Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FrIDAy, AprIl 17, 2026 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus What a remarkable showing last Saturday morning (April 11) when a crowd, predominantly of parents and kids, along with their coaches, assembled in the parking lot in front of Belmonte STEAM Academy for the annual Saugus Little League Parade. There were also quite a few girls from the Saugus Softball Little League, which marched with the Saugus Little League for the second consecutive year. It was a happy crowd, with kids dressed up in a wide range of colorful uniforms and hats. I saw a sea of smiling faces who turned out for a good exercise event – about eight tenths of a mile from the Belmonte to Grabowski Field on Hurd Avenue. I decided to immerse myself in the crowd and get a little exercise myself, as I did three years ago when I walked behind a duck boat carrying members of Saugus’s most famous Little League team, which finished second in the U.S. and fourth in the world during the 2003 Little League World Series. Saugus Little League officials called last Saturday’s turnout the biggest one ever for an Opening Day crowd. And I found it fun to be a part of the crowd that marched. I got to see how the spectators lining the parade route responded to the Little Leaguers, which provided a different perspective than if I were on the sidewalk taking photos as the parade passed by. It was also interesting to observe all of the adult coaches who make both leagues – baseball for boys, softball for girls – the successes they are by mentoring the young athletes. They seemed to be just as A CITATION FOR THE CHAMP: Sam LoRusso (center, holding the citation) was an honored guest at last week’s Board of Selectmen’s meeting, where he was honored by selectmen for “his amazing accomplishments in the sport of boxing.” His family and boxing friends joined him. The citation, which was signed by all five selectmen and presented to LoRusso, recognized him “on his amazing achievements in the sport of boxing, which include an 8-1 record, and in the 165 lbs. weight class, 2025 winner of the St. Patrick’s Day Tournament, second place at King of the Ring Tournament, Central Massachusetts Golden Gloves Champion, New England Golden Gloves Champion and 2026 Most Outstanding Novice. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) enthused and energized by the event as the kids were. Saugus United Parish Food Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, April 17) from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The food pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Friday mornings. Volunteers are also welcome. Please call the Food Pantry Office at 781-233-2663 or go to the website (cliftondalecc. org) for details. Legion Breakfast on Fridays There’s a good breakfast 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 2026 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. The Friday breakfasts will last until May 29. One-day holiday trash delay The town’s trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Patriots’ Day holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, April 20, due to the holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Tuesday, April 21. Residents are kindly asked to leave their trash and recycling curbside by 7 a.m. the day after their normally scheduled collection day. Please contact Solid Waste/ Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions. Town’s annual spring street sweeping continues The Town’s annual spring street sweeping program will resume next Tuesday, the day after the Patriots’ Day holiday, working across town from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. daily. Here is the remaining sweeping schedule: –Week of April 21: Precincts THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 9
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