THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 26, 2026 Page 9 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 8 for municipal employees and getting the town going. I don’t think there’s anybody who has a bad word to say about you or your business.” This week’s “Shout Outs” We received this one from Nancy Prag: Congratulations to our SAVE [Saugus Action Volunteers for the Environment] Fiscal Year 2027 officers: Treasurer Mary Kinsell, Secretary Josie Stoner, Vice President Margery Hunter and Co-Presidents Ann Devlin and Stephanie Shalkoski. 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. Strawberry Festival – A Saugus tradition continues (Editor’s Note: Laura Eisner wrote the following account of last Saturday’s Strawberry Festival and the Saugus Garden Club’s Annual Plant Sale.) The Saugus Historical Society’s annual Strawberry Festival and the Saugus Garden Club’s annual Plant Sale were held Saturday, June 20. The event provides a taste of old-fashioned strawberry shortcake and plenty of community spirit to kick off the summer. The Garden Club Plant Sale and five other vendors set up their tables in front of the Roby School on Main Street as has become a tradition. The weather was very pleasant if a bit windy, and many townspeople and their friends came to enjoy this event, some for the first time while others make a point to come every year. Strawberry Festivals have been popular throughout the U.S. wherever strawberries are grown, and in many other countries around the world. Originally Saugus had several farms, and the strawberries would be picked fresh before the festival each June. Those days are gone, but several other local towns in addition to ours still hold strawberry festivals in honor of Essex County’s farm traditions. The Topsfield Historical Society has been holding its strawberry festival for many years as have several historical societies from Cape Cod, while elsewhere the sponsors may be churches or other organizations. Hollis, N.H., has had a long-running festival on the town common, which this year will be Sunday, June 28. The Saugus Historical Society has been having an annual strawberry festival since the 1980s, except for 2020. In the past decade it has centered on the American Legion Hall (44 Taylor Street) and the grounds of the Roby School, where several vendors and the Saugus Garden Club set up tables for the day. In order to make a festive, summery lunch, the offerings include hot dogs, chips and a variety of sodas and water. Randy Sue Abber has been making the hot dogs and helping with the advance planning, including soliciting donations from many local businesses, for many years. Saugus Historical Society board member Allen Humphries staffed the ticket table throughout the event. A few historical society members donated their tickets to provide free shortcakes for community members who might need them. Mary Robblee, Karen Rakinic, Susan Caggiano and Laura Eisener dished out strawberries and whipped cream on old-fashioned biscuits. Revolutionary War heroine Sybil Ludington, as portrayed by Saugonian Peggy Belmonte, mingled with the 21st century visitors as a special treat for this special 250th anniversary year. The Legion Hall dining room was festively decked out in red, white and blue with some extra colorful touches to pay homage to the semiquincentennial of the founding of our country. Summer Reading time at the library The 2026 Summer Reading Program at the Saugus Public Library began this week and will last through Friday, Aug. 21. Preregistration using the Beanstack app began this week. Here’s a summary of the program: WHO: Kids Pre-K through 6th grade. WHAT: Kids read the books they love, log their reading and earn prizes! They’ll enjoy reading what they love, free programs, crafts and activities. WHY: Don’t lose those hardearned skills! Summer reading plays a vital role in helping reduce the “Summer Slide” – the learning loss experienced between school years, which can leave students significantly behind their peers. The Saugus Public Schools recommend kids read at least 20 minutes every day. We also recommend reading to your child, even as they become an independent reader. Talk about what you’ve read together. Help them find books they like – we can help with that. Make it a fun part of a daily routine they look forward to! PRIZES: Every reader wins prizes, and books to keep. We’ll also raffle vouchers for ice cream, pizza, roller skating, mini golf, bowling and much more. Grand prize drawings include tickets to Canobie Lake Park and Nova Adventure Park! HOW: Download the Beanstack App! • CREATE AN ACCOUNT: If this is your first time participating in one of the SPL’s reading challenges using Beanstack, here are step-by-step instructions [https://www.loom.com/ share/0efe0cc7c0f64b96b3c0a38ade8b04f6] on how to create a Beanstack account. If you’ve used Beanstack before, simply register for our 2026 Summer Reading Challenge. • REGISTER FOR A CHALLENGE: This video [https:// www.loom.com/share/9cfd52f03a4c4444bc9ab86d94b51cea] will show you how to register for a reading challenge using the app. • LOG YOUR READING: This video [https://www.loom. com/share/fda67bebf80e443faaad2529fa3ca486] will show you how to log your reading using the mobile app. • FROM A COMPUTER: If you prefer not to use the app, here’s a link to access the SPL’s 2026 Kids Summer Reading Challenge using a computer. Beanstack Link [https://sauguspubliclibrary.beanstack. com/reader365] • Or Register in Person: Stop by the library to register in person and use our paper reading log. • Download free e-books and e-audiobooks from the library! Can’t make it to the library? Our digital collections provide easy access to the books kids love, 24 hours a day seven days a week. Download free, fresh titles all summer using the hoopla and Libby apps! [https:// www.sauguspubliclibrary.org/ children/family-resources/] KOC Crafts Fair Aug. 8 The Saugus Knights of Columbus No. 1829 will host a crafts fair Saturday, Aug. 8, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at 57 Appleton St. in Saugus: baked goods, candles, handmade textiles, jewelry, wood carving and much more. Visitors can also enjoy making their own sundaes, or popcorn, hot dogs, hot coffee and donuts and raffles. Last Call for Summer Track A SAUGUS TRADITION: Old-fashioned strawberry shortcakes were the focus of the Strawberry Festival last Saturday, June 20, at the American Legion Hall. Please see this week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) Camp 2026 The Saugus Sachems Youth Summer Track Camp 2026 is just three days away. This vibrant program, now in its 21st A VISIT FROM GENERAL WASHINGTON: Saugus will celebrate America’s 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on Saturday, July 4th, from noon to 4 p.m. at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. General George Washington will be among the visitors. Please read “The Sounds of Saugus” for more details. (Courtesy photo of Janice Jarosz) year, is where student-athletes from a wide range of ages come together to listen well, work hard and have fun! They will be guided by veteran coach Christopher Tarantino, his coaches, counselors and alumni, as well as current middle and high school track team members. Participants work on social and team building skills, as well as setting individual and team goals, all while learning the fundamentals and/or the advanced techniques of this dynamic sport, track and field. Cost: $350 first year, returning $300, $250 if 4th+ year in summer program; includes pasta dinner, t-shirt, uniform and entry into Summer Showdown. Subtract $50 from cost if returning with uniform. For any questions, further information or to register, please contact Coach Christopher Tarantino (Coach T) at 781854-6778 or christophertarantino24@gmail.com. Here’s what parents and participants need to know: Who: five to 18 years old. Where: Belmonte Track. When: 6-8 p.m. unless otherwise noted. June 22–26 – final registration week/returning athlete training. June 29–July 3 – first formal week. July 6–9 – second formal week. THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 11
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