Boston Flora

Month: November 2009

  • Saturday, December 5 & Sunday, December 6 – The 20th Annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas

    The town of Stockbridge, made famous by Norman Rockwell’s painting of the village during the holidays, becomes a magical New England setting decorated with holiday wreaths and festive lights, as the town celebrates the 20th annual Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas, December 5th and 6th.

    Sponsored by the Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, the holiday celebration offers a full range of activities, with highlights including a holiday house tours, caroling, and a holiday concert.

    Capping off the weekend is a recreation on Sunday of the scene depicted in Main Street at Christmas, complete with vintage automobiles parked in the spots occupied in the painting. The day’s activities include horse drawn rides, a visit from Santa, Roger the Jester, lunch at the Christmas Food Booth and much more.

    The festivities celebrate Rockwell’s popular depiction of what for many is the quintessential small New England Town, with all the longing for a simpler time that it represents. Rockwell began painting the popular image in 1956, but did not complete it until December 1967.

    The image and character of Stockbridge has changed little over the years, thanks to the great care and affection of its residents, and it is that special ambience which draws so many.

    The Holiday House Tour takes place on Saturday from 11:00 am – 4:00 pm.  Visit some of the area’s Historic Properties, B&B’s, and Inns. This self-guided tour is one of our most popular events. The years tour features The Former Rockwell House, The Campbell House, National Shrine of the Divine Mercy Residence, Orleton Farm Carriage House & Stables, Linwood House, the Stockbridge Country Inn and Merwin House.  Tickets are $15.00 per person.

    Children’s Holiday Story Time, from 11 – 11:30 am at the Stockbridge Library, is free, as is the Caroling Luminaria Walk from 6 – 7 pm. Meet in front of The Red Lion Inn, Main Street with your candle or flashlight and join the festive caroling followed by a Luminaria walk to the First Congregational Church.

    The Holiday Concert begins at 7:30.

    Celebrate the magic of the season with a joyful holiday musical program held at the First Congregational Church. Featuring the Berkshire Lyric Chorus, the Blafield Children’s Chorus; Gisella Montanez, Special Guest Soloist; Jack Brown, Artistic Director and Joseph Rose, Accompanist.  Tickets are $20.00 in advance and $25.00 at the door.

    Sunday’s big event runs from 12 noon to 2:00 pm.

    See Main Street as Norman Rockwell did when he painted the famous Stockbridge Main Street at Christmas. Main Street becomes a magical New England village with over 50 antique cars parked along the street (weather permitting) and a full range of festive activities to delight the child in everyone. Enjoy Holiday Music, The Londontown Carolers, Roger the Jester and lunch at the Christmas Food Booth. Children may create holiday fun at Santa’s workshop sponsored by the Norman Rockwell Museum. Complete the day with a visit from Santa.  Commemorative Buttons offering admittance to Sunday’s Main St. activities are $5.00 per person. Children under 12 free.

    Horse drawn rides will also be available for an additional nominal fee.  To purchase tickets in advance to any or all of these events, log on to www.stockbridgechamber.org and print the order form and mail it in to The Stockbridge Chamber of Commerce, PO Box 224, Stockbridge, MA 01262, or, on the week of the event, tickets may be purchased at The Red Lion Inn, 30 Main Street, Stockbridge.

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  • Garden Club of the Back Bay Holiday Wreaths – Supporting the Community

    There is still time to order a magnificent holiday wreath from The Garden Club of the Back Bay – you may print an order form and mail it in with your check, or you may order online and pay through PayPal.  All the information and directions are available by clicking here.  Why should you buy from us?  Yes, we know you could order from local florists (at a significantly higher price, we might point out), or from the nurseries or groceries stores (at perhaps a slightly lower cost).  Purchasing our wreaths comes with the satisfaction of knowing you are supporting many wonderful local organizations, in addition to our own.  Each year we make grants to not for profit groups which are making a difference in our lives.  Besides the Friends of the Public Garden and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall Committee, we donate to the Emerald Necklace Conservancy, the Charles River Clean Up Boat, the Boston Nature Center of the Massachusetts Audubon Society, the Esplanade Association, and to City Roots/The Urban Ecology Institute.   This is by no means the complete list of beneficiaries (click on to our Projects page on the menu above for details) but we give between $15,000 and $18,000 annually to area groups accomplishing great works which we do not have the expertise or manpower to do ourselves.  The dollar amount of these grants is dependent upon our earnings, so we urge you to be generous and allow us the opportunity to enhance your holiday environment with our fresh balsam wreaths. Thank You!

  • Saturday, December 5 – Sunday, December 6 – South Boston Christmas House Tour

    Catholic Charities Laboure Center will hold a South Boston Christmas House Tour of five homes decorated for the holidays beginning Saturday, December 5, from 4 – 6 pm, and continuing Sunday, December 6, from noon – 4 pm.  The Saturday Twilight Tour will conclude with a reception immediately after at The Terrace Room of UMASS Boston Campus Center.  The cost for this benefit evening is $75.  The Daytime Tour on Sunday will be self guided, or you may take an available trolley, and will cost $25 per ticket if purchased in advance, or $30 for a ticket purchased on the day of the tour.  Parking is available at Castle Island, and you may start the tour at Castle Island or at the Laboure Center, 275 West Broadway.  You may also visit The Shoppe at Laboure for a bit of Christmas shopping.  For more information, contact Judy Swanson at jswanson@ccab.org, or by telephone at 617-464-8503.  Tickets may be ordered on line at www.ccab.org.

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  • Friday, December 4 – Sunday, December 6 – Nantucket Christmas Stroll Weekend

    Nantucket is particularly enchanting during the holiday season, when New England’s finest traditions come alive for the Annual Christmas Stroll Weekend, (December 4 – 6) part of Nantucket Noel (Nov. 27 – Dec. 31) a month-long celebration organized by the Nantucket Island Chamber of Commerce.  For a complete listing of events, log on to www.nantucketchamber.org.

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  • Saturday, December 5, 9:00 – 11:30 am – Greens Market in the Coachman’s House

    Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase unique tabletop decorations, wreaths and greens from the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum Holiday Greens Market in the Coachman’s House, at the Museum in New Bedford, Massachusetts. Custom orders may be placed in advance.  The sale will take place Saturday, December 5, from 9:00 am – 11:30 am.  For directions and more information, log on to www.rjdmuseum.org.

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  • Friday, December 4, 6:00 – 8:00 pm – Gala Preview Party & Wreath Silent Auction

    Come to the opening of the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum Holiday Exhibit and Wreath Silent Auction on Friday, December 4, from 6 – 8 pm. Enjoy fabulous hors d’oeuvre and yuletide spirits in the festively decorated rooms of the Museum. Take home a beautiful wreath, custom designed by volunteers. $40 members, $45 non-members.  For tickets, directions and more information, log on to www.rjdmuseum.org.

  • Tuesday December 1 – Wednesday, December 2, 9:00 am – Greens Market Workshops

    Learn how to design extraordinary decorative wreaths and holiday accents, and at the same time, support the Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum’s holiday fund raising efforts, by crafting items for its Wreath Auction and Greens Market. Workshops will be held in the Coachman’s House. All materials supplied. No fee. Come either Tuesday, December 1 beginning at 9 am, or Wednesday, December 2 at 9 am, or both days if you are willing!

    Located in historic New Bedford, Massachusetts on a full city block of gardens, this national landmark was built for whaling merchant William Rotch, Jr. in 1834. Designed by Richard Upjohn, the House is one of the finest surviving examples of residential Greek Revival architecture.

    The Rotch-Jones-Duff House & Garden Museum is so named for the three prominent families who resided at 396 County Street. The house and gardens chronicle 150 years (1834-1981) of economic and social life in the city, as reflected in the lives and stories of those who lived and worked at the property.

    Furnished period rooms display the decorative arts, furniture and belongings of the families and time frame. The Museum offers permanent and changing exhibits, lecture series, community and educational programs.

    A partner in the New Bedford Whaling National Historic Park, the Museum joins the city’s cultural and educational institutions in embracing, celebrating and learning from the rich legacy of this maritime community.

  • November 30 – December 31 – Christmas in Newport

    Founded in 1971, Christmas in Newport began as a two-week festival that celebrated the noncommercial traditions of the holiday season. Now in its 39th year, the annual program boasts multiple activities for nearly each day of the December calendar.

    In a community collaboration among residents, businesses and the city, only clear bulbs illuminate the scenic harbor and wharves, the restored colonials of the Point and Historic Hill sections, and the Victorian splendor of Bellevue Avenue.The lights are meant to simulate candlelight, and are the brainchild of Christmas in Newport founder Ruth Myers, who wished to recapture the candlelit holidays of bygone days. With a volunteer base numbering 1500, the non-profit organization, Christmas in Newport, raises thousands of dollars for charity each year. In keeping with the true spirit of the season, any event listed in the annual program must be free of charge or must benefit a non-profit institution or charity.

    For more information about Christmas in Newport, call our hot line at  (401) 849-6454, or visit the web site at http://www.christmasinnewport.org/ (courtesy of Pirata Media)  A 30-minute video highlighting many of our December activities is available for a fee from Video Image Productions at (401) 847-3229. For a listing of accommodations in the Newport area, please write the Gateway Information Center at 23 America’s Cup Avenue or call (800) 326-6030.

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  • Saturday, November 28, 10:00 am – 12 noon – Doyle Reservation Tree Tour

    Join a self-proclaimed lover of trees (and forester) on a guided tour of the grounds at the Doyle Estate and Pierce Park on Saturday, November 28, from 10:00 am – 12 noon.  You will be introduced to the over fifty species of trees which call the estate home.  This is a free event, sponsored by The Trustees of Reservations, and you may sign up by calling 978-840-4446, x 1900, or emailing central@ttor.org.  Driving directions to Leominster are available at www.thetrustees.org.

    At the turn of the 20th century, Harry W. Pierce assembled a grand estate featuring a 29-room stucco mansion, stable, horse paddocks, a pond, and an extensive system of bridle paths. Today, this estate is the Doyle Reservation, with Pierce Park and the Doyle Conservation Center at its heart.

    Pierce Park is made up of 10 of the original landscaped grounds from the estate (most of the trees and shrubs are from the estate’s original design and plantings). Doyle Conservation Center, a LEED Gold-Certified “green” building, serves as one of The Trustees of Reservations’ regional offices.  Pierce Park is a link in the Monoosnoc Trail. More trails are planned.

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  • Holiday Lighting Around Town – Mayor Menino Plugs In

    The Mayor will be busy indeed as he dashes around town spreading holiday cheer beginning Monday, November 23 at Christopher Columbus Park in the North End.  At 5:30 pm, he will flick the switch on 50,000 bulbs in a unique, blue and white design, which have been strung along 260 feet of trellis in the heart of the park.  The free celebration will include entertainment from the North End Music and Performing Arts Center and the Ray Cavicchio Band, as well as food from Mike’s Pastry, Starbucks, the Marriott Long Wharf Hotel, and Legal Sea Foods.  The entire evening is sponsored by the Friends of Christopher Columbus Park and the Boston Parks and Recreation Department.

    On Wednesday, December 2, you may spot the Mayor closer to home when he joins the Friends of Copley Square, the Boston Parks and Recreation Department, the Salvation Army Brass Band, and the Trinity Church Children’s Choir at the official Copley Square Tree Lighting, beginning at 5:00 pm.  You’ll find Santa Claus and, once again, Legal Sea Foods.  The forty foot blue spruce has been sponsored by Normandy Real Estate Partners.

    The next night, Thursday, December 3, from 6 – 8 pm, the City of Boston’s 68th Annual Tree Lighting takes place on the Boston Common.  Sponsors WCVB-TV Channel 5 and Magic 106.7 will provide live coverage of, you guessed it, Mayor Menino, and refreshments will be provided by H.P. Hood LLC, Cabot Creamery, Nantucket Nectars and Snapple, Dunkin’ Donuts, Jazzy Apples, and New York Life (they cook?).  Entertainment will include R&B singer Brian McKnight, “American Idol” Season 6 third place finalist Melinda Doolittle, the Boston Arts Academy Dance Troupe, the Masquerade cabaret troupe, and Magic 106.7’s Nancy Quill and Mike Addams.  Nova Scotia again provides the tree. (Thank you to www.boston.com for the image below)

    Once the Mayor has lit the Common, he’ll proceed to Arlington Street and the Commonwealth Avenue Mall to illuminate the two hundred trees along the Mall with little white lights, all paid for through community support and private donations raised by the Committee to Light Commonwealth Avenue Mall.  The Taj Boston will provide refreshments.

    Call the Boston Parks and Recreation Department at 617-635-4505 if you need more information.

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