THIRD-GRADERS Emily Swiatkowski (left) and Emily O’Shea were smiling from ear-to-ear after the Brownie troop members helped light the trees on the Town Common during Lynnfield Recreation’s Tree Lighting Ceremony on Dec. 4. (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — Three hundred residents kicked off the holiday season in style during Lynnfield Recreation’s annual Tree Lighting Ceremony on the Town Common on Saturday, Dec. 4.
Lynnfield Recreation was forced to hold a virtual Tree Lighting Ceremony last year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but the highly anticipated town event featured a large crowd of festive residents last Saturday.
The Tree Lighting Ceremony began at 3 p.m., when Santa Claus made his second stop in town when he arrived at the Town Common on Fire Engine 4. A number of local children, many of whom had yet to meet Santa in-person due to the pandemic, were given the opportunity to ask Old Saint Nick what they want for Christmas while simultaneously practicing social distancing.
Additionally, Santa was checking his list to see who has been naughty or nice. Local photographer Bob Priestley and his daughter, Harlee, took pictures of children with Santa and printed hard copies of the pictures so parents could take them home.
Recreation Director Julie Mallett welcomed the 300 residents to the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
“I want to thank everyone for joining us for our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony,” said Mallett. “We are so happy to be back on the Common. On behalf of the Recreation Commission, I would like to thank Town Administrator Rob Dolan, the Police and Fire Departments, Sacks Exhibits, Kevin Julian and my husband Billy for all of their help and support in making this ceremony possible. I would also like to thank the Girl Scouts, the Lynnfield High School Tri-M Music Honor Society and Santa Claus for coming.”
The Tri-M Music Honor Society, with the assistance of local Girl Scouts and Brownie troops, led the community sing-a-long that featured attendees singing holiday carols “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 “Hanukkah, Oh Hanukkah.”
“It’s always a fun night and we are happy to be back,” said LHS Band Director Harry Wagg. “It’s great being a part of the ceremony once again.”
Select Board Chairman Dick Dalton asked the crowd to give the Tri-M Music Honor Society and Girl Scouts a round of applause, and the singers were given a thunderous standing ovation.
“The Tree Lighting Ceremony is my favorite event of the year,” said Dalton. “A lot of work went into this event. I want to thank the Recreation Commission and its chairman, Rich Sjoberg, and Recreation Director Julie Mallett for all of their hard work. Julie does a great job putting programs together for the kids in town all year long.”
Dalton also thanked the Historical Commission for bringing back the Country Store after a two-year absence.
“The Country Store is a longstanding tradition in Lynnfield that has been going on for decades,” said Dalton. “I can’t say it is the best ever because my wife and I have lived in town for four decades, but in my memory it is certainly the best. I would like to thank Historical Commission Chairman Kirk Mansfield and the rest of the commission for their hard work. I would like to give a special shout out to Country Store Committee Chairwoman Karen Nascembeni, who along with her late husband Steven Richard chaired the Country Store for many years. She took the helm once again and did a wonderful job. It is a special day for Karen after losing her husband and her father-in-law Earl to COVID last year. Karen’s family has been a big part of Lynnfield’s history. Thank you Karen.”
The ceremony’s attendees gave Nascembeni, the Historical Commission and the rest of the Country Store’s volunteers a round of applause.
After Dalton concluded his remarks, third-graders Emilie O’Shea and Emily Swiatkowski helped him light the trees on the Town Common. Afterwards, the Tree Lighting Ceremony’s attendees sang, “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.”
“It was exciting,” said Swiatkowski about lighting the Town Common’s trees.
Mallett was thrilled with the turnout for the Tree Lighting Ceremony.
“We had such a great community turnout for our annual Tree Lighting Ceremony,” said Mallett. “Santa didn’t disappoint and the Lynnfield High School Tri-M Music Honor Society and the Girl Scouts did a fantastic job leading our sing-a-long. Happy holidays to all.”
Recreation Commission member Mike Cuddy agreed.
“It was a great and memorable event,” said Cuddy. “I want to thank the community for coming.”
Dalton thanked the DPW, Fire Department and Police Department for working hard to make sure the Tree Lighting Ceremony was a safe and successful event.
In addition to the Tree Lighting Ceremony, Mallett said 11 homes were entered into Lynnfield Recreation’s fourth annual Light Up Lynnfield Contest.
The winners of the contest were as follows:
• Clark W. Griswold: 9 Apple Hill Ln.
• Creative Use of Lights: 371 Salem St.
• Misfit toys (Best Use of Inflatables): 10 Temple Rd.
• Neighborhood Participation: Perry Avenue’s Candy Cane Lane.
“I am amazed by every single one of the 11 entries,” said Mallett. “It was so hard for the judges to decide. We are going to need to add more categories next year.”
There were no residents who signed up for Lynnfield Recreation’s 18th annual Gingerbread House Contest, which would have been virtual for the second straight year.
