Published in the December 7, 2016 edition
SIBLINGS Declan (left) and Genevieve Brooks were full of excitement while telling Santa Claus what they want for Christmas during the Tree Lighting ceremony Dec. 3. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — The Town Common came alive on Saturday, Dec. 3, as 1,000 people celebrated the most wonderful time of year during the annual Tree Lighting ceremony.
The holiday celebration began in the morning when the 54th annual Country Store opened its doors at the Meeting House at 9 a.m. Sponsored by the Lynnfield Historical Society, the Country Store was first held at the former junior high school in 1962 when the Meeting House was being renovated.
After a slow start, the Country Store was booming with business by late morning after Santa made his highly anticipated first stop in town, which was made possible by a Lynnfield fire engine 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 homemade baked goods and an assortment of delicious food including ham and bean dinners, jam, jelly, popcorn and the incredibly popular cheese table manned by John Nunziato and Shirley Jensen. 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.
“Most tables sold out, which is good news,” said Country Store Co-Chairwoman Karen Nascembeni. “There is nothing worse than having wreaths left over or ham and bean suppers left over. Everybody was pretty much cleaned out, which is great.”
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.
Additionally, members of the football team and local Boy Scouts were on hand volunteering at the Country Store.
“We appreciate their help,” said Country Store Co-Chairman Steven Richard.
Proceeds from the Country Store are used to maintain the Meeting House throughout the year. Richard was thrilled with the impressive turnout this year.
“You never know how its going to get pulled off at the beginning of the week but by Saturday, it all comes together thanks to the help of all of our volunteers and little helpers that come every year,” said Richard. “Thanks to all of the donations that we get, whether its Santa’s Five and Dime or the baked goods, it’s all profit for us. It does us well and that is how it all started 54 years ago. Everyone would make stuff at home and would sell it here. We are trying to keep the tradition alive.”
Nascembeni agreed.
“It’s nice that we make money because it all goes toward maintaining the Meeting House but it’s more important that this tradition go on,” said Nascembeni. “And that will only happen by this younger generation engaging and helping us out because we lost a lot of folks in their 80s that aren’t doing it anymore and there are now people in their 50s, 60s and 70s helping. It’s nice to have some fresh young blood here to keep it thriving for years to come.”
Gingerbread House Contest
Over the course of the day, townspeople headed to Centre Congregational Church to see the entries in the 12th annual Gingerbread House Contest, sponsored by Lynnfield Recreation and the Girl Scouts.
“The gingerbread houses were amazing this year,” said Recreation Director Julie Mallett.
The winners in this year’s contest are as follows:
Most Original Theme: The Murphy Family.
Most Creative: Troop 76214.
Favorite Story Book/Movie: Ella Hodsdon.
Best Replica of a Notable Building: The Doyle Family.
Best Holiday Spirit: Lyla McCormick and Lola Rich.
Best Group: Troop 62353
Best Teen: Kelsey Hodsdon.
Best Youth: Sara Lombardi.
Best Child: Sophia Shaievitz.
Totally Cool: Andrew Lombardi.
Most Creative Use of Materials: Kasey Schena and Kiera Mallett.
Most Authentic: The Norden Family.
Best Sports Theme: Luke McQueen.
Best Family: The Zannella and Fusco Family.
Most Town Pride: Troop 78176.
Best Winter Theme: Kaitlin Kyes and Ava DeGregorio.
Best Replica of a Board Game: Shane McQueen.
Best Adult: Hannah Shaievitz.
Viewers’ Choice: Troop 78179.
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.
After Santa’s arrival, a number of local children and their parents lined up to tell Old Saint Nick what they want for Christmas. Additionally, Santa was checking his list to see who has been naughty or nice while sitting comfortably in a set that was made by local resident Kevin Julian last year.
In addition to parents taking pictures of their children, photographers Lauri and Ariel Priestley were on hand taking pictures and printing them out for parents to take home.
Lynnfield High School’s Tri-M Music Honor Society and local Girl Scouts kicked off the community singing segment featuring classic holiday songs at 4:15 p.m. 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.”
Selectman Chris Barrett welcomed townspeople to the Tree Lighting ceremony. He thanked Julie Mallett, her husband Billy and the Recreation Commission for hosting and organizing the highly anticipated event.
“It’s great to be on our historic Town Common to continue a wonderful tradition that started 13 years ago,” said Barrett. “I would like to take this moment to thank everyone who had a hand in pulling together this wonderful ceremony.”
Barrett also thanked the DPW for “once again doing their best to help bring Christmas and holiday magic to our historic Town Common.” He noted the Tree Lighting ceremony celebrates the town’s most precious gift, Lynnfield children.
“I would like to thank the boys and girls of all age groups here tonight, especially the Girl Scouts of Lynnfield,” said Barrett. “You are once again the center of our celebration. You always fill us with joy and happiness and always remind us the greatest gift this holiday season, or any season, are our children who always fill us with pride and joy.”
Barrett said “in this difficult world that we live in today, this annual event reminds us of a sacred and time tested truth that faith, hope and joy will always remain and will forever give us much to be hopeful for this Christmas season.”
“No matter what goes on in the world today or even in the country today, we must never forget the trees we light here tonight are symbolic of the birth of the Prince of Peace,” added Barrett. “And this Christmas, and every Christmas, there is a time for joy, a time for love and a time for giving thanks for all that we are grateful for this holiday season.”
Barrett continued, “In Lynnfield, events like this remind us that one of our greatest blessings is this wonderful community we call home, where we can come together as friends to celebrate all that we are thankful for this holiday season while continuing to create joy filled memories that will last a lifetime.”
Five-year-old Nola Maney assisted Barrett with lighting the Town Common’s trees by flicking a new switch made by Julian. The ceremony concluded with the Tri-M Music Honor Society and Girl Scouts performing “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
“The lights are pretty,” said sixth grader Kiera Mallett after the ceremony.
Julie Mallett thanked the 1,000 residents who attended the Tree Lighting ceremony as well as the event’s volunteers.
“This was our best Tree Lighting ceremony so far,” said Julie Mallett. “I love our new updated switch and the Christmas theme set. The Girl Scouts did an amazing job singing with the Tri-M Music Honor Society.”
Recreation Commission Chairman Matt Monkiewicz concurred with Julie Mallett’s point of view.
“It was a great event,” said Monkiewicz. “Anytime you put on an event that 1,000 people in town attend, that is benefiting those folks and their families. It’s creating memories for families as Chris Barrett said. It’s a fantastic family event and we love it.”
Monkiewicz thanked Julian for building the “awesome exhibit for Santa” and the “fantastic” new switch. He thanked the Malletts for organizing and coordinating the Tree Lighting ceremony and Gingerbread House contest. He thanked the event’s volunteers as well.
“We had a great group of kids helping out and volunteering with the Lynnfield Recreation staff,” said Monkiewicz. “We were happy to have everyone out here with their families enjoying a wonderful Christmas celebration.”
