The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus!

 

It’s going to be a most interesting fall for this year’s Town Election, which is set for Tuesday, Nov. 7. Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano and the people behind his petition drive for a Charter Commission certainly elevated the interest in this year’s races by succeeding in getting enough certified signatures of registered voters to put a question on the ballot which essentially will ask voters whether they want another study of Saugus governance. This fall’s election ballot will also feature nine seats for a Charter Commission that would study Saugus government.

Cogliano plans to run for one of those seats. Initially, Town Counsel John Vasapolli advised that candidates for the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee and the Housing Authority can’t run and can’t serve if elected to the commission. But Cogliano disagreed and sought an opinion from the Secretary of State’s Office. Soon after, Vasapolli issued a revised opinion, noting it was the opinion of an attorney in the Secretary of State’s Office that it’s perfectly proper for selectmen, School Committee members and Housing Authority members to serve as Charter Commission members, too.

What is going to be interesting is to see how many office holders seeking reelection will be running for the Charter Commission, too.

There is already some disagreement among incumbent selectmen as to whether a change in Saugus governance would be good for the town (Please see stories in this week’s Saugus Advocate). I can tell you right now that questions about whether Saugus should change its current form of governance and how to proceed will be dominating any candidate forums in the fall campaign.

If a majority of Saugus voters says it’s time for more changes in the Saugus Town Charter – the most contentious one being a switch from a town to a city, a proposal advocated by Cogliano – the results of the Board of Selectmen race could mirror the people’s sentiments. It could be a real hot-button issue in this year’s town elections. And certainly any candidate who decides to run for political office should be prepared to answer the simple question: Does Saugus need to change its Town Charter and what do you recommend be changed?

Stay tuned.

 

Town Election Watch

  At this point, we know that at least four of the current Board of Selectmen plan to run for reelection to a third two-year term. But it seems likely that all five members will run again.

“I’m still thinking about it, but right now I’m more focused on doing the job rather than getting the job for next term,” Selectman Corinne Riley told us this week. Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano, Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta and Selectmen Mike Serino and Jeff Cicolini each told us they have decided to run again.

Another week has passed in Saugus’ preliminary election campaign – the pulling of nomination papers from Town Clerk Ellen Schena’s office. As of yesterday (Thursday, August 11), a couple of more potential candidates came forward to pull papers, according to Town Clerk Ellen Schena.

Housing Authority Member James Tozza has pulled nomination papers for a second four-year term. He has also pulled papers for a Precinct 10 Town Meeting seat. Alan Labella has pulled nomination papers for a seat on the Housing Authority.

Nothing is official yet. Each of these candidates may run or decide not to. They have about five weeks – up until 5 p.m. Sept. 19 – to submit nomination papers to the Town Clerk’s Office for certification of signatures. Fifty certified signatures of registered voters are required for the Board of Selectmen, School Committee, Housing Authority and the nine-member Charter Commission. Only 10 certified signatures of registered voters are required for Town Meeting, but each of the signatures must be from registered voters in the candidate’s precinct. Sept. 15 is the final day to obtain nomination papers – just four days before the filing deadline.

Stay tuned.

 

Time to step up, Saugus citizens!

Every two years, the town has its local elections. There are seats to fill on the Board of Selectmen, the School Committee, the Housing Authority and the Annual Town Meeting. Too often, aspiring local politicians just set their sights on the most glamorous of the positions – the Board of Selectmen. And if they don’t win, they move on without trying to serve the town in another capacity, which is just as important.

There are 50 seats up for grabs in the election for Town Meeting – five members for each of the 10 town precincts. Under the Town Charter, it’s a very important position. The 50 members vote on the budget each year, approve zoning changes and vote on a number of warrant articles of town-wide importance.

Unfortunately, there was no competition two years ago in five of the town’s 10 precincts. Everyone who made the ballot got elected. With all the important issues in town, it’s time for civic-minded citizens who care about their community to run for Town Meeting.

What a noble cause if you want to do something that’s good for your community. Be one of 50 members who approve the town budget. All you have to do is get 10 signatures from people in your precinct and then go knocking on doors in your neighborhood and ask residents what they would like to see the town do to improve itself.

 

A Sorry Saga for Saugus Schools

  The first day of classes for Saugus Public Schools is Tuesday, Aug. 29 – in less than three weeks. What a sorry mess it is that at this late date a cloud of uncertainty continues to surround Superintendent Erin McMahon, who has been out on paid administrative leave since January, pending the outcome of an investigation into alleged misconduct. The Town of Saugus has been paying her $200,000-a-year salary for more than six months now – while also paying veteran educator Michael Hashem to be the acting superintendent.

The School Committee was scheduled to meet in Executive Session last night for a review of the executive session minutes from the Jan. 19 and Feb. 2 meetings.

It’s not clear who is right or wrong in this case, as the School Committee has remained mum on the issue, while McMahon’s attorney has alleged an Open Meeting Law violation and that she hasn’t been treated properly during the investigation. McMahon, through her attorney, has maintained she has done nothing wrong and has been kept in the dark regarding the investigation, which, apparently, is related “to her administration of grant funds, conflict of interest, billing issues with outside consultants and the time of days in the district and out of district.”

My take on the situation is that the Open Meeting Law was indeed violated, and the minutes of the various meetings, once they are released, should reveal some transgressions by the committee in the process. I am familiar with the state Open Meeting Law, having filed a complaint against a different School Committee in Saugus several years ago over an illegal Executive Session. The state Attorney General validated my complaint. So, based on my study of the meeting agenda for Jan. 19 and what transpired that night, I believe the School Committee violated the Open Meeting Law in its Executive Session proceedings.

It doesn’t help matters that the investigation has dragged on for so long and into the new school year. And the Town of Saugus – the taxpayers – will wind up paying for two superintendents during the time McMahon has been on leave. But, to me, the most unfortunate part is that McMahon would be heading into her third year of a five-year plan to move the school district from the bottom 10 percent of academic performing schools to the top 10 percent, based on the district’s ranking against the state in performance on Math and Reading scores in the MCAS Exam. For all practical purposes, Year Two of the superintendent’s plan was derailed. But she still got paid.

I think it’s high time that the School Committee vote to fire the superintendent or end her paid administrative leave so she can return to the job she was hired to do – providing she wants to resume that career challenge. It’s also time to release all of the details of the investigation.

Whatever way it turns out, it’s going to cost the town more than it should have. And the superintendent – if she doesn’t get fired or is cleared and doesn’t want to stay – will be leaving Saugus with a big payout. But if she is cleared, she owes it to the students of Saugus Public Schools to stick around and persevere with her lofty plan for improving Saugus Public Schools.

 

The Navy Band is coming!

Peter A. Rossetti Jr. of the Friends of Breakheart announced this week that Breakheart Reservation will again be hosting the Navy Band – on Saturday, August 19, at 6 p.m. “Should be a good time, provided the weather holds. Blankets and mosquito spray are a good idea,” Rossetti said.

The Navy Band has long been a summertime attraction at Breakheart. This year Rhode Island Sound will be playing the music. Here’s some preliminary information that the Friends provided on the band: “Rhode Island Sound is the most contemporary sounding group from Navy Band Northeast. This ensemble entertains audiences with music ranging from rhythm and blues to classic rock. Performing current popular music at high schools throughout New England, Rhode Island Sound also performs public concerts at a variety of venues. Their versatility and showmanship have always kept them in great demand since their inception in 1974.”

Stay tuned for more details as they become available.

 

“Shout Outs” to the petition drive people

  Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano offered a mega “Shout Out” for all of the folks who supported him in his successful petition drive to put a Charter Commission question on this fall’s town election ballot: “I’m thrilled to have the Charter Commission question on the ballot because I know how hard everyone worked to get it there. I can’t thank the volunteers enough. Donald Cicolini worked tirelessly, followed by Anne Kennedy, Corinne and Chris Riley, Donald Wong, Jen, Jason, Dante and Chris McGrane, Chris Tarrantino, Bob Catinazzo, Bob Divola, Gene Decareau, Tim Hogan, Diane Serino, Janice Jarosz, Stacy Tait, Leo Getz, Scott Cogliano, Cassandra Cogliano, Paige Giadone, Jim Alcott, Pat Darrigo, John Cocorocchio, John Beliveau, Mike Halley, Craig Smith, Garielle Lee, Jacklyn Hickman, Bob Camuso, Joe Vecchionne, Joe Silipigni, Sadie Dicenzo, Flex Fitness, Sizzle Tanning, Richdale, Entyre Esthetics, Guys Liquors, Lincoln Ave convenience, Goodfellas, Russos painting, Rossetti Insurance, Nelson Chang, Tom Traverse, Sons of Sicily, Rt 1 Grillhouse, Faucis nutrition, Tangles Hair Salon, George’s Barber Shop, Marcianos Barber Shop, Fuddruckers, Marao Burgers, Prince, Beat Connections, Paces, Stop and Shop, Dunkin Donuts, Kanes Donuts, Socs Ice cream, Iron Town Diner, all my friends at the Hammersmith, and of course Kowloon. A major team effort.

“Gathering over 4,000 signatures is not an easy task in Saugus, but we did it, and I thank you all for supporting this initiative and a special thank you to our Town Clerk Ellen Schenna and her staff for putting up with me the past few weeks. I know how much work and stress I dumped on you and appreciate your efforts. If I missed someone, I apologize. But once again. Thank you all from the bottom of my heart.”

 

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.

 

Knights of Columbus Craft Fair and Flea Market

The Saugus Knights of Columbus will hold its Outdoor Craft Fair and Flea Market on Saturday, August 19. Their last events were all sold out. Reserve your space now. A 12 x 12 space costs $30. Vendors must bring their own tables and chairs. Call Paul Giannetta for reservations or info – 978-239-1392.

 

Food Pantry notes:

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

 

“Saugus Over Coffee”

On Monday (Aug. 14), we will be featuring the five Town Meeting members of Precinct 8 at 6:30 p.m. in the Saugus Public Library. Precinct 8 residents interested in having a coffee while meeting some of their Town Members before the forum can show up at 6 p.m. Our invitations went out three weeks ago for those folks.

And we hope that it will be a better turnout this time than the five Town Meeting members who were absent from our July 10 forum. The lack of Town Meeting members attending the last forum deprived the seven citizens who showed up an opportunity to get to meet the members who represent them at Town Meeting. And that also sends a bad message to the Precinct 7 residents who tuned into Saugus TV to watch the program. But with the town election season officially underway, I would think that our final three forums will be well-attended by Town Meeting members who plan on running for reelection.

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 in citizens to become potential 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 8 – Aug. 14

Precinct 9 – Sept. 11

Precinct 10 – Oct. 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.

 

2023 Summer Concerts at the Saugus Iron Works, 244 Central St.

The Saugus Public Library and the National Park Service are proud to bring another summer of music to the Saugus Iron Works. These free, weekly concerts are open to the public and begin at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays through August 30. The remaining 2023 lineup:

August 16: Jumpstreet (Rock, R&B, Blues & Jazz).

August 23: Headlands (Folk, Country, Americana Pop).

August 30: Memorylaners (50s, 60s, 70s).

Bring chairs or a blanket and a picnic! Enjoy a summer evening at the Iron Works with great music and friends!

 

Founder’s Day Book Sale

The New Friends of the Saugus Public Library are preparing for their September 9 Founders Day Book Sale in the Community Room. They are asking for donations of gently used adult hardcover and softcover adult fiction and children’s books. Please limit donations to only adult fiction and children’s books; they do not have storage space for adult nonfiction or media like music CDs and DVDs. And please… clean and newer books only. No tattered pages, odors, stains or battered/dirty covers!

Books may be dropped off at the Library’s Main Circulation Desk during business hours. Please do not place donations in the outdoor book drops.

 

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.

  Meet Eleanor Roosevelt at the library: On August 22 at the Saugus Public Library, you will have the chance to meet Eleanor Roosevelt as actress Sheryl Faye brings her to life in a one woman performance. Faye, a graduate of Emerson College, has appeared in movies (“Analyze That,” “The Perfect Storm”) and television shows (“Sex and the City,” “The Sopranos”). Since beginning to portray famous women – from Laura Ingalls Wilder to Queen Elizabeth II – Faye has received rave reviews. Please register to join us at the Saugus Public Library on Tuesday, August 22, at 6:30 p.m. to meet Eleanor Roosevelt, the First Lady of the World. Sheryl Faye Presents Tea with Eleanor Roosevelt on Tuesday, August 22, at 6:30 p.m. The event is free, but you must register at https://www.sauguspubliclibrary.org

  Barbie Bash at the Iron Works: Calling all Barbies! Join us at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site on Tuesday, August 15, at 10:30 a.m. for a story and sparkly fun! Bring your favorite Barbie doll. Dress up encouraged!

  Wildlife Encounters: Join us at the Saugus Iron Works on Thursday, August 17, at 9:30 a.m. to meet and learn about wild animals in this educational wildlife program. Last year the animals included a Flemish giant hare, African millipede and even a wallaby! This program is for ages three-plus, with no registration required. Be sure to check the online calendar for any weather-related updates.

  Toe Jam Puppet Band! Celebrate the end of Summer Reading with a performance by the Toe Jam Puppet Band! Join us at the Iron Works on Thursday, August 24, at 3:30 p.m. All ages welcome; no registration required. This program is funded in part by the Saugus Cultural Council. Be sure to check the online calendar for any weather-related updates.

 Storywalk: Check out a Storywalk – also on Thursday, August 24, at 3:30 p.m. – at the Iron Works. This event, which is led by Coordinated Family & Community Engagement (CFCE), will feature a back-to-school story, “All Are Welcome,” by Alexandra Penfold.

  Snakes of New England: Snakes of New England – and the World! On Monday, August 28, at 10:30 a.m. at the Iron Works! Meet some amazing snakes presented by Rick Roth of Cape Ann Vernal Ponds. All outdoor events at the Iron Works are subject to change due to the weather. Please check the online event calendar on the morning of the event for updates.

  Teen Summer Reading 2023! Through August 25: Visit our website (sauguspubliclibrary.org) to fill out a book review form for every book you read or listen to over the summer. All books count – fiction, nonfiction, manga, graphic novels, audio books, required reading, etc. One reader will win a $50 gift card to Amazon! The more you read, the better your chance!

  Tween and Teen Crafts & Snacks! August 11, 18 and 25; weekly summer crafts on Fridays from 10-11 a.m. in the Brooks Room; fifth through 12^th grades. No registration necessary, just come by and bring your friends! Attendees will be making bracelets, clay animals, flower prints, earbud holders, wizard wands, mini light sabers and fabric bookmarks and doing some cookie decorating.

  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 6:30-7:30 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)

  “Sketch Artist” exhibit: This month’s exhibit in the Reading Room features the Saugonian luminaries of 2020, done by the Saugus Advocate Sketch Artist in the “Guess Who Got Sketched” series. Portraits of individuals from Saugus (and one special location) who were featured in The Saugus Advocate during the unprecedented events of COVID-19 during 2020 are up on display. For the past three years, Saugus’ only newspaper ran a sketch each week done by the formerly secret sketch artist – unveiled this year as Joanie Allbee. Readers could guess the identity of the portrait subject and there would be a drawing from the correct answers – the person whose name was drawn would receive an award, usually a gift card to a local business.

 

Veterans Food Market

  The Veterans Food Market will always be held on the third Wednesday of each month. The distribution point is at the Saugus Senior Center. The food market will take place from 10:30 to noon each month. The next Veterans Food Market is Wednesday, August 16, 2023. ln order to ensure that we have the proper amount of food and to avoid waste, we are no longer going to make telephone calls to clients to confirm their monthly participation. lf you are on our list, we are going to assume that you will be attending. We would ask that you contact us one week in advance if you will not be participating. lf you no-show twice without notifying us, you may be dropped from our list and may not be able to participate in the future. Veterans and/or eligible dependents of Veterans must be preregistered with the Saugus Veterans’ Services Office to participate in the food market.

PIease feel free to contact the Saugus Veterans’ Service Officer, Paul Cancelliere, or Nancy Stead at 781-231-4010 or email nstead@sauqus-ma.gov to register or with any additional questions.

 

Kowloon launches outdoor dining

The Kowloon Restaurant, which is located at 948 Broadway (Route 1 North) in Saugus, has opened its outdoor dining venue, serving a full food and bar menu. The restaurant’s outdoor concert series has kicked off. 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.

 

Rockin’ 4 Vets concerts are coming to Kowloon!

  Rockin’ 4 Vets presents a classic rock Summer Sun-Days Veterans Benefit Concert Series that will last through August 20 with Dyer, Goodwin, Chakosur and Brian Templeton – with an initiative to assist veterans’ organizations throughout Massachusetts with PTSD, addictions and homelessness. The concert series lineup includes:

  August 13: James Montgomery’s Rhythm & Blues Revue with Christine Ohlman & Barrence Whitfield – hailed as a legendary New England blues performer and former member of the Johnny Winter Band.

  August 20: Dyer, Goodwin, Chakour with special guest Brian Templeton, longtime members who played with Joe Cocker, Tina Turner and the J. Geils Band.

For tickets, go to the ticketing link gimmeLIVE.com. VIP tickets are available for pre-show meet and greet with performers. Doors open at 12:15 p.m. and the shows are at 1:00 p.m. One hundred percent of the concert series’ profits will benefit the veterans’ organizations, including:

Hidden Battles Foundation, https://hiddenbattlesfoundation.org/

Massachusetts Military Support Foundation, https://mmsfi.org/

Veterans Northeast Outreach Shelter, https://vneoc4vets.org/

Boston Rescue Mission and 22 Mohawks, https://22mohawks.com/

Rockin’ 4 Vets, LLC is a New England-based concert promoter, who, along with Alive & Kicking Productions, are the producers for this benefit event. Jim Tirabassi is the founder and director of Rockin’ 4 Vets, LLC. Rockin’ 4 Vets, LLC and Alive & Kicking Productions produce benefit concerts throughout New England to provide support to organizations assisting Vets with issues related to PTSD, addiction and homelessness.

 

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. 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.

 

Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Gala

The Kowloon Restaurant is set to host the Massachusetts Asian Restaurant Association’s Gala and Fundraiser slated for August 15. The event begins at 6 p.m. and tickets are $50. Entertainment will be by Asian American Country Singer Alison Nichols, with guest speakers Massachusetts Secretary of Economic Development Yvonne Hao and WBZ Channel 4 Anchor Tiffany Chan. A Kowloon Restaurant buffet will be served and all cocktail bars will be open.

For tickets, call the Kowloon Restaurant at 781-233-0077 or buy online at www.kowloonrestaurant.com

 

CHaRM facility is open

  The CHaRM facility will be open during the summer 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 of Saugus 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.

 

Community Garden needs some help

St. John’s Episcopal Church near Saugus Center has a community garden where vegetables are grown for the Saugus food pantry. This is the third growing season for this all-volunteer project. This year there are raised beds in front of the church as well as a larger garden area behind the rectory. Volunteers are needed to help weed and water the garden. If you would like to volunteer for an hour or so a week, or for any period of time during the summer, please call the church office at 781-233-1242 or email StJohnsSaugus@gmail.com and leave a message with your contact information!

 

The Saugus Cultural Council seeks help

The Saugus Cultural Council is recruiting new members. If you have a passion for arts, education, community engagement and building an inclusive community, feel free to apply. Please send a letter of interest and brief resume to the Saugus Board of Selectmen. The Saugus Cultural Council is a local agency funded by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, please contact saugusculturalcouncil@gmail.com.

 

Saugus Democratic Town Committee seeks new members

The Saugus Democratic Town Committee currently has openings for new members. The primary function of the Committee is the selection and support of Democratic candidates for office both locally and at the state level. It also works to support voter education and voter registration.

If you are a registered Democratic living in Saugus and are interested in playing an active role in the political process in Saugus as a Democrat, contact Committee Chairman Joe Malone at lincoln66in56@verizon.net.

 

Sharon’s Sneaker Crew is back

Sharon Genovese and her group – Sharon’s Sneaker Crew – will be walking on Oct. 1 in the Boston Marathon Dana-Farber Jimmy Fund Walk. The crew will also be sponsoring a craft fair in September. All the proceeds will be going to the Jimmy Fund. If you need more information, you can call or text Sharon at 617-966-3475 or email her at sunkin1@aol.com.

 

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.

 

Saugus High Class BBQ on Aug. 26

Saugus High alumni Mike Allan (1979) and Pete Nicolo (1980) are hosting this year’s annual Saugus High Class BBQ, which is set for 1 to 5 p.m. at Saugus-Everett Elks Grove on Saturday, Aug. 26. There’s an outdoor shelter, so the event will go on, rain or shine.

“Last year we had over 250 people attend (mostly Saugonians) and we are expecting maybe even a larger crowd,” Nicolo said. “Saugus High Classmates from multiple years, along with some of our Saugus Politicians, Coaches and Teachers attended.”

All Saugus High classes are welcome. There will be a cash bar during the day event. The action will move to Elks Hall at 401 Main St. from 5 to 8 p.m.

“Most of us have kept in touch with some of our classmates / friends throughout the years,” Nicolo wrote in a recent letter. “But what about the classmates/friends that you would love to see and have not seen in decades? This is what made our recent Saugus High Class BBQ this past September 2022 such a success. Take advantage of this Opportunity to possibly meet them there or reach out to anyone you’d like to see and reconnect!”

“Last year’s Saugus High Class BBQ had some classmates traveling from places as far away as England, Hawaii, California, Florida, North Carolina and other parts of the US. Many old friendships were rekindled, while new friendships with old Classmates were made,” Nicolo said. “Some friends/classmates had not seen each other in decades (over 40 years), while so many from surrounding classes mingled together and had a blast. It was quite a wonderful experience for many.”

Nicolo said the event has already generated great interest, but he asks that people who plan to go RSVP by Aug. 5 or sooner to help the organizers plan the event better. Make checks ($45 per person) payable to: Saugus High Class BBQ, 13 Bourbon St., Unit 55, Peabody, MA 01960 or Venmo: Pete Nicolo@Pete-Nicolo

Alumni with questions can contact Peter Nicolo (1980) at psnicolo2533@comcast.net – 978-815-8234 or Mike Allan (1979) at Allan7915@gmail.com – 781-953-2279.

 

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.

 

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.