to complete online form: https://forms.gle/gmMGguycSHBdziuE9

  Want to partner with us: We would love to partner with organizations, sports teams, youth groups, PTOs, businesses and individuals to assist in feeding students of Saugus. To learn more about how you can partner with us, visit the Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus Facebook page or email us at HS2Saugus@gmail.com

  HS2 relies on donations to create take-home bags for a weekend full of meals. Checks can also be sent directly to: Salem Five C/O Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus, 855-5 Broadway,

Saugus, MA 01906. Online donations can also be made at https://givebutter.com/HealthySaugus

Let’s hear it!

  Got an idea, passing thought or gripe you would like to share with The Saugus Advocate? I’m always interested in your feedback. It’s been six and a half years since I began work at The Saugus Advocate. I’m always interested in hearing readers’ suggestions for possible stories or good candidates for “The Advocate Asks” interview of the week. Feel free to email me at mvoge@comcast.net.

  Do you have some interesting views on an issue that you want to express to the community? Submit your idea. If I like it, we can meet for a 15-to-20-minute interview over a drink at a local coffee shop. And I’ll buy the coffee or tea. Or, if you prefer to continue practicing social distancing and be interviewed from the safety of your home on the phone or via email, I will provide that option to you as the nation recovers from the Coronavirus crisis.

  If it’s a nice day, my preferred site for a coffee and interview would be the picnic area of the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site.

CONTEST SKETCH OF THE WEEK

GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! If you know the right answer, you might win the contest. In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who was sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who between now and Tuesday at noon identifies the Saugonian sketched in this week’s paper qualifies to have their name put in a green Boston Red Sox hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Hammersmith Family Restaurant at 330 Central St. in Saugus. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”)