THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUnE 27, 2025 Page 11 Annual Strawberry Festival raises $1K for Historical Society By Tara Vocino A pproximately $1,000 was raised for the Historical Society, and money went toward the Garden Club programming during Saturday’s Annual Strawberry Festival at the American Legion Hall. “Before refrigeration, June was the only time you can get strawberries,” Historical Society President Laura Eisener said. “The saying goes, ‘Never marry a girl who wants strawberries in January.’” Frederic Tudor harvested ice from Stephen’s Pond and Lily Pond in 1806 to begin early refrigeration efforts. People used to pick strawberries in backyards. Strawberries are 91 percent water, according to Eisener. Garden Club Co-President Donna Manoogian said they Lifelong Saugus Historical Society Board of Directors member Allen Humphries served strawberry shortcake to Ed Decareau, 95, who said it’s not real whipped cream, along with a classic New England tradition — a Moxie. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino) wrote a $100 check to the Historical Society. The club sold plants outside alongside local vendors. The turnout was so large that Eisener was afraid that they’d run out of strawberries. Everett resident Kathleen Carlton, who was wearing a strawberry t-shirt, said it was a lot of fun. Malden resident Linda Roller, who was enjoying a Doreen and Frank Moccia bought squash and green pepper plants for their garden and hope bunnies don’t get at them first. strawberry shortcake, said the event welcomes summer. Outside on the lawn, Belmonte STEAM Academy fifth grader Nicole Hurrondo, 10, bought Jibbitz pens from vendor Danielle Hodgkins. “It showcases my personality,” Hurrondo said. “If I’m getting stressed, I can play with them.” D elaney Roscoe, of Saugus, a student at Fairfield University in Connecticut, received Dean’s List Honors for the spring 2025 semester. In order to be placed on the Dean’s List, students must have completed a minimum of 12 credit hours in a semester, have no outstanding or incomplete grades for that semester and have attained a semester grade point average of 3.50 or better. ANNIVERSARY | FROM PAGE 5 and lunches at members’ homes to evening meetings, so the club could accommodate more women who were working. That change helped boost membership, she said. “And now we’re looking at some split between evenings and daytime meetings to accommodate more [members],” Manoogian said. Over the years, the Saugus Linda Roller, of Malden, and Matthew Vocino said “Summer is here.” Shown from left to right: Saugus Historical Society Secretary Joanie Allbee, Saugus Garden Club member Karen Rakinic, Historical Society President Laura Eisener, Everett resident Kathleen Carlton and Historical Society member/Garden Club Treasurer Randy-Sue Abber during Saturday’s Strawberry Festival at the American Legion Hall. Garden Club has developed a reputation as a great collaborator among community organizations, working with other groups to make events more successful. “We partner with SAVE. We partner with the library and the Friends of the Library and any organization that really wants us to come and speak,” Manoogian said. “We’re very happy to come and tell them a little bit about the history of the club,” she said. Town Manager Scott C. Shown from left to right: Saugus Garden Club members Nancy Sayles, Maureen Murray and Nelida Mendez, member/Historical Society member Debra Panetta, members Ruth Berg and Andrew Whitcomb, co-president Donna Manoogian, members Laura DeBenedictis and Dottie Corbett and Secretary Susan Hobbs. Crabtree, like the selectmen, marveled at the club’s continued success for so long. “I just think it’s fantastic,” he said, stressing his amazement that the club is still going strong after 80 years. “It’s a great organization,” Shown from left to right: vendor Danielle Hodgkins, Mia Hurrondo and Belmonte STEAM Academy fifth grader Nicole Hurrondo, 10, bought Jibbitz pens. Crabtree said. “It’s such a community building group of people that get together. It’s really very impressive,” he said. Fairfield University congratulates spring 2025 Dean’s List awardee
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