Page 14 THE SALSMANS | FROM PAGE 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, JUly 14, 2023 THE SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 13 Salsman families built a row of small homes on Howard Street with a few family members still in the area. Taking advantage of the repeal of Prohibition in 1933, Butch purchased one of the first liquor licenses in Saugus and opened up a bar called Butch’s Place on the site of the former Jiffy Mart. Being the only bar for miles around, as the surrounding communities of Melrose, Stonham, Wakefield and Winchester were all dry, the business was an overnight success! With the evergrowing popularity, the bar expanded to the two-family house that was behind the Jiffy Mart, to the right. Ernie Salsman, a nephew, remembers the dumbwaiter that was installed to keep up with the customers. Butch gave away free steamed clams every Friday night, and to make sure he always came out on top, he soaked the clams in salt water all day so as to ensure a thirsty customer. John Kohler remembers walking down Main Street from his home in Wakefield to enjoy some of those free clams. On any given Friday night, autos would be lined up all the way to the Staples Farm, which was very close to the Melrose line, in the hopes of getting a parking space. The bar was on the first floor with enough baloney sandwiches to cover the law, and patrons were provided playing cards for their enjoyment, and live entertainment on the second floor was brought in, featuring vocalists to violinists. Doris McArthur, a well-known singer in her day, made beautiful music with a snappy piano player both at Butch’s Place and elsewhere. Herbie Barber remembers the place and Elmer Salsman’s beer-drinking pony. Elmer would lead the animal into the bar and serve him a beer. Herb also remembers the time when a poor drunk fell asleep at the bar and woke up a while later dressed as a female. Mike Mancuso, who lived near Butch’s Place, told me that, as a teenager, he would try to sneak out his back door for a chance to visit the place, but would always get caught by the watchful eyes of his father. The business thrived for several years, and serious money was made. Unfortunately, Butch passed away in 1937 from pneumonia, and his brother Elmer took over. But the war was coming, and it even touched Butch’s Place. Being in such a remote area, most patrons reached the bar by auto. But when World War II broke out, gasoline was rationed and could only be used for necessary trips, such as going back and forth to work. Uncle Sam did not allot any petrol for visits to Butch’s Place, and routine checks made by government officials prevented any motorists from claiming they worked there. In 1942, the business and the era closed forever. Taken from The Saugus Herald, March 8, 1937: Percy R. Salsman, brother of Fire Chief William R. Salsman, Jr., of the Fire Department, died at his home, 7 Howard Street, Wednesday afternoon, following a brief illness of pneumonia. He was 40 years old. Mr. Salsman was one of the most widely known men in the town. He operated a restaurant on Howard Street, and he was a former special policeman. Funeral services will be held Saturday afternoon at 2 o’clock at the Center Methodist Church. Military honors will be accorded him by local veterans’ organizations. Burial will be in the family lot in Riverside Cemetery. Mr. Salsman was born in East Boston, the son of Maria E, and the late William Salsman, Sr. but lived most of life in town. He saw active service in the Mexican Border campaign and in France during the World War as a member of Co. M. 104th Infantry, 26th Division. He was a member of the Saugus Post, American Legion; of the Major Douglas R. Gordon Post V.F.W and of the Y.D. Club. Surviving him are his wife, Mrs. Minnie E. Salsman; one son, Ernest; his mother, Mrs. Maria Salsman; three brothers, William R. Jr, and Elmer, of Saugus, and Fred Salsman of Pasadena, Cal and two sisters, Mrs. Emma Giles of Lynborn, N.H., and Mrs. Jessie Searles of New York. (Editor’s Note: Janice K. Jarosz, a Saugus native and 1961 graduate of Saugus High School, is a longtime local writer and frequent contributor to The Saugus Advocate.) Klecker, Sharon Covell and Richard Covell for taking the time to show up and speak their minds about the betterment of their neighborhoods. If we had more people like them, Saugus would be a better place. 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. Community Garden needs some help St. John’s Episcopal Church near Saugus Center has a community garden where vegetables are grown for the Saugus food pantry. This is the third growing season for this all-volunteer project. This year there are raised beds in front of the church as well as a larger garden area behind the rectory. Volunteers are needed to help weed and water the garden. If you would like to volunteer for an hour or so a week, or for any period of time during the summer, please call the church office at 781-233-1242 or email StJohnsSaugus@gmail.com and leave a message with your contact information! 2023 Summer Concerts at the Saugus Iron Works, 244 Central St. The Saugus Public Library and the National Park Service are proud to bring another summer of music to the Saugus Iron Works. These free, weekly concerts are open to the public and begin at 6:00 p.m. on Wednesdays beginning July 12 through August 30. Our 2023 lineup: July 19: Atwater & Donnelly (Traditional American & Celtic Folk & Dance). July 26: Decades of Rock (Classic Rock: 60s, 70s, 80s). August 2: Sweet Soul Sounds (Motown). August 9: Ditto (Folk & Rock: 60s and 70s). August 16: Jumpstreet (Rock, R&B, Blues, & Jazz). August 23: Headlands (Folk, Country, Americana Pop). August 30: Memorylaners (50s, 60s, 70s). Bring chairs or a blanket and a picnic! Enjoy a summer evening at the Iron Works with great music and friends! Knights of Columbus Craft Fair and Flea Market The Saugus Knights of Columbus will hold its Outdoor Craft Fair and Flea Market on Saturday, August 19. Their last events were all sold out. Reserve your space now. A 12 x 12 space costs $30. Vendors must bring their own tables and chairs. Call Paul Giannetta for reservations or info – 978-239-1392. Greg King Memorial Fund 4th Motorcycle Ride The Greg King Memorial Fund 4th Motorcycle Ride is set for Aug. 6 at the Saugus-Everett Elks (401 Main St., Saugus) – $20 for riders. $10 for passengers. The main event starts at noon. The fund is dedicated to helping erase the stigma of addiction. Besides the ride, there will be a pig roast, DJ, Raffles and 50/50. Proceeds from the event will be given to Healthy Streets serving Lynn and other communities. This is a charity motorcycle ride in memory of Greg King to raise awareness and funds for harm reduction programs which are helping to combat the opioid crisis. Greg was a man in long-term recovery who was passionate about harm reduction and who dedicated his life to helping others. The Saugus Cultural Council seeks help The Saugus Cultural Council is recruiting new members. If you have a passion for arts, education, community engagement and building an inclusive community, feel free to apply. Please send a letter of interest and brief resume to the Saugus Board of Selectmen. The Saugus Cultural Council is a local agency funded by the Mass Cultural Council, a state agency. For more information, please contact saugusculturalcouncil@gmail. com. MEG Foundation offers Dedicated Chairs to Families The MEG Foundation Board of Directors is hoping to return former Saugus High School Library chairs, at no charge, that were originally donated to the Saugus High School Library by many families and friends, in their memory. We hope the chairs will find their way back to their loved ones. We have approximately 50 dedicated chairs available to relatives. Please contact Janice Jarosz at 339-222-2178 or Linda Ross at 781-233-4607 for further information. The list includes the following Dedicated Chairs: Aubrey, Flo & Al; Favuzza, Josephine; Barry, Diane; Favuzza, Frank; Biffin, Theodore; Fioravanti, Ann; Blair, James, A.; Franlins, Beatrice T.; Bly, Belden G. Jr.; Gloria & Jackie (59); Borghetti, Joseph; Harrington, Mike; Bourgeois, Eleanor Statuto; Kelley, Maureen; Braid, Robert M.; MacNeil, Bill; Bucchiere, John; McKinney, William; Butler, Laurence; Mekalian Family; Celandes, Wilbur; Jean Henderson; Class of 1938 – Melewski, Roberta; Class of 1941 – Melewski, Sophie; Class of 1947 – Morrison, Mary A.; Class of 1960 – Moschella, Carmen Jr.; Class of 1966 – Moylan, Albert J.; Cogliano, Anthony; O’Connor, Mae & Larry; Colby, Virginia; O’Neil, Nellie; Courant, Barbara Henderson; Parrish, Charles L.; Dahlberg, Frank; Pincess, Abraham; Dahlberg, Frank and Sarah; Polese, Lisa A.; DeSteuben, Albert, Jr.; Saugus High School 2001 – Dewling, Debi Sanders; Secor, John; Diamond, Beverly; Sketchley, John; Fabrizio, Bonnie McHale; Sorenson, Andy; Fabrizio, Kenneth; Steward, Doris; Favuzza, Geraldine; Whyte, Chris. Attention 2016-18 Saugus High grads The Saugus High School graduate classes of 2016, 2017 and 2018 Cumulative Record Folders will be destroyed on July 15, 2023. Any graduates from the dates above of Saugus High School wishing to obtain their records before they are destroyed, please email Kim Alba at kalba@saugus. k12.ma.us. The pick-up dates and times will be given to you via email. If you would like them mailed, please include an address in your email. Seeking Sachems sports historical data If you are knowledgeable about the Saugus High Sachems Boys and Girls sports teams prior to 1969, Saugus Public Schools could use your help. The School DisTHE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 15
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