♫ BEAUTIFUL DREAMER AWAKEN TO ME ♫ By Dick Barry We all have a tendency to fantasize at one time or another and what better time to have happy thoughts than the early days of Spring. Many words have been written about the arrival of Spring. Among the most memorable are from a Song of Solomon: “For lo the winter is past, the rain is over and gone, the flower of year on the earth, the time of the singing of birds has come and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land.” Blooming early or late flowers almost are welcome in our lives. They bring meaning with their beauty and fragrance. Flowers also serve as symbols. Veterans sell fabric poppies in memory of those who gave their lives for their country. The idea of using them was inspired by a famous line from a poem relating to a location in Holland where many lives were lost during World War One. “In Flanders Fields, the poppies grow.” Now that Spring is here the many beautiful trees of Saugus are clothed in new green leaves. The March winds have blown down dead limbs so that there shapely beauty is unmarred. Sugar maples at Breakheart have oozed their precious sap. We welcome new foliage that provides cool shade in summer. Trees are truly one of the treasurers of our town a heritage from nature and the former wisdom of genealogy. We are very fortunate that our town has so many qualified volunteers who tend to our tree farm and keep a close eye on our tree population. I personally feel quite honored that when I retired from the Board of Selectmen, trees were planted in my name outside the Town Hall and in front of the Library. TREES By Joyce Kilmer I think that I will never see A poem as lovely as a tree A tree on whose bosom snow her lies And has intentionally leaved with rain Poems are made by fools like me But only God can make a tree. WHAT IS PATRIOT’S DAY? To most Massachusetts residents—and long distance running enthusiasts—the third Monday in April is “Marathon Monday.” The Boston Marathon has shared the limelight in the Bay State with another celebration for the last 120 years: Patriots’ Day. So what is Patriots’ Day, and what does it have to do with the marathon? For the answer, let’s travel back to the American Revolution. On April 19, 1775, the Battles of Lexington and Concord kicked off the colonists’ fight for independence from Great Britain. Just two months after Parliament declared Massachusetts to be in a state of rebellion, the brave residents of the colony took up arms and went to battle for independence—eventually leading to the creation of the United States of America. In 1894, Massachusetts Governor Frederic T. Greenhalge was looking to replace Fast Day (a then-rarely followed day of fasting and prayer that had been around since the 17th century) in the state calendar without causing his constituents to lose a day of work. Greenhalge found inspiration in the state’s courageous battle for freedom from British rule, renaming the holiday Patriots’ Day and moving it to April 19. The new celebration would not only commemorate the battles that officially marked the American Revolution, but also the anniversary of the Baltimore riot of 1861—commonly known as the first bloodshed of the American Civil War. Three birds, one stone. In 1897, inspired by the revival of the marathon race in the previous year’s summer Olympic games in Athens, the Boston Marathon was added as part of the celebration of Patriots’ Day. It became a much-revered April 19 tradition, almost more so than the original holiday. The Boston Red Sox have even become part of Patriots’ Day, playing a game at Fenway Park at 11:05 a.m., allowing fans to catch the end of the race (a tradition that started in 1959). In 1969, the entire celebration was shifted to the third Monday in April to create a three-day weekend. MARTIN STEZANO RED SOX HOME GAME LUNCHEON Put your Red Sox hats and shirts on and join us on Tuesday, April 9th at 11:30, to celebrate Opening Day At Fenway luncheon here at the Saugus Senior Center. Hugh Kelleher will be here to sing and play keyboard for your entertainment. Lunch will be: Pork Hot Dog/Roll Baked Beans Chips Ice Cream Sandwich Trivia and Prizes will all be part of this celebration. Thanks to Sue Palomba from MP Realty Group, here in Saugus, for sponsoring our Ice Cream Sandwiches. Tickets $4.00 YOU MUST GET YOUR TICKETS IN ADVANCE. SPRING FLING LUNCHEON/DANCE Spring Is In The Air!!!! Join us on Thursday, April 18th at 11:30 for lunch and Dance. Back by popular demand the “Journeymen” will be here for your listening and dancing pleasure. Raffles and give-aways will all be part of this spring day. Tickets: $6.00. Turkey/Gravy Mashed Potato/Peas Stuffing/Cranberry Sauce Special Dessert Thanks to Chestnut Woods Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center and Saugus Rehab and Nursing for sponsorship of our entertainment. CENTER CLOSED Patriot’s Day – Monday, April 15th Good Friday – Friday, April 19th DVD MOVIES The Saugus Senior Center is in need of movies that we can play here at our Center on a weekly basis. Every Friday at 12:30, a movie is played, and we are running out of desirable movies for our seniors. DVDs would be greatly appreciated, but we also will accept VCR movies. HOME INSTEAD SENIOR CARE A representative from Home Instead Senior Care will be at the Center on Wednesday, April 3rd from 10:00-11:00. Home Instead Senior Care delivers quality home care and offers personalized care and support while remaining safe in your home. They will answer any questions you may have in regards to: Companionship and Home Helpers Personal Services Alzheimer’s or Other Dementias Care Transitional Care Services Care for Serious Conditions Hospice Support FREE HEARING CLINIC Mary Marino of Mary's Affordable Hearing Aids will be here every second Wednesday of the month. The next hearing clinic will be on Wednesday, April 10th from 10:00-12:00. Mary is a true professional in her field with 13 years of experience in the hearing industry. If you have any questions about your hearing, would like your existing hearing aids checked or would like a screening, please stop in to see her. Call 781-249-5330 to make an in-home appointment. TRIAD The next Triad meeting will be on Monday, April 8th , at 9:30 a.m. TRIAD SCAM ALERT When people lose loved ones, con artists use that terrible time to try and swindle those who are grieving out of their money. They target people who might be wishing to make a tax-free donation toward a specific cause. They pose as a charity that might interest you, the taxpayer. If you get a phone call or email asking for money or other financial information, don’t give it to them. Instead look up the charity they represent to see if it is credible. You can use online resources such as the IRS tax exempt organization search or Charity Navigator. Be alert! SALEM 5 – EVERY 2ND WEDNESDAY 9:30- 11:00 EASTERN BANK – EVERY 3RD WEDNESDAY 10:00-11:00 . HE’S BACK…………………….. ♫♫ EVENING DANCE & PIZZA PARTY – WITH PETE SARAN ♫♫ Spring is in the air and Pete Saran is back from Florida and we will be starting up our evening Pizza Party and Dance once again. We usually hold our evening dance on the third Thursday of the month, but for the month of April it will be the 4th Thursday of the month, April 25th. We will be serving 2 slices of pizza, salad, and soda. Serving will begin at 5:30 followed by dancing to the music of Pete Saran until 8:30. Split the Pot and Door Prizes will be all part of the evening. So get those dancing shoes out and come on over the Saugus Senior Center and have some fun. Tickets are $10.00 ATTENTION: PLEASE SIGN UP IN ADVANCE, if you plan on coming, so that we are able to order pizza accordingly). VOLUNTEERS NEEDED The friends of the Saugus Senior Center are looking for volunteers to help clear and clean tables directly after lunch on Wednesdays, so that Bingo can begin at a more accurate time. If you are interested, please see Michele in the kitchen. Thank you! SENIOR WHOLE HEALTH Senior Whole Health is a free health insurance company that provides free coverage to seniors who are 65+ and have MassHealth. A Senior Whole Health representative will be here on the fourth Wednesday of each month from 9:30-11:00. The next scheduled date is March 26th. For more information, please speak with a representative or call 1-888-566-3526. SAUGUS UNITED PARISH FOOD PANTRY Saugus United Parish Food Pantry is an all volunteer collaborative non-profit Religious Organization with a mission to ensure no one goes hungry in and around our community; to help supplement low income and anyone in need with basic nutritional food items; and to serve our clients with compassion and respect. The Food Pantry is located at 50 Essex St, Cliftondale Congregational Church and is open for clients from 9:30-11 AM every Friday. The Food Pantry is open to anyone in need, either on a regular schedule, or occasional assistance for short term need or emergency need.