'Tis The Season – In Easton

Thanksgiving is behind us – and we are in the last few days of November.

Yep, ‘tis the season. 

I was down at Queset House yesterday, at the inaugural that the Easton Garden Club is running.   Let me tell you, with the beautiful trees and the lights and the Christmas music set in an awe-inspiring and historic mansion, and with kids delighting and laughing, and with the swirl of a spicy Yuletide scent in the air, I got me a major dose of Christmas and holiday spirit. 

My column that will post on Wednesday will focus on the Festival of Trees, which runs until December 3 – but today I want to touch upon the local emergence of holiday emotion.

On my way to Queset House, I saw volunteers working and refurbishing and reconditioning the holiday decorations in front of Oakes Ames Memorial Hall.   The miniature buildings and other props and ornaments that have been central to the holiday display in downtown Easton for several years, have fallen into disrepair, but community and civic giving by many people are committed to reclaiming the structures. 

It is full-time holiday music at Starbucks on Belmont Street/Rte. 123 near the Easton/Brockton line.  This Starbucks is a favorite of Easton people. 

It is not yet December, and on my drive along the big stretch thoroughfare of Center Street, I am seeing the nice creep and ascendance of light bulbs and decorations.   Last night, as I was traveling south on Center Street, maybe a quarter mile from the Civil War monument, I spied on the front lawn of a house a giant snowman electrically illuminated.  Nice.

Of course, this weekend coming up we will have the annual launch in downtown Easton of the Festival of Lights.   This event and the stretch which follows are among the best community building institutions in town. 

The Festival of Lights – which only happens because so many people care and give so much of themselves – is cherished and sacred in how it brings people together in one place for something positive that uplifts the spirit, and it also establishes in one place something physical and bright and happy. 

The lit Rockery is a beacon during this season – a spire and lace of lights, set on the design of Frederick Law Olmsted, one of America’s greatest landscape architects – is so, so good for the soul. 

One can argue that some of the decorations downtown are a bit garish, but it really doesn’t take much energy or commitment to get beyond that sentiment, and to see that kids adore them – and that the kid in all of us should be able to adore them too.

I can go on and on about specific homes and holiday adornment in Easton, but let’s just say that the holidays here in town will receive a special dose of karma when the owners of the stately Victorian in North Easton Village, which is called Unity Close, get out their lights and other Christmas decorations.  (Some landmarks here:  when you pass on your left, and travel a couple hundred yards more or so, Unity Close is on your left)

I mean, really, the place is something out of Better Homes and Gardens anyway, and when it is decorated for the season it is beyond splendid. 

Don’t take the rollout of the holidays here in our beautiful community for granted. 

We are now in time of year of miracles and giving and wonder and blessings and hope. 

Do your best to grab a hold of all of it.