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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 5, 2024 Page 13 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus With the threat of nasty weather looming over Saugus and the region Wednesday night, I decided it was best to skip this week’s Finance Committee meeting and try to crank out as many stories as possible so staff at the Advocate Newspapers office in Everett could meet deadlines and production schedules. Another motivating factor was the text I received from Xfinity, warning that “Winter Weather and power outages are expected in your area and may impact your Xfinity service.” Oh the wonders of modern technology! I remember the good old days when all you had to worry about was the weather. The newspaper offices I worked in had auxiliary power set up so reporters could work in the dark at their computer stations filing their stories. The most challenging task for a reporter was driving through the bad weather to get to the newsroom. I always had a reliable car with a good pair of Michelin tires to allow me to navigate over the iced and snowy roads. For over 14 years, I drove around in my Chevy Lumina without ever skidding off the road or getting stuck in the snow as I drove around the Greater Lawrence area. But with my newsroom essentially in my personal office in Methuen, my chief concerns these days are how the electricity and my internet connection are affected. Those were the concerns I had Wednesday night. File those stories and photos as soon as possible so the folks in Everett could hit the ground running when they arrived at the Everett office yesterday morning. I worked through the night with a great sense of urgency to get my work done as soon as possible. Remembering Local Heroes of World War II Hats off to the Saugus Historical Society for planning a special night to publicly recognize some of the local heroes of World War II. If you have no plans for this coming Wednesday (April 10), you are welcomed to attend the Historical Society’s monthly meeting, which will begin at 7 p.m. in the society’s office at 30 Main St. Here’s the invitation we received this week from Laura Eisner: “At the Saugus Historical Society meeting April 10 there will be a mini-symposium with several speakers presenting short stories showing how local people still pay tribute to the heroes of World War II.” The speakers, according to Laura, include: • Linda Call will speak about her relative, U.S. Army Staff Sergeant Arthur F. DeFranzo, a medal of honor recipient killed in action on June 10, 1944, near Vaubadon, France. He is memorialized by a monument on Main Street and by the bridge that carries Main Street over Route 1. • David Savoie will show a display of World War II uniforms and equipment, including a parachute. He is a reenactor who participates in Memorial Day and Veterans Day activities every year. • Board member Bill Stewart, who is known as “The Old Sachem,” will talk about experiencing World War II as a child growing up in Saugus. The family gathered around the radio to hear war news, and families in town contributed to the war effort in a variety of ways. • Jack Klecker will talk about the service of John Howard Currant, Boatswain’s Mate First Class, United States Naval Reserve. • Jack Marino will speak about the POW-MIA missing man table ceremony, which reminds us all of those soldiers who are not with their loved ones. • John Cannon will tell us about the Four Chaplains, who gave up their life preservers and went down with the torpedoed ship Dorchester to allow four of their shipmates to have a chance at survival. “The meeting begins at 7 PM at 30 Main Street. It is open to all, and light refreshments will be served.” Sounds like a very informative evening, especially for those Saugonians who want to know more about World War II. It’s also a good way to remember the local heroes – Saugus World War II veterans, particularly the 57 men from Saugus who were killed in combat. Next time you’re at Veterans Park, take a look at the World War II monument and look at the names of the Saugonians who served who are flanked by a star. They gave the ultimate sacrifice in a war that also took its toll on the veterans who saw active duty and survived. The library sure looks beautiful If you get a chance today (Friday, April 5) or tomorrow, plan on making a special trip to the Saugus Firefighter Robert Serozynsky was among 34 firefighters from 20 communities who graduated last Friday (March 29) from the 50-day Career Recruit Firefighting Training Program offered at the Massachusetts Firefighting Academy in Stow. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate) Saugus Public Library to check out this year’s entries for “Books in Bloom.” It’s a unique annual event in which creative readers who love flowers match up a book’s title, book jacket or theme with fresh plant material – flowers or foliage. The show is scheduled to run from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today; and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. If you adore the fragrance and the sight of floral arrangements and appreciate the creativity that goes into a wide range of entries initiated by Saugonians of all ages, it is worth checking out if you have the time. Stop by the Community Room and talk with some of the folks who organized this year’s event, which is cosponsored by the Saugus Garden Club and New Friends of the Saugus Public Library. As I’ve written in this column many times before during my eightplus years as editor of The Saugus Advocate, the library never looks so beautiful as when it hosts the two days of “Books in Bloom.” If you love books and flowers, stop by the Community Room today or tomorrow and enjoy some quality time. If you have some kids and are looking for a way to spur creativity and a love of flowers and a passion for reading, incorporate “Books in Bloom” in your weekend plans. This week’s “Shout Out” “One is better than none,” I always say, when it comes to posting “Shout Outs” in this column on any given week. So, I was grateful when I received a text earlier this week from Precinct 5 Town Meeting Member Ron Wallace, asking if I needed a “Shout Out.” “Absolutely,” I texted Ron back. “I can always use a Shout Out.” Here’s Ron’s nomination for this week: “I wanted to shout out to Bob Camuso. Town Meeting Member from precinct 2 who also runs the Facebook page ‘Anything In Our Town Of Saugus’. Bob has well north of 4,000 members and he does a fantastic job managing the page. He doesn’t allow any scammers on his page and always updates residents on important issues going on in town.” 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 gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or a photo. Food Pantry notes: The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, April 5) from 9:30-11 a.m. Legion Breakfast today There’s a good breakfast deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. April 16 deadline for TM warrant articles Eleven days remain for any citizen of Saugus to submit Articles to be considered by this year’s Annual Town Meeting, which convenes on the first Monday of May – May 6 at 7:30 p.m. in the second floor auditorium of Saugus Town Hall at 298 Central St. Please send Articles to the Saugus Board of Selectmen, 298 Central St., Saugus, MA 01906. The deadline to submit Articles is April 16, 2024. For any questions, contact the Selectmen’s office at 781231-4124. Selectmen meetings this spring The ongoing Finance ComTHE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 15 The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2023-24 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. Saugus Democratic Town Committee meets Our next meeting will be held on Wednesday, April 10, at 7 p.m. on the 2nd floor of the Police Station on Hamilton Street. We will have our Annual Election of Officers. In addition, Eileen Duff, Candidate for Registrar of Deeds, will join us. For additional information, contact sdtc@gmail.com

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