10

Page 10 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, February 15, 2019 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. Wanted: floats for Memorial Day Parade Some very ambitious plans are already in the works for the town’s annual Memorial Day Parade, which is set for Saturday, May 25. During a meeting of the Saugus Veterans Council held last week, Veterans Council President Steve Castinetti announced some members are making efforts to get local schools and organizations entering creative floats in the parade – something that has not been done in years. Council member Corinne Riley again will be working with local schools in a third-annual poster contest she’s overseen that will be held on Memorial Day weekend. But Castinetti said he hopes Riley can persuade some of the local schools to participate, along with some community organizations, in helping to make the parade the best in many years. “We’d like to get as many floats as possible,” said Castinetti, who noted that it’s been years since the parade was flooded with creative floats. “If you look at the old photos, it probably hasn’t been since the 30’s, 40’s, 50’s or 60’s. It’s been a long time. And I don’t even remember school floats in the parade,” Castinetti said. The Veterans Council is also sending out an invitation to Gov. Charlie Baker and Lt. Gov. Karyn Polito to get them to be part of this year’s parade. State Rep. Donald Wong, a Saugus Republican and loyal veterans’ supporter, will be talking with the governor and trying to make this happen. One famous veteran VIP from Massachusetts – the state’s Secretary of the Department of Veteran Services Francisco A. Ureña – is expected to be this year’s keynote speaker. In addition to people who want to enter floats in the parade, Castinetti says, he’s looking for veterans who might make good candidates for grand marshal in this year’s parade. Some Veterans Council members have already recommended local book author and poet Tom Sheehan, a 1947 Saugus High School graduate and U.S. Army veteran who served in Korea, for this year’s honors. But Castinetti says the floor is open for other nominations. The Veterans Council will meet again on March 4, which is the deadline for submitting any more grand marshal candidates. Any town resident who is a veteran and who lives in Saugus or belongs to a Saugus veterans organization is automatically a member of the Veterans Council and is welcome to attend the meeting set for 7 p.m. at Cpl. Scott J. Procopio Saugus American Legion Post 210 (44 Taylor St. in downtown Saugus). There are about 1,400 veterans living in Saugus, and there are some out-of-town residents who belong to the local organizations, according to Castinetti. The day before the Saturday parade, young people, local volunteers and Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts will flock to Riverside Cemetery to plant new, miniature American flags on the veterans’ gravesites. If you would you like to help out in organizing the parade, or if you have some thoughts about veterans who should be considered for parade grand marshal, call Castinetti at 781-389-3678. Presidents Day means trash delay The Town of Saugus announces that the trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay from Tuesday, Feb. 19, through next Saturday, Feb. 23, due to the observance of Presidents Day. There will be no collection on Monday, Feb. 18, due to the holiday. Services will then resume on a one-day delay from Tuesday, Feb. 19, through Saturday, Feb. 23. Residents whose collection day falls on Monday will be collected from on Tuesday. Collection will continue to run on a one-day delay for the remainder of the week. The recycling site will be open tomorrow (Saturday, Feb. 16) from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/Recycling Coordinator Lorna Cerbone at 781-231-4036 with any questions. Youth sports collaborate next month! Saugus Youth Soccer, Saugus Pop Warner, Saugus National Little League, Saugus American Little League, Saugus Softball and Saugus Lacrosse are excited to announce a joint fundraising event! Come join them for a night of food, dancing, poker and lots of fun at Breakaway in Danvers on Friday, March 22! This is a great opportunity to support one league or multiple leagues all at the same great event! There are two ticket levels available for purchase: $20 General Ticket – includes cheese pizza, salad and DJ entertainment; $40 Poker Ticket – includes Texas Hold’em Tournament entry fee, cheese pizza, salad and DJ entertainment. Prizes will be awarded to players who place in 1st, 2nd and 3rd. Doors will open at 7:00 p.m., and the tournament will begin at 7:30 p.m. There is a limited number of tickets so make sure to purchase them early. Tickets can be purchased at https://www. eventbrite.com/e/saugus-youth-sports-fundraiser-texas-holdemtournament-and-dancing-at-breakaway-tickets-55458865961. As much as we love our kids, this is an adult only event. Please share with aunts, uncles, grandparents and friends so that we can come together to support all the sports that our children love to play! Calling civic-minded Saugonians Once again, Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Board of Selectmen are looking for a few good men and women who would be interested in serving as volunteers in local government. Selectmen are accepting applications for appointment to the Zoning Board of Appeals and the Library Board of Trustees. These are volunteer / nonpaid positions for Saugus residents. Those interested may submit letter of interest / resume, no later than March 12 to: Saugus Board of Selectmen Saugus Town Hall 298 Central St., #4 Savor this, Saugus! I’m sure many Saugonians – like football fans across the region – reveled in the latest success of the New England Patriots on Super Bowl Sunday. A fortunate few local fans got to see the action live down in Atlanta, with the Patriots beating the LA Rams 13-3. This is the third NFL title in five years – the sixth in 18 seasons – under Coach Bill and quarterback great Tom Brady. I’m sure dozens of New England fans made the most of last week’s great weather and went down to Boston for the Pats’ Duck Boat Parade.Many more town residents watched it at home or at local Super Bowl parties, sharing great memories with friends and loved ones. So, what do you do for an encore, Patriots fans? Just enjoy this great championship run while you can. And realize that success like this doesn’t last forever and you have been treated to something that fans in the other 31 NFL cities can only dream about. Marching as one league – in one parade The newly formed Saugus Little League has announced it will host its annual Opening Day Parade on Saturday, April 20 at 9 a.m. This year the Saugus National and Saugus American Leagues will march as one. Parade participants will assemble at 8:30 a.m. at the Oaklandvale School, which is located at 266 Main St. With a police and fire escort, the marchers will leave the Oaklandvale School at 9 a.m. and head north up Main Street. They plan to arrive at the Elks Field, which is located at 401 Main St., at about 10 a.m. in time for the Opening Day Ceremony. Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and the Board of Selectmen are expected to participate. Tom Whittredge, executive president of the Saugus Little League, says he’s expecting 300 players to participate in Opening Day. Deadline for Town Meeting Warrant The Board of Selectmen have set April 2 as the deadline for the public to submit articles to be considered on the warrant for the Annual Town Meeting. Citizens need to get the information to Town Clerk Ellen Schena buy the end of that day. Selectmen have a meeting set for Wednesday, April 3, at which time they would vote to close the warrant. The Annual Town Meeting begins on the first Monday in May, which would be May 6 this year. The board has scheduled meetings on March 13, March 20, April 3 and April 23. Budget time coming soon The Board of Selectmen has set a budget session with Town Manager Crabtree for Thursday, Feb. 28, most likely in the first floor conference room at Saugus Town Hall. This most likely will kick off a series of Finance Committee meetings as town officials begin to craft the budget for the 2020 fiscal year that begins July 1.It appears that traffic safety will be a major issue on the agendas of the town manager and several Town Meeting members. Stay tuned for more details. Main attractions at the Saugus Public Library There’s always something interesting or entertaining going on at the Saugus Public Library (295 Central St.) for people of all ages, from young children to senior citizens. Here are a few events to check out: • Friendship Storytime on Fridays continues. This special program for children which begins at 9:30 a.m. is sponsored by the Coordinated Family Community Engagement Grant. It can help parents nurture their child’s social and early literacy skill with structured storytime. • Keeping Us in Stitches returned recently. It will continue every second and third Wednesday at 3:30 p.m.; Grade 2 and up; and older children can learn to sew using needle, thread (and maybe a sewing machine) with teachers Miss Joyce and Miss Margie. • Let’s Get Ready For Kindergarten Playgroup! This program, which is sponsored by the Coordinated Community Engagement Grant, runs from 10 to 11 a.m. on Saturdays. It’s recommended for children ages three through five. • Youth Nature and Gardening – in mason jars and succulent planters; Tuesday, Feb. 19, 3:30 p.m., ages three and up. Learn about indoor plants and succulents! • Lindsay & her Puppet Pals – life-size puppets that she makes herself will visit the library to entertain local kids next Wednesday, Feb. 20 at 3 p.m. – not a bad way for kids to enjoy their February vacation week. • Stop-Motion Animation Workshop! This workshop teaches kids how to create their own animated mini-movies through storyboarding, filming and post-production. The workshop, which is by Empow Studios, is set for Thursday, Feb. 28, 6-8 p.m. in the Brooks Room at the library. This program is for Grade 6 and up. Please call 781-231-4168 to sign up. Materials like clay and paper are used to create characters, backgrounds and props. Participants work in pairs and depict their stories to show setting, rising action, conflict and resolution. Use computers, webcams and animation software to bring your stories to life! Movies are available to take home to share with family & friends! This program is supported in part by a grant from the Saugus Cultural Council, a local agency that is supported by the Mass Cultural Council. Homework helpers at the library The Saugus Public Library is again offering tutoring and homework help twice a week to the town’s elementary school SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 11

11 Publizr Home