THE TOWN COMMON was transformed into Whoville during Lynnfield Recreation’s “Tree Lighting: A Whobilation Celebration” on the Town Common on Dec. 7. From left, Mary Henehan (Martha May Whovie), The Grinch (Historic Lynnfield, Inc. Director John Michalski), Select Board Chair Dick Dalton (Mayor of Whoville), Chloe Lavino (Cindy Lou Who), Juliette Lavino (Max), Recreation Commission alternate member Crystal Lavino (Betty Lou Who) and Recreation Commission member Kimberlee Kossover Hansen (gingerbread lady). (Dan Tomasello Photo)
By DAN TOMASELLO
LYNNFIELD — It’s the most wonderful time of the year.
The Town Common was transformed into Whoville from Dr. Seuss’ classic children’s book “How the Grinch Stole Christmas!” during Lynnfield Recreation’s “Tree Lighting: A Whobilation Celebration” on Saturday, Dec. 7. Three hundred residents attended the celebration despite the frigid temperatures.
Lynnfield Recreation revamped the Tree Lighting Ceremony for the first time in a number of years last Saturday.
“We felt that the town was in need of ‘Whobilation,’ the celebration of community and joining together for a common cause,” said Recreation Commission alternate member Crystal Lavino, who portrayed Betty Lou Who at the event.
Recreation Commission member Kimberlee Kossover Hansen agreed.
“We think this is a really fun take on the Tree Lighting,” said Kossover Hansen, who starred as the gingerbread lady.
In addition to Lavino and Kossover Hansen, the Who cast featured Historic Lynnfield, Inc. Director John Michalski portraying The Grinch, Chloe Lavino starring as Cindy Lou Who, Juliette Lavino portraying Max the dog, Mary Henehan for starring as Martha May Whovier and Select Board Chair Dick Dalton portraying the Mayor of Whoville.
Lynnfield Recreation set up different stations for the Whobilation Celebration’s 300 attendees to enjoy while the Town Common was transformed into Whoville. Kossover Hansen said Lynnfield Girl Scouts sponsored a craft table that allowed children to make Grinch-inspired ornaments. She said the Lynnfield Moms Group hosted a table that allowed kids to write letters to Santa Claus.
Kossover Hansen also said BSA Troop 48 sponsored a photo booth and a slingshot-type game at a table. Locust Street resident Lucy Karis ran the Whoville Salon and applied face glitter and provided holiday accessories for children. Lynnfield High School senior Roxie Beatrice served as the salon’s face painting extraordinaire.
“Roxie donated her talent to the event,” said Lavino.
Kossover Hansen said Hixon and Bevilacqua Home Group sponsored the chocolate chip cookies that were given out to attendees. She said Mary Ann Coletta’s Dunkin’ Donuts franchise sponsored the hot chocolate that attendees enjoyed in order to stay warm from the frigid temperatures. LHS sophomores Hayden Valiton and Jordan Calichman passed out the hot chocolate to attendees.
Lynnfield Recreation kicked off the “Tree Lighting: A Whobilation Celebration” with The Grinch leading “The Who Parade” of young families from Story Time at the Lynnfield Public Library to the Town Common.
After Kossover Hansen welcomed the 300 attendees to the “Whobilation Celebration,” Lynnfield Middle School fifth-grader/singer-acoustic guitarist Ayla Davis kicked off the event’s musical performances by playing “Let It Snow, “Carol of the Bells” and “Christmas Tree Farm” by Taylor Swift. Ayla was given a round of applause by the celebration’s attendees.
“How do I follow that?” said Dalton.
Dalton welcomed the 300 attendees to the “Tree Lighting: A Whobilation Celebration.”
“Tonight, we gather as we do each year to kick off the Christmas season,” said Dalton. “This event wouldn’t be possible without the leadership of the Lynnfield Recreation Commission, and the many volunteers who came forward to help out. I want to thank Michael Cuddy, the chairman of the Recreation Commission, and today’s organizers: Recreation Director Jimmy Olsen, Recreation Commission member Kimberlee Kossover Hansen and Recreation Commission alternate member Crystal Lavino. Thanks to Lynnfield Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts and the Lynnfield Moms Group for sponsoring the various games that were offered. I also want to thank Roxie Beatrice, our face painter extraordinaire, and Hixon and Bevilacqua Home Group for providing some really delicious cookies, which I can attest to, and Mary Ann Coletta and Dunkin’ Donuts for donating the hot cocoa.”
Dalton also thanked LHS Band Director Eric Blackman, the LHS Chamber Singers and the LHS Tri-M Music Honor Society for performing at the event. He thanked Library Director Abby Porter and Youth Services Head Alexandra Lambright for offering a Grinch-inspired Story Time.
Additionally, Dalton thanked the Historical Commission and the Village Home and Garden Club for working to beautify the Town Common. He thanked Centre Congregational Church for hosting Lynnfield Recreation’s Gingerbread House Contest.
Dalton also thanked Department of Public Works Director John Scenna, Deputy DPW Director/Town Engineer John Tomasz, Town Administrator Rob Dolan, Assistant Town Administrator Bob Curtin, Fire Chief/Emergency Management Director Glenn Davis and Police Chief Nick Secatore for working closely with Lynnfield Recreation to make sure the “Tree Lighting: A Whobilation Celebration” went off without a hitch.
“Our municipal officials were instrumental in both planning and supporting today,” said Dalton.
Dalton recalled that the town’s first Tree Lighting Ceremony took place in 1984.
“Town residents have gathered here on the Common and in the Meeting House for over 300 years, but it wasn’t until just 40 years ago that the Common featured Christmas lighting,” said Dalton. “And the woman who made it all possible was a local resident named Julie Hallenborg. She went before the Select Board and asked for their support for the project. The Select Board supported the proposal, but did so without any funding being allocated.”
Dalton said Hallenborg placed advertisements in the town’s newspapers “asking people to donate.”
“Julie raised enough money for the installation of the underground wiring,” said Dalton. “She then enlisted Reading Light and a volunteer electrician to finish the electrical work. Essex Tree provided a bucket truck that was used by her, her husband, her three sons and some of their friends, and they hung all of the lights on the trees. The Fire Department provided a fire truck and three girls dressed as elves threw candy to the children. The pastor at Centre Church played Christmas carols with the church bells, and, of course, Santa Claus made an appearance. That is how Lynnfield’s annual Tree Lighting came to be. While modest by today’s standards, it is the foundation of which today’s celebration rests. Julie still lives in town and has been very active in the community over the years. I want to thank Julie for starting this wonderful tradition. Julie, thank you for all that you’ve done for our community.”
In closing, Dalton said: “On behalf of the Select Board, I wish each of you a Merry Christmas and a healthy and happy New Year.”
After Dalton concluded his remarks, the LHS Chamber Singers and the LHS Tri-M Music Honor Society sang “Frosty the Snowman,” “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer” and “I Have a Littlee Dreidel.” Vocalist Jerusha Robins, guitarist Charlie Morgan, drummer Shlok Kudrimoti, saxophonist Josh Robins and keyboardist Max Lin also played a cover of Wham’s “Last Christmas.”
Lynnfield Girl Scouts then led attendees with singing “Jingle Bells,” “We Wish You a Merry Christmas,” “I Have a Little Dreidel,” “Frosty the Snowman” and “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer.”
The celebration’s attendees gave the Girl Scouts and LHS music students a round of applause.
Before Dalton flicked Lynnfield Recreation’s new switch to turn on the Town Common’s white lights, The Grinch ran out of nowhere and pulled the lever instead, and the lights were green instead of white.
“It was Bob Curtin’s idea,” said Lavino.
Kossover Hansen thanked Historic Lynnfield, Inc. for partnering with Lynnfield Recreation for this year’s “Tree Lighting: A Whobilation Celebration.” Historic Lynnfield, Inc. held the Country Store inside the Meeting House while the celebration was taking place.
“The Country Store was a smashing success today,” said Kossover Hansen. “We also want to thank the library for graciously welcoming us in for Story Time.”
Lavino thanked the DPW for its assistance.
“They really showed up, fielded phone calls and were readily available,” said Lavino. “They were fantastic.”
Kossover Hansen also thanked Michalski for starring as The Grinch, Roxie for face painting at the Whoville Salon and Karis for overseeing the salon.
“Lucy helped us with planning the Whoville salon,” added Lavino.
Kossover Hansen also thanked Friends of Lynnfield Recreation, Ali and Ellie Balloons and Jaguar Print in Middleton for supporting the “Tree Lighting: A Whobilation Celebration.” She and Lavino both thanked Michalski for starring as The Grinch.
Recreation Director Jimmy Olsen was thrilled with the turnout of this year’s “Tree Lighting: A Whobilation Celebration,” which was his first time overseeing the event.
“It was great,” said Olsen. “Lynnfield really showed up even though it was very cold. I couldn’t have done it without Kimberlee or Crystal. The help of the Recreation Commission was huge. Everyone enjoyed it. It went great.”
Kossover Hansen concurred with Olsen’s viewpoint.
“We are so grateful for everybody who has come before us,” said Kossover Hansen. “We are excited for the future and bringing the community together with this new theme. We hope that the community enjoyed it as much as we did.”