Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, SEpTEmbEr 29, 2023 The first day of fall brings the “Orange Glow” to Saugus Center By Tara Vocino A ccording to First Congregational ChurchUCC Rev. Bill Ladd, people travel from out of state to go pumpkin picking in downtown Saugus. “In its 21st year, we are part of their family tradition,” Ladd said. “No one leaves the patch with a frown – it’s a transformative thing.” Approximately 3,500 pumpkins were delivered by driver Adrian Hinojosa, of Pumpkin Patch U.S.A., who traveled from Tucson, Arizona. The church has a profit-sharing arrangement with the Navajo Reservation. Hinojosa said seeing the community come together is great, like “Small Town America.” He helped to unload pallets. Approximately 100 people from the community helped out, including Saugus Pop Warner Crusaders football player Luke Porrazzo, who liked carrying the colorful ones down an assembly line with other volunteers. “I like the teamwork,” Luke Porrazzo said. His mother, Stephanie, said he was excited to help today. Ladd said he can’t wait to hear the stories of what the pumpkins mean to so many people. Selectman Corinne Riley said Saugus Youth Pop Warner Cheerleader Isabella Bluestein, 7, who was baptized at First Congregational Church-UCC, said she likes to help the community. Saturday was the official start of the fall. “They’re great to look at,” Riley said. “It’s a great thing that they do for fundraising.” Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta said everyone knows where the “Pumpkin Church” is. “It’s great to have a pumpkin patch in the center of town,” Panetta said. Ladd said another batch of pumpkins, totaling 2,500, which are all different colors and sizes, will arrive in two weeks. Pumpkins will be on sale through Halloween (Oct. 31) from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. on Hamilton Street, facing Town Hall. Francesca Lincoln, 8, Luke Porrazzo, 8, Jonathan Bell, 8, and Allie MacTaggart, 8, who attend the Belmonte STEAM Academy, and Anthony MacTaggart, 5, who is in kindergarten at the Veterans Memorial Elementary School, helped to unload the truck. Driver Adrian Hinojosa, who is from Tucson, Arizona, said seeing the community come together is great – like “Small Town America” – on Saturday morning at First Congregational Church-UCC. He helped to unload pallets, with an estimated 100 volunteers. Shown from left to right: Amari Boudreau, Owen O’Connell and Haleigh McManus were at the start of the line. In the assembly line: Rev. Bill Ladd with Saugus Girl and Boy Scout Troop 67718 and 62 members Zoely and Christiano Baiza, who said they like helping out, adding that they like carrying the bigger pumpkins. The truck was almost empty as of midmorning due to dedicated volunteers. Shown from left to right: Selectman Corinne Riley, church member Eugene Decareau, and Board of Selectmen Vice Chair Debra Panetta held gourds. Veterans Memorial Elementary School second-grader Tony Smith, 7, pulled the wheelbarrow. (Advocate photos by Tara Vocino)
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