THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, April 26, 2024 Page 11 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus The Saugus Memorial Day Parade is a little less than a month away – Saturday, May 25. There’s still four weeks left to complete the planning. But Saugus Veterans Council Commander Steve Castinetti is already looking for help to beef up the procession. “We’re looking for some bands to march in the parade and play some patriotic numbers,” Castinetti told me recently. I told him I would put the word out in this week’s column. The Veterans Council commander said he could also use some help in flagging the graves of veterans on Friday, May 24 at 3:30 p.m. in Riverside Cemetery. Actually, it’s grave officer Randy Briand – who oversees the planting of mini American flags – who needs the help. If you would like to volunteer to help flag the graves on May 24 or play some patriotic music on May 25, feel free to call Commander Steve Castinetti at 781-3893678. He would appreciate hearing from any volunteers in these needed areas. Saugus High Class of ’54 time capsule opening The Saugus Historical Commission, in association with the Saugus School Department, will hold a ceremony opening the time capsule from the former Saugus High School at 10 a.m. tomorrow (Saturday, April 27) in the second floor auditorium at Town Hall. The time capsule was placed in the cornerstone of the former High School building during a ceremony in September 1954. That ceremony was a part of a series of events held to commemorate the 325th anniversary of the town. The capsule consists of a custom-made copper box by Stanley J. Piwowarski and William McKay and measures 18 inches long, 10 inches wide and six inches deep. The box contains town and school records, signatures of students and faculty of the schools at the time and letters from local, state and national officials along with mementos, such as coins, stamps and newspapers. A free Medicare forum Tuesday The Saugus Public Library will be hosting a special forum titled “Planning for Medicare” next Tuesday, April 30, at 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room at the library (295 Central St., Saugus). Led by Heather Hurd, A COMMENDATION FROM SELECTMEN: Sam LoRusso (at center), a Saugus High School student athlete who has excelled in the sport of wrestling, flanked by family and members of the Saugus Board of Selectmen, held a commendation he received from selectmen last week for finishing eighth in New England competition – the best that any Sachem athlete has ever done in the sport. LoRusso went 45-0 combined during the last two regular seasons. He finished with a 5-2 record in the New England tournament. LoRusso was invited by selectmen to be a guest at their April 16 meeting. (Saugus Advocate photo by Mark E. Vogler) Medicare Outreach Consultant at Blue Cross Blue Shield of Massachusetts, this program is geared towards individuals approaching Medicare Eligibility. Topics covered include health insurance information outside of employer sponsored coverage, such as an explanation of Medicare, the Medicare enrollment timeline, Medigap and Medicare Advantage plans and programs available to early retirees, and COBRA. This is a great presentation for seniors who may still be working and looking to transition. Please register at https:// www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/ events or call 781-231-4168 ext. 3016. Saugus High Drama Club performs May 2-4 The Saugus High School Drama Club will perform “Working, A Musical” on three consecutive nights – May 2 through May 4 at 7 p.m. in the Lemoine-Mitchell Auditorium. Admission is $15 for adults and $10 for students. The musical is from the book by Studs Terkel and adapted by Stephen Schwartz and Nina Faso. Learn the about the legacy of Prankers Pond – May 8 The Saugus Historical Society has an interesting program lined up for next month, according to President Laura Eisener. Saugus industrialist Edward Pranker, the legacy of Prankers Pond and his monument at Riverside will be the subject of a mini-symposium at 30 Main St. at 7 p.m. on May 8. Saugus Town Meeting Member Ron Wallace of Precinct 5 has been cleaning up the monument of Edward Pranker at Riverside Cemetery, as he has done with some other gravestones of notable Saugonians. Edward Pranker’s name may be known from the mill buildings at the intersection of Elm Street and Central Street, and from the recreation area where the remnants of the pond are located. Hear the rest of the story: where Pranker came from, how the mill became so significant in Saugus development and how the pond changed in size and affected the landscape over the years. The “Old Sachem,” Bill Stewart, worked in the mills when he graduated from high school and will speak of his experiences there. Park Ranger Paul Kenworthy will explain the changes in the landscape from the 17th century to the present as the pond known as Lily Pond and Prankers Pond changed size due to dams being built and torn down over the years. Spring Fun Run/Walk on May 19 Joyce Vecchiarelli of the Friends of Breakheart Reservation has a special message for people who like running or a little exercise at a pace at which they won’t overexert themselves. “We are hosting our second annual ‘Spring Fun Run/Walk’ on Sunday May 19th. We got a very good turnout our first year and am trying to keep it going. If you can post something that would be great. Friends of Breakheart and the DCR are hosting the event. We are asking people to bring their own water ‘containers’ as the DCR has banned giving out any plastic in all the parks.” The 5K race or 3K walk, which will be cosponsored by the Friends of Breakheart and the state Department of Conservation & Recreation, will begin at 10 a.m. on May 19. Registration is at 9:30. The event will go on, rain or shine. A $10 donation is requested to enter. Cash or check only. The proceeds will be used by the Friends of Breakheart for park activities and future events. Prizes will be awarded to the fastest male and female runners. Raffle prizes will be open to all who donate. CHaRM Center is open The Town of Saugus recently announced that the CHaRM Center is open Wednesday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. Residents will be required to buy a $25 Sticker to use the Compost Facilities as well as to recycle hard plastics. The rest of the Facility’s features are free to use for any Saugus resident. Residents are also allowed three TVs or computers/CRT monitors for free per household each year. The Town of Saugus reserves the right to refuse any material if quantity or quality is questionable. The final date the CHaRM Center will be open for the season is December 14. However, the Facility will be open the following winter dates, weather permitting: January 18, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.; February 15, 2025, from 8 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.; March 15, 2025, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Please contact Solid Waste/ Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions. Spring curbside leaf collection begins May 6 The Town of Saugus announces that spring curbside leaf collection will take place during the week of May 6. Residents may dispose of leaves curbside on their regularly scheduled collection day, between Monday, May 6, and Friday, May 10. Leaves should be left outside at the curb by 7 a.m. on the appropriate days. Please ensure that leaf containers are physically separated from trash and recycling. Paper leaf bags are the preferred method of leaf disposal. If you are using barrels, they must be clearly marked with yard waste stickers. Stickers, which are free, may be obtained at Inspectional Services in the lower level of Town Hall at 298 Central St., Saugus. Barrel covers must remain removed so that the leaves are visible. Plastic bags, cardboard boxes, branches and brush will not be accepted. Please note that separate trucks collect the rubbish, recycling and leaves, so the leaves may be collected at a different time of day. “Missed pick-ups” will not be conducted. Please contact Scott Brazis at 781-2314036 with any questions. This week’s “Shout Outs” We have a mega “Shout Out” this week from Rick Kasabuski, who recently received special recognition as an Honorary Board member of the Saugus Little League. Kasabuski is a modest man who works behind the scenes to do whatever he can to support Little League baseball in Saugus. His son Joe was one of 12 players from Saugus’ most famous Little League team, which finished second in the United States and fourth in the world during the 2003 Little League World Series. Rick’s late dad, Joseph, received an award for “Outstanding and Dedicated Service” from the THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 12
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