Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 22, 2025 SOUNDS | FROM PAGE 13 website (cliftondalecc.org) for details. West Nile Virus Alert The Massachusetts Department of Public Health (DPH) has increased the West Nile Virus (WNV) risk level to moderate in Saugus based on the detection of two WNV-positive mosquitoes in the community. What this means: A moderate WNV risk level means infection with WNV is likely or has already occurred. What you should do to protect yourself: The Town encourages all residents to follow this advice from DPH: Avoid Mosquito Bites: • Apply insect repellent when outdoors. Use a repellent with an EPA-registered ingredient, such as DEET (N,N-diethyl-m-toluamide), permethrin, picaridin (KBR 3023) or oil of lemon eucalyptus (p-menthane-3,8-diol [PMD] or IR3535) according to the instructions on the product label. DEET products should not be used on infants under two months of age and should be used in concentrations of 30 percent or less on older children. Oil of lemon eucalyptus should not be used on children under three years of age. • Be aware of peak mosquito hours: The hours from dusk to dawn are peak biting times for many mosquitoes. Consider rescheduling outdoor activities that occur during the evening or early morning in areas of high risk. • Clothing can help reduce mosquito bites: Wearing long sleeves, long pants and socks when outdoors will help keep mosquitoes away from your skin. • Drain standing water: Mosquitoes lay their eggs in standing water. Limit the number of places around your home for mosquitoes to breed by draining or discarding items that hold water. Check rain gutters and drains. Empty unused flowerpots and wading pools and change the water in birdbaths frequently. • Install or repair screens: Keep mosquitoes outside by Thanks to a donation from a patron, The New York Times is now available at the Library, according to Saugus Public Library Director Alan Thibeault. “You can also stop by and read the Saugus Advocate, Lynn Item, Boston Herald, and the Boston Globe as well!” Thibeault said. Adult Craft Night returns! Join us on Tuesday, September 2 from 6-7 p.m. in the Brooks Room at the Saugus Public Library. We will be making Acorns with fabric and twine for fall decor. Registration begins August 19 on our Events Calendar: sauguspubliclibrary.org Saugus Youth Cross Veterans Early Learning Center Principal Michael Mondello and Assistant Principal Emily Puteri were gearing up this past Monday for a new academic year, which begins next week. (Saugus Advocate photo by Tara Vocino) having tightly fitting screens on all windows and doors. • Protect your animals: Animal owners should reduce potential mosquito breeding sites on their property by eliminating standing water from containers, such as buckets, tires and wading pools – especially after heavy rains. Water troughs provide excellent mosquito breeding habitats and should be flushed out to reduce mosquitoes near paddock areas. Horse owners should keep horses in indoor stalls at night to reduce their risk of exposure to mosquitoes. Owners should also speak with their veterinarian about mosquito repellents approved for use in animals and vaccinations to prevent WNV and Eastern Equine Encephalitis (EEE). The DPH Public Health Laboratory confirmed WNV was detected in a one bird-biting mosquito in Saugus and one bird/human-biting mosquito collected from a sample in Saugus earlier this month. To date, there have been no human cases of WNV or EEE in Massachusetts this year, and one animal case of WNV has been confirmed in the state. There have been 215 WNV-positive mosquito samples in Massachusetts in 2025 and 13 EEE-positive mosquito samples in the state this year. Saugus Town Manager Scott Crabtree and the Saugus Health Department advise residents to check the Massachusetts Arbovirus Update page at https://www.mass. gov/info-details/massachusetts-arbovirus-update to better understand local risk levels for WNV and EEE. Cultural Council seeks grant applicants Tori Darnell, co-chair of the Saugus Cultural Council, submitted this announcement to alert town residents and local organizations about local grant opportunities: Did you know that the Saugus Cultural Council has awarded grants to people and organizations for artistic, educational, and cultural projects and programs since 1998? We are committed to supporting cultural programs and events that showcase diversity and add vibrancy in the Town of Saugus. This includes the visual arts, education, dance, drama, interpretive science, the environment, literature, music, public art, and wellness. If you have an idea for a project and/or program that brings public benefit to the Saugus community, then consider applying for a Local Cultural Council Grant! Our 2026 grant application period runs from September 2 through October 16, 2025. We prioritize applications from Saugus organizations, individuals, and organizers, and to projects that take place in the Town of Saugus. More information about grant guidelines and priorities can be seen at https://massculturalcouncil. org/local-council/saugus/. On Tuesday, September 9, the Mass Cultural Council will host an online information session on how these grants work and how to apply. The session is free and can be accessed at https:// massculturalcouncil.org. The Saugus Cultural Council will be available at Founder’s Day, Saturday, September 13 to provide live support in submitting an application or provide project feedback. Come with a description of your project and any questions about the grant application process. The Saugus Cultural Council will also be available at the Saugus Public Library on Tuesday, September 23 to provide additional live support. Newspapers at the library Country 2025 Grades 1-5 and 6-8 students not running for a school team can start Tuesday, Aug. 26: Tuesdays and Thursdays, 3:45 p.m. to 5 p.m. at Belmonte; Saturdays, 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m. at Breakheart Reservation. The training distances are 1st to 3rd, .7 miles; 4th and 5th, 1.2 miles; 6th-8th, 1.9 miles. Practice races are Saturdays (to be determined) at Frey Park in Lynn at 285 Walnut St. Saturday, Oct. 25: Fun Run practice at Breakheart. Athletes are encouraged to wear a costume. Saturday, Nov. 1: 16th Annual Massachusetts State Middle School Cross Country Championships at Willard Field in Devens; more information to be announced. Tuesday, Nov. 11: 11th Annual Massachusetts Elementary School Cross Country Championship; 8:30 a.m. arrival and 9:30 a.m. start; Lynn’s Gannon Golf Course, 60 Great Woods Rd.; lunch at Prince Pizza following the meet. Ending Thursday, Nov. 13 – wrap-up session at Belmonte. Cost: $150 for first year, $75 returning from Cross Country 2024. If you have any questions, need further information or want to register, please contact Coach T at 781-854THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 15
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