The Dorchester Holiday Celebrations Committee works each year with the
City of Boston Neighborhood Services to organize a tree lighting event
for Dorchester neighborhoods.
This year Santa's Trolley arrived in Upham’s Corner to a Holiday Party
at the Strand on Nov 26. In past years the Upham’s Corner Tree
Lighting had been short and simple with people waiting for the trolley,
then leaving as soon as the tree was lit.
This year the Upham's Corner Improvement Association in partnership
with Main Street organized a community-based holiday party "wrapped"
around the tree lighting, and the Mayor's Office of Arts and Tourism
helped out by sponsoring the event at the Strand.
We encouraged the many Upham's Corner groups, businesses and residents
to take "ownership" and make the party unique by bringing food, used
books and games/toys, talents and good cheer.
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People began arriving before 4pm and received small holiday gift bags
along with a chance to warm their hearts with hot food, seasonal cheers
and songs from the Upham’s Corner Carolers.
Pizza, fresh apples, hot cranberry-lime punch, hot chocolate, cookies – you couldn’t ask for better.
Residents also brought beautiful children’s books for the children
attending who got in line and picked out the book of their choice.
Singing a mixture of sacred traditional carols and favorite holiday
songs, the Upham's Corner Carolers had a delightful time sounding like the recorded
voices of the past that had brought these songs to life. Who were the
carolers? Anyone who was brave enough to come forward and sing into
the microphone – Ginette, Ted, Hal, Nancy, Geri, Michelle and Margie.
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Just before 5pm, someone announced: “Santa and the Trolley are almost
here,” but the party didn’t move. It wasn’t time yet to go outside,
but when the Trolley pulled up in front, it was as if the Santa Train
had just come down the chimney.
The police were there, too, not looking like Santa’s helpers but
clearly intent on protecting everyone as we waited for the moment the
tree rose out of the darkness with garlands of glowing diamonds strung
in swirls around her.
When the Trolley drove on, the partiers re-entered the Strand to hear
thanks go out to everyone – organizers, the Strand, the City of Boston
and all those attending.
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The Happiest Holidays to All! |
Thank you to the Mayor's Office of Arts, Tourism & Special Events
Thank you to the Upham's Corner Improvement Association Members
Thanks to Rev. John Odams and the Pilgrim Church
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