The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus!

Santa Claus is coming to town in just two days – Christmas Eve (Sunday, Dec. 24)!

Saugus will host its annual Christmas Eve Parade, which has evolved into a popular town tradition over the four decades of its existence.

“The Santa Parade is always going to be my Christmas memory,” School Committee Member Ryan Fisher told The Saugus Advocate this week. “It’s driven by my house since I was a child, and my parents would reschedule our Christmas Eve plans around making sure we were home to see it. I’m now the parent that gets to share that experience with my daughter, and it means so much to have that shared memory that I know she’ll always remember. I’m so grateful to the organizers and volunteers for that gift.”

The town’s Christmas Eve Parade is ready to roll, with the help of parade coordinator Brian Cross, who is heading up an army of volunteers. Cross, who is looking forward to working as DJ for the night, notes that this will mark the 40th anniversary for the parade. “I’ve been doing this since 2014,” he said in a recent interview.

There will be a lot of town departments involved, too, particularly the Youth & Recreation Department. Saugus fire, police and other emergency crews will be involved with the event that’s been a popular crowd pleaser for locals, going back several decades.

The parade is set to start on Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at 6 p.m. from the Public Safety Building on Hamilton Street with a police and fire escort for Santa and some other special vehicles as part of the procession. It is scheduled to finish the three-hour tour through town on Central Street in Saugus Center at 9 p.m.

“Santa would like to see as many children as possible, so listen for the sirens and come out and greet Santas as he passes by,” says Buddy, “Santa’s Third Best Elf” in a note on the parade route announcement that was recently released.

 

Santa’s Parade Route Released

Santa’s parade route for Sunday, Dec. 24, as posted on the Saugus Christmas Parade Facebook Page (https://www.facebook.com/saugussantaparade/), is as follows:

  6-6:10 p.m.: Hamilton Street, Saville Street, Elm Street.

  6:10-6:25 p.m.: North Saugus School, Indian Rock Drive, Arrowhead Drive.

  6:25-6:40 p.m.: Walnut Street, Central Street, Appleton Street, Summer Street, Taylor Street.

  6:40-6:55 p.m.: Saugus Center, Main Street to Forest Street.

  6:55-7:10 p.m.: Lynn Fells Parkway, Main Street, Hickory Lane, Juniper Drive.

  7:10-7:25 p.m.: Howard Street, Main Street, Vine Street.

  7:25-7:40 p.m.: Essex Street, Mount Vernon Street, Laurel Street.

  7:40-7:45 p.m.: Lincoln Avenue and Cliftondale Square.

  7:45-7:55 p.m.: Lincoln Avenue to Seagirt Avenue.

  7:55-8:10 p.m.: Venice Avenue, Wickford Street, Pevwell Drive, Gates Road, Richard Street.

  8:10-8:25 p.m.: Dudley Street, Ballard Street, Johnson Street, Vincent Street, Chestnut Street.

  8:25-8:30 p.m.: Winter Street to Central Street.

  8:30-8:40 p.m.: Denver Street, Laurel Gardens, Elmwood to Adams Avenue.

  8:40-8:50 p.m.: Central Street, Hurd Avenue, Westland Avenue, Springdale Avenue, Stone Street.

  8:50-9 p.m.: Central Street to Saugus Center.

 

A Christmas Eve pageant for kids

On Christmas Eve, Dec. 24, at 4:30 p.m., St. John’s Episcopal Church will be reenacting the nativity of Jesus in a family service. All Saugus children are welcome to participate. If you are interested, please contact The Rev. John Beach at revjbeach@gmail.com or the church office phone: 781-233-1242.

 

Food Pantry notes

  The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Dec. 22) 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”

Joyce Rodenhiser offered several “shout outs” for this week:

“A Shout Out to thank all the volunteers at Saugus Senior Center who ably assist the wonderful staff!”

“Let’s give a Shout Out to Louise Nazzarro and Pauline Gautreau and all the other volunteers at the Saugus Public Library who, working with the wonderful staff there, make our library a lively, relevant place in which to learn all kinds of things!”

 

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!

Congratulations to Maria Rodriguez, one of several readers who answered correctly to last Friday’s sketch contest and had her name selected in a drawing. Maria will receive a $10 gift certificate from the contest’s sponsor, the Hammersmith Family Restaurant, near Saugus Center.

Now, here’s the answer from the person who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist:

“The answer to last week’s sketch is Corinne & Steve O’Neill. They have been married twenty two years. In March, Corinne started teaching beginners line dance at the Saugus Senior Center on Tuesdays at 10:00 am, Steve showed support to his wife by attending the first class and has continued ever since.

“Corinne beams a genuine ray of sunshine as she greets everyone. She is full of encouragement and patience in her dance classes. I have on occasion joined her classes and had so much fun and actually learned a lot of dance steps too.

“Corinne adds such a peaceful atmosphere to her dancing classes which are conducive to a learning environment.

“On Tuesday’s before sunrise, she greets her students with an email encouraging them to step out and dance, last week’s message was,

“‘It’s brisk, but beautiful outside! Put your holiday to-do list on hold and come dancing.’ Corinne’s welcoming attitude is reflected in her own words ‘we get to have fun with a great group of people sharing new dances while reinforcing the basic steps of line dancing.’

“Corinne’s been involved in the line dancing community for over twenty years both as a dancer and instructor. In addition to Saugus she teaches Dance at the Stoneham Senior Center, [Wednesday] afternoons. Corinne said she’s always happy to help out filling in when her schedule allows and that you may find her in place of your regular instructor, or just dancing at another venue.

“Along with a megawatt smile, she has a heart of love to share with her classes. She says come join her class so she can share her love of dance with you. Steve usually is in the back row in perfect step with his wife which helps back row dancers who may miss a step or two like myself. We can look over and catch on.

“Thank you Corinne and Steve

“You both shine your light brightly

“Yours Truly, The Sketch Artist”

 

Compost/Recycling Drop-Off Site winter hours

The Town of Saugus Compost/Recycling Drop-Off Site is closed for the winter. But it 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.

 

RMV offers a Senior Hotline

Like the vast majority of Massachusetts residents, I don’t enjoy being at the state’s Registry of Motor Vehicles. I never have and never will. The last time I had my driver’s license renewed, I was able to avoid the RMV by going to the local AAA office.

Recently, I had a bad experience with the registry when I tried to help my brother renew his driver’s license – online. I found it to be not very user friendly – which seems to be a key trait for most things dealing with the RMV. Probably because Wayne was about to turn 72, it was a waste of time to attempt the online.

Disgusted, I decided it might be best to just walk into the RMV Fall River office and handle Wayne’s business in person. What a mistake that turned out to be! When I was down in the Fall River area last weekend, I decided to take Wayne to the registry. But I quickly learned that drivers won’t be served anymore unless they make an appointment for a specific date and time.

“You people don’t care about Senior Citizens, do you?” I said angrily to an office clerk. (I drove all the way down from Essex County, and you can’t help me?” I added.

At that point, the clerk handed me a sheet of paper headlined “Senior Hotline.”

To my surprise, I got a voice pretty quickly. But I wasn’t allowed to schedule an appointment for that day. But there was a silver lining to my latest RMV encounter.

“Call 857-368-8005, the RMV’s dedicated appointment line for customers who are at least 65 years of age or have a disability,” the information sheet said. “The RMV’s Senior License Renewal Appointment Line warns customers that they will not be served if they do not meet the above qualifications.” The information sheet went on to say that customers could also email the RMV for assistance at MassDOTRMVSeniors@dot.state.ma.us.

I’ve already gotten to use the Senior Hotline twice and I would recommend it. But I told one of the customer service representatives that it was a huge mistake to not allow walk-ins at the local registry office. So, check it out for yourself the next time you have a matter to square away with the RMV.

 

Check out our Year-in-Review issue next week

Next week’s edition will be dedicated to our “Year-in-Review.” What were the top stories during 2023 and who were the movers and shakers in Saugus? We’ll ask the School Committee members and Board of Selectmen to share their views on what they thought were the major stories. We’ll also ask them to designate their top priorities for the New Year.

Readers are also welcome to chime in on what they think are the top stories of the year and the challenges ahead. Email me with your file title “Year-in-Review” at mvoge@comcast.net or leave me a message at mvoge@comcast.net.

 

What’s new at the Saugus Public Library?

  There’s always something interesting going on. Below are a few activities worth checking out.

The library will be closed next Monday (Dec. 25) and next Tuesday (Dec. 26) in observance of Christmas.

  Nutcracker Celebration: Kids from ages five to 12 will be able to enjoy a special ballerina reading of “The Nutcracker” with festive crafts and treats, next Thursday (Dec. 28) at 10:30 a.m.

  $5 for a bag of books: If you love reading, here’s a great deal. Buy a New Friends of the Saugus Public Library mesh book bag for $5 and fill it with as many books as you’d like. Proceeds benefit the New Friends so they can support public library service in Saugus.

Town Meeting Sessions: Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian is offering quite a Christmas present for Saugus citizens who want to learn the basics about Town Meeting – the legislative body of Saugus town government. Manoogian is a veteran of about four decades in local town government at various levels – including many years as a Town Meeting member. The three sessions Manoogian will be leading next year are tailored for newly elected Town Meeting members or veterans who want to refresh themselves about Robert’s Rules of Order or how to put forward an article for consideration.

But the sessions that Manoogian is planning are free and open to the public – for all interested citizens. The sessions will take place on four nights in 2024 – Jan. 29, Feb. 16 & 29 and March 25 – from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library at 295 Central St.

  Saugus Library Book Club: “Me Before You,” a novel by Jojo Moyes, will be the topic of discussion for the next meeting of the Saugus Library Book Club – set for next Thursday (Dec.. 28) at 6:30 in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library. No sign-up is required. Drop-ins are welcome. Copies of the book are available at the circulation desk.

  Adult Coloring Group: Here’s an invitation to grown-ups to attend the adult coloring group. It’s a great opportunity to take time to unwind, be creative and have fun. No experience is necessary. Pencils, gel pens and coloring pages are ready and waiting. Spaces are limited, so please call to register at 781-231-4168. The next session is set for Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor of the library.

 

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.