THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, MArCH 27, 2026 Page 5 FESTIVAL | FROM PAGE 4 more diversity at future festivals,” he said. It was Gould who first suggested the idea of a Saugus Cultural Festival two years ago upon becoming a member of the Saugus Cultural Council. He was also a strong supporter of the Cultural Festival merger with Saugus 411 – an event aimed at introducing Saugus newcomers to a wide range of services available in the community and also to provide longtime town residents an opportunity to get reacquainted with those services. Former Selectman Corinne Riley said she was impressed with the large turnout for the Community Festival and also credited the merger between the Saugus Cultural Festival and Saugus 411 for the event’s success. “Combining the two events was a wonderful idea,” said Riley, who was the driving force behind the nifty program, which had three previous well-attended Saturdays at the Saugus Middle High School in recent years (2022, 2023 and 2025), offering Saugus newcomers a comprehensive introduction to the town for newcomers and a “refresher course” on what’s available and where to go for longtime town residents. “I think we probably got over 500 people here today. There was a huge turnout to see what Saugus has to offer in services as well as the incredible talent of people who come from many different backgrounds,” Riley said. “Just a multitude of people helped out this year to make this a great success, building on Peabody nonprofit agency will honor Saugus woman for 45 years of service B The Cliftondale Congregational Church table offered visitors a chance to plant spring flowers, Easter cards and toys for their kids. From left to right are Laurie Chan, the Christian Education Director at the Church; Pastor Joe Hoyle and his wife Debbie. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) the past events. I’m really looking forward to doing this again next year. Each time we have it, it just gets bigger and better,” she said. Saugus Cultural Council CoChair Victoria “Tori” Darnell said she was pleased that Saugus residents who immigrated from countries scattered across Europe, Asia, Africa and South America participated in this year’s festival. Darnell is already looking ahead on ways to improve the festival in future years. “One of my hopes for next year is to open up the festival for local artists to sell their crafts and goods,” Darnell said. “And we’ll use new performers next year and make sure that we represent the different cultures of Saugus,” she said. ridgewell, a Pea - body-based nonprofit social and human service organization, next month plans to honor a Saugus woman who has worked at the agency for 45 years. The organization announced in a recent press release that its Chief Operating Officer, Elaine White, will receive the Visionary Leadership Award at Bridgewell’s Imagine the Possibilities Gala and fundraiser, which will be held on Friday, April 17, at the Renaissance Boston Seaport District Hotel. “It is hard to imagine Bridgewell without Elaine; the impact of her 45 years of invaluable service and excellence will be forever felt throughout the organization,” said Christopher Tuttle, President and CEO of Bridgewell. White wi l l be honored for extraordinary service to Bridgewell and for making a lasting impact on the organization, staff and individuals served, according to the press release. “Over four decades ago, she was hired by Bridgewell as a direct support professional and has since held positions across the organization, including, most notably, COO,” it noted. “White will retire in July, bringing her tenure at Bridgewell to a close. As COO, she leads the day-to-day operations of the organization’s entire services portfolio. White has also served on various boards of directors, including Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program, the North Shore Elaine White of Saugus will receive a special award next month in appreciation of her 45-year career at Bridgewell of Peabody. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) HOME Consortium, and President of the Lynn Continuum of Care and Massachusetts Bay Self Insurance Group boards.” HONOR | SEE PAGE 12 Saugus Garden Club members held a drawing for floral displays they created. From left to right are Joanie Allbee, Co-Presidents Lorraine DiMilla and Donna Manoogian and Randy Sue Abber. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler)
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