SAUGUS Vol. 22, No. 12 -FREEThe Sounds of Saugus— See page 10 ADVOCATE www.advocatenews.net ~ THE ADVOCATE ASKS ~ Saugus Boy Scout discusses the challenges and rewards of competing in the Pinewood Derby Editor’s Note: For this week, we sat down with Jake D’Eon to get a boy’s perspective on what it’s like to compete in the Pinewood Derby, a signature event held each year by Cub Scout packs across America. The derby, which has a rich history in Saugus, has been enjoyed by future Boy Scouts for more than 60 years. Jake, 12, is a sixth grader at Belmonte Middle School and holds the Tenderfoot rank as a new member of Saugus Boy Scout Troop 62. Jake – the son of Saugus Fire Department Deputy Chief Thomas D’Eon Jr. and Selectman Jennifer D’Eon – raced in several Pinewood Derby races as a member of Saugus Cub Scout Pack 62 and last weekend competed and won in the Open Race, in which parents, adults and children who are too old for Cub Scouts can compete. Jake has a 16-year-old sister, Ally, who is a student at Saugus High School. In addition to participating in Boy Scouts, Jake is a member of the Belmonte Middle School football and baseball teams. Some highlights of the interview follow. Q: So, Jake, for how many years now have you been doing the Pinewood Derby? A: I’ve been doing it probably five to six years now. Q: So, what’s the draw for a kid doing the Pinewood Derby? What makes it so special? A: It shows creativity. It shows teamwork. It shows fun and games. It shows good sportsmanship. ASKS | SEE PAGE 18 STICKING WITH A WINNER: Saugus Boy Scout Troop 62 member Jake D’Eon shows off his car “Fireblaster,” with which he took first place in the “Open Race” for adults and non-Cub Scouts of last week’s Pinewood Derby. Cub Scout Pack 62 hosted the Derby in the basement of the Cliftondale Congregational Church. Jake says the car is the same one he’s been successful with in several races when he was a Cub Scout. For a story on the race and more photos, see inside this week’s Advocate. (Saugus Advocate Photo by Mark E. Vogler) ~ Home of the Week ~ SAUGUS....Nicely located 6 room, 3 bedroom Colonial, featuring spacious eat-in kitchen with open fl oor plan to dining room and living room, both with hardwood fl ooring, convenient 1st fl oor laundry with half bath. 2nd fl oor offers 3 bedrooms and a freshly updated full bath. Level, fenced in back yard and an inviting open front porch, located on desirable dead-end street just off Saugus Center. Offered at $425,000. Off ered at $425,000 O 335 Central Street, Saugus, MA 01906 (781) 233-7300 View the interior of this home right on your smartphone. View all our listings at: CarpenitoRealEstate.com Published Every Friday 781-233-4446 Friday, March 22, 2019 Saugus Youth & Recreation Director Nickolas fills vacant Town Meeting seat By Mark E. Vogler G regory Nickolas says he finally got around to taking action on a conversation he had with friends over coffee more than 15 years ago. “I would get together with some guys in the neighborhood and we would talk about getting involved in Town Meeting,” Nickolas recalled in a recent interview as he talked about last week’s (Thursday, March 14) vote by fellow Precinct 3 Town Meeting members to elect him to fill a vacancy. “I was humbled and gratified that they thought of me. I’m a little nervous, but I really want to do well,” he said. Nickolas, who has been director of the town’s Youth & Recreation Department since 2004, was elected during a meeting in the Town Clerk’s Office to fill the unexpired term of Steve W. Murphy. He resigned from office when he decided to leave Saugus for a new home in Peabody. Nickolas becomes the latest town employee to join the 50-member body, which serves as Saugus’ legislative branch under the Town Charter. He is a lifelong town resident and a 1981 Saugus High School graduate. Prior to his appointment to the director’s job, he worked six years as a case worker for Saugus Public Schools. For more than a decade, Nickolas has been an outspoken advocate on youthrelated issues – particularly on addressing substance abuse problems, expanding DOING HIS CIVIC DUTY: Gregory Nickolas was elected by four Town Meeting members in Precinct 3 last week to fill out the final nine months of Steven W. Murphy’s two-year term. Murphy’s seat became vacant when he decided to move out of town. (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler) recreational programs and improving parks and playgrounds. Nickolas told The Saugus Advocate he hasn’t made his mind up on whether he will run for a two-year term in the November Town Elections so he can continue serving as a Town Meeting member. “I’ll go through the process and make a decision,” Nickolas said. “Right now, I’m not an incumbent. I’m just filling in the [unexpired] term. I found out that Steve [Murphy] recommended me. Then Rich Thompson and Phil Rando reached out to me. And I got support from the other Precinct 3 members: Bill Stewart and Art Connors. They all support me. And I’m going to do the best job I can,” he said. ANGELO’S "Over 40 Years of Excellence!" 1978-2019 Regular Unleaded $2.399 Mid Unleaded $2.639 Super $2.699 Diesel Fuel $2.879 KERO $4.759 Diesel $2.699 FULL SERVE HEATING OIL 24-Hour Burner Service Call for Current Price! (125—gallon minimum) Open an account and order online at: www.angelosoil.com (781) 231-3500 (781) 231-3003 367 LINCOLN AVE • SAUGUS • OPEN 7 DAYS Prices subject to change FLEET
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