THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 16, 2024 Page 13 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus Hope you are having a great summer – one that has brought your family and friends fun, happiness, good health and great memories. As far as most of the town residents are concerned, there are 11 days on the calendar until the official start of a new school year. Classes begin Tuesday, Aug. 27. And there’s always a lot going on for families of school-age kids this time of year, whether it’s updating the wardrobe or getting haircuts or hairdos and acclimating schedules. It will be a time of major transition for the kids going into the first grade as well as the seniors of the Class of 2025, who will be making future plans for life after graduation – whether it be college, the military or a career. Autumn is a great time of the year. Other than the task of blowing and raking the leaves in my yard, it’s my favorite season. I love the turning of the leaves, which feature the brilliant gold, brown and orange colors. Football season makes it fun for the rooting fan, whether it’s High School, College or the Pros. We’re already two-thirds of the way through the calendar year. But we’re just beginning a new academic school year full of promise, new challenges, new goals and high expectations. To the families of school-age kids, the best to you and yours for a safe, prosperous and healthy new academic year. Likewise, best wishes to the faculty and staff who have been working and planning all summer for the start of school. Founders Day date change Founders Day, one of the most popular town events of the year, will be a week later this year. It’s usually observed on the first Saturday in September. This year it will be observed on Sept. 14 instead of Sept. 7. Founders Day Book Sale Sept. 14 The New Friends of the Saugus Public Library are preparing for their annual Founders Day Book Sale, which is set for Saturday, Sept. 14 in the library’s Community Room. The Friends are requesting donations of gently used adult hardcover and softcover adult, young adult, and children’s books; no text books, Saugus a better place. So this week’s “Shout Out” goes to the parents of those kids who are the heart and soul of Saugus Public Schools. Hats off for all you do to be a positive force in the lives of your children. 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. Non-profit weight loss BEFRIENDED BY THE BEAR: Laura Eisener, author of the weekly “Saugus Gardens” column in The Saugus Advocate, recently hung out with Smokey the Bear at Breakheart Reservation. Smokey turned 80 on Aug. 9 and will be back at Breakheart next month to offer some fire safety tips. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) encyclopedias or pamphlets. And please... Donate clean and newer books only; no tattered pages, odors, stains or faded/battered/dirty covers! Books may be dropped off at the Library’s Main Circulation Desk during normal business hours. Please do not place donations in the outdoor book drops. The New Friends, a nonprofit organization, is a group of people with an interest in improving the Library building, programs, services and collections. The New Friends sponsor activities and provide services that benefit and stimulate interest in the Saugus Public Library by: · Presenting free programs for all ages at the Library · Purchasing museum passes for use by Saugus Public Library patrons · Purchasing books, videos, magazines and equipment for the Library · Funding the Library’s online events calendar and museum pass reservation software · Holding used book sales and the on-going used book sale in the Community Room in addition to other fund-raising events to benefit the Library · Becoming Library Volunteers Thank you for your support of the New Friends of the Saugus Public Library. Food Pantry notes The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be closed today ( Friday, Aug. 16). It will reopen again next Friday (Aug. 23) from 9:30-11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity. If you are able to donate to the food pantry, you can also stop by during those hours or drop donations off at the Saugus Public Library during library hours. Legion Breakfasts resume next month American Legion Post 210 would like to thank all those who made the 2023-24 breakfast season such a success, and wish them a wonderful summer. We will resume serving breakfast on Friday, Sept. 6. Coach T.’s Cross Country for kids starts soon The Saugus Youth Cross Country 2024 program for students in Grades 1-5 and 6-8 not running for a school team begins Tuesday, Aug. 27. The popular seasonal running program directed by Coach Chris Tarantino is held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 3:45 to 5 p.m. at the track behind Belmonte STEAM Academy and on Saturdays from 10 to 11:30 a.m. at Breakheart Reservation. Training distances: 1st-3rd grades at 0.7 miles, 4th-5th grades at 1.2 miles and 6th-8th grades at 1.9 miles. Practice races on Saturdays (To Be Announced) at Frey Park, 285 Walnut St. in Lynn. Other important dates: · Saturday, Oct. 26: Fun Run practice at Breakheart Reservation. Athletes are encouraged to wear a costume. · Saturday, Nov. 2: 15th Annual Massachusetts State Middle School Cross Country Invitational at Willard Field, in Devens. More information To Be Announced. · Monday, Nov. 11: 10th Annual Massachusetts Elementary School Cross Country Championship. 8:30 a.m. arrival and 9:30 a.m. start at Lynn, Mass. at Gannon Golf Course (60 Great Woods Rd.). Lunch will be at Prince Pizzeria following the meet. More information To Be Announced. · Program ending: Thursday, Nov. 14, wrap up session at Belmonte. The program cost: $100 for first year; $50 for athletes returning from Cross Country 2023. For more details, please contact Coach T. at 781-8546778 or email him at christophertarantino24@gmail. com. A “Shout Out” to all of the parents We didn’t receive any nominations this week from readers who want to publicly acknowledge or show appreciation to who has helped make group plans “Open House” TOPS MA 50 Saugus will be holding an “Open House” on Aug. 24 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Kelly’s on Route 1 (Southbound side). Take Off Pounds Sensibly (TOPS) is a nonprofit weight loss support group organization. The group’s meetings are held on Monday nights from 7 to 8 p.m. at East Saugus Methodist Church (85 Chestnut St., Saugus). The Hall Room, which is level to the street, is handicap accessible. Weigh in time is anytime between 5:45 and 6:45. Guests are welcome to the first meeting to learn what the group is about. Anyone interested in the Aug. 24 Open House should call 617394-8340 or send an email to TOPS50MA@gmail.com. “I sure hope that we can interest more people to get healthy and join our chapter,” said Julie Virnelli, the leader of the TOPS Club, Saugus MA 50. Elks plan Alcohol/Drug Recovery program Sept. 16 The Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee is sponsoring an Alcohol and Drug Recovery presentation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Sept.16 at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St. in Saugus). This will be an hour-long presentation to be conducted by Sober Shuttle Inc. explaining the benefits offered to recovering individuals. This is a free event and people who are interested are welcome to attend. If you or someone you know would like to know more about these services, you should not miss this inforTHE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 14
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