CHRISTMAS DAY AND HOLIDAY SPIRIT
Photo Credit: Patti Anne Photography
BY KARRIE GREENE
As I write, it is late Christmas morning 2020. It’s rainy and unseasonably warm. We woke up early like we do on weekdays and had breakfast. Slightly bigger than we eat on a regular day. We made phone calls to New Jersey and South Carolina to our parents thanking one another for the gifts that had been shipped. There was hopeful talk about visiting next year. I prepared a roast for Christmas Dinner and I am contemplating binge watching a few cheesy Hallmark Christmas specials as we remember our friend and Aunt that we just lost two weeks ago today. She loved traditions and the romance of Christmas.
I just had the honor of reaching out to Dina Dolan and her family to wish them a Merry Christmas and to tell them that they had won the Ugly Car Sweater contest. They have no idea how much they brightened my day when they came rolling up to the Daniel Webster Estate in a half decorated vehicle. Mom was driving, dog was her co-pilot with Dad, Kiddo and a very judgemental elf on a shelf staring at them all as they approached the que for Santa. They told me how they had lost decorations on their ride over. None of us could stop laughing. It was that belly laugh kinda thing that is contagious.
Dina Dolan and Family-Congratulations on your Win! Complimentary Detailing for your car by Crystal Clear Detail 1775 Ocean Street,(Bay # 6) Marshfield, MA 02050
Shortly thereafter, I was scrolling through Facebook reading the many Christmas morning posts my friends were sharing of their children and grandchildren. One of my friends had mentioned that nothing could have prepared her for the amount of joy she would feel watching her children’s faces as they opened up their presents.
In that same spirit, nothing could have prepared me and the many people that volunteered during Merry Days for the out pouring of gratitude for this event. The kindness of people and attitude of gratitude surrounds us. And I think we are the lucky ones because this is evident in all that we do for one another in Marshfield. Of the people I spoke to personally, none were ready for the amount of joy they would have felt, the tears on their cheeks and the resolve that it is in giving that we receive.
As a member of the Chamber and a board member of the Daniel Webster Preservation Trust I couldn’t be prouder of the support this event generated. I can never thank you enough.
Lastly, I would like to thank Lara Brait and her volunteers from the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce for approaching Marshfield Today and The Daniel Webster Preservation Trust as partners for your vision and creation of this event.
Here are some photos and sentiments shared with me by Children, Mothers, Volunteers and Sponsors:
Lou Anderson, Marshfield MA
Mom, Everyone just has so much Christmas spirit. That was definitely the real Santa. —Lou, 6 yrs old
If this was a normal year I would be overseeing DW’s 16th Christmas Designer Show House, our hugely successful annual fund raiser but instead I was part of the Merry Days with Santa Claus on the Webster mansion’s beautifully decorated veranda and am happy to report this event was also a very successful endeavor. 124 cars 300 kids socially distanced chatting with Santa about their lives and their wants. How beautifully these kids and Santa interacted. Excited, shy, quiet and polite as they talked with Santa. It was the merriest of times for us volunteers. —Mickey Carr, DWPT Board Member
Working with Lara and Laurie on Lara’s idea for the Chamber of Commerce to have Santa at the Webster Estate was delightful. Lara’s enthusiasm is infectious and her positive and “can-do” attitude is inspiring. Laurie’s decorating ideas enhanced those of the Webster folks and her food contributions for the volunteers were just the right touch.
Watching the kids and their families, some even included their enthusiastic pets, talk with our Santa and giving them that sense of the normalcy we all have enjoyed all our lives was so wonderful.
Seeing Adam, his sister and their proud parents visit Santa as they have since he has been coming to the Estate was inspiring. The requests of Santa ranged from Playstations, Legos, puppies, drones and dolls to peace and harmony on earth. The Webster folks were bereft at not having their annual Christmas Show House due to the pandemic and this event was just the lift we needed. —Barbara Carney, Vice President of DWPT
It was a joy to being involved in the first joint venture between the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce and the Daniel Webster Estate. An even bigger thrill was the excitement of the boys and girls as they tumbled out of cars for their moment with Santa Claus. A perfectly glorious finale to an otherwise dismal 2020! -Lynne Bartos, Secretary DWPT
DWPT Board Members, Barbara Carney, VP and Mickey Carr
Adam visiting with his friend Santa for the eleventh year.
The organization was thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with Marshfield Today to support Marshfield Merry Days and the Daniel Webster Estate. Volunteering at this three day event was a great highlight of this socially distant holiday season. It was heart warming to see the community come together and spread some much needed holiday cheer to kids of all ages. So grateful for the sponsors, local businesses and volunteers that gave their time and money to support this festive and nostalgic endeavor. Watching the smiles on the kids faces as they met Santa on the veranda of the DWE won’t soon be forgotten. Even though a pandemic, the town pulled together and we creatively found a way to safely celebrate!—Valerie McSorley, owner of The Hive and proud member of the Marshfield Chamber of Commerce Board of Directors
Volunteers, Lara Brait, Executive Director MCOC, Valery McSorley, Board Member MCOC & owner of The Hive
The kids loved it. They said “Absolutely everything! I liked how we could talk to Santa and that they gave us a bag of toys too!” — Sara Donahue, Duxbury
Santa at the Daniel Webster Estate.
The Chamber created Marshfield Merry Days last year to create a central calendar for all of the wonderful holiday events across our membership.
This year with the pandemic we felt that residents would be looking for a fun safe way to experience holiday joy. In partnership with The Daniel Webster Estate and Marshfield Today we created a classic Christmas drive thru experience for families.
The three night event turned out to be better than I ever envisioned. From our volunteers, participants, special guests and the snow, this event truly embodied the classic spirit of the holiday season.
I am truly grateful for all involved and THANK YOU for helping us to bring so much joy to so many Marshfield families. —Lara Brait, Executive Director of MCOC
Thank you so very much for making our family’s holiday season so magical. Our visit tonight to see Santa was so thrilling and memorable for all of us! Honestly, I cried at this event. The work you all did to make this so special was so obvious. My husband and I couldn’t stop smiling the whole way home.
It honestly meant the world to us. We’ve been playing it extra extra safe this year as my husband has a higher risk and this was THE PERFECT way to be able to celebrate with our kids and keep the magic alive for them. I truly can’t thank you all enough. Please tell everyone involved how much it means to us. —Lauren Judge
The Judge Kiddos
Hosts, Sponsors and Donors. Thank you!
