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January, 2013
MethuenLife
Green-minded girl’s tree wish comes true
No arbors were killed for the sake of this year’s celebration
For the past four Christmas seasons,
visions of a lit-up permanent evergreen
danced in the head of 10-year-old Abigail
Juknavorian.
But it wasn’t until this past December
that her visions came to life, with
Methuen’s tree-lighting ceremony moving
from Riverwalk Park on Osgood Street back
to the 93-foot evergreen on the grounds of
Nevins Memorial Library where it had been
for years.
As a reward
“It’s not good
for the
environment
to cut down a
tree just for
a few days.”
~ Abby
Juknavorian, 10
for the Tenney
fifth-grader ’s
efforts, Mayor
Steve Zanni had
Abby join him on
the stage where
she plugged in
the power that
lit the tall tree
with columns
of white lights a
moment later.
Beginning in
first grade, Abby, as she is called, began
lobbying former Mayor William Manzi for
the annual Christmas tree-lighting to be
Through the lobbying efforts of Tenney
fifth-grader Abby Juknavorian, this year’s
tree-lighting ceremony was returned to the
93-foot evergreen on the grounds of Nevins
Memorial Library. She joined Mayor Steve
Zanni on the platform and did the official
plug-in that lit up columns of white lights.
Photos by Steve Whipple
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23
Santa Claus was an even bigger hit than the
free coffee, hot chocolate and cookies. He
handed out candy canes to youngsters.
Mayor continues to showcase local artists
Talented residents continue to exhibit
their work at City Hall as part of Mayor Stephen
Zanni’s Artist of the Month program.
January’s featured guest is Carol Boileau,
who is an artist-in-residence at the
Brush Gallery in Lowell. She has attended
several schools to improve upon her technique
including the Massachusetts College
of Art and the Boston Museum of Fine Arts
School.
"I view my work as a challenge, to record
things in a personal way, to paint the
feelings, to look deeply into the subject
and to bring them to life again," explained
Boileau.
"Carol has shown work all over New
England and I am thrilled that she will be
our first artist of 2013. I want to invite
people to stop by my office and view some
of her pieces," said Zanni.
Painter Carol Boileau has shown her work
across New England. Courtesy photos
held at the library.
“I just kind of like having it at the library,
and they won’t have to cut down
trees,” explained Abby. “It’s not good for
the environment to cut down a tree just for
a few days.”
She said the environmental aspect wasn’t
her only reason.
“People from different towns can (now)
see it instead of where it was, where people
couldn’t see it,” said Abby, whose mom Sue
happens to work at the library.
Abby said she sent letters to former
Mayor Manzi who said he needed to have
people check on the library tree to ensure
it was stable. The tree-lighting remained on
Osgood Street, featuring trees donated by
local residents.
A few months ago, her luck changed.
“We had a field trip to City Hall in
fourth grade,” she said. “I saw Mayor Zanni
and I handed him a letter and he said he’d
love to move it back (at the library). Once I
got out of his office, I was really excited and
told my teacher.”
Several of her friends attended the treelighting
ceremony.
Last December, Michael Karl, an eighthgrader
at Tenney Grammar School, showcased
his work in the Mayor's Office. Karl
specializes in drawing Methuen's town vehicles.
"I'm in awe at Michael's attention to
detail," explained Zanni. "Michael's work
has caught the attention of people from
across Methuen, and I am very proud of his
work."
Karl's artwork captures his love for
Methuen and its residents.
"I like keeping the town clean so it is
a better place to live for everybody," said
Karl. "I support all the veterans, police officers,
and firemen for all they do for the
community."
Artists interested in being considered for
Illustrator Michael Karl, a Tenney eighthgrader,
specializes in drawing town vehicles.
“My friends were very excited that I’d
get to light the tree. They were saying it’s
pretty cool,” Abby said.
— Steve Whipple
Artist of the Month should contact Juliette
Cormier at (978) 983-8505.
In November, Zanni joined with the
Veterans Department and the School Department
in hosting a poster contest entitled,
“How to Thank a Veteran.” Students in kindergarten
to grade eight were encouraged to
illustrate their answer.
"We received 64 posters from students at
all of the Methuen grammar schools," said
Veterans Affairs Director Tom Hargreaves.
"I think that is a great turnout for our first
year hosting this type of contest; the kids
did a great job and judging was difficult."
Prizes were awarded during the Nov.
26 School Committee meeting and posters
were displayed throughout City Hall for the
month of November.
In the kindergarten-to-grade-5 age
group, Jenna Limperas from the CGS took
first place, second place went to Tyler Arlitt
and third to Emily Carter, both from the
Tenney School. In the 5th-to-8th-grade category,
John Bottari from the CGS took first,
Juliana Perez from the Tenney was awarded
second place and Jorge Valentin from the
CGS placed third.
"Our veterans do so much for our country;
this contest was an excellent way to
honor them while providing a great learning
opportunity for our students,” said Zanni.
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