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THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 8, 2023 Page 5 Parson Roby Chapter of NSDAR receives gifted heirlooms of Bell and Gavel T he National Society Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR) Regent Gail Cassarino rang the original bell once used at the Roby Elementary School, bringing back some fond childhood memories. As she shook the more-than-acentury-old bell at the Dec. 2 meeting of the Parson Roby Chapter of the NSDAR, history rang out sweetly amidst melodic applause at the MEG Center. Gail told us the story about her neighbor Julia Hurll Aston. Julia’s mom, Mrs. Margaret Hurll, was a teacher at the Saugus Roby Elementary School. Gail, the 2023 Founders Day Woman of the Year, recalled her childhood days when she had Mrs. Hurll as a third grade teacher. “When we went to school, they would ring the old fashioned bell to begin school, for recess and to end school,” she reminisced. “Some years later, the electric bell system was installed and Mrs. Hurll was given the original bell. Her daughter Julia kept it after her mother’s death. She often thought about giving it to the Historical Society, but after our ‘ringing of the bells’ event, Julia asked if we would be interested in that original bell to ring at future events,” Gail said. The NSDAR regent was referring to this past Constitution Day (Sept. 17) observed at Saugus Town Hall when she and others who attended the ceremony rang bells to mark the occasion in what she hopes will be the start of a town tradition. After the bell ringing and reminiscing at the monthly NSDAR meeting, there was more history to experience. Member Janice Jarosz gifted the Parson Roby Chapter a gavel carved out of the Parson Roby tree. (Editor’s Note: This info is from an article was submitted by Joanie Allbee, recording secretary and photographer for the Parson Roby Chapter of NSDAR.) Gail Cassarino, regent of the Parson Roby Chapter of the NSDAR, rang the antique Roby Elementary School bell that her neighbor Julia Hurll Aston recently gifted to the chapter. (Courtesy photo of Joanie Allbee) Janice Jarosz (left), a member of the Parson Roby Chapter of the National Society of the Daughters of the American Revolution (NSDAR), recently gifted a gavel carved out of the Saugus Parson Roby elm tree. Regent Gail Cassarino (right) accepted it on behalf of the chapter. (Courtesy photo of Joanie Allbee) SABATINO INSURANCE AGENCY 519 BROADWAY EVERETT, MA 02149 Auto * Home * Boat * Renter * Condo * Life * Multi-Policy Discounts * Commercial 10% Discounts * Registry Service Also Available Sabatino Insurance is proud to welcome the loyal customers of PHONE: (617) 387-7466 FAX: (617) 381-9186 Visit us online at: WWW.SABATINO-INS.COM

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