Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 14, 2025 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus Spring is just around the corner – just six days away – March 20. While it’s certainly possible that we could get some more snow and cold weather before the calendar hits May, the snow won’t hang around very long. But don’t put away the shovels and ice scrapers just yet. We’ve had a few blizzards in Massachusetts during the months of April and May. Let us not forget the April Fools’ Day Blizzard of 1997, which buried most of the region with two to three feet of snow. Thirty-three inches of snow fell in Worcester while Logan Airport reported 25.4 inches. Winter is never over until it’s over. That’s some wise advice. Happy St. Patrick’s Day! On this coming Monday – March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day will be observed. But the celebration was already underway this past Monday, with restaurants across the region serving up the traditional corned beef with cabbage, potatoes and carrots. Drivers, be careful out there this weekend as you travel on the roads. Beware of the driver who’s had too much to drink. St. Patrick’s Day is one of those drinking holidays where quite a few of those who like to celebrate with some Irish brew don’t know their limitations. Many years ago while on the cop beat with The Eagle-Tribune of North Andover, I asked a lieutenant for permission to ride with him on the streets of Lawrence for the entire early night shift. And what I observed confirmed my suspicions that St. Patrick’s Day was a big party day. I remember observing a lot of stupid crime that night which turned out to be booze-related. Here’s to a super Saugus 4-1-1 I’m curious to see how big a crowd that this year’s Saugus 4-1-1 will draw tomorrow (Saturday, March 15) at the Saugus Middle-High School. Legion Breakfasts today There’s a good 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 2024-25 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. This week’s “SHOUT OUTs” Precinct 10 Town Meeting Member Peter Manoogian offered this compliment to Finance Director & Treasurer/ Collector Wendy Hatch after a pleasant experience he received at the Treasurer/Collector’s Office: “Yesterday I paid a bill with Karen DeFeo. I just want to say how grateful I am for the professional respectful interaction that all of your staff provide with the public. It does not go unnoticed. Of course, your leadership has a lot to do with how that office runs and how your staff treats the public. Just wanted to reach out and share these thoughts.” Lin Bell offered these words HAPPY ST. PATRICK’S DAY: “One splendid afternoon of gazing skyward at puffy cotton fluffs, watching elephants, swans, giraffes float by a cluster Cumulus formation burst forth resembling a claddagh ring. After springing to my feet to capture every detail in my head, I later painted onto canvas what it would look like if the contour lines took forms and shapes. A sweet reminder at St. Patrick’s Day to renew our loyalty in friendship and love to family and friends. The Irish claddagh symbol stands for Hands – The bond of friendship; Heart – Depth of love; and Crown – Pledge of loyalty. Wishing all a Happy St. Patrick’s Day! Yours Truly, Joanie Allbee.” (Courtesy photo and acrylic painting on canvas by Joanie Allbee) This is a town election year. I would think that anyone who is seriously interested in running for Town Meeting or a seat on the Board of Selectmen, School Committee or Housing Authority would use tomorrow’s forum as an opportunity to become a more polished candidate. Or, if they’re a newcomer, they would seize the opportunity to become better oriented to town government. Whether a person is a veteran candidate or a beginner, there would also be a chance to meet a lot of people. In fact, to the readers who are entertaining a possible first-time run for town office this fall, I would recommend that they check out this valuable forum as a source of great knowledge on what they need to do to become a candidate. Get knowledge and get known. Shake as many hands as you can during the three hours (9 a.m. to noon). I’ve been to the two previous forums held in 2022 and 2023, and I was impressed with the level of access that Saugus citizens had to some invaluable information about the town. And as far as people new to the community, this is a great opportunity for them to learn all sorts of things about the Town of Saugus. It’s a great introduction for young and inquiring Saugonians to expand their knowledge about their hometown. Saugus United Parish Food Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Fridays from 9:3011 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. Food drives resumed this month. of praise for a generous stranger’s kind and generous act: “Would like to give a Shout Out to the lovely woman at Lowe’s who gave me the balance of her gift card while checking out at Lowe’s Saturday afternoon!” Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo made this nomination to recognize one of Saugus’ beloved public servants: “This ‘Shout Out’ is for Laurie Davis, Director of the Senior Center. Laurie is being honored as Person of the Year for 2025 by the Essex Media Group. Congratulations Laurie!” 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 THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 15
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