Lynnfield Weekly News 12-8-22

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WEEKLYNEWS.NET - 781-593-7700 2 DECEMBER 8, 2022 Santa's helper lights up Lynnfield By Anne Marie Tobin Weekly News It's not easy being the center of attention in front of a large crowd - especially if you are a kid. That is unless you are 8-yearold Marco Bevilacqua, who had been selected to officially light the lights on the Town Common during Saturday's annual Tree Lighting ceremony. After helping his mother Liana Bevilacqua hand out complimentary hot cocoa and cookies, Marco took center stage alongside Santa Claus, perfectly flipping a giant lever to illuminate a winter wonderland of white lights, much to the delight of more than 200 people who defied rainy and windy weather to come together to enjoy the festivities. "Congratulations to Marco Bevilacqua, who with all his might and from the tips of his toes, while cheered on by Santa, flipped the tree lights switch, to light up the Town Common with perfectly strung holiday lights," said Rec Department Chair Rich Sjoberg. "I was a little nervous but it was very exciting," Marco Bevilacqua said. "Christmas is my favorite holiday. It was really a lot of fun to be selected." Select Board Vice Chair Joe Connell noted that, with less-than ideal weather conditions, the turnout was full of "dedicated" people and that the tree-lighting ceremony is a "wonderful tradition in our great town. "I know there's a special feeling that we share, when we push the button lighting up that tree," he said. "It's as if each one of those twinkling lights sends a new spirit of love, hope, and joy through the heart of the community. And, of course, a symbol of peace, expressing our hopes and prayers for peace for our families, our communities, our nation, and the world." As he is every year, Santa was a crowd favorite with young and old alike. The Priestleys Fine Art Photography, once again, offered complimentary photo prints of Santa with families and kids who were anxious to share their Christmas lists with Santa. "We were very fortunate Mother Nature held off from the predicted rain and wind to allow Santa’s reindeer to get him from the North Pole all the way to Lynnfield Fire Headquarters for his special arrival," said Sjoberg." I heard many kids sharing their wish lists with Santa, who didn’t even need a notepad to remember each one and each family walked away with a special photograph courtesy of The Priestleys. A large group of Girl Scouts, Brownies and high school singers sang carols. Lynn transplants Matt and Maria O'Neill along with their 1-year-old daughter Juliet and 3-year-old son Liam took in the festivities for the first time. They GREAT RATE... GUARANTEED! 3, 6 or 9 Month CD Special 12 Month CD Special 4.00 % APY* 4.25 % APY* STAFF PHOTO | ANNE MARIE TOBIN Eight-year-old Marco Bevilacqua, pulls the lever to illuminate the holiday lights on the Town Common during Saturday’s annual Tree Lighting ceremony. celebrated Juliet's first birthday a couple of months ago at the Meeting House and spent much of the day at the Country Store. "We moved here 11 years ago and now finally have a family and can enjoy these wonderful things that our town has to offer," said Maria. "It's just great being able to get to know the other families and take part in things like this." "This is a great turnout and it's great that all of the kiddos turned out," said Liana Bevilacqua, who along with her Coldwell Banker's Hixon and Bevilacqua Home Group partner Christina Hixon served up dozens of chocolate chip cookies donated by Christina Hayman's Lynnfield Baking Company and hot chocolate donated by Mary Collett, owner of a Dunkin Donuts in Salem. "Christina and I live in this town with our families," Bevilacqua said. "We love our community and were thrilled for the opportunity to give back tonight." Connell expressed his thanks to those who "have given so much to the town throughout the year and all this holiday spirit and welcoming the lighting of the town tree for 2022." He said the holidays are a time for giving and he hopes residents will "open their hearts to those who are lonely and in need, citizens less fortunate than ourselves, and the brave service members deployed throughout the world working to preserve peace for us." He thanked Sjoberg, Director Julie Mallett and the entire department "for always providing great events like this Tree Lighting Ceremony to our community." Sjoberg, in turn, said the event wouldn't be possible without the support of so many volunteers including Connell, Dixon, Bevilacqua, Collett, Hayman and Lucy Karis "for her incredible graphic design talent in creating the "Light up Lynnfield map and flier. He also gave a shout out to Patrolman Mark Bettencourt, the DPW and the Lynnfield Fire Department for their assistance. "And lastly, none of this would not be possible without the tireless effort and caring professionalism of our Lynnfield Recreation Director, Julie Mallet and her unsung hero of a husband, Billy Mallett, who sets the stage annually for the holiday season to kick off," said Sjoberg. Connell said that while the "generosity, volunteerism, kindness and caring of all the kind people of Lynnfield is always with us throughout the year, it seems to come to light more during the holiday season. "These trees which we will light today, (are) a symbol of all the goodness in all of us, and that we are all a part of something much larger, much more powerful, and enduring than any force here on Earth. When I drive by the tree daily, it will remind me to be the best person I can be." "As we rush through the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, it’s always nice when we, our friends and neighbors, can spend an afternoon celebrating," said Sjoberg. "Together." Open yours now at MetroCU.org or visit any Metro location. MetroCU.org | 877.MY.METRO Chelsea | Boston | Burlington | Dorchester | Framingham Lawrence | Lynn | Medford | Melrose Newton | Peabody | Reading | Salem | Tewksbury | West Roxbury Insured by NCUA | Member MSIC *Annual Percentage Yield (APY) is accurate as of 12.05.2022 and subject to change at any time without notice. $500.00 minimum to open; $0.01 minimum to earn the APY. A penalty will be imposed for early withdrawals. Fees may reduce earnings. Account requires new money; to satisfy this requirement, an additional $5,000 in external funds must be added to transfers from existing Metro Credit Union accounts. For online account opening only: Maximum funding amount is $25,000. Visit MetroCU.org for current rates, terms and account requirements. Get your car looking great this Winter Before After Don Winslow’s AUTO B O D Y Celebrating 50 Years MON-FRI 8-5 • SAT. 9-12 166 Holten Street • Danvers (corner of Center & Collins) 978-762-6366 • 978-535-2474 www.DonWinslowAutoBody.com We want to hear from you! Send us a letter at editor@weeklynews.net. Letters should be no more than 300 words.
WEEKLYNEWS.NET - 781-593-7700 3 DECEMBER 8, 2022 BY ANNE MARIE TOBIN WEEKLY NEWS Let’s just say Historic Lynnfield hit it out of the park Saturday at the annual holiday Country Store at the Meeting House. “I was so pleased with how hard the team from the newly formed Historic Lynnfield worked to put on such an energetic Country Store,” said Karen Nascembeni. “With so many new vendors, the 1714 Meeting House was bustling in all its holiday glory. It was a perfect blend of food, crafts and holiday cheer. We really lucked out in that the worst of the weather held off for most of the day.” This was the first year that Historic Lynnfield hosted the popular store. “We are here as Historic Lynnfield to carry on the tradition in the name of Steven (Richard and his (Pope) family and of those people who made this such a wonderful tradition,” said Nan Hockenberry, president of Historic Lynnfield. “We hope to do that and more, kind of creating more moments for history for the people that live in the town and bring more history to them so they can understand the traditions and the reasons why the town is the way it is.” In the name of StevenOne of the highlights of the store (second only to a visit from Santa Claus fresh off a Lynnfield fire engine) was the return of the Voices of Hope singers. “Their performance was even more enthusiastic this year, perhaps, because we could see all of their unmasked beautiful smiles,” Nascembeni said. “They are so busy at this time of year. I’m so appreciative that they could fit us into their schedule again.” Christina Hayman’s Lynnfield Baking offered a big selection of baked goods and desserts. Hayman said the most soughtafter items were the Christmas chocolate peppermint cookies. “It was my first year and it was so nice to have things back to normal. It was so festive and the holiday spirit was off the charts,” she said. “And the singing by the Voices of Hope was just so wonderful and joyful.” The popular Cheese Man’s Vermont cheddar cheese station was a huge hit, so much so that if you didn’t get there early, you didn’t get any cheese. “I don’t ever remember selling out before noon,” said John Nunziato, who was ably assisted by “co-cheeseman” Joe Miglio. One of the oldest traditions of the Country are the ham-andbean suppers. A generous portion of ham, home-made baked beans, old-fashioned brown bread and cole slaw were the perfect takehome comfort treats. “Every year we know you have to get your suppers early or they’ll be gone,” said Don Martin and Doreen Richard DeFillipo. Once again, the Village Home and Garden Club offered beautiful evergreen arrangements and The Centre Club of the North Shore’s lottery ticket table was also busy. The store’s most popular activity for children - Santa’s North Shore Fishing Pole was also a hit with several adults trying to catch a special trinket or toy. The ornament decorating station hosted by the DiFillippo was a hit for kids of all ages with kids creating special ornaments to take home as a remembrance of this beloved annual tradition. An added treat was choosing their favorite penny candy, courtesy of the Kilgore family. Other offerings this year included decorative wreaths by Ariel Priestley’s Bee Kind Designs, home décor from All About Machine Embroidery, pottery by Mad Mud Design and beautiful blankets and aprons by Busy Fingers. “It’s been really steady since we opened the doors at 8:45,” said Priestly, who was assisted by her mother, Lauri Priestley and Linda Fair. “Things have been going extremely well,” said Fair. “It’s just great to be able to participate and it’s great to help keep this special tradition alive,” said Lauri Priestley. State Rep. Bradley H. Jones, Jr. was also on hand to join in on the fun. “We try to come every year as this is just a quintessential Lynnfield and New England community event,” he said. Lynnfield for Love, a grassroots organization fostering diversity, inclusivity, and kindness, was also on hand. Inclement weather forced the group from its normal table outside the Meeting House entrance inside. “We were so glad to be able to accommodate moving Lynnfield For Love indoors,” Nascembeni said. “They are such a wonderful force of good in the town. There is so much that goes into putting this event on.” HELP WANTED Fully Licensed Oil Burner Service Technician and Driver John S. Martin Co. Est. 1886 FUEL OILS • HEATING EQUIPMENT 781 631 0118 Marblehead Country Store carries on a town tradition Don't wait! Call us today 781-631-0118 STAFF PHOTO | ANNE MARIE TOBIN Voices of Hope sing their hearts out at Saturday’s Country Store. The library’s annual Pop-Up Book Sale was also a weather casualty and was moved to the library where a variety of holiday-themed, cooking and giftable books were sold. Proceeds of the Country Store will be used for preservation of the Meeting House and to obtain, catalog, and preserve important Lynnfield artifacts to be housed in the Pope Richard Historical Centre that will be available for research. Nasembeni said she is always fortunate to have so many volunteers every year. “We were so grateful to have the youth volunteers from Connor’s Kindness Project to help load out the event at the end of the day. What a great group of dedicated young people,” she said. “I truly want to thank the hundreds of people who came through our doors, not only from Lynnfield but throughout the North Shore. This annual tradition is so near and dear to my heart. It is an honor for all of us to be stewards of this event in its love-filled history.” The Perfect Holiday Gift! 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Lynnfield Weekly News 12-8-22

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