The Sounds of Saugus

Good morning, Saugus!

 

Tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 14) should be a great day to welcome newcomers to Saugus, as well as to provide a refresher orientation course to native Saugonians and longtime residents. The Saugus Middle-High School Complex, at 1 Pearce Memorial Dr., will be hosting the second annual Saugus 4-1-1, from 9 a.m. through noon.

Selectman Corinne Riley, who spearheaded the event last year as a way to fill a great void in a town that lacks a Chamber of Commerce, said this year’s event has expanded substantially. “We have received 30 requests for non-profit groups and committees to be a part of this wonderful event welcoming new families, and inviting all Saugus residents whether they have lived here for 1 year or 60 years to learn about what Saugus has to offer as well as questions anyone may have concerning our town and the school district along with these non-profit groups including youth sports, houses of worship, clubs, police/fire, veteran groups, seniors, library information, and so much more!

“This year, there are three added features to get people interested in their organization. The Saugus Theater Company will perform a sample from their upcoming production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors,’ the Lions will have their Eye mobile testing sight and hearing, and the Saugus Garden Club will have a demonstration as well. Everyone who has been involved in supporting and organizing this event, hope many new as well as all Saugonians stop in to see what our town has to offer!”

Tours of the complex will be available. For further information or questions, please email Saugus411@gmail.com

 

“The Pumpkin Patch” needs your help tomorrow

If you feel like enjoying a nice autumn day outdoors, here’s a morning event you might like down at Saugus Center. Another “Pumpkin Truck” will arrive at First Congregational Church this Saturday, October 14 at 9 a.m. Volunteers are needed to help unload the truck. If you are willing to help, please arrive at the church by 9 a.m. The Annual Pumpkin Patch will run through Halloween, Oct. 31. Pumpkins of all sizes are displayed on the church lawn and will be available for purchase every day from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Volunteers are also needed to help staff the various shifts for the selling of pumpkins. If interested please contact Carl Spencer at 781-233-9196 or just stop by and sign up. The Pumpkin Patch offers a great way to get in the fall spirit.

 

Trivia Night at Kowloon’s

The Saugus Business Education Collaborative is having a Trivia Night at Kowloon’s on Route 1 North next Thursday (Oct. 19), starting at 6 p.m. This event is to raise funds for the Collaborative to reinvest programs that benefit the Saugus school system.

Teams of five will compete for the honor of being the year’s Trivia champs. This was last held about four years ago. About 15 or more teams will compete for the championship. The teams will have a buffet dinner served by Kowloon before the start of the event. Spectators are welcome. The cost for a spectator is $20 and will also include the buffet dinner. The doors will open at 6 p.m. and the event will start at 7 p.m.

Raffle tickets for great prizes will be available for $10.00 each or three for $20.00. Tickets to sporting events will be among the prizes. Prizes have been donated by town businesses, including WIN Waste Innovations.

 

Food Pantry notes

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Oct. 13) from 9:30-11 a.m.

 

Legion Breakfast today

There’s a good breakfast deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2023-24 season. Doors open at 7:30, with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served for free.

 

Special “Shout Outs”

  Laura Eisener, who writes the “Saugus Gardens” column for The Saugus Advocate, shared some great news she heard from the Topsfield Fair: “Lori Burke, who lives in Saugus, was crowned Mrs. Essex County on Sunday at the Topsfield Fair. Her mother Phyllis Berrett has volunteered at the fair for over 30 years and was planning to retire after this year so it is nice to have the climax of this year’s fair be her daughter’s award.”

  Joanie Allbee, AKA “The Sketch Artist”: “A shout out for Jack Klecker upon hearing from the Editor of Jack’s phone-in entry. For his sense of humor and support of the Sketch artist column! Jack called in a silly name, but sure enough when entered he was the winner chosen from the editor’s Red Sox hat. Enjoy your $10.00 gift certificate prize from Hammersmith you guessed right yes the sketch was of Jack Klecker.”

 

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.

 

We have a winner!

More than a dozen people emailed or called in with the correct answer to last Friday’s “Sketch of the Week.” But it was John Farrington Flywheel’s name that got picked from the hat. As it turns out, that was a fictitious name left by the actual subject of the sketch. Here’s the response by the Saugus resident who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”:

“The answer to last week’s sketch is Jack Klecker. Jack is a U. S. Navy Veteran and our new 2023 Saugus Man of the Year! Jack is often found quietly working behind the scenes at Saugus Historical Society where he is a Board member.

“Jack is often assisting with tasks and volunteering using his truck too to transport and lift vital equipment for Fairs and events. Jack has received many awards, a few he received recently are two awards from Daughters of the American Revolution (“God Home and Country”) at a D.A.R. rewards Ceremony meeting. And he also received an award from Saugus American Legion Post #210.

“At the Saugus Historical Society is a glass encased scale model of Saugus Iron Works, that Jack built often at times using tweezers. There is a plaque on the wall beside the case with a little of Jack’s biography. He has been featured in many articles in Saugus. In The Saugus Advocate Sept. 15 issue, Jack is on the front cover displaying his ‘Man of the Year’ 2023 award sitting beside Gail Cassarino, our Woman of the Year 2023. Under their photo is the cutline For the Betterment of Saugus – Honored by the Town. Thanks Jack. Keep on shining your light out there for all to see.

“Yours truly,

“The Sketch Artist”

 

A pet parade at Breakheart

Breakheart Reservation will host its First Annual Pet Parade on Saturday, Oct. 28 at 10:30 a.m. in front of the Christopher Dunne Visitor Center, 177 Forest St., Saugus. A $10 cash only donation is requested to enter the contest. Prizes will be awarded for Best Costume and Best Personality to the animals that parade around in front of the center. Raffle prizes will be open to all who donate. Proceeds will be used by the Friends of Breakheart Reservation for park activities and future events. The event is being sponsored by the Friends and Peter A. Rossetti Insurance.

 

Writers/Illustrators Meet & Greet – Oct.16

Are you looking to meet other creative minds north of Boston? Join us for The Room to Write’s next quarterly Writers and Illustrators Meet & Greet, which will be held Monday (Oct. 16) from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Panera Bread, 647 Broadway, Saugus. Adult writers and illustrators of all genres and levels are invited to meet up and share ideas, ask questions and support each other. We will have a few snacks available to munch on and attendees can purchase their favorite fall drink. See you there!

This Meet & Greet is sponsored by The Room to Write and located in space being generously provided by Panera Bread in Saugus. Contact Colleen Getty at colleen@theroomtowrite.org or 781-621-3274 with questions. Visit www.theroomtowrite.org to learn about The Room to Write’s other programs and events.

 

Saugus Garden Club meets Wednesday

The Saugus Garden Club’s October meeting will be Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 1 p.m. at St. John’s Episcopal Church (265 Central St.). The meeting is free and open to the public. Refreshments will be served at 12:45 p.m.

Our speaker comes to us from the Massachusetts Master Gardeners’ Society. A gardener for more than 40 years, Barb McIntosh has been a Massachusetts Master Gardener since 2016. She is a former volunteer Head Steward in the Trial Garden at Massachusetts Horticultural Society’s Gardens at Elm Bank. She is also a principal contributor in the Northeast Correctional Center (NECC) Concord Mass. Horticultural program where inmates are trained on vegetable gardening and landscaping techniques with the hope that they will be able to secure a job upon release.

Barb is presently bringing the horticulture program to Pondville prison. The Prison Program provides an opportunity to dedicated Master Gardeners who want to make a difference with incarcerated individuals. They partner with the Massachusetts Department of Correction (DOC) in providing successful horticulture programs in four DOC prisons to provide training and development to incarcerated individuals while they are in prison to ready them for work in the green industry upon release.

 

Town Democrats meet Oct. 18

The Saugus Democratic Town Committee will hold its monthly meeting Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 7 p.m. in the Police Training Room at the Saugus Public Safety Building (27 Hamilton St.). Members of the public are welcome to attend. The primary function of the Committee is the support of Democratic candidates for office, both locally and at the state level. For questions contact saugusdtc@gmail.com

 

SAVE Selectmen candidates forum Oct. 25

Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment (SAVE) will sponsor a forum for candidates for the Board of Selectmen on Wednesday, Oct. 25, starting at 7 p.m. at the Saugus Town Hall Auditorium (298 Central St.). Doors will be open to the public at 6:30 p.m. for this free event.

As we have in the past, SAVE provides this public-service forum for candidates for the Board of Selectmen so that each candidate can share their views of the critical environmental issues facing our town. The event will also be televised live on Comcast Channel 8 by SCTV in order to reach as many residents as possible. In addition, the public will be able to view the event the following day at https://vimeo.com/saugustelevision. SAVE hopes the public will plan to join us for this informative event.

For more information about SAVE, please contact Ann at http://adevlin@aisle10.net. You can also visit our website at http://www.saugussave.com or follow the link to our Facebook page.

 

Thanksgiving at Saugus United Parish Food Pantry – sign up for a Thanksgiving meal box

Register in person by Friday, Nov. 10, at the times and dates listed below for a meal box that includes a turkey, fresh produce, dessert and other staples (50 Essex St. in Saugus).

Fridays: 9:30-11:00 a.m. during Food Pantry: October 13, 20, 27; November 3 and 10.

Wednesdays: 6:00-7:00 p.m. – sign up only, no Food Pantry: November 1 and 8.

 

Able to donate or volunteer?

Give thanks by helping us to support our neighbors and strengthen our communities! Contact office@cliftondalecc.org to set up a food drive or volunteer. Donate by Friday, November 10: jarred or canned gravy, cranberry sauce, canned veggies, canned fruit, boxed stuffing mix, boxed mashed potatoes, boxed mac & cheese, corn bread mix. Other nonperishable foods like pasta, rice, canned soup, canned beans, etc. are also welcome.

Volunteer Friday, November 17 from 11:30 a.m.-1:00 p.m. and/or Saturday, November 18 from 7 a.m.-12 p.m.: help to sort, pack and distribute.

 

Candidates’ announcements on Saugus TV

Saugus TV cordially invites candidates for the Saugus Board of Selectmen and School Committee to take advantage of our three-minute speech opportunities at Saugus TV. This is an excellent chance for you to introduce yourself to the community and share your vision for the upcoming election. Our state-of-the-art studio, conveniently located at 30 Main Street, will be available to candidates to deliver their speeches. To secure your time slot, kindly get in touch with Rachel Brugman, Saugus TV’s Operations Manager, at 781-231-2883 or R.Brugman@SaugusTV.org. All speeches must be recorded by 5 p.m. on October 19, 2023. Additionally, we are pleased to offer digital signage opportunities for candidates running for all offices, granting you exposure on our community bulletin board located on Comcast Channel 8 in Saugus. These slides are running from October 7 to November 7. We look forward to collaborating with all of you!

 

“Saugus Over Coffee”

  The final “Saugus Over Coffee” forum is set for 6:30 p.m. Monday, Oct. 23 in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library and will feature Precinct 10.

For those Saugus residents who are 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. Town Meeting members will benefit by getting to know more about concerns in their precincts.

 

For loss of loved ones

The Saugus YMCA will host a session, “Grieving A Loved One,” every Thursday in October, from 6:30 to 7:30. The topics will include the grieving process, coping skills and moving forward. The Facilitator will be Ed Bernard, Health Care Chaplain and Pastor (508-245-8885). There is no charge. All that is asked of participants in these groups is to respect the privacy of others without judgment. Please email dcolarossi@metronorthymca.org to register or with any questions.

 

Saugus Cultural Council seeking funding proposals

Educational, artistic and community-engagement project organizers in Saugus and neighboring residents are encouraged to apply for a part of the $14,900 funding the Saugus Cultural Council has received from Mass Cultural Council, a state agency, to award in a Local Cultural Council (LCC) grant. The deadline to submit an application for an LCC grant is October 17. These grants can support a variety of activities in Saugus, including exhibits, classes, festivals, field trips, short-term artist residencies, performances in schools, workshops and lectures. Previously funded Saugus Cultural Council projects include Saugus Concerts at the Iron Works, classical music concerts at the Saugus Public Library, school field trips to the Boston Tea Party Museum and North Shore Music Theater and passes for the Museum of Science, various workshops for children, adults and seniors, and numerous other activities and performances throughout the region.

Applicants are encouraged to refer to the Mass Cultural Council Website to learn more about the MCC LCC Program Guidelines and to view the Saugus Cultural Council’s priorities at https://massculturalcouncil.org/local-council/saugus/. Contact the Saugus Cultural Council at saugusculturalcouncil@gmail.com for more information or questions before submitting.

 

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.

Tarot for Teens: Thursday, November 2, 4-5 p.m. in the Brooks Room; age 11 and up. Learn the meanings of the cards and have a group reading done.

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 to register (781-231-4168 x 3106). The next session is Wednesday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor of the library.

  Create your own Wearable Art: Join us on Saturday, Oct.14, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. when fiber artist Rhonda M. Fazio will guide participants in making wearable art. Each participant will design their own three-color silk scarf. Each color is handcrafted from natural, raw materials extracted without the use of harmful chemicals. By the end of the class, you will have a unique and beautiful piece of wearable art made entirely by you and you’ll have learned about the history and origins of color. This is a free class for adults, but space is limited. Please sign up on our website sauguspubliclibrary.org or call the Reference Department at 781.231.4168.

 

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.