Year in Review: 2023

People we featured on the front page

In nearly every edition of The Saugus Advocate, the front page features a portrait photo of an interesting person who was interviewed for “The Advocate Asks” question and answer article – or somebody who was the subject of a front-page feature story. All of these people are interesting. Many of them contribute to the betterment of the community. Here is a look back at most of the Saugonians who made the cover over the past 12 months.

January

The Saugus Middle/High School Courtyard is dedicated to former Principal Kenneth Fabrizio, who served Saugus Public Schools for 39 years. Precinct 1 Town Meeting Member Mark Bell talks about top issues affecting the people he represents in the first in a series of public forums, “Saugus Over Coffee.”

February

Precinct 2 Town Meeting Member Christine Moreschi talks about top issues affecting the people she represents in the second in a series of public forums, “Saugus Over Coffee.” Saugus native and accomplished chef Paul Delios has gone back to his culinary roots by opening “a neighborhood restaurant” for East Saugus that specializes in Italian food.

March

Jake D’Eon of Saugus Boy Scout Troop 62 has an ambitious public service project to earn his Eagle Scout Badge: He plans to oversee the construction of eight new handicap accessible picnic tables for the Pinetops picnic area at Breakheart Reservation. Precinct 3 Town Meeting Member Annemarie Tesora talks about top issues affecting the people she represents in the third in a series of public forums, “Saugus Over Coffee.” Patrolmen Brett DiPanfilo and Alison Cooper, two of five Saugus police officers running in the Boston Marathon, talk about their goals.

April

Police Detective Stacey Forni, Sgt. Stephen Rappa and Lt. Anthony LoPresti, three of five Saugus police officers running in the Boston Marathon, talk about their goals. Town Moderator Stephen N. Doherty of Precinct 4 talks about top issues affecting people he represents in the fourth in a series of public forums, “Saugus Over Coffee.” Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Ronald M. Wallace talks about top issues affecting people he represents in the fifth in a series of public forums, “Saugus Over Coffee.”

May

Norma Bacon turns 100 and is still quite active for her age: She still drives, shops for her own groceries, cooks her own meals and continues to vote in Saugus elections. Attorney John J. Vasapolli has represented the Town of Saugus as town counsel on legal matters for 42 years, serving under nine town managers. Midge Dawicki likes to call April 26, 2005, her “celebration of life day” because she’s still alive after breaking her neck in an accident and becoming a quadriplegic.

June

Annette Slocomb turns 100 and is still quite active for a person of her age: She still drives and credits the Saugus Senior Center for helping her to maintain a happy, healthy and independent life. Saugus native Michael R. Maruzzi is making the most of his life after suffering a devastating spinal cord injury in 1987 during a high school hockey game. He went to college, got a teaching degree, taught math at Saugus High School for 23 years, got married, has become an advocate for spinal cord injured people and wrote a book, “Walking is Overrated.” Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member William S. Brown talks about top issues affecting people he represents in the sixth in a series of public forums, “Saugus Over Coffee.” Florence Chandler and Wallace McKenzie are among the seven past presidents of Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment who highlight SAVE’s accomplishments during the group’s 50th Annual Meeting & Dinner held at the Continental.

July

Precinct 7 Town Meeting Member Robert A. Palleschi talks about top issues affecting people he represents in the seventh in a series of public forums, “Saugus Over Coffee.” Frank Puccia of Saugus, president of North Shore Corvettes of Mass., Inc. – a group that numbers more than 180 members – talks about Corvettes and local history as the club celebrates its 60th birthday. Naomi Tarantino, 11, one of 43 participants in the Saugus Sachems Track Camp, and other participants talk about how the summer experience benefited them. Madeline Grace Gould Armstrong, who is 101, is the only one alive from 11 kids who lived at the Gould Family Farm at 196 Walnut St. back in the 1920s and 1930s. Saugus resident Deborah Barrett-Cutulle wins the People’s Choice Award for her sand sculpture, “Embracing Our Differences,” at the 19th Annual International Sand Sculpting Festival at Revere Beach.

August

Precinct 8 Town Meeting Member Thomas E. Traverse talks about top issues affecting people he represents in the eighth in a series of public forums, “Saugus Over Coffee.”

September

Precinct 9 Town Meeting Member Robert J. Long talks about top issues affecting people he represents in the ninth in a series of public forums, “Saugus Over Coffee.” With changes in voting boundaries, Long’s neighborhood became a part of Precinct 4. He ran and got elected in November as a Town Meeting member in Precinct 4. Jack Klecker and Gail Cassarino are honored with “Person of the Year” Awards at the 42nd Annual Saugus Founder’s Day Celebration.

October

Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian talks about top issues affecting people he represents in the tenth and final in a series of public forums, “Saugus Over Coffee.”

November

Saugus resident David T. Savoie has been a familiar visitor at Veterans Park, walking around in a replica World War II Army uniform on patriotic holidays. He says the countless hours he spends as a World War II reenactor enables him to honor the veterans of that era. Sachems senior Cam Preston receives the Saugus Lions Club “Heisman Award” during the 51st Annual Saugus and Peabody Lions Club’s Football Meeting and Dinner at Prince Pizzeria. Saugus High Head Coach Steve Cummings says he decided to honor Preston with the award for showing heart despite a season-ending injury when the team was 3-0. The injured quarterback continued to attend practices and do what he could to help the team. Volunteers talk about the community spirit and good will that motivated them to be a part of the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry’s Annual Thanksgiving food drive.

December

Nine-year-old Camila Giron Guardado receives the Saugus Police Department Life Saving Award and a commendation from the Board of Selectmen after being credited with saving her mom from choking on a chicken bone. Navy and Marine Veteran Jack Marino stands out among all volunteers at the Wreaths Across America Ceremony in Riverside Cemetery. He helps obtain and deliver 150 wreaths to the cemetery.