Page 6 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 9, 2026 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus As I put the finishing touches on this week’s edition of The Saugus Advocate, the weather forecasts called for cool, comfortable and mostly sunny weather for tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 10), which should be the best day for the holiday weekend. And for folks who want to spend some time outside and enjoy the nice autumn weather, there will be two special events going on. The First Congregational Church is once again calling for volunteers down at Saugus Center to help unload the second delivery of pumpkins from the Navajo Reservation in Farmington, N.M. This marks the 24th consecutive year that the church and the Navajo Reservation are partners in a partnership that has evolved in a major community attraction, called The Pumpkin Patch, which will be selling pumpkins in all shapes and sizes through Halloween. All month long, people passing through town stop to get their pumpkins or take in the rich atmosphere that has become part of Saugus. People who would like to help unload the truck are asked to arrive at the church by 9 a.m. This is a great opportunity for students to get public service credit for volunteering for a great cause. For information please contact Carl Spencer (781-233-9196). Saugus Olympics Day tomorrow If you like baseball and want to support a great cause, plan on being down at World Series Park tomorrow (Saturday, Oct. 10) for Saugus Olympics Day from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. A baseball tournament involving Challenger Baseball teams from the area will start at 9 a.m. At 11 a.m. the opening ceremony and parade of athletes will take place. Several dignitaries will take part. Former Olympics athletes have been invited to participate. This is shaping up to be a great family event filled with lots of food, fun and entertainment. Wally, the Red Sox mascot, and Blades, the Bruins masThis 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. Early Voting for Nov. 3 Election The Nov. 3 State Election is only three weeks away from next Tuesday (Oct. 13). But there will be plenty of opportunity for registered voters to vote earlier if they want. If you are a registered voter Two dogs greeted each other for the first time at the Blessing of the Animals, which was held last Sunday (Oct. 4, Memorial of St. Francis of Assisi) at St. John’s Episcopal Church. (Photo courtesy of Laura Eisener) cot, will make appearances, as well as other costumed characters. Gerry Agganis will throw out the first pitch. Entertainment will start on the stage at noon and will be provided by Beat ConnXtionz dancers, Patty Vellucci, Alvis Fortucci and The Sparks Duo. “This type of event has great meaning and satisfaction,” World Series Park Superintendent Bob Davis said this week. “We wanted to bring it back this year to honor special needs athletes involved in non-profit organizations. Challenger Baseball and Boys & Girls Club are those organizations that will take part.” The whole day will take on a festival atmosphere that will include raffles, a moon bounce, classic cars, booths, carnival games, a hayride and a large variety of food and drink. Admission to the event is free and the public is invited and encouraged to attend. The rain date will be the next day, Sunday, Oct. 11. World Series Park is proud to again sponsor this type of event with all proceeds going to Challenger Baseball and Boys & Girls Club. Donations from businesses and individuals can be made prior to that day and will be acknowledged at the event. A fish bowl will be available for donations at the event. All checks should be made payable to World Series Park, 8 Holden Ave., Saugus, MA 01906. Saugus United Parish Food Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Oct. 9), from 9:3011 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. The food pantry welcomes all neighbors facing food insecurity on Friday mornings. Volunteers are also welcome. Please call the Food Pantry Office at 781-2332663 or go to the website cliftondalecc.org for details. Holiday trash delay The Town of Saugus announces that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Indigenous Peoples’ Day/Columbus Day holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Monday, Oct. 12, due to the holiday. Collection will resume on a one-day delay on Tuesday, Oct. 13. Residents are kindly asked to leave their trash and recycling curbside by 7 a.m. the day after their normally scheduled collection day. The Town of Saugus would like to thank everyone for their cooperation. Please contact Solid Waste/ Recycling Coordinator Scott A. Brazis at 781-231-4036 with any questions. This week’s “Shout Outs” Frequent Saugus Advocate contributor Laura Eisener, who writes the weekly “Saugus Gardens” column, offered some praise for the work of Saugus natives that she viewed this week at Topsfield Fair, which continues through Monday (Oct. 12). She noted that Saugus native Ryan Duggan had 15 displays at the Bee Building at the Topsfield Fair this week. “The beekeeping association building showed a lot of ribbons on work by Saugus beekeepers Dorie Duggan and Ryan Duggan. Ryan, who does blacksmithing demonstrations at Saugus Ironworks National Park, built a display from beeswax featuring a national parks sign and park service symbols such as the bison and sequoia tree. Dorie still lives in Saugus and Ryan grew up here in the Oaklandvale neighborhood.” Laura was also impressed with an exhibit by another Saugus native. “Julianne Manoogian, who grew up in Saugus but now lives in Charlestown, displayed a beautiful American larch bonsai tree at the Topsfield Fair in the flower pavilion.” Want to “Shout Out” a fellow Saugonian? in town, you should have received an 87-page voter information pamphlet in the mail from Secretary of the Commonwealth William Francis Galvin detailing the nine questions that will be on this year’s ballot. With so many questions to consider along with a vote on the gubernatorial race, other state offices, the U.S. Senate and Congressional races local and regional offices, this might be a convenient option for voters. Here are the dozen dates for In-Person Early Voting in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library at 295 Central St. in Saugus. Voter should use the Taylor Street Entrance. ● Saturday, October 17, 2026 – 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. ● No Sunday ● Monday, October 19, 2026 – 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ● Tuesday, October 20, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ● Wednesday, October 21, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ● Thursday, October 22, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ● Friday, October 23, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. ● Saturday, October 24, 2026 – 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. (also, last day to register to vote for Election) ● No Sunday ● Monday, October 26, 2026 – 8:30 a.m. to 7:00 p.m. ● Tuesday, October 27, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 7
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