Page 4 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, SEPTEMBER 17, 2021 THE SOUNDS OF SAUGUS By Mark E. Vogler H ere are a few tidbits that you might want to know about this week in Saugus. COVID Memorial on Sunday night The town’s “Covid Memorial” is on for Sunday (Sept. 19), rain or shine, according to its organizers. Weather reports from yesterday (Thursday, Sept. 16) reported that we are in for a good weekend, weatherwise. So, the special candlelight vigil set for Sunday, Sept. 19 at 7 p.m. in front of Saugus Town Hall should go on as planned. “I just would like the public to know, as of now the weather looks wonderful for the Vigil to be held outside, however if the weather should change, it will still be held – indoors, upstairs in the auditorium,” Board of Selectmen Vice-Chair Corinne Riley wrote me in an email on Wednesday. Riley has been reaching out to Saugus families to contribute the names of loved ones who are among the 400 Saugus residents who died during the pandemic (since March of last year), whether COVID-19 was the reason or not. “If you lost a loved one during the COVID pandemic and would like their name mentioned at the vigil, please send their names along to Saugusremembers@gmail.com and we will be sure to include them. We presently have collected 40 names to be mentioned,” Riley wrote in her recent email. Meanwhile, a flyer titled “Covid Memorial ‘’ continues to circulate around town, letting folks know about a very productive upcoming community-wide event involving a noble cause. “Remembering those we have lost. Honoring those who have served this community,” says the flyer crafted by Rev. John Beach of St. John’s Episcopal Church here in Saugus – with the help of many leaders of the Saugus Faith Community. “In the 18 months since Covid has hit our nation, over 400 residents of Saugus have died. Many have had no funeral or public ritual to celebrate their lives and to mourn their death,” the flyer continues. “During this time, hundreds of our residents have provided essential services to ensure our safety and well-being. Many have done this to the detriment of their own health. We would like to publicly honor their dedication. The residents of this town are all invited to this commemoration. Let us remind each other that we are not alone.” The flyer also contains a special quote from Comedian Johnny Corn: “We have a chance to do something extraordinary. As we head out of this pandemic, we can change the world. Create a world of love. A world where we are kind to each other. A world where we are kind no matter what class, race, sexual orientation, what religion or lack of or what job we have. A world where we don’t judge those at the food bank because that may be us if things were just slightly different. Let love and kindness be our roadmap.” Meanwhile, Selectman Riley continues organizing from the town side on the idea for the event she proposed many months ago. “With the cooperation of my fellow Board of Selectmen and the Town Manager, I worked mostly with the Clergy Association of Saugus. GUESS WHO GOT SKETCHED! In this week’s edition, we continue our weekly feature where a local artist sketches people, places and things in Saugus. Got an idea who’s being sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978 683-7773. Anyone who identifies the Saugonian being sketched correctly between now and Tuesday at Noon qualifies to have their name put in a green Boston Red Sox hat with a chance to be selected as the winner of a $10 gift certificate, compliments of Dunkin’ Donuts at the 1204 Broadway Saugus location, on Route 1 North. But you have to enter to win! Look for the winner and identification in next week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Please leave your mailing address in case you are a winner. (Courtesy illustration to The Saugus Advocate by a Saugonian who goes by the name of “The Sketch Artist”) Many have been in attendance at our meetings,” Riley said. She’s been helping to organize plans to honor people from a cross section of citizens who performed admirably during the pandemic. They include police, fire/EMTs, health workers, the local funeral director, teachers/educational staff, food bank volunteers and businesses, people from the Saugus Senior Center, truck drivers, grocery workers, pharmacies, news outlets and clergy. “Many of these are non-essential people who became very essential,” Riley said. “The names that are read could be any reason for their death during the pandemic. The people who send the names may or may not say how their loved ones passed. We are just mentioning names, not cause,” she said. “I hope that many people will come out to support these families and friends who had loved ones who passed on during this time. As much as this will be a memorial, it will equally be a recognition of those who were there to support all of us who were in need during such a vulnerable time.” Elected officials have been invited, but not all have responded yet. Also, the list of people to be acknowledged have been invited as well. The Saugus High School Sachimes will be on the program, according to Riley. “We are hoping for a large turnout of our residents to remember those who passed, as well as to acknowledge those who were there for all of us in one way or another,” she said. “Anyone who plans to attend that may feel more comfortable in wearing a mask, or to practice social distancing, I urge them to do so. I also encourage people to check with the Health Department’s guidelines.” With the first day of autumn scheduled for next Wednesday (Sept. 22), this seems like a very appropriate and meaningful way for Saugonians to end their summer. A “SAVE” Candidate’s Night for Selectmen Contrary to what it looked like last week, there will be competition after all in the Board of Selectmen’s race. All five incumbents are running SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 12
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