THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 14, 2025 Page 11 Downsizing simplified The Saugus Senior Center will host a presentation on April 7 on the logistics of moving to a smaller home By Mark E. Vogler W hen homeowners get to the point in their lives where their house has become too big for them and they need to find a smaller place to live, deciding what to keep and how to move can become a daunting task. “We loved our house and the thought of going through the whole moving process was frightening,” former Saugus resident Bob Falta said. “We lived in that house for 35 years. A large house is great, you have room for all your stuff and space to do whatever you like. But it’s also more room to collect lots of stuff that you don’t really need or no longer use,” Falta said. “We kept going back and forth, should we move or not? Finally we decided, yes we were going to move. One big problem we quickly discovered was that we did not plan ahead,” he said. Saugus senior citizens who find themselves in the same predicament as Falta will have a chance next month to get some free advice. The Saugus Senior Center will host a special presentation on downsizing on April 7 from 10 to 11:20 a.m. This presentation – sponsored by Mango Realty of Saugus and Reading Cooperative Bank – will consist of presentations by experts who have worked with seniors who have downsized and simplified their life. Refreshments will be provided by Reading Cooperative Bank. Presenters will include: • Mango Realty – Sue Palomba & Peter Manoogian • Reading Cooperative Bank – VP Maureen Bernard • Attorney Donna DiGiovanni • Home Investor Jason Scaduto • Clean Out / Junk Remover – Bob Penta – Bob’s Unlimited • Professional Organizer Corrin Bomberger • Moving and Storage Company – King Movers & Storage Mango Realty will share Falta’s story at the presentation. The real estate company sold his Saugus house and found him a new home in an over55 community on the South Shore. POLAR PLUNGE | FROM PAGE 10 tal Cakounes won Most Spirited Plunger. “For a dry run (no pun intended), we did well,” Forni NOWHERE TO GO: A Saugus firefighter walks in the middle of Route 1 South, where a stretch of the highway was blocked off because of several telephone poles that leaned over the roadway after gusts of high winds last Friday. (Courtesy Photo from Saugus Firefighters Local 1003) S ixty-five-mile-per-hour winds took their toll on Route 1 traffic last Friday afternoon, causing several telephone poles to tilt toward said. “We did Everett’s plunge last year.” Special Olympics Development Director Christian McCormick said every dollar raised goes toward programming for Special Olympics athletes since they don’t Wind-tilted telephone poles led to closure of Route 1 South in Saugus last Friday A VIEW FROM THE OVERPASS: Here’s a look at the leaning telephone poles that forced state and Saugus police to close the southbound lane of Route 1 from Walnut Street to the Lynn Fells Parkway. (Courtesy Photo from Saugus Firefighters Local 1003) the highway, creating a safety hazard. State and Saugus police ordered the closure of Route 1 South between Walnut Street and the Lynn Fells Parkway until work crews were able to complete emergency utility repairs. National Grid and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation responded to the scene. The Route 1 segment that runs through Saugus is a macharge them. Special Olympics Fundraising Coordinator Kylie Cronin said this event boosts community morale. “We’re super thankful for the police and fire coming together,” Cronin said. Plunger Caitlin O’Brien said jor thoroughfare in the Boston area that draws heavy rush hour traffic on late Friday afternoons and early evenings. Police had to divert traffic down Walnut Street, worsening traffic congestion in the area last Friday. Leaning utility poles also prompted police to close ramps from I-95 northbound and southbound to Route 1 and southbound at exit 63 in Peabody. the water was freezing – approximately 43 degrees – but she recovered quickly. “I absolutely love Stacey’s efforts to bring the community together for a good cause,” said O’Brien, who identifies as a Saugus Police supporter. Members of the Saugus Fire Department participated in the plunge. Shown from left to right, are: Firefighter Rachael Patrizzi, Firefighter Tom Trainor, Firefighter Matt Massone, Firefighter Dario Picozzi, Firefighter Mario Long, Firefighter Anthony Arone and Captain Tom Nolan. Members of the Saugus Police Department won first place. (Courtesy photos, event organizer Detective Stacey Forni)
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