THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – Friday, July 24, 2020 Page 5 COVID-19 cancels Cliftondale celebration MEG Foundation and Cliftondale area businesses continue discussions of a future Merchants Celebration event By Janice K. Jarosz everal months ago, members of the MEG Foundation met with a group of businesspeople from the Cliftondale area to make plans to sponsor a Merchants Celebration event. The first celebration event was held prior to Saugus Founders Day with Peter Rossetti and several other businesspeople joining together in creating a plan for the proposed celebration. At that fi rst celebration, a portion of Lincoln Avenue was closed for pedestrians, a disk jockey played music throughout the celebration and games for the children were held in the parking lots. Merchants placed tables on the sidewalks in front of their stores. There was even a live elephant! It was a very successful event with a large crowd of friends and families enjoying a wonderful Saturday afternoon. One of the initial plans for the 2020 event was to recognize the many longtime businesses in Cliftondale Square. Unfortunately, due to the Coronavirus, the fall date was cancelled, but the committee will continue to meet throughout the next several months and, hopefully, set a new date in the future. Until then, we will, throughout the year, recognize the establishments that have, for many years, continued to maintain quality businesses in Cliftondale Square. S Lomas Flowers celebrates Christmas in July There have been many studies done on why fl owers make people happy and, interestingly, research has proven that fl owers have an emotional connection and are linked to an immediate happiness of a person. Studies also found that when you receive a gift of fl owers, for whatever the occasion, you feel more cheerful and more inclined to connect with others. Flowers used in social environments enhance an event by creating a warm, welcoming ambiance among those attending. Being surrounded by beautiful flowers improves a person’s happiness, and that person becomes more cheerful. One such person who understands all the many benefi ts of fl owers is Paul LaCorcia, co-owner of Lomas Flowers of Cliftondale. Marsha, his wife of almost 49 years, opened Lomas Flowers approximately 38 years ago at 486 Lincoln Ave. At that time, Cliftondale Square was a convenient section of town to shop. There was the Post Offi ce, a bakery, a gift shop, hair salons, Hoff man’s Department Store, the Tumble Inn, Lena’s sub shop, a cobbler, a fiveand-dime where you could buy anything from a parakeet to a package of clothespins, to name a few. Paul, the talented and welleducated professional in the floral business, and Marsha, who is the business manager, have enjoyed many successful years at their location. Paul travels to Chelsea to purchase the flowers, and he designs all the fl oral bouquets and arrangements, always taking special care with each order. “To this day, I still love my job – love the people and grateful for the ability to continue to work,” said Paul. “My wife handles the business end and runs the gift section, which is very popular. Marsha has the knack of picking out special gifts and collectables for every occasion – items you don’t fi nd in larger stores.” “Mother’s Day is one of the busiest holidays,” said Paul. “But up until a few years ago, it was Valentine’s Day. As it was only a one-day holiday, husbands and boyfriends would stop by on their way home from work for their wives or girlfriends, and a good deal of young boys came in to pick out one rose for their special girl. Valentine’s Day was a romantic time years ago.” Paul continued, “Today Mother’s Day and the Christmas season remain busy along with weddings and funerals. I take pride in designing fl owers for weddings as I want everything perfect. Flowers add so much to every occasion.” Lomas Flowers is celebrating Christmas in July with many personal gifts at half price. Paul and Marsha invite you to stop by to see the beautiful gifts and fl ower arrangements. They can help you pick out that very special bouquet of fl owers or special gift that will please even the most discriminating taste. AN EYE TO THE FUTURE: Paul LaCorcia, co-owner of Lomas Flowers of Cliftondale, looks outside his store at 486 Lincoln Ave. (Courtesy photo to The Saugus Advocate)
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