The Sounds of Saugus

Good morning, Saugus!

  Two big weekends are coming up in Saugus. On next Saturday, May 27 – just a week from tomorrow – the Saugus Veterans Council will again be leading the charge for the Annual Memorial Day Parade and Ceremony. Retired U.S. Navy Capt. Stephen L. Castinetti, commander of the Saugus Veterans Council, said this year’s parade will feature a media truck that will display sites that honor Saugus veterans and photos of deceased military men and women. A video prepared by Saugus TV Studio Associate John Prudent will be running throughout the parade, and residents will be able to view it at the staging area at Anna Parker Field at 124 Essex St. at 9 a.m.

  The parade will begin at 10 a.m., traveling the same parade route as last year: down Essex Street toward Cliftondale Square, down Lincoln Avenue, onto Central Street, to Winter Street and into Riverside Cemetery for the Memorial Day Ceremonies. Frank Manning, the outgoing commander of Cpl Scott J. Procopio Saugus American Legion Post 210, has been chosen as this year’s parade grand marshal. A former U.S. Senator and Ambassador to New Zealand will be this year’s keynote speaker. Castinetti said this year’s parade will include Junior ROTC color guard units from Beverly, Peabody, Revere and Salem. Guy Moley, the man behind local charity car shows, will arrange to have some classic cars in the parade. Martin Cox has offered to bring three military vehicles with him. The ceremony at Riverside Cemetery is expected to take place at about 11 a.m. or 11:15 a.m., according to Castinetti. Stay tuned for more details in next week’s Saugus Advocate.

  A second major upcoming event – the 152 Commencement Exercises of Saugus High School – is set for Friday, June 2 in Christie Serino Jr. Memorial Stadium adjacent to the new Saugus Middle/High School Complex. Stay tuned for more details on the Saugus High Class of 2023.

Help Randy flag the veterans’ graves

  At about 3 p.m. on next Friday, May 26, Veterans Graves Registration Officer Randy Briand will converge on Riverside Cemetery to place miniature American flags on each of the veterans’ graves. The local Boys and Girls Scouts are usually the nucleus of the volunteers. But Randy welcomes any help.

“Saugus Over Coffee”

  The next “Saugus Over Coffee” forum has been set for Tuesday, June 20 at 6:30 p.m., when we will be featuring Precinct 6. We will be sending out invitations soon – via email and letters – to the homes of each of the five Precinct 6 Town Meeting members.

  For those unfamiliar with the “Saugus Over Coffee” forums, they are cosponsored by The Saugus Advocate and the Saugus Public Library. The primary purpose is to give citizens in each of the town’s 10 precincts an opportunity to voice their concerns about top issues in their respective precincts. It also gives them an opportunity to meet their Town Meeting representatives and chat over a cup of coffee or tea. Town Meeting members will benefit by getting to know more about concerns in their precincts. Viewers of the forums videotaped by Saugus TV will also get to learn a little about the history or interesting things about the precinct being featured each month.

  One of my major hopes for the forums is that it spurs an interest for citizens to become candidates for Town Meeting in this fall’s town election. The public should keep in mind that there was a paucity of candidates for Town Meeting seats in the town elections back in 2021. In five of the 10 precincts, only five candidates ran for the five seats. That means half of the 50-member body was elected without competition.

  Stay tuned for more information as “Saugus Over Coffee” continues. Here is the remaining schedule:

  Precinct 6 – June 20

  Precinct 7 – July 10

  Precinct 8 – August 14

  Precinct 9 – September 11

  Precinct 10 – October 23

  Please check with The Saugus Advocate or library for any changes in dates. Residents can check the programming guide on the station’s website (www.saugustv.org) for dates and times. A video of the forum will also be available for viewing on the station’s vimeo page within a day or two after the event – www.vimeo.com/saugustelevision.

How Scottish POWs shaped New England

  The Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site has an interesting forum set for 1 p.m. at the park on May 21. The press release issued recently by the Iron Works invited historic-minded residents and others to attend and “share your ideas to help shape the future of an exciting research project.”

  “New research conducted by an international team of archaeologists and historians is unearthing the fascinating story of some of the workers at the Saugus Ironworks,” it continued.

  “Landscapes of Indenture is an international investigation of the lives of the Scots, and the environmental impact they and other laborers had on the New England frontier. National Park Service is a partner in the project along with Salem State University, the University of New Hampshire, Old Berwick Historical Society, Durham University in England, and the University of St. Andrews in Scotland. The team of archaeologists, historians and paleoecologists are currently conducting fieldwork on sites associated with the Scots,” the press release noted. “The story of 400 Scottish soldiers taken prisoner at the Battles of Dunbar (1650) and Worcester (1651) and shipped to New England as forced labor is one of the most compelling immigrant stories in early American history. Many Scots served their five-to-seven-year indentures at the Saugus Ironworks, and the rest worked in other hard and dangerous jobs in Massachusetts, New Hampshire and Maine.”

A June run for Mission Ready

  Marine veteran Brandon Montella, the U.S. Marine veteran who completed a 100-mile run last Veterans Day to honor local veterans and to raise money for his nonprofit cause, announced he has scheduled a 5K fund-raising run/walk through Breakheart Reservation this summer. The event – set for 10 a.m. Saturday, June 10 – is to benefit his 501C3 Mission Ready, which provides fitness programs and events to under-resourced youth and veterans. Here’s a link to the event with all the information and sponsors on the site: https://runsignup.com/Race/MA/Saugus/MissionReady5K

Multiple “Shout Outs” this week

  It’s always great to receive more than one “shout out” from our readers. The more, the merrier.

  This week, we received nominations from three readers:

  Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo: “This special ‘Shout Out’ goes to all of us who live in Cliftondale Square for standing firm for our neighborhood. At last Monday night’s Annual Town Meeting regarding Article 21, the Rezoning of Cliftondale Square, the Article was shot down by a two thirds vote 18 – 23. The grassroots effort by the residents of Cliftondale resulted in 100 phone calls and a Change.Org petition that garnered another 100 people against the Rezoning. A very special thank you to those who wrote letters; Mary Dunlop, Chery Roberto, Mark Sacco and Kimberly Preston and to the residents who attended and spoke out against the rezoning at Town Meeting. The residents aren’t against bettering the Square but we certainly don’t want or need an ‘urban development’ with 143 apartments smack in the middle of the Square either.”

  Sue Fleming: “First, Shout Out to Joanie Albee for all of her efforts of being the ‘Sketch Artist’ for ‘The Advocate.’ It was one of my favorite things to check out each week. Hopefully we will see it again in the future! Much appreciated, Joanie!

  “Second, Shout Out to Saugus Police Chief Michael Ricciardelli for being honored by the Anti-Defamation League of New England for his response to the antisemitic incident last September and for being a part of organizing a vigil. Also, for contributing to the Menorah and the candle lighting in front of Town Hall in December. We need to come together as a community and respect each other! Thank you Chief Ricciardelli!”

  Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Christopher P. Riley: I’d like to give a special shout out to Joe Vecchione. Joe has spent a great deal of time and effort to improve Cliftondale Square. As a lifelong resident of the area, I appreciate his work.”

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.

 

An Earth Day fundraiser

  Earth Day is actually over. But the Saugus River Watershed Council will be holding an “Earth Day” fundraiser at Prince Pizzeria on May 25 from 4 to 8 p.m. – either in person or takeout. People who want to contribute to causes organized by the environmental group can purchase Prince Pizzeria vouchers, including one for a slice of the Saugus River Watershed at $25. This includes the popular Take ‘n Bake pizza in three-pack boxes.

Seeking Sachem Sports Historical Data

  If you are knowledgeable about the Saugus High Sachem Boys and Girls sports teams prior to 1969, Saugus Public Schools could use your help. The School District is looking for data on Saugus High Sachem Boys and Girls sports teams prior to 1969 that won a conference, regional and/or State Championship. “For example, we need data on the 1966, ’67 or ’68 Saugus varsity cross country team that won the State Championship,” Saugus School Committee Member Dennis Gould wrote in a press release this week.

  “We need the team, the year and what championship they won. Pictures of the teams, trophies or old banners would be great also,” Gould said. “The data will be used by the School District to generate historical banners to hang in the new complex and to give to the Saugus Sports Hall of Fame for permanent record.”

  If you happen to have access or knowledge of such data, please email it to Dennis Gould, School Committee, jdgould1969@aol.com. Dennis can also be reached at 1-617-257-4847.

Kowloon launches outdoor dining next week

  The Kowloon Restaurant, which is located at 948 Broadway (Route 1 North) in Saugus, was set to open its outdoor dining venue on May 17 – serving a full food and bar menu. Their outdoor concert series kicks off on May 19 with Beatlejuice. The Kowloon Restaurant is open every day from noon till closing, and the outdoor venue is open Wednesday to Sunday from 5 p.m. to closing. This month’s Outdoor Concert Lineup:

  May 19: Beatlejuice, presented by the Saugus Lions Club. Tickets are $35 per person. Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show is at 7 p.m. For tickets, call 781-727-5629.

  May 26: WildFire Band – free admission, reserved seating is $10 per person. Doors open at 5 p.m.

  May 27: Cover Story Entertainment – free admission, reserved seating is $10 per person. Doors open at 5 p.m.

Beatlejuice at Kowloon

  The Saugus Lions Club will present Beatlejuice in Concert at 6 p.m. on May 19 at the Kowloon Restaurant (948 Broadway, Saugus). Beatlejuice is an American Beatles cover band based in New England and features some of the region’s finest rock musicians. It initially featured Brad Delp, former frontman for the band Boston, and has continued since his death in 2007. Beatlejuice plays regularly at venues throughout New England.

  Tickets are $35 and can be purchased from Frank Rossetti (frank@mycbagents.com), Nelson C. Chang (nelsonchang@nelsonchanglaw.com), Tom Traverse (781-727-5629) or your local Saugus Lion. In the event of rain, the club has set a makeup date for May 20. Stay tuned for more details.

Bingo is back!

  The Kowloon Restaurant announced Bingo every Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. in the Hong Kong Lounge. Prizes will be given away each week with a grand prize set at the finale in March. A full Chinese gourmet spread is available during Bingo – featuring pupu platters, egg rolls, crab Rangoons, Saugus Wings, General Gau’s chicken, lobster sauce, fried scallops, lo mein, moo shu pork, salt and pepper calamari and sushi – along with a full bar menu, including the signature mai tais and scorpion bowls.

VFW Benefit May 20

  The Saugus VFW Post 2346 Run To Home Base Benefit is set for 7 p.m. to 1 a.m., Saturday, May 20, at the VFW post (190C Main St., Saugus). Only 100 tickets will be sold, and they will be available at the VFW Bar. If interested, leave a message at 339-600-7325 or contact a member.

  The cost is $50 per person, which covers a live band with dancing, a local comedian and a buffet dinner. There will also be a silent auction, a 50/50 raffle, a cash bar and a lottery raffle.

Spring and Summer Track camps gearing up

  Chris Tarantino – a 1990 Saugus High School graduate who has a reputation for mentoring young athletes in the sports of track & field – is gearing up for the start of another Saugus Sachems track camp. Tarantino said the summer program targets kids in grades one to eight in the age bracket of five to 14 years old. The program is sponsored by the town’s Youth & Recreation Department.

  He started out with Spring Track & Field behind the Belmonte STEAM Academy starting on April 25 with the last day Thursday, May 25. “This is developmental and instructional, serving as a precursor to the summer camp,” Tarantino said.

  “Returning athletes will be given the opportunity to get a leg up on training while first year students will get a run through in the fundamentals of the sport,” he said.

  Now for some details on the Summer Track Camp, which will be scheduled on running days behind the Belmonte from 6-8 p.m. Some important dates for six to 18 year olds: June 19-22, trial and final registration week; June 26-30, first formal week; July 3-7, second formal week; July 7, Pasta Dinner at Prince Pizzeria, 6 p.m.; July 8, In-house meet at Belmonte starting at 10 a.m.; July 10-13, Retrain week; July 15, Summer Showdown, Cranston, R.I.

  First-year runners will be charged $250. The price will be $200 for runners returning from spring, $150 for returning runners from spring who have a uniform, $100 for runners with three-plus years in the program, and $50 for those with three-plus years in the program who have a uniform. The cost includes the following: Camp t-shirt, pasta dinner, entry in Summer Showdown and uniform.

  Please register for Summer Track Camp by June 1 to assure a uniform for Cranston. For more details, you can reach Coach Tarantino by calling him at 781-854-6778 or emailing him at christophertarantino24@gmail.com.

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

  The Town of Saugus announced that the community’s compost C.H.a.R.M Center will be open to residents on Wednesdays and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The site is located behind the Department of Public Works at 515 Main St.

  Stickers are required to gain seasonal access to the site. Stickers may be purchased for $25.00 at the Department of Public Works (DPW) located at the Compost Site when making your visit to the Compost Site. The Town accepts checks only for payment of the $25. No cash will be accepted. Kindly bring a check when visiting. Thank you! Compost site stickers must be permanently placed on the lower left corner of residents’ automobile windshields. Vehicles registered out of state are not permitted.

  Yard waste must be disposed of in brown compost bags or open containers. The Town will accept grass clippings, leaves and brush. As in years past, no branches or limbs larger than three inches in diameter are permitted.

  Residents may call Scott Brazis at the Solid Waste and Recycling Department at 781-231-4036 with questions.

Pam Harris Scholarship

  The Saugus River Watershed Council (SRWC) is offering the following $500 Pam Harris Memorial Scholarship for the spring of 2023. This scholarship will recognize and support graduating high school seniors who have demonstrated environmental leadership and plan to continue in the environmental field through a course of study in college or as volunteers. Send in applications by May 26 to Mary Lester (marylester@saugusriver.org).

  Applicants must be able to demonstrate their personal commitment to protecting the environment. Examples include volunteer work associated with environmental conservation, part-time jobs working to protect the environment, academic achievement and/or selecting a college course of study in the environmental field. They must also demonstrate a commitment to public health aspects of environmental protection.

  Pam Harris was a nurse, volunteer member of the Saugus Board of Health and an SRWC Board Member. Pam was committed to improving public health for families in the Saugus River watershed by addressing the most troubling sources of pollution.

  Applicants must be graduating from high school during the spring of 2023 and live in one of the 11 communities that are part of the watershed council, including Saugus. SRWC staff, contractors, board members or members of their immediate families are not eligible to apply.

Saugus Youth Baseball/Softball Scholarship

  The family of Stephen Wing is pleased to announce the availability of a $500 scholarship to a graduating senior from any area high school who participated in a Saugus youth baseball or softball program. Applicants must be planning to attend a post-secondary school.

  The $500 Stephen Wing Memorial Scholarship was created by Stephen’s family in memory of a boy who loved life and thoroughly enjoyed playing and participating in youth baseball programs. Stephen’s desire to improve and willingness to work hard to achieve a goal enabled him to be considered a skilled baseball player. Stephen lost his battle with illness at the age of 10.

  Interested seniors are asked to provide the screening committee with the following: (1) a copy of your student data sheet (resume) and (2) a persuasive cover letter indicating why the applicant is an appropriate candidate for the scholarship (cover letter should indicate the teams/leagues participated in and the candidate’s efforts to work hard to achieve goals). Additionally, the Wing Family seeks a candidate who demonstrates persistence and teamwork.

  The student data sheet (resume) and cover letter should be submitted to the Wing Memorial scholarship c/o Ed Nazzaro (enazzaro47@comcast.net) by Friday, May 19, 2023.

Saugus Democrats to elect state delegates

  On Tuesday, June 6, at 6:30 p.m., the Saugus Democrats will convene in person at the Saugus Public Library to elect 13 delegates and four alternates to represent Saugus at the 2023 State Democratic Convention. Registered and pre-registered Democrats in Saugus who are 16 years old by May 23, 2023, may vote and be elected as delegates or alternates during the caucus. Youth (age 16 to 35), people with disabilities, people of color and members of the LGBTQ+ community not elected as delegates or alternates are encouraged to apply to be add-on delegates at the caucus by visiting massdems.org/massdems-convention. The 2023 Convention will be in person at the Tsongas Arena in Lowell, Mass., on September 23.

  Those interested in getting involved with the Saugus Democratic Committee should contact Chairman Joe Malone at saugusdtc@gmail.com or 781-233-1358.

Food Pantry notes

  The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, May 19) from 9:30-11 a.m.

Veterans bricks available

  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 for someone from your family, school, etc., the general pricing is $100 for a 4″ X 8″ brick (three lines) or $200 for 8″ X 8″ brick (five lines). Each line is 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 Sept. 15 to ensure the bricks will be ready for Veterans Day. Please contact Corinne Riley at 781-231-7995 for more information and applications.

Legion breakfasts on Friday mornings

  Saugus American Legion Post 210 hosts its popular breakfasts from 8–9 a.m. on Fridays. The Legion requests a donation of $8 from those who are looking for a delicious meal at Legion Hall. The Legion also welcomes veterans who can’t afford the meal to enjoy a free breakfast. Bon appétit!

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. There are some very good programs offered for grownups, too.

  Moving & Grooving with Coach Tarantino: Local Running Coach Chris Tarantino will help lead a program that focuses on movement, music and stories on Monday, May 22, at 3:30 p.m. at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site (weather permitting). Recommended for ages five-plus.

  Clay Faces with Stamped Words: Express yourself with these fun clay pots made from air-dry terra-cotta clay. Learn how to hand build a coiled clay vessel, then turn it into an animal or human face. Play with the facial expressions and personalize your pot with stamped words. Thursday, June 8, 5:30-7 p.m. in the Brooks Room; ages 11-18. Please register in advance; space is limited. Call 781-231-4168 or register online from the Events Calendar: www.sauguspubliclibrary.org

  Join our Teen Advisory Board: first Tuesday of each month at 6 p.m. in the Teen Room; fifth grade and up. Meet with the Teen Librarian once a month to talk about what you’d like for programs and materials at the library. Your opinion matters! No registration required. Snacks provided! (sauguspubliclibrary.org – 781-231-4168)

  Just Sew! Saugonians are welcome to join a monthly sewing class for adults that is held the third Monday of each month from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library. The class covers 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)

First Baptist Church presents “Can We Talk…”

  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 states in a written announcement.

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

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

About The Saugus Advocate

  We welcome press releases, news announcements, freelance articles and courtesy photos from the community. Our deadline is noon Wednesday. If you have a story idea, an article or photo to submit, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a message at 978-683-7773. 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.

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.