The Sounds of Saugus

By Mark E. Vogler

 

Good morning, Saugus!

Hope your holidays and New Year were filled with good cheer and happy memories shared with friends and loved ones. And, hopefully, you have embarked on some challenging resolutions for the new year – like making a commitment to eating healthier and getting regular exercise to shed the weight. Got to love the spirit and the commitment of all those people who ventured outside on New Year’s Day to begin their year with a nice, long walk. Just keep it up, and you will be pleased with the results.

 

A special day at the library

The Nutcracker story came to life last week (Dec. 28) at the Saugus Public Library for a crowd of school-age children who received a special holiday treat.

“The kids listened to the Nutcracker story while ballet dancers acted it out,” said Amy Melton, Head of Children’s Services at the library. “Children got to meet the dancers, and have their pictures taken. They made Nutcracker crafts and had a ballet lesson too. It was great fun! We were so fortunate to have such elegant ballerinas join us!”

Melton said the library strives to host programming during the holiday break for school-age children.

Lila Giamanco, a 12th grader at Mystic Valley Regional Charter School and a member of Center Stage Dance Studio in Melrose, played the part of Clara. She works a few hours a week in the Children’s Room at the library. Mackenzie Bright, a 12th grader and a student at the Conservatory program at Northeast School of Ballet, played the Sugar Plum Fairy.

“They did the performance out of the goodness of their hearts,” Melton said.

 

Looking back on 2023

Hopefully, readers will enjoy our photo spread in this week’s paper that includes the top cover photos of each month during 2023. It’s time-consuming, but fun to do this every year for our readers, following the Year-in-Review issue.

I’d like to thank my good photojournalist buddy, David Spink, who wrote about Saugus and took a lot of photos in town many years ago when he was a staff writer and photographer at North Shore Sunday. David has been a regular reader of The Saugus Advocate since I became editor in March of 2016. Each week, he helps me out with his photographic expertise by recommending which photo shots belong on page one and which ones don’t.

Here’s David’s take on this year’s best photo – of Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian relaxing with a cup of coffee and his dog, Axel, after an interview in preparation for “Saugus Over Coffee,” a series of public forums cosponsored by The Saugus Advocate and the Saugus Public Library, focusing on issues related to each of the town’s 10 precincts: “Manoogian! It is the best photo. No way around it. And he’s been up to his ears in town affairs for more than 40 years. Just a tremendous portrait.”

David spent several hours this week reviewing more than 52 photos that made it on page one. He recommended what he thought was the “best cover photo” for each month last year. He was also fond of a couple of other photos: the bird on the weather vane shot in February, our September shot of Gail Cassarino holding a bell and the American flag during a bell-ringing ceremony she led in front of Saugus Town Hall to celebrate the 236th anniversary of the signing of the U.S. Constitution.

But David said the portrait of Manoogian with Axel at the kitchen table of his Ballard Street home stood out. “It’s the grabber. Man and his dog is easy to like,” David noted.

 

Food Pantry notes

The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Jan. 5) 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 didn’t receive any nominations from readers this week. Using my editorial discretion, I would like to give a giant, collective “Shout Out” to all town residents of Saugus who volunteer to serve on a wide range of committees, boards and commissions – whether appointed or elected – which contribute to the betterment of their community. Special kudos to the 50-member Town Meeting, which numbers five members for each of the town’s 10 precincts. In many instances, these elected representatives serve as the eyes and ears of the Board of Selectmen and the town manager when it comes to identifying potential neighborhood problems and concerns. Town Meeting members who live in particular precincts are able to lend credibility to concerns that reach the town manager and selectmen’s desks. Town government in Saugus works well when the citizen volunteers collaborate with paid professional staff for the common good of the community. And citizens who want to get involved are always welcome. Just drop a letter off at the Town Manager’s Office or the Board of Selectmen, stating your interest in serving the town and summarizing your expertise or background which could help the town out.

 

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 Pauline Nelson, one of several readers who answered correctly to last Friday’s sketch contest and had her name selected in a drawing. Pauline 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:

“Last week’s sketch is of Gloria Johnson. She has lived in Saugus for 33 years with her husband Joe of 50 plus years and happily counting. They have three children who are all graduates of Saugus High, with successful jobs and off on their own.

“Gloria loves volunteering at several organizations and often is heard saying, ‘If you are looking for me, you can find me at my Happy Place at the Senior Center.’ She is a Saugus Senior Center Board Member. Gloria enjoys running a Senior Center Singing Program on Tuesday’s, 12:30-2:00. She is usually in the center of the circle conducting the music and inspiring others to sing. Oftentimes, she helps Seniors find the pages, engaging them in the live piano players’ songs. Gloria states ‘What brings me the most joy is seeing people smile and laugh.’

“Gloria’s love of music and singing is multi expressive. She loves to listen to music, conduct, dance to it as well as belt out the lyrics at a Karaoke Group. She is also a past member of Polymnia Choral Group. She sings in the church choir at Incarnation Church with her husband. She also is a member of the Book Club and a member of the Ladies Guild in Saugus and Melrose.

“She enjoys doing yoga, baking and cooking. She is also a private caregiver. Gloria often states, ‘Live each day as if it’s your last’ and ‘Life is a gift. Cherish it!’

“Gloria enjoys walks on the Rail trail. She states, ‘I love visits from my neighborhood pups and I am the cookie Lady on my block.’

“Thank you, Gloria

“You light a candle out there in so many places. Keep shining your light.

“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.

 

What’s new at the Saugus Public Library?

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

  $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 this 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.

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.

Here are a few best bets for this coming week:

• Monday, Jan. 8, from 3:45 to 5:45 p.m., the Community Room will be available to local students from grades K through 12 who need some help in mastering Math. Students from the Pioneer Charter School of Science 2 will offer two hours of Math Tutoring. There is no charge and students from all schools are welcome.
• Tuesday, Jan. 9, from 6 to 7:30 p.m., is Game Night! This fun-filled evening of games and good company takes place in the Community Room. There is no fee for admission and all are welcome!
• Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m., residents who are looking for a different kind of library experience should check out The Yoga Experience, which is held each Wednesday in the Library’s Community Room. It’s a free, basic yoga class that is ideal for beginners. This 45-minute slow flow class opens with a brief meditation, followed by a gentle warmup, some core strengthening, standing postures, and flexibility poses. Each session winds down with deep relaxation.

Lisa Poto is a registered yoga teacher and a member of the Yoga Alliance. She graduated from Barre & Soul’s 200-hour yoga teacher training program.

• Also on Wednesday, Jan. 10, from 10 to 11:30 a.m. in the Brooks Room on the second floor of the library, be sure to check out the Adult Coloring Group. Here’s an invitation to grown-ups 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. Space is limited.

 

Winter is calling at Breakheart

If you love hiking, nature and the great outdoors, there’s a lot going on this winter at Breakheart Reservation – courtesy of the state Department of Conservation & Recreation (DCR). All Programs are free and open to the public. An adult must accompany children.

Reasonable accommodations available upon request. Parking fees may apply depending on program location. For more information, please email Jessica Narog-Hutton, Visitor Services Supervisor, at jessica.narog-hutton@mass.gov

Here are a few programs that DCR has in the works:

• On Sundays now through March, why not do something easy, like a Sunday morning hike, from 10 a.m. to noon? Check in at the Visitor Center (177 Forest St., Saugus). Join the Park Interpreter for a weekly guided hike. Each trip will highlight natural and historic features that make Breakheart unique. Hikes will be moderately paced and range from two to three miles over sometimes uneven and rocky terrain. This activity is best suited for ages eight years and up. Meet at the Visitor Center. The hike will be canceled in the event of heavy rain.
• On Thursdays now through March, the Camp Nihan Educational Center (121 Walnut St., Saugus) will offer the Wild Breakheart Series from 9 to 10 a.m. Join Breakheart staff for this rotating nature series that will explore different aspects of Breakheart in the wintertime. This month, check out the Winter Tree ID. Explore the birds that stay for the wintertime and how they thrive in a cold New England winter. Next month, learn about animal tracking. Discover how tracks that animals leave behind can tell us a story about what they do when no one is around. In March, be a part of the Breakheart Birding Club. Discover what birds are starting to come back for the spring and what birds from the winter stay.
• On Fridays, now through March, check out Kidleidoscope, from 10:30 to 11:30 a.m., at the Visitor Center (177 Forest St., Saugus). Come join a park interpreter for a story time and nature walk. Complete a small craft and explore the woods! Walks are gently paced and approximately one mile, though not accessible for strollers. This activity is appropriate for families with children who are three to five years old. Meet at the Visitor Center.
• On Saturdays now through March, “Step into the Past,” 10 a.m.to noon at the Visitor Center (177 Forest St., Saugus). Join the park interpreter to discover the park history. Hikes are about 2.5 miles and are moderate difficulty along rocky trails with several stops. Best for adults and older children with a keen interest in history. Meet outside the Visitor Center. This activity will be canceled in the event of rain.
• First and third Saturdays — Stories in Stone: Breakheart has been shaped not only by nature but by the many people who have called it home.
• Second and fourth Saturdays — Glacial Giants: Countless clues to a glacial past dot the landscape. If one knows where to look, this hidden geologic history can be revealed.

 

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.