The Scene In and Around Boston . . . A preview party will celebrate the opening of "The Festival of Trees," which is being sponsored by the Massachusetts Horticultural Society at its Elm Bank Reservation headquarters in Wellesley. Joyce Bakshi is the chair of the Festival. Scheduled for Friday, November 20, the party will feature cocktails and hors d'oeuvres as well as a silent auction beginning at 6 p.m., as the guests get to enjoy the decorated trees before the public viewings (Saturday, November 21 through Friday, December 4; closed on Thanksgiving Day). During the run of the Festival, ornaments, swags, holiday arrangements and decorations will also be available for sale. We remember the old days when the Society sponsored the "Annual Christmas Fair" and "Trees of Christmas" at Horticultural Hall on Massachusetts Avenue, opposite Symphony Hall. The first year we attended was in 1978! The trees and decorations were provided by garden clubs, all members of the Garden Club Federation of Massachusetts. MassHort expects the new Festival to become an annual event. "It [will] kick off the holiday season in a special way: by giving families an opportunity to see spectacularly decorated holiday trees in a festive environment. Tree themes are intended to appeal to all ages. All trees [will be] raffled off, with proceeds going to help maintain the gardens at Elm Bank." To sponsor a tree, donate to the auction, order tickets, or more information, call 617-933-4900 or visit www.masshortfestivaloftrees.org.
Boston's Official Christmas Tree Arrives on November 20 Mary Hines of the Boston Parks and Recreation Department tells us that a police escort will once again herald the arrival of Boston's official Christmas tree as it makes the final leg of its journey from Nova Scotia to the Boston Common on the morning of Friday, November 20. The tree will be installed near the Boston Visitors Center on Tremont Street, where it will be greeted by Boston Parks Commissioner Antonia M. Pollak, Nova Scotia Come to Life officials, local schoolchildren, and a special appearance by Santa Claus. The City of Boston's "Official Tree Lighting" comes to Boston Common on Thursday, December 3, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. This will be the 68th annual Tree Lighting on Boston Common. This marks the eighth year that Nova Scotia joins with the City of Boston to present the Christmas tree on Boston Common. It is also the 38th year that Nova Scotia has given a tree to the people of Boston as thanks for relief efforts following the December 6, 1917, explosion of a munitions ship in Halifax Harbor. Within 24 hours of the disaster, a train loaded with supplies and emergency personnel was making its way from Boston to Nova Scotia. For more information, call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505.
Boston Toy Show Scheduled The "Greater Boston Antique and Collectible Toy Show & Sale" takes place on Sunday, November 22 at the Dedham Holiday Inn from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. The show is the perfect place to find model kits, action figures, G.I. Joes, die cast collectibles, Tonka, and Buddy-L, just to name a few The show will fill both ballrooms at the Inn. We are told that some enthusiasts make a day of it. The hotel sets up a breakfast/sandwich bar in the show lobby and there will be chairs set up between the two rooms to take a break. For admission costs or more information, call 781-281-1448 or visit www.bostontoyshow.com. Enjoy! |
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In addition to events covered and reported by the columnist, "The Scene..." |
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Celebrated artist of exquisite greeting cards, Mary Ann Perkins' painting features the perfect Christmas tree for the gardener: with its gardening tools, watering can, and pots of amaryllis, poinsettias, cyclamen and jonquils. (Photo of Caspari (R) Christmas card by Hilda M. Morrill)