THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 19, 2025 Page 13 The Sounds of Saugus By Mark E. Vogler Good morning, Saugus We’re nearing the end of another year. There’s only six days left until Christmas – and just five days before this year’s final edition of The Saugus Advocate, which will be delivered to Saugus pickup spots sometime during the afternoon of Christmas Eve (Dec. 24). The newspaper will resume publishing on its normal Friday schedule on Jan. 9 as we will take a much-needed holiday vacation, when we will publish our “Year-In-Review” edition, featuring the top 10 stories of the year, while recapping major events that took place in Saugus each month. We’ll ask town officials to rank what they think were the top stories of 2025 and compare that to our own analysis of what stories and issues made the front page the most times during the year. What are the goals of the Board of Selectmen or the School Committee as they prepare for the New Year? Stay tuned. The deadline for news and announcements for our Christmas Eve/New Year’s edition will be 2 p.m. Monday (Dec. 22). As soon as I complete my deadlines for this week’s paper, I’m on to the next one. It’s a great time of the year for the town, as residents look forward to happy holiday get-togethers with family, relatives and friends while counting their blessings for good health and happiness. It’s also a great time to engage in acts of kindness to brighten up the lives of less fortunate people whose lives are plagued by poor health, hunger, illness, poverty and sadness. Fortunately, there are untold people who live in town who strive to contribute in their own way to make the world and their hometown a better place. Saugus United Parish Food Pantry The Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is open today (Friday, Dec. 19) from 9:30A CHRISTMAS STORY: Enjoy Small Saves holiday storybook video, “The Forgotten Goalie,” now on YouTube. Here is the link address: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7RE8WI5H34Q (Courtesy art to The Saugus Advocate) 11 a.m. at 50 Essex St. in the basement of Cliftondale Congregational Church. But it will be closed on Friday, December 26, and Friday, January 2, in observance of the holidays. All in need are welcome to come today (Friday, Dec. 19) for an extra portion of food. The food pantry will reopen on Friday, January 9, from 9:30-11 a.m. 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. Legion Breakfast today There’s a good breakfast deal for Saugus veterans and other folks who enjoy a hearty breakfast on Friday mornings. The American Legion Post 210 at 44 Taylor St. in Saugus offers Friday morning breakfasts for the 2025-26 season. Doors open at 7:30 a.m., with breakfast served from 8-9:00 a.m. for an $8 donation. Veterans who cannot afford the donation may be served free. One-day holiday trash delay The Town of Saugus announced that trash and recycling collection will run on a one-day delay for the Christmas holiday. Trash and recycling will not be collected on Thursday, Dec. 25, due to the Christmas holiday. Collection will resume on a oneday delay on Friday, Dec. 26. Residents are kindly asked to leave 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. Holiday events at Cliftondale Congregational Church The church will be hosting a Lessons & Carols service on Sunday, Dec. 21, at 10:45 a.m., followed by free cookies and cocoa for the whole family. All ages are welcome. Kids have Sunday School during the service with crafts and games based on the lesson. The church will also host a Candlelight Christmas Eve Service on Wednesday, Dec. 24, at 7 p.m. Saugus Senior Center The Bible Study at the Senior Center held on Wednesday (Dec. 17) at 10:30 a.m. will be the last session of the year. The Bible Study will resume on Wednesday, Jan. 7. “Operation Santa Paws” through Dec. 22 Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation & Healthcare Center in Saugus, where residents often benefit from animal-assisted therapy visits, has launched “Operation Santa Paws” to collect pet supplies and donate them to a local animal shelter, PAWS Wakefield. Today through next Monday (Dec. 22), the skilled nursing facility at 73 Chestnut St. welcomes donated items, such as blankets and towels, dog and cat beds, unopened pet food/treats, pet toys, grooming products, collars and leashes and food/ water bowls. Therapy animals play a vital role in long-term care residents’ lives, particularly those living with dementia and Alzheimer’s. Benefits of animal therapy for seniors include emotional uplift, increased self-esteem, improved social skills and reduced risk of depression and anxiety. This week’s “Shout Outs” We had several “Shout Outs” worth noting for this week’s paper: From Board of Selectmen Chair Debra Panetta: “A ‘Shout Out’ to Anne Quinlan. Congratulations on 26 years on the Retirement Board. She’s on the Retirement Board and she just retired from the Retirement Board. And the Board of Selectmen have a citation for Anne that will be delivered to her. So, thank you, Anne, for all of your services.” From Selectman Frank Federico: “Congratulations to the U10 Cheerleaders. Third in the nation, which is an incredible feat. I’ve spoken to so many parents about it. You guys did a phenomenal job and made Saugus proud.” Selectman Jeffrey Cicolini added to Federico’s remarks: “The U10 Cheerleaders represented Saugus amazingly well – third in the country. I’ve spoken to a couple of coordinators about potentially bringing the girls in to recognize them for their amazing accomplishments.” Cicolini THE SOUNDS | SEE PAGE 15
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