The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus!

The management of Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Saugus has a unique way of getting involved in the Christmas spirit of giving. In a recent press release, officials announced a program they’re calling “Operation Santa Paws.” It’s essentially a pet supplies drive they are running to help needy pets at a local animal shelter.

A flier that lists “acceptable supplies for donations” asks members of the community to “Help us give back this holiday season as we collect pet supplies to donate.”

“Through Dec. 22, the skilled nursing facility at 73 Chestnut St. welcomes donated items such as blankets and towels, dog and cat beds, unopened pet food/treats, pet toys, grooming products, collars and leashes, and food/water bowls,” the press release noted. “Therapy animals play a vital role in long-term care residents’ lives, particularly those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Benefits of animal therapy for seniors include emotional uplift, increased self-esteem, improved social skills, and reduced risk of depression and anxiety.”

If you have friends and loved ones at this hometown nursing home who benefit from animal-assisted therapy visits – or if you just genuinely support this noble cause, you might want to check it out. For more information, visit ChestnutWoodsRehab.com.

 

Happy Hanukkah

A year ago, an anti-Semitic banner displayed on a Route 1 overpass declared “JEWS DID 9/11,” prompting a public outcry. It motivated then-Board of Selectmen Chair Anthony Cogliano to call for a public Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the front lawn of Saugus Town Hall. Cogliano said he hoped it would become an annual holiday tradition in Saugus, which hadn’t been done in years.

Looks like the tradition has continued, at least for another year. Yesterday (Thursday, Dec. 7) was the first day of Hanukkah, which will end next Friday (Dec. 15). At press time yesterday, town officials, members of the Jewish faith and supportive town residents were preparing for the second annual Menorah Lighting Ceremony on the lawn in front of Saugus Town Hall.

Congregation Ahavas Shalom’s William and Maureen Appel were expected to lead the community in lighting the Menorah, which in Judaism symbolizes the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century BCE when the Jewish people successfully rebelled against the Seleucid Empire. The lighting of the Menorah serves as a symbol of hope and resilience that reflects the triumph of light over darkness.

In the spirit of the holiday season, we will share with you some upcoming holiday events that residents can enjoy this weekend.

 

Breakfast with Santa

The Saugus Knights of Columbus and the Saugus Catholic Women’s Guild are sponsoring a “Breakfast with Santa,” which will be held tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 9) from 9:30 a.m. to noon at the Blessed Sacrament Hall (14 Summer St., Saugus). Santa will arrive at 10:30 a.m. The morning will consist of crafts, raffles, baked items, shopping and family fun. Among the marvelous raffles available to win are two Christmas trees with gift certificates, gift cards or lottery tickets.

 

Living Nativity Scene tomorrow

The New Hope Assembly will present a “Living Nativity Scene” tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 9) from 2 to 5 p.m. at 9 Assembly Dr. in Saugus. This is a family-friendly event. Visitors to the event will get to experience live animals, complimentary refreshments and festive music. All are welcome and everything is free! New Hope desires those who come to be able to take a break from the busyness of the holiday season; to come breathe and share in the joy of Christmas. Church leaders invite Saugus residents to visit the Living Nativity.

 

Santa visits Breakheart on Sunday

If you didn’t have the chance to take your kids to see Santa Claus or get their picture taken with old Saint Nick at last Friday’s annual Tree Lighting and Festivities, you still have another opportunity. Plan on dropping by the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center at Breakheart Reservation at 177 Forest St. in Saugus. Santa Claus will be visiting Breakheart between 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10.

A flier distributed by the Friends of Breakheart Reservation offers this invitation to the community: “Come by to meet Santa and take a picture with your phone or camera. Spend a few minutes by the roaring fire enjoying the season and majesty of Breakheart. Candy canes from Santa and light refreshments will be served.”

The state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR), the Friends of Breakheart Reservation and Peter A. Rossetti Insurance are sponsoring the event. For more information, please call 781-233-1855 or 781-233-0834.

 

Holiday event announcements welcomed

Does your organization, church or business have plans for a holiday or holy event that they would like to publicize this month? Feel free to email an announcement or press release to mvoge@comcast.net, headlined “Holiday Happenings and Blessings.”

 

Food Pantry notes

  The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Dec. 8) 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 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.

 

Special “Shout Outs”

We received several this week:

Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Ron Wallace: “I would like to shout out to Fuddruckers which is closing on December 23rd after 35 years in Saugus. So many fundraisers and car shows, too many to count. A place that will be missed by so many!

“Also shout out to Guy Moley and his ‘Mom’s Cancer Fighting Angels’ for putting on a rocking party last Saturday night!”

Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo offered two “Shout Outs: “The Saugus Veterans Council Commander, Steve Castinetti, and all us Council members want to send out a huge ‘Shout Out’ and thank you to Saugus Cable TV’s John Prudent for the video he created honoring our Veterans for Veterans Day. A lot of hard work went into making this video and was watched many times over by the Veterans and Saugus residents to rave reviews.

“This second ‘Shout Out’ goes to the Town’s DPW Department for the great job they did putting up this year’s Christmas lights. They absolutely outdid themselves, Saugus Center looks like a winter wonderland! Thank you for all your hard work not just at Christmas but all year long.”

 

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.

 

Compost/Recycling Drop-Off Site closes tomorrow

The Town of Saugus Compost/Recycling Drop-Off Site will be closed after tomorrow (Saturday, Dec. 9, 2023) and will reopen for recycling on the third Saturday of January, February and March 2024 weather permitting. Please note the following dates that the site will be open during the period from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.:

Saturday January 20, 2024

Saturday February 17, 2024

Saturday March 16, 2024

Please contact Scott Brazis, Director of Solid Waste/Recycling, with any questions at 781-231-4036.

 

Who is “Walter the Pumpkin?”

Laura Eisner, author of “Saugus Gardens,” which runs weekly in The Saugus Advocate, was very determined to get this photo. “I couldn’t let the first snow of the season go by without a picture! Here is ‘snow on Wallace the Pumpkin’ at Saugus Ironworks, taken this morning before the light dusting we got melted away,” she wrote me in an email Wednesday (Dec.6).

Why do they call him “Wallace the Pumpkin,” I asked Laura.

“The park rangers named the pumpkin Wallace after Wallace Nutting, an important figure in the Saugus Ironworks preservation story,” Laura wrote back.

“To make a long story short, Nutting was a famous producer of nostalgic prints, wrote several books on historic sites in New England (Massachusetts Beautiful was one), and owned the Appleton-Taylor-Mansfield house, often called the Ironworks House, from 1915 until about 1920, and had a studio in the old factory next door which is now a storage warehouse,” she said. “If you are looking for a single word, ‘antiquarian’ might be the best way to describe Wallace Nutting. There’s quite a bit on Wikipedia about him. Nutting prints are still pretty collectible, and he was certainly part of the reason the Ironworks site was chosen for preservation.”

 

What’s new at the Saugus Public Library?

  There’s always something interesting going on. Here’s a few activities with checking out:

  Interested in learning a little about the Saugus Annual Town Meeting? In representative Town Meetings, members elected by the citizens of their precinct participate and directly vote on legislation. Are you a new Town Meeting Member or just an interested citizen who would like to learn more about Town Meeting? From Robert’s Rules of Order to how to get your articles on the ballot, these sessions will help and inform you on the what, why and how of Town Meeting.

One class was recently held. A second session is planned for Monday, Dec. 11, from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library at 295 Central St. in Saugus. Intended for new Town Meeting Members (as well as any other interested citizens) and hosted by Precinct 10 Town Meeting Peter Manoogian, these sessions are free of charge and all members of the public are welcome – no registration required.

  Math Tutoring, grades K-12: Students from the Pioneer Charter School of Science 2 will offer tutoring in mathematics for grades K-12. There is no charge and students from all schools are welcome. The next tutoring is scheduled for Monday (Dec. 11) from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library. Tutoring sessions are also scheduled for the same place and time on Dec. 18 and Dec. 19.

  Adult Coloring Group: This is an opportunity for grownups to take time to unwind, be creative and have fun. No experience necessary. Just show up on Wednesday (Dec. 13) at 10 a.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor of the Saugus Public Library. Pencils, gel pens and coloring pages will be waiting for you.

  An Owl for the holidays: The Saugus Public Library is offering a special art class for kids from ages 11 to 18. Learn how to paint an awesome owl! Keep the finished painting for yourself or give it as a holiday gift. The special class is set for Tuesday, Dec. 12, from 4:30 to 6 p.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor of the Saugus Public Library. Space is limited. Please register ahead. Call 781-231-4168 or sign up on the online Event Calendar – sauguspubliclibrary.org/Events – for more information, contact Lisa LeJeune, the Young Adult/Reference Librarian.

  December Art Exhibit: Local artist Joanie Allbee, AKA “The Sketch Artist, who for several years had her sketches featured anonymously in The Saugus Advocate, has more sketches on display in the Reading Room of the Saugus Public Library. Each week The Advocate published one of these works and invited readers to guess who the subject was. This month’s exhibit in the Reading Room features sketches done in 2023 and 2023 Sketches of Our Saugonian Luminaries.

 

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.