The Scene In and Around Boston . . .
By Hilda M. Morrill
December 22, 2006
 Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and his lovely First Lady Angela at “A Company Christmas at Pops” in Boston’s Symphony Hall, which was all decked out for the holidays. (Photo © Hilda M. Morrill)
“A Company Christmas at Pops” is always a fun and delightful evening—as well as a major fundraiser for the Boston Symphony Orchestra. Each year, 200 children from some of the local children’s service organizations (such as Catholic Charities, Judge Baker Children’s Center, and The Home for Little Wanderers, to name a few), are guests of the Greater Boston corporate community.
On December 13, prior to the Boston Pops concert at Symphony Hall, the children and their chaperones enjoyed dinner at The Fairmont Copley Plaza Hotel, where they received goodie bags from Santa.
Back at Symphony Hall, guests enjoyed an elegant cocktail reception and gourmet boxed dinners prior to the 23rd annual concert, led by Boston Pops Conductor Keith Lockhart. The pre-concert reception was sponsored by the Martignetti Companies, who also provided a bottle of wine at each of the festive tables—decorated with mini, live Christmas trees, which were taken home by a lucky person at each table. (Ours is decorating the Morrill kitchen!)
The musical program featured Christmas spirituals by vocalist Renese King, a reading of “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” by Will LeBow, and a hilarious set by the Barenaked Ladies, the alternative rock band from Canada.
The Middlesex County Volunteer Fifes and Drums were most elegant as they marched in precision through the Hall in their colorful costumes and wigs. And, The Tanglewood Festival Chorus was its usual “perfection.”
Even the audience got to sing along with the famous ensemble to the sounds of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” “Jingle Bells” and “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas,” to name a few.
Among this year’s committee members were Robert E. Gallery, Mass State Market President, Bank of America; Carmine A. Martignetti, President, Martignetti Companies; Erwin Schinnerl, General Manager, The Ritz-Carlton Hotels of Boston; Karen Kaplan, President, Boston, Hill, Holliday; Deirdre B. Phillips, Managing Director, Putnam Investments; and John F. Fish, president and CEO of the Suffolk Construction Company, just to name a few. More than $1,000,000 was raised this year.
In the audience we spotted Boston Mayor Thomas Menino and the lovely First Lady Angela; PR guru George Regan; columnist Dana Bisbee with his very talented wife Jackie, who is not only an orchid aficionado but also a very talented artist; Diddy Cullinane, Vice-Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the BSO; Carol Fulp, Vice President for Community Relations at John Hancock and her husband Bernie; and Boston Museum of Fine Arts Director, Malcolm Rogers.
Noted photographer Bill Brett was on “the other side of the lens,” for a change, in that everyone kept congratulating him and asking when his next photography book was coming out. It seems that “Boston, Extended Family” is due for release next August. The first volume of his incredible photographs is still flying off the bookstore shelves. Bill told us that he was especially excited about a photo shoot that he would be working on the following Thursday—one that would feature all the living “past, present and future governors” of the Commonwealth in front of the State House.
Since its inception in 1984, "A Company Christmas at Pops," an annual holiday tradition for area businesses and their guests, has raised more than $14 million for the Boston Symphony and Boston Pops orchestras. Congratulations and best wishes to all!
Milton’s Dick Dray Pens Poem for His Friend Kevin White
At the beginning of November, Dick and Peggy Dray of Milton were among the special guests present when Boston Mayor Thomas Menino unveiled a statue of former Mayor Kevin H. White at the historic Faneuil Hall/Dock Square area.
According to Mr. Dray, not only was the day warm and sunny, with 65-plus degrees, but it was also “the warmest event” he has attended in Boston in many years.
He noted, “It was a ‘love fest’ of old Kevin White administration people and friends. Kevin was ‘up’ for the dedication and the lunch; and with [his wife] Kathryn welcomed everyone warmly. He had a very happy day surrounded by old friends.” Mr. Dray adds, “… A great day that I won’t soon forget.”
The dedication program book, with its green cover and gold tassel, is full of wonderful black-and-white photographs of Kevin White through the years – pictured with his family, friends, colleagues and visiting dignitaries. There are also selected quotes from his four “Inaugural Addresses,” as well as listings of the dedication committee members, speakers and sponsors – and information about the sculptor and the landscape designers.
But the piece de resistance is found on the last page, where there is a poem written by the very talented Mr. Dray. It’s entitled “An Ode To The Only Friend I Have Who’s Also A Statue.”
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