THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – WEDnESDAy, nOVEmbEr 26, 2025 Page 15 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus Whether you plan to travel away to a special holiday destination or will be spending your time at home for the traditional Thanksgiving, best wishes to our readers for a safe, healthy and happy holiday weekend. Enjoy your time with family and friends. Embrace the spirit of Thanksgiving. Be grateful for all the good things in your lives and count your blessings. This week’s “Shout Outs” We received a “shout out” this week from Precinct 6 Town Meeting Member Jeanie Bartolo, who wanted to congratulate the three new Saugus police officers who were recently sworn in: Officer Gina Vozzella, Officer Andrew Cipriano and Officer Bruno Auzec. Editor’s Choice: Hats off to the more than 40 volunteers who showed up Saturday morning in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church for the Saugus United Parish Food Pantry’s annual Thanksgiving food drive. Collectively, they helped to make tomorrow brighter for 140 families who received a traditional Thanksgiving Day meal, including the turkey. 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 (mvogeatcomcast. 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 United Parish Food Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry will be closed this week (Friday, Nov. 28) in observance of the Thanksgiving Day holiday. It will reopen on Dec. 5, operating at GRATEFUL ABUNDANCE: The Saugus Advocate wishes all of our readers a happy, healthy and safe Thanksgiving Day weekend. If you like this 16 by 20 inch acrylic painting by Joanie Allbee, please enter a special drawing by calling 978-683-7773. The winner will be notified next week. its normal Friday hours 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 (781-233-2663) or go to the website (cliftondalecc.org) for details. Community Art Project The Saugus Cultural Council is organizing a community art project that everyone can participate in! The submission deadline is Friday, Dec. 5. Paper squares with diagonal or zigzag lines representing parts of a bridge can be picked up at the Saugus Public Library or the Saugus Senior Center. Use the square to show your cultural or personal identity using any art medium: drawing, painting, writing, collage or other. Submit your square before closing time on Friday, Dec. 5, by dropping it off at the library or the Senior Center in the receptacle provided at each site. Your square will become part of a large-scale community artwork celebrating the diverse cultures and generations of our town of Saugus! This is open to Saugus residents of all ages The assembled final product will be displayed on Saturday, March 21, 2026, at the Saugus Community Festival: Culture & 411. If you have questions, email the Saugus Cultural Council at saugusculturalcouncil@ gmail.com 5 Tree Lighting set for Dec. Saugus is little more than a week away from celebrating one of the town’s signature community events – the Tree Lighting Ceremony and holiday festivities, which is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 5, from 5 p.m. to 8:30 p.m. outside Saugus Town Hall. The annual Tree Lighting Ceremony is one of the most special days in our community when families gather together to enjoy some holiday magic, with highlights that include: riding the trackless train (weather permitting), the petting zoo, sleigh rides, the bounce house, photos with winter characters and complimentary treats, such as cookies, hot cocoa and cider. The festivities all lead up to the big moment at 7 p.m. sharp when Santa arrives and turns on the dazzling lights strung up on trees on the Town Hall grounds and Saugus Center rotary. “Please join us for the Tree Lighting to celebrate the start of the holiday season,” Town Manager Scott Crabtree said in a press release issued recently by his office. “This is a wonderful event for the whole community to enjoy. We can’t wait to see you there!” Town Manager Crabtree thanked the dedicated municipal employees, volunteers and local businesses whose contributions help THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 16
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