The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

Good morning, Saugus!

And Happy Thanksgiving Day!

Saugus, like most New England communities, has a huge heart when it comes to making sure that the needy and less fortunate people enjoy a warm and hearty, traditional Thanksgiving meal – with the turkeys, veggies and all of the fixings that make it special. That caring heart of the community was on full display last Saturday (Nov. 18) morning in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. Saugus High School student athletes, a couple of coaches and core members of the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry collaborated under the guidance of Pastor Joe and Debbie Hoyle of Cliftondale Congregational Church. Pastor Joe has the task of being director of the food pantry, which operates on most Friday mornings throughout the year and also spearheads the Thanksgiving Day meal. It was a rainy day last Saturday. But that didn’t stop a lot of volunteers from showing up. The spirit of Wendy Reed, who was the heart and soul of the food pantry for many years until she passed away in February 2021, is still alive and well in the basement of Cliftondale United Methodist Church. And there are 138 grateful families counting their blessings this year that they were able to take home a nice Thanksgiving meal. That says a lot about them and the community they love.

Food Pantry notes

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be closed on Friday, Nov. 24, because of the Thanksgiving holiday. It will reopen next week on Friday, Dec. 1, under normal hours of 9:30-11 a.m.

One-Day Holiday Delay for trash

The Town of Saugus announced that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Thanksgiving Holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Thursday, Nov. 23, 2023, due to the holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Friday, Nov. 24. Residents are kindly asked to leave trash and recycling curbside by 7 a.m. the day after their normally scheduled collection day. The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation.

Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions.

Legion Breakfast Friday

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 a.m., with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served free.

4th Annual Roaring Toy Drive 2023

The Saugus Lions will be hosting a toy drive on Saturday, Nov. 25, from 10 a.m.-2 p.m.at the Saugus Senior Center at 466 Central St. Because of last year and continuing this year’s craziness, more families are hurting more than ever and are in need of help for Christmas. As we all know, when times are tough, toys for the children may get overlooked.

Retired Capt. Bill O’Malley of the Saugus Fire Department will be collecting the toys and delivering them to those families in need. Please share this information with your family, friends and coworkers. If we can all tell a handful of friends who have found themselves far luckier than most to donate one extra toy, imagine all the toys we can collect.

Also, come meet Lily the Lion and Mrs. Claus. They will be there to greet and thank you. Let’s all try to make Christmas of 2023 far better than the rest of the year. Together we can make a difference and help put some miles on many faces. Please feel free to share this information via social media, etc.

Special “Shout Outs”

For this week’s paper, two of our readers submitted recommendations for people they want to publicly acknowledge.

Saugonian Doris Napier offered: “A huge shout out to the Saugus Senior Center and Laurie Davis and her entire staff as well as all the Volunteers who make each day so pleasant and happy there. It is always an upbeat vibe with everyone who enters the front door. I know because I’m there four days a week! God bless them all.”

  Debbie Hoyle of Cliftondale Congregational Church gave a collective shout out to the organizations that held food drives to assist the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry’s latest Thanksgiving food drive: “Belmonte STEAM Academy 5th Grade Class, Girl Scouts, ATCK Fitness, Hammersmith Restaurant, Pioneer Charter School, Corinne Riley, and the library – in addition to many individuals who donated.”

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.

Curbside leaf pick-up ends soon

  The Town of Saugus reminds residents that the final week for leaf pick-up of 2023 is from Monday, Nov. 27 through Friday, Dec. 1. Residents may dispose of leaves curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day, between Monday and Friday. Leaves should be left outside at the curb 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, however, they must be clearly marked with yard waste stickers. Stickers, which are free, may be obtained at Inspectional Services in the lower level of Town Hall at 298 Central St. or at the DPW at 515 Main St. in Saugus. 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.

The Old Sachem talks about subway history

Laura Eisner, who writes the weekly “Saugus Gardens” article for The Saugus Advocate, wanted to share with our readers:

“For the November meeting of the Saugus Historical Society, Bill Stewart, known as the Old Sachem, told the fascinating story of the first subway system in the U.S., which was of course in Boston. His tale of its establishment and expansion was full of fascinating details from scientific controversies to students waving bones around when the cemetery on the common was disturbed. The subway construction was part of what was called ‘the second industrial revolution’ as horse drawn carriages gave way to gas powered vehicles and then quickly to electric cars on trolleys. The new underground model of transportation became a solution to the traffic jams, a result of many types of vehicles above-ground and a massive increase in population, as immigrants poured in after disasters in Ireland and several other countries during the 19th century. London’s subway system had opened, and Paris was working on one but it was not yet finished when Boston began this project. The first section, beneath Tremont Street, opened to passengers on September 1, 1897. Later other sections were added to provide service beneath other busy sections of the city. The presentation ended with a video of the Kingston Trio singing ‘Charlie on the MTA’ with many of the audience singing along. This song, written in 1949, tells a humorous story of the trials of a man who boarded the subway in Boston when the fare was a dime, but could not pay the remaining fare necessary to disembark when the price was raised at noon. It became a hit in 1959 when recorded by the Kingston Trio, and remains well known as the audience response showed. Bill writes weekly articles in the Saugus Advocate about sports, history, and occasionally other subjects with the same attention to detail and sense of humor.”

MEG Foundation winners

  Here’s a list of the MEG Foundation winners from Nov. 12: Benson, Karen; Manoogian, Donna; Brammer, Lauren; Maryquardo, James; Camuso, Bob; McDougall, Jomarie; Cannizzaro, Rosetta; McGonigle, Sarah; Cassarino, Anthony; Merritt, Janis; Chadwick, Tonya; Miranda, Josie; Chainey, D.; Momperousse, Renee; Clark, Samantha; Moreschi, Christine; Colaianni, Tori; Moschella, Dianne; Crawford, Cheryl; Nadeau, Jessica; DeCristoforo, Stephanie; O’Connell, Joanne; Deon, Brian; O’Neil, Debbie; Fanco, Tracy; Pabon, Pebbly; Ferraro, Melissa; Phelan, Tricia; Ferrero, Paxton; Phipps, Harry; Finn, Diana; Price, Tia; Folino, Donna; Riley, Corinne; Ford, Mike; Roach, Ginny; Furtado, Maureen; Sanderson, Gina; Giannetta, John; Speziale, Karen; Guercio, Roy; Staples, Buddy; Hogan, Dawn; Staples, Patti; Hunter, Margery; Surrett, Lauren; Jarosz, Haley; Swanson, Jean; Johnson, Carol; Wood, Caitlyn; Leonard, Kathy; Zapolski, Charlie; Loberg, Ericka; Loberg, Ericka; Lowell, Holly.

Comedy lineup at the Kowloon Restaurant

  The Kowloon Restaurant, which is located at 948 Broadway (Route 1 North) in Saugus, has set its autumn comedy lineup continuing into November. Nov. 24: Mark Riley, Boston Comedy Festival Runner-Up, former NHL referee, Carolyn Plummer, James Hamilton.

Shows start at 8:00 p.m. Tickets for reserved seating are $20. Must be 18 years or older to attend. For tickets, call the Kowloon Restaurant at 781-233-0077 or access online (www.kowloonrestaurant.com).

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.