Page 14 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 4, 2024 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus It was just a few years ago that Paul Kourkoulis, owner of The Continental Restaurant (Route 1 northbound just below Walnut Street), had to shut down his restaurant for a few days, but for a positive reason – so a Hollywood filming crew, movie cast and staff could use it for a movie scene. His family’s then 70-year-old eatery was picked as an ideal place to shoot scenes for the 2023 movie, “The Holdovers,” starring Paul Giamatti as a teacher in a New England boarding school who got the unlucky task of chaperoning students who got stuck there on Christmas break. “Yeah, it certainly does give us visibility. When the movie comes out, whether people will be able to tell whether it’s The Continental or not, I don’t know,” Kourkoulis said in an interview with The Saugus Advocate at the time of the filming back in February of 2022. “But, just the idea of thousands of people driving by and seeing what’s going on, it’s definitely going to pique their interest. Whether it’s going online looking at The Continental to see what’s being filmed there, yeah, it puts it in people’s minds, I think,” he said. As things turned out, though, business didn’t exactly flourish after the Hollywood filming crew left town. Many people driving up and down Route 1 this week learned that the popular restaurant plans to close its doors after serving up its last meals on Nov. 24 – the Sunday before Thanksgiving. People with gift cards to The Continental need to use them over the next few weeks. “Lots of events, annual dinners, birthday, parties, etc. happened at that place over the years as well as just regular lunches and dinners. The popovers were the best!” Laura Eisener opined in an email to me this week. Kayaking on the Saugus Author Laurie King’s virtual visit on Oct. 7 Residents who use the Saugus Public Library will be able to have an hour-long virtual visit with Laurie King, The New York Times bestselling author of the Mary Russell & Sherlock Holmes series, via Zoom on Monday, Oct. 7, at 7 p.m. Mystery lovers everywhere are welcome to meet the writer of one of the most celebrated mystery series – featuring Sherlock Holmes’ apprentice, Mary Russell, and the great detective himself – and celebrate the 30th anniversary of the publication of Kayakers paddled along the Saugus River last Saturday morning (Sept. 28), sponsored by Saugus Iron Works as part of the Trails and Sails events. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) River Laura Eisener offered this observation of an interesting sight she saw last Saturday, along with a photograph to go with this week’s column: “The last day of Trails and Sails included free kayaking adventures on the Saugus River, sponsored by Saugus Ironworks. “Coast to Coast Paddleboard and Kayak from Beverly provided the ocean kayaks, which are very stable and almost untippable. The configurable kayaks could be converted from single to tandem, so people could paddle alone or with another person in each. 3 groups of people went out at 1-hour intervals from Stocker Park to paddle along the Saugus River early on Saturday. It was a peaceful morning on the river with beautiful weather.” Food Pantry notes The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Oct. 4) 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 RON’S OIL Call For PRICE MELROSE, MA 02176 NEW CUSTOMER’S WELCOME ACCEPTING VISA, MASTERCARD & DISCOVER (781) 397-1930 OR (781) 662-8884 100 GALLON MINIMUM 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. World War II Presentation Wednesday This just in from Laura Eisener, of the Saugus Historical Society: “The Saugus Historical Society has a presentation next Wednesday (Oct. 9) on World War II, a continuation of our April theme. Bill Stewart will be speaking on growing up in Saugus during World War II, Jack Klecker will be talking about the Navy career of Saugus high graduate John Howard Currant during the war as well as about the Navy in general, and John Cannon is scheduled to tell the story of the Four Chaplains as well as some recent updates to their moving story. The meeting is at 7 PM at 30 Main Street, and is free and open to the public.” This week’s “SHOUT OUTs” We had several “Shout Outs” this week. Here are our nominations: · Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo offered two “Shout Outs”: “A ‘Shout Out’ to the First Baptist Church celebrating their 100th Birthday and to Mother Margretta Green, 90, receiving an Appreciation Award for being the oldest church member. Congratulations!” “A ‘Shout Out’ for Laurie Davis, Director of the Senior Center and all of her staff for the great job they did putting together the Pasta Dinner Fundraiser last Friday night. The food and entertainment were great. A huge thank you to all who sponsored it. Truly was a fun-filled night!” · Donna Arone: “I would like to shout out to Saugus DPW for filling in the pits alongside the edge of the road on Dow Street. “Thank you for all you workers do! “Now when it rains we don’t have to step in puddles.” · Margie Berkowitch: “A Big Shout Out to Laurie Davis and staff at the Saugus Senior Center for hosting the best Pasta Dinner Friday Night.” Want to “Shout Out” a fellow Saugonian? This is an opportunity for our paper’s readers to single out – in a brief mention – remarkable acts or achievements by Saugus residents or an act of kindness or a nice gesture. Just send an email (mvoge@comcast.net) with a mention in the subject line of “An Extra Shout Out.” No more than a paragraph; anything longer might lend itself to a story and/or a photo. “The Beekeeper’s Apprentice,” the first book in the series. Follow the unlikely pair from their first meeting when the great detective, now retired, mistakes 15-year-old Mary Russell for a boy, to their most recent adventure uncovering Sherlock Holmes’s family secrets in “The Lantern’s Dance.” Library visitors can register for An Evening with Laurie King at https://www. sauguspubliclibrary.org/ events or https://www.eventkeeper.com/code/ekform. cfm?curOrg=SAUGUS&curID=722396 Every registrant will be entered to win A Beekeeper’s Apprentice Gift Basket! See photo with this week’s “The Sounds of Saugus.” Town-wide fall street sweeping program continues The town’s annual fall street sweeping program will continue on Monday, Oct. 7, weather permitting. Sweepers will make their way across town, working from 7 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. The work will generally follow the schedule listed below: · Week of Oct. 7: Precincts 6, 8, 1, 4, 9. · Week of Oct. 14: Remaining work not accomplished in the areas listed above. Please use the town precinct maps posted on the town website to identify your precinct. As the sweeping efforts are based on many variables, including weather, this schedule is subject to frequent changes. Please check back with the town’s website for updates. Residents are kindly asked to keep vehicles off the street when sweepers are in the area. Locals may assist the Department of Public Works THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 15
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