Page 16 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, AUGUST 30, 2024 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus Sure seems like an odd way to begin the school year, at least from a scheduling standpoint. Saugus Public Schools just welcomed students back on Tuesday. But beginning today (Friday, Aug. 30), there will be no school till next Wednesday (Sept. 4) as most kids will get to enjoy what looks like a five-day weekend on paper. “I realize that at first it may be slightly strange,” School Superintendent Michael Hashem wrote in a recent Community Newsletter posted on the School Department website. “But we are allowing for a long Labor Day weekend for everyone and accommodating the election given that our schools are polling locations,” the superintendent further explained. Three days of school, and five days off. Back in the day when I was attending Swansea Public Schools in Southeastern Massachusetts, summer vacation usually ended the day after Labor Day, a National holiday that’s observed the first Monday in September. But for many years now, a lot of kids are back in school the final week of August. The State Primary Election Tuesday The Town of Saugus and every community across the state will hold the state Primary Election on Tuesday, from 7 a.m. to 8 p.m. Registered voters in each of the town’s 10 precincts are eligible to vote on one of three ballots: Democratic Party, Republican Party or Libertarian Party (only write-in). Meanwhile, today (Friday, Aug. 30) is the final day of In-Person Early Voting in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library. The voting runs from 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Please see the story in today’s issue for polling locations and the field of candidates. Back To School Celebration Tuesday The threat of inclement weather forced the cancellation of the “Back To School Celebration” originally scheduled for this past Monday (Aug. 26) from 4-6 p.m. at the Belmonte School Field at 25 Dow St. But the event – which is being sponsored by The Boys & Girls Club of Saugus and WIN Waste Innovations – has been rescheduled to Tuesday (Sept. 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 VolunFIREFIGHTERS WITH KIDS: Left to right: Captain Billy Cross and Firefighter Matt Massone of the Saugus Fire Department were a big hit with kids during their Aug. 15 visit to the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. They offered a fun learning experience to Caleb Figueroa, 5, who attends kindergarten at the Veterans Early Learning Center, and his little brother Mateo. (Courtesy photo to the Saugus Advocate by Amy Melton) 3) from 4-6 p.m. at the former Waybright Elementary School at 25 Talbot St. The location for the “Back To School Celebration” was switched because the Belmonte Middle School will be used on Tuesday as one of the town’s polling places. School-age kids are welcome to join the afternoon, as they gear up for the new school year. There will be a police cruiser and fire truck for kids to explore and a giant corn maze. Saugus’s very own Nick’s Pizza will be there. There will also be a Bouncy House. Free school supplies will also be available while they last. With a good weather forecast for Tuesday, it should be a fun way for kids to wrap up a long holiday weekend and end their summer on a happy note. Vacations count on good health Sorry if your emails or phone calls went unanswered during the last two weeks, when I was away on vacation. I always say there’s no such thing as bad time off. And the best part of going on vacation is having good health so you’re able to enjoy it. As vacations go, I’d have to consider this one, one of my least favorite ones. I came down with a pesky summer cold on my first day off. Summer colds can be the nastiest and toughest to shake. I had to cancel most of my plans to spend time with friends. But, I was fortunate to have the time off to get over the cold, rest up and do some walking outside during this beautiful autumn-like weather we’ve been experiencing recently. This week was my first week back, and I look forward to my favorite season – The Fall. The highlight of my week was getting a postcard from the UMass Amherst Foundation inviting me to join other members of the UMass Class of 1974 on our 50th “Golden” Anniversary. I’ve already registered for the event in late September. Should be fun to reconnect with college classmates and friends I haven’t seen in years. Founders Day Sept. 14 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. If you are new to town, this is a great event to make new friends and learn more about your community. If you are a town resident who has never been to a Founders Day or who hasn’t been to one in years, this is a great opportunity to visit with your friends or get reacquainted with friends you haven’t seen in years. 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, encyclopedias or pamphlets. And please... Donate clean and newer books only; no tattered pages, odors, stains or faded/ battered/dirty covers! teers 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 open today (Friday, Aug. 30) from 9:3011 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 The Saugus Youth Cross Country 2024 program for students in Grades 1-5 and 6-8 not running for a school team began this week. The popular seasonal running program directed by Coach Chris Tarantino is held Tuesdays and ThursTHE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 18
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