Page 8 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, OCTOBER 1, 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. A sad week for Saugus Gregory Nickolas was one of those special Saugonians who touched countless lives of many of the town’s children and their families in the nearly 17 years he worked as the director of the Saugus Youth & Recreation Department. In the five and a half years I got to know Greg while covering town government, I found him to be a man who was dedicated to his family, his job and his hometown. And he was very passionate in advocating for the youths of Saugus. At the same time, I found him to be an unassuming guy who worked behind the scenes to get things done while passing the credit on to others he worked with to accomplish good things for the town. Last time I saw Greg was a most happy night for him and his family. He and his wife, Deborah, who works as a senior clerk at Town Hall, were there as proud parents to watch their son Mason Gregory Nickolas, a Saugus High Honors student, receive his diploma with the other graduates from the Saugus High Class of 2021. I put a personal request in to Town Manager Scott Crabtree to make sure we got photos of all the town employees who had sons or daughters graduating. And Greg, being one of those humble town employees, came over reluctantly, I thought, for the photo shoot. He was good-natured about it. But he was very proud of his son and that’s probably why he agreed to do the photo. Greg and I had been talking for several years about doing an interview for “The Advocate Asks.” But he always pushed it on the back burner, urging me to talk with the other staff at the Department of Youth & Recreation, especially Crystal Cakounes, the Department’s Youth & Recreation’s program coordinator. In conversations I had with him over the past few years, he always deflected credit for his department’s success to Crystal. On a spring day a few years ago when he was in his office, he insisted I take photographs of Crystal and her staff, who were preparing for summer activities. That’s the kind of guy he was. And Crystal was very eloquent and captured the essence of her co-worker and friend in a post she made Wednesday on the department’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/saugusyouthandrec): “It is with extreme sadness, we announce the passing of our director and good friend, Greg Nickolas. A kind and selfless man willing to help anyone in need, while expecting nothing in return. “A true Sachem, Greg had pride in our Town and went above and beyond his duties to serve the youth and families of Saugus. An incredible member of our community who helped so many people throughout the years. “Funny, wise, and slightly sassy, Greg had an awesome personality and aura that made all feel welcome. Never judging, always Law Offices of Terrence W. Kennedy 512 Broadway, Everett • Criminal Defense • Personal Injury • Medical Malpractice Tel: (617) 387-9809 Cell: (617) 308-8178 twkennedylaw@gmail.com 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 was sketched this week? If you do, please email me at mvoge@comcast.net or leave a phone message at 978-683-7773. Anyone who correctly identifies the Saugonian being sketched 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’ 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”) accepting, and forever teaching us lessons we will never forget. “Greg will always be remembered for his over-the-top personality, his kind heart, his strong dedication and above all, his true friendship. “We will miss Greg every minute of every day. We will strive hard to honor him and continue to do the wonderful work he has done for the Town of Saugus.” I am certain there will be tons of kind words spoken this week throughout the town of Saugus – straight from the heart – from people who knew and loved Gregory Nickolas. Here’s a special “shout-out” tribute I received on Wednesday night from Jeanie Bartolo: “A sad “Shout Out” for the sudden passing of Greg Nickolas, the Town’s Youth & Recreation Department Director. To say that all of us who knew and loved Greg are devastated and heartbroken is an understatement. “Greg was an honest and sincere person. He dedicated his life to helping children and their families. The list is endless of all he accomplished for them and Saugus. His greatest and most everlasting gift is the many young lives he saved by taking the time to educate all of us on the opioid crisis our youth face. He will never be replaced and forever missed.” We have a winner! Congratulations to Stacie Manning for getting her name drawn from the green Boston Red Sox hat as the winner of last week’s “Guess Who Got Sketched” contest. She was one of numerous people who answered correctly. But we only have one winner each week. Guessing the right answer gets you into the green hat. And anyone who answers correctly before noon on Tuesday has a chance to go into the hat. Here’s the answer, offered by the person who goes by the name of The Sketch Artist: “The answer to last week’s sketch is the man surrounded by all the lush pumpkins an 18-wheeler can hold x two! “It’s the new Pastor of the ‘Pumpkin Church’ AKA The First Congregational Church of Saugus! “And his two dogs Dixie and Banjo! “Pastor Ladd is from Maine and has been in the entertainment field for 35 years before he got his calling to go into the Ministry to become a Pastor. “He has done screenwriting. Voice overs, Playwriting, Director, and Producer positions. He started the Maine Cabin Films productions. He has served on the Board of Trustees since 2009 at Skidmore College and is also a 1983 Graduate of the same. He attended Andover Newton Theological School in Newton and graduated MDiv with honors in 2017. “He serves the people at Chaplain’s Way in Waltham working with homelessness and poverty. “Pastor Ladd will serve for 3 years, maybe more at the Pumpkin church. He states he is ‘approaching my call with open ears and open heart and a dedication to serving both in congregation and in community to the best of my abilities’ … Well, who could ask for more than that! :) That is an excellent server’s heart attitude! “Welcome Pastor Bill to Saugus and have fun with that lush grand pumpkin patch! I’ll be by to purchase a few! “*The robust Pumpkins are from the Navajo Nation of New Mexico. This partnership provides the Navajo reservation to care for services & needs; and the sales of the pumpkins at the church helps with Saugus Student scholarships. Let’s support our Community and buy shiny cucurbita pepos from the pumpkin patch! Yours Truly, The Sketch Artist.” Conversations with the candidates In today’s edition, “The Advocate Asks” continues with our second week of submitting one question to each of the 10 candidates seeking the five seats on the Board of Selectmen and the seven candidates seeking the five seats on the School Committee. Some of the candidates seem to find it inconvenient or not worth the time to answer the questions we email to them. But, in a town election where there is no candidate debate schedule or a live THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 15
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