THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 20, 2024 Page 17 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus If you’re reading this column this morning (Friday, Sept. 20) at about 9 o’clock or earlier, we’re about a day away from seeing “the Orange Glow” revisiting Saugus Center. Unless “the Pumpkin Truck” gets delayed on its long journey from the Navajo Reservation near Farmington, N.M., First Congregational Church will open its annual “Pumpkin Patch” for business sometime tomorrow for the 22nd consecutive year. The Navajo Reservation, the church, the people of Saugus and the visitors who enjoy what has become a great Saugus tradition all benefit from the sale of pumpkins, which will run this year from Sept. 21 through Halloween (Oct. 31). There’s also the great potential for community bonding together. If you have some spare time tomorrow and feel like volunteering for a few hours to help unload a few thousand pumpkins from that 16 wheeler, head down to Saugus Center at about 9 a.m. If you have kids and want to make it a family event, bring them. Kids enjoy being part of the pumpkin brigade. The church’s point person for this wonderful event is Carl Spencer. Call him at 781233-9196. Another free concert tomorrow Trails and Sails – with over 200 free events across Essex County – will be offering hikes, tours of historic houses and neighborhoods, concerts and other events now through Sunday, Sept. 29. Booklets with listings of events can be picked up at the Saugus Iron Works National Historic Site. Updates of recently added events and additional details can be found at the website trailsandsails.org. These events include another free concert at the Iron Works tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 21) from 3 p.m. to 4:30 p.m., with the Fo’c’sle Four performing on the Iron Works’ upper lawn. Other events at the Iron Works include museum, house and industrial site tours on various dates and a special “Peek Behind the Curtain at Saugus Ironworks” with park ranger Paul Kenworthy on Sunday, Sept. 22 from 10-11 a.m. There will also be an Accessible Birding event at the Iron Works tomorrow (Saturday, Sept. 21) from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. A CONTEST FOR VIRTUAL VISITORS: Fans of bestselling author Laurie King, who wrote the Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series, will get to have a virtual visit with her on Oct. 7 from 7 to 8 p.m. via Zoom. They must register at the Saugus Public Library. Every attendee will be entered to win this Beekeeper’s Apprentice Gift Basket. Please see “Author Laurie King’s virtual visit on Oct. 7” in this week’s column for details. (Courtesy Photo to The Saugus Advocate) This is the 23rd year that Essex National Heritage Area has organized this wonderful range of experiences to promote the significance of our regional assets. Many nonprofit organizations, businesses and individuals have partnered with Essex Heritage to provide these opportunities. Food Pantry notes The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Sept. 20) from 9:30-11a.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 today The American Legion Post 210 has begun its 2024-25 breakfast season. There’s a good deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served free. First Baptist Church celebrates 100 First Baptist Church at 105 Main St. will be celebrating its centennial anniversary of existence in the Town of Saugus on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 3 p.m. Pastor Leroy Mahoney will officiate the service. Rev. Franklin Murray of Bethel Baptist Church will be the guest preacher. For more details, please go to htps://www.firstbaptistsaugus.org/ Saugus Dems Unity Breakfast on Sunday The Saugus Democratic Town Committee (SDTC) will hold a Unity Breakfast on Sunday, Sept. 22, at 10 a.m. in the Saugus Italian American Club at One Beachview Ave. in Saugus. Town Democrats are expecting the following officials to join them: Diana DiZoglio, Massachusetts State Auditor; Paul Tucker, Essex County District Attorney; Tom Driscoll, Essex County Clerk of Courts; Brendan Crighton, State Senator, 3rd Essex District; Sean Reid, State Representative , 11th Essex District; Eileen Duff, Governor’s Councillor & Candidate for Register of Deeds; Debra Panetta, Chair, Saugus Board of Selectmen; and Michael Serino, Saugus Selectman. The SDTC invites local Democrats to join them in supporting the blue ticket, like values and democracy while socializing and hearing from some of their elected officials. Tickets cost $24 apiece. For more details, please contact Mary Robblee at mrobb48@aol. com. Checks may be made out to the Saugus Democratic Town Committee and mailed to Mary Kinsell at 11 Sunnyside Ave., Saugus, MA 01906. Remembering Susan Taraskiewicz Last Friday marked the 32nd year since the murder of Saugus resident Susan Taraskiewicz. The case remains unsolved. But the Massachusetts State Police say they are not giving up and issued a reminder last week that they’re still looking for help from the public to prosecute the case and bring justice for the victim and her family. Taraskiewicz, 27, a Saugus resident and a Northwest Airlines ramp supervisor at Logan Airport, went to pick up some sandwiches for coworkers early on the morning of Sept. 13, 1992. But she never returned to work. Her lifeless body – beaten and stabbed – turned up in the trunk of her car the next day, parked at an auto body shop in Revere. She was a 1983 Saugus High School graduate and was still living at home with her parents at the time of her murder. She had been working at Northwest for about eight years and earned a promotion to a supervisory role at the airline company. If you have any information that might help investigators, call the State Police Detective Unit for Suffolk County at 617727-8817. There is a $250,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the person or persons responsible for this Saugus woman’s death. Fall Family Festival is Sept. 28 In another week, it will be time for family gatherings at Breakheart Reservation, as the Annual Fall Family Festival is set for Saturday, Sept. 28, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. This FREE event will include lawn games, a petting zoo, storytellTHE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 18
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