Town embraces the holidays

Published in the December 6, 2017 edition

By DAN TOMASELLO

LYNNFIELD — Hundreds of Lynnfieldians ushered in the holiday season in style on Saturday, Dec. 2 during the annual Tree Lighting ceremony on the Common.

The town’s holiday festivities kicked off in the morning when the Lynnfield Historical Society transformed the Meeting House into the 55th annual Country Store. The society uses the funds from the annual event to maintain the Meeting House.

Santa Claus made his first stop in town at the Country Store during the morning, which was made possible by the Fire Department filling in for Santa’s eight tiny reindeer. In addition to asking local children what they want for Christmas, Santa also took a moment to take photos with youngsters in attendance.

Country Store vendors sold a variety of different food at the popular event, including ham and bean dinners that were sold out by early afternoon. Historical Society member John Nunziato once again manned the very popular cheese table, where he sold Vermont Cabot Cheese. Historical Society members Annmarie Pendola and Janet Everson ran the homemade baked goods table, and Joseph Hockenbury oversaw the jelly table.

In addition to selling food, vendors sold traditional holiday greens such as wreaths and swags, and the Village Home and Garden Club sold boxwood trees once again.

Colby Properties once again sponsored the North Pole Fishing Hole, where youngsters used fishing rods to catch wrapped Christmas gifts. Santa’s 5 and 10 table, inspired by five and dime stores from the early 20th Century, was a big hit with townspeople searching for the perfect gift.

“It was steady and the flow was definitely different this year,” said Country Store co-Chairwoman Karen Nascembeni. “With the activities in the afternoon, I think a lot of people are coming later. The old folks used to come first thing in the morning. Overall, it’s going to be a success for us and the most important thing is the money is going to support the Meeting House.”

Country Store co-Chairman Steven Richard, who has been coming to the fundraiser since he was a baby, agreed with his wife’s viewpoint.

“It’s a time honored tradition that we love to keep up,” said Richard. “We just hope people enjoy it as much as we do.”

Nascembeni noted the 55th annual Country Store marked a “year of transition.”

“We lost a lot of members this year, but what was inspiring was how many young people stepped up,” said Nascembeni. “I think it was hard for some of the older folks to come and see their friends were gone. I am really grateful for the new blood that Karen Colby has brought in and all of the volunteers such as the Boy Scouts, the Girl Scouts, and all of the kids who needed community service. It’s really helpful because it brings their parents, and I think it makes people appreciate the treasure that we have here.”

Richard agreed.

“Our goal is to make money to maintain the building, but it’s important to keep the spirit of this thing alive,” said Richard. “Hopefully some of the new folks in town can appreciate that and help us out.”

Gingerbread House Contest

Over the course of the day, townspeople headed to Centre Congregational Church to see the entries in the 13th annual Gingerbread House Contest, sponsored by Lynnfield Recreation and the Girl Scouts.

“The contest entries were amazing,” said Recreation Director Julie Mallett. “Some of them were so creative. They take it up a notch every year.”

The winners in this year’s contest are as follows:

• Most Original Theme: Lola Rich, Farrah Rich and Lyla McCormick.

• Most Creative: Doyle family.

• Favorite Storybook/Movie: Malone family.

• Best Replica of a Building: Troop 76214.

• Best Holiday Spirit: Troop 82559.

• Best Group: Troop 62824.

• Best Teen: Sara Lombardi and Ava O’Brien.

• Best Youth: Troop 62353.

• Best Child: Genevieve Sechrist.

• Totally Cool/Viewers’ Choice: Emily Thompson.

• Pet Friendly: Cordelia and Daddy Gunning.

• Most Creative Use of Materials: Kasey Schena and Kiera Mallett.

• Most Authentic: Aria Chang.

• Best Sports Theme: Troop 78181.

• Best Family/Friends: Andrew, Mickie and Drew.

• Most Town Pride: Katie and Addie Connelly.

• Best Snowman: Troop 62791.

• Best Siblings: Katie and Meredith Cash.

• Best Winter Scene: Troop 78176.

• Best Storefront: Nate McQueen.

Tree Lighting

The Tree Lighting ceremony on the Town Common began at 3 p.m. when refreshments were served by local Girl Scouts and Santa made his second trip to town from the North Pole.

The Fire Department brought Santa to the ceremony via fire truck once again. After Santa made his triumphant return, a number of local children and their parents lined up to ask Old Saint Nick what they want for Christmas. Additionally, Santa was checking his list to see who has been naughty or nice.

Similar to previous years, local photographers Bob and Lauri Priestley were on hand taking pictures and printing them out for parents to take home.

In addition to the holiday festivities, fifth graders Bella Carroll, Ella Hayman, Ellie Grieves, Lauren MacDonald, Emma Rose and Erika Pasquale helped local parent Heather Rose run the Stay Strong for Erik table. The event raised funds for fifth grader Erik Bell, who is currently fighting a form of cancer called Burkitt Lymphoma.

The bracelets are lime green in honor of Lymphoma awareness and include soccer and lacrosse images in honor of Bell’s favorite sports.

Lynnfield High School’s Tri-M Band and Chorus, with the assistance of local Girl Scouts, kicked off the community singing segment featuring classic holiday songs. The songs performed this year were “Let It Snow,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “I Have a Little Dreidel,” “Jingle Bells,” “Deck the Halls,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town” and “O Chanukah, O Chanukah.”

Before Selectmen Chairman Chris Barrett welcomed residents to the ceremony, Kiera Mallett led an impromptu performance of “Happy Birthday” in honor of her mom.

“My mom gave up her birthday to put all of this together,” said Kiera.

Julie Mallett was touched by the impromptu performance.

“That was unexpected, but was very nice,” said Julie Mallett. “I want to thank my daughter and the community.”

Barrett thanked townspeople for coming to the ceremony. He thanked Julie Mallett, her husband Billy and the Recreation Commission for hosting the event. He also thanked the DPW for “once again doing their very best to help bring Christmas magic to our historic Town Common.”

“As always, thank you to all the boys and girls of all age groups here today, especially the Lynnfield Girl Scouts and Lynnfield music with amazing performances by the Tri-M group,” said Barrett. “Our children, as they always are, are the center of our celebration. You children fill this event with much joy and happiness and remind us that our greatest gift this holiday season or any season are our children.”

Barrett said the lighting of the trees on the Town Common “are symbolic of the birth of the Prince of Peace.”

“This Christmas, and every Christmas, is a reminder that faith, hope and joy always prevail in our world that is filled with much darkness,” said Barrett.

Barrett also took a moment to honor Erik Bell and his family.

“One of our very best, young Lynnfield Pioneers, Erik Bell, who has been fighting a courageous health battle over the last couple of months,” said Barrett. “The Bell family needs all of our help and support during their difficult time. As we always do here in Lynnfield, let us once again come together and support the Bells.” 

After Barrett concluded his remarks, he and his daughter, Kaylee, flipped the switch on the stage, which lit the trees on the Town Common and formally ushered in the holiday season.

Additionally, 38 residents went on a trolley tour of the town to view local holiday light displays after the ceremony. Salem Trolley provided the trolley.

Julie Mallett thanked residents for coming to the tree lighting ceremony.

“I want to thank everyone for coming out,” said Mallett. “We had a great turnout and we had great weather. It was great seeing all of the little smiling faces. The Girl Scouts did a great job as well as the Lynnfield High School Tri-M Band and Chorus.”