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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, NOVEmBEr 6, 2026 Page 9 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus If you have the opportunity next Wednesday, be sure to thank every veteran your eyes come in contact with, whether they are a stranger or your next-door neighbor. Chances are they will be wearing a baseball cap recognizing whatever branch of the U.S. Armed Forces they served in. Just take a few seconds and make them feel appreciated for the personal sacrifices they made to help make the world a safer place for all Americans. Just a simple Thank you sir or Thank you mam for your service. If you are a patriotic and proud Saugonian, a great way to thank them will be to show up before 11 a.m. for the Annual Veterans Day Ceremony at Veterans Park at the corner of Central and Winter Streets. No excuses for those able-bodied folks who happen to be home because it’s a holiday. Bring your kids. Teach them some civic pride. They will also enjoy the small parade that will pass by the park before the ceremony. Here’s a special message from Guy Moley, the proud Saugonian who has organized a lot of parades and car shows over the years: “On Wednesday, Nov 11th a group of friends will once again gather at the Saugus Senior Center to organize the Third Annual Rolling Rally. The rally will feature classic cars, trucks, jeeps and people that are very grateful to our servicemen and women that sacrificed so much for our freedom. The vehicles will roll out onto Central Street with police escort at 10:45 am sharp going down Central St., slowly passing the veterans at Saugus Veterans Park and saluting them as we pass by. The vehicles will continue to Saugus Center where everyone will go their separate ways at Town Hall. Please note it’s great to see people along the route. However, we encourage everyone to view the cars from Saugus Veterans Park and stay for the service showing the veterans the respect that they deserve.” Saugus United Parish Food 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. Saugus Lions Food Drive Tomorrow The Saugus Lions will hold Spectators lined Central Street on Veterans Day last year as the Rolling Rally organized by Guy Moley passed by Saugus Veterans Park. The rally will again be part of the Veterans Day observance when town residents gather next Wednesday (Nov. 11) to honor local veterans. Read this week’s “The Sounds of Saugus” column for details. (Saugus Advocate file photo by Mark E. Vogler) Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be open today (Friday, Nov. 6) 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. Volunteers need for Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus Joseph “Dennis” Gould, the School Committee member who instigated the creation of the great nonprofit group known as Healthy Students-Healthy Saugus (HS2), asked me to put the word out that HS2 is in need of volunteers. So, here goes. Whether you are a student or a senior citizen looking for a noble cause to get involved in, HS2 needs volunteers for the 2026-2027 school year. HS2 is looking for dedicated people to help provide healthy food and resources to students in the Saugus community whose families could use a helping hand. Here’s your chance to make a difference in a student’s life by using your time and talents to ensure no student goes hungry. Here’s a list of volunteer opportunities that need to be filled: ● Volunteer Bag Assembly Coordinator – help ensure students receive weekly food support. *Oversee food bag assembly process *Coordinate volunteers for packing food bags weekly *Organize driver volunteers for school drop-offs *Time Commitment: ~1 hour weekly (Thursdays, typically evenings) ● Volunteer Purchasing Coordinator – Keep our pantry stocked with nutritious food. *Inventory food pantry supplies *Purchase and restock food items *Ensure shelves are replenished for ongoing needs *Time Commitment: Monthly, flexible scheduling ● Volunteer Fundraising Coordinator (or Team) – Support our mission through creative fundraising. *Develop and lead fundraising initiatives *Coordinate grants, food drives, and campaigns *Bring fresh ideas to grow community support *Time Commitment: Flexible: one-time events or ongoing projects. If any of these opportunities interest you, please send a letter of interest to HS2Saugus@ gmail.com. And please know that you will be making a huge difference in a student’s life. This week’s “Shout Outs” From “The Pumpkin Patch”: “A Big Thanks from the Pumpkin Patch “The First Congregational Church in Saugus Center extends a ‘big thanks’ to all who supported the Pumpkin Patch this year. A successful event was the result of all those who helped unload the trucks, those who volunteered to do shifts selling pumpkins and those who purchased pumpkins. This was the 24th Annual Pumpkin Patch, which couldn’t have been done without the support of the Saugus community. See you next year!” From Laura Eisener: “I’d like to give a SHOUT OUT to the people who brought the ‘Orange Glow’ to Saugus Center this fall, in appreciation of this wonderful tradition.” 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. a “Drive up and drop off” food drive tomorrow (Saturday, Nov. 7) from 9 a.m. to noon to be held at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St.). We will donate all proceeds to the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry, which will be getting Thanksgiving dinners together for families in need. Some items they are requesting: cranberry sauce, boxed mashed potatoes, boxed stuffing, canned corn or green beans, cream of mushroom soup. If you aren’t available to drop off, we are accepting donations through the Lions venmo account, where even a $15 donation may get 15 cans of vegetables or several boxes of stuffing or toward much-needed grocery gift cards. You make the donation and we will do the shopping! Venmo to: Saugus-Lions MA. Please put “Food drive” in the memo. Elks plan Alcohol and Drug Recovery presentation Nov. 9 The Saugus-Everett Elks Drug Awareness Committee is sponsoring an Alcohol and Drug Recovery presentation from 10 to 11 a.m. on Monday, Nov. 9, at the Saugus Senior Center (466 Central St. in Saugus). This hour-long presentation is free and it will be presented by Sober Shuttle Inc., explaining the benefits offered to recovering individuals. If you or someone you know would like to know more about these services, you should not miss this informative event. Services provided are cost-free transportation into treatment, recovery coach services, placement assistance, food assistance, clothing assistance, community engagement and much more. Light refreshments will be served. Call the Saugus Senior CenSOUNDS | SEE PAGE 10

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