THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, OCTObEr 23, 2026 Page 9 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus It looks like some of those gigantic and scary-looking dust collectors that have been hiding out amid the clutter in the balcony of the second floor auditorium at Saugus Town Hall are now lurking in the first floor hallway, especially near the entrance. Visitors can’t help but feel their hearts beat a little faster if they happen to walk through the entranceway and notice these frightening creatures for the first time. It’s clear that Town Manager Scott C. Crabtree and his staff have taken special steps to decorate the Hall for Halloween. But the creatures will really earn their keep next Thursday (Oct. 29) when they greet the guests – parents, kids and Saugus residents of all ages – who will pass through the front doors for the Third Annual Saugus Town Hall Trick or Treat Event, which takes place from 3 to 4:30 p.m. If you have school-age kids and want to experience something different for Halloween, this might be worth your while. Here’s some safe trick or treating where you don’t have to worry about bad weather or traffic. Town Hall employees dressed in Halloween costumes will be giving kids candy and assorted treats. Grownups might be curious to see how the town manager and his staff dress up for the occasion. Check it out! Fall Fun Fest today from 4 to 6 p.m. Today (Friday, Oct. 23), WIN Waste Innovations is sponsoring a Fall Fun Fest from 4–6 p.m. at Blessed Sacrament Church (14 Summer St.). The event will include a live DJ, pumpkin decorating, a Bounce House, pizza and more. The entry fee is a donation of any amount to the Boys & Girls Club. Every contribution makes a difference, because WIN Waste will match all community donations made during the event. Support an incredible nonprofit while having fun with your friends, family and neighbors! Saugus United Parish Food Pantry This week’s “Shout Outs” From Doris Napier: I would like to give a “shout out” to Jean Bloom at our Saugus Senior Center in helping me get a medical piece of equipment. Jean stops whatever she is doing to assist you and goes out of her way. She has a nice demeanor and always shows kindness and patience. Plenty of pumpkins left The Pumpkin Patch on the Hamilton Street side lawn of First Congregational Church in Saugus Center is winding down its 24th year. There are eight days until Halloween (Oct. 31). If you haven’t gothas been closed for painting this week. COVID-19/flu vaccine clinic There is one more COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinic, which is free to Saugus residents and town employees: Friday, Oct. 30, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St.). At the clinic, Walgreens healthcare professionals will administer the latest Pfizer COVID-19 booster vaccine as well the seasonal flu vaccine – all at no cost. The COVID-19 booster will be available for all residents age 65 and older and for ages 12-64 with underlying health issues. High-dose flu vaccines will also be available at the clinic for individuals age 65 and older. Walk-ins are welcome for the A SPOOKY WELCOMING COMMITTEE: These creepy creatures will be standing guard inside the entrance of Saugus Town Hall next Thursday (Oct. 29) from 3 to 4:30 p.m. when the town hosts its Third Annual Saugus Town Hall Trick or Treat Event. The front row characters have spaces for kids to stick their faces while posing for photos with the dragon and giant scarecrow. (Courtesy photo to the Saugus Advocate by Michael Gaffney) The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Oct. 23) from 9:30-11 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 781-233-2663 or go to the website cliftondalecc.org for details. ten your pumpkin yet, there are still plenty to choose from. Pumpkins of all sizes will be displayed on the church lawn and will be available for purchase every day from 10:00 a.m. to 6 p.m. The church and the Navajo Reservation in Farmington, N.M., both benefit from the sale of these pumpkins. But the agreement the church has with Pumpkin Patch USA won’t allow the sale of any pumpkins after Halloween. Any leftover pumpkins on Nov. 1 will be available for free. Early Voting continues The Nov. 3 State Election is only one week away from next Tuesday (Oct. 27). But there will be plenty of opportunity for registered voters to vote earlier if they want. If you are a registered voter 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. Counting today, there are seven remaining dates for In-Person Early Voting in the Community Room of the Saugus Public Library at 295 Central St. in Saugus. Voters should use the Taylor Street Entrance: ● 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. ● Wednesday, October 28, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ● Thursday, October 29, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. ● Friday, October 30, 2026 – 8:15 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Library undergoes painting Except for Early Voting in the Community Room, the library clinic. No preregistration is required. The town asks clinic attendees to bring proof of insurance if they have it, but no one will be turned away. No Endorsement Letters As has been the custom during local and state elections in recent years, The Saugus Advocate is not running any candidate endorsements. In the past, some candidates got supporters to bombard us with the letters, which are essentially free political ads. We get inundated with these letters during local and state elections. If we were to run every one, there would be no room for news. However, we will post these letters on The Advocate Newspapers Facebook page. Annual Veteran’s Day Field of Flags Here’s your last chance to sponsor a Flag for a veteran for the Veteran’s Day Field of Flags. Sponsored flags will be placed on the lawn of Veterans Park at the corner of Winter and Central Streets (not the Saugus Town Hall) to honor and remember all veterans on Nov. 11. The Parson Roby Chapter of the Daughters of the American Revolution is sponsoring this event to honor all veterans, living or deceased, including those currently serving. American flags may be sponSOUNDS | SEE PAGE 10
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