People, Places and Things: 7-8-15

Gautreau veterans keep on givingSgt. Robert D. Gautreau Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 6535 members are keeping their commitment to provide scholarships to help English High School graduates pay for college. Using $30,000 from the sale of their former Fayette Street post building, post members awarded $1,000 scholarships this year to students Allana Barefield and Sotheary Ath.The post’s name honors an East Lynn native and English High School student who joined the Army Air Corps flying B-29 bombers. Gautreau was killed in 1944 when his plane was shot down on a mission over Germany. He is buried in Pine Grove Cemetery’s World War II veterans lot.Portuguese culture celebrated in SaugusSince 1926, Imperio De Mariense, which literally translated means the Festival of the Holy Ghost, has taken place in Saugus. The celebration dates back nearly 500 years to when Queen Isabella of Portugal declared there would be a religious weekend to feed the poor and hungry. This year, the Saugus Portuguese Festival, as it is commonly referred to, featured a Catholic Mass with a parade procession down Lynn Fells Parkway.The festival lasted the entire first weekend of July, featuring Portuguese music, clothing and food. Everyone was offered soup and fried sweet bread for free.Joe Sousa, trustee of the festival, and Eric Sousa, treasurer, said all are welcome to attend and enjoy the festivities each year.”It is a wonderful tradition and happy atmosphere here at the Portuguese festival,” said Saugus Selectman Jennifer D’Eon. “I brought my children to enjoy this cultural experience, and they had a great time.”