Page 18 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FriDAy, DECEmbEr 20, 2024 GARDENS | FROM PAGE 16 ing cup to add to a cozy feeling and as chocolate flavorings in candy and desserts, perhaps consumed more in winter since warm temperatures can cause chocolate candy to melt. Spices like nutmeg (Myristica fragrans) for eggnog, ginger (Zingiber officinale) for gingerbread, hardy herbs like peppermint (Mentha piperita) for candy, for example, are also flavors and fragrances from plants all around the world that help to make the season flavorful. The winter solstice is tomorrow, December 21, after which we can look forward to lengthening daylight. The shortest day of the year marks a turning point, and while it may still be a few weeks before the longer days are really noticeable, they do mark some measurable progress toward spring. I always think of the stanza by British born poet Oliver Herford at this time of Announcement The Saugus Board of Selectmen is accepting applications for appointments to the Saugus Board of Appeals for the Town of Saugus. This is a volunteer/unpaid position for Saugus residents. Those interested may submit letter of interest/ resume, no later than January 13, 2025. Saugus Board of Selectmen Saugus Town Hall 298 Central Street, Suite 4 Saugus, MA 01906 December 20, 2024 ~ LEGAL NOTICE ~ SAUGUS BOARD OF SELECTMEN PUBLIC HEARING Notice is hereby given that the Saugus Board of Selectmen will conduct a Public Hearing on the request of Victor Ortega, 16 Sage Drive, Cranston, RI 02921 for a Common Victualer’s License to operate Cilantro’s Mexican Grill, to be located at 323 Main Street, Saugus, MA 01906. This Public Hearing will be held in the Saugus Town Hall Auditorium, second floor, 298 Central Street, Saugus, MA on January 8, 2025 at 7:05PM. Debra Panetta, Chairman Meredith K. Casagrande, Clerk December 20, 2024 year: “I heard the birds sing in the dark of December, a beautiful thing and sweet to remember, we are nearer to spring than we were in September.” Many people remember the birds and other wildlife in this cold season and provide them with additional food, as well as water, which can be in short supply when ponds are frozen. Eleanor Barry’s garden always has a full feeder for her animal neighbors, and her daughter Maureen Barry also makes sure there is some warm water in the birdbath every day. Eleanor and Maureen have observed some very thirsty birds taking numerous sips in recent days, and when I was there this week the squirrel was eager for a good long drink as well. Both Christmas and the first night of Hannukah fall on December 25, and New Year’s Day is a week later. It may be hard to talk yourself into going out for a walk when the weather is cold, but the decorations around town provide some additional incentive to enjoy the sights, and it won’t be long before you are warmed up by a walk. A new tradition that has become very popular is the First Day Hike held on New Year’s Day in many state parks and other charming locations. The list of participating state parks in Massachusetts includes one at Breakheart Reservation starting at 10 a.m. New Year’s Day this year. There are two options, a two-mile and a three-mile hike, both starting at the Christopher P. Dunne Visitor Center, cosponsored by the Friends of Breakheart and the Department of Conservation & Recreation. By the time you read the next “Saugus Gardens” column GARDENS | SEE PAGE 19 Taps was played by Sylvia Renda of Judge Holten Society NSCAR. (Courtesy photo of Joanie Allbee) Jane Conrad placed a wreath and honored the United States Coast Guard. (Courtesy photo of Joanie Allbee) WREATHS | FROM PAGE 4 today, who places a wreath on a veteran’s grave, to say that veteran’s name aloud and take a moment to thank them for their service to our country. It’s a small act that goes a long way toward keeping the memory of our veterans alive.” DAR served hot cocoa & Christmas donuts and many left warmer than when they arrived. Thank you to this year’s Wreaths Across Ameri - ca sponsorships. For 2025 Wreaths we have the following special: BOGO 2 for 1 – if you would like to get a head start on next year’s Wreaths Across America sponsorship, now until Jan 15, your order will be doubled.This year we had 760 sponsored wreaths but hope to reach our goal of 1,200 to cover all veterans’ graves in Riverside Cemetery. Please use the following link www.wreathsacrossamerican.org/MA0136P Local Army veterans at Wreaths Across America ceremony at Riverside Cemetery last Saturday (Courtesy photo of Joanie Allbee)
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