A Magical Evening at Old Sturbridge Village's 12 Nights of Christmas - Sturbridge, MA

STURBRIDGE, MA -  Old Sturbridge Village is holding a wonderful holiday event this year:  The 12 Nights of Christmas.  On selected evenings (see below) the Village will be open during evening hours only while it presents its candlelight Christmas in the style of early Colonial days.

My family and I ventured to Old Sturbridge Village a few nights ago and had a thoroughly delightful time.  Seventeen of the buildings around the Village's town common were open for evening events.  The wind was cold and brisk, which made lingering outdoors very limited and enhanced the charm of the fire-warmed homes and businesses.

Some of the offerings that we enjoyed included:

- Burgess Elementary School Band holiday performance in the Stephen Brewer Theater
- Roasted chestnuts in the Small House
- Gingerbread Village display at the Friends Meetinghouse
- Samples of fruitcake at the Parsonage.  Did you know that the dried fruits were soaked in brandy?
- Bundling mulling spices in cheesecloth and a visit from Father Christmas at Bullard Tavern
- Music and song throughout the Village, and a glowing bonfire on the common

Only four nights remain in the celebration. Old Sturbridge Villagewill hold its remaining12 Nights of Christmas on the following dates:

December 17, 18, 19, 20

Saturday, December 19, will be especially interesting as the Budweiser Clydesdaleswill parade to Old Sturbridge Village starting at 3:15 pm.

The Village is open from 4 to 9 pm on these days.  The museum is closed during daytime hours on these dates.

I strongly recommend that you take a step back in time with the 12 Night of Christmas at Old Sturbridge Village.  On our visit, we did not have time to get to all of the buildings that were open, and I hope to return to see the rest of the celebration.

Old Sturbridge Village is not a place, it is an event.

Happy Holidays!

Water heater codes demystified. 

In the following blog, home inspector Michael Thornton of Tennessee clues us in to the meaning of some of the numbers that may be found on a water heater. 

Keep in mind, your water heater may be different than that shown below.  Always consult with an inspector or contractor licensed in your state to verify such information. No guarantees are made here - this is strictly for informational purposes.

I'll look forward to seeing what Michael writes for Part 2.

If You Like Gingerbread Houses, You'll Love This One at the Publick House - Sturbridge, MA

The Publick House Inn in Sturbridge, MA, is always decorated for the season.  Right now, the historic inn and restaurant gleams with twinkly lights and holiday decor.  Below is a photograph of the Gingerbread House that stands at the landing of the Publick House.  This Gingerbread House is well over five feet tall.  It has a first and second level, occupied by caroling figurines.  The house is decorated in the style of Colonial times.  Stop by and see it if you are in Sturbridge. 

Snow and Lights on Tannery Road - Tall Pines - Sturbridge, MA

Winter made a stunning entrance on Tannery Road in Sturbridge, Massachusetts, in early December 2009. 

One of the remarkable features of this neighborhood is the row of street lights that line the road.  The lamps are hand-made by a local tinsmith, and when night falls and the lights come up, Tannery Road is transformed.  Add the lighted garland that the residents hang for the holiday season each year, and you have the prettiest street in Sturbridge.

These photograhs were taken on an early morning, as the sun rose, the moon took a bow, and before the street lights turned off for the day.  You can see why this neighborhood is called the Tall Pines.

Text and photos copyright Kathryn Acciari 2009

Sturbridge, MA - RE/MAX Agents Give to Needy Kids

On Tuesday, December 8, 2009, agents from the RE/MAX Professional Associates offices of Sturbridge, Charlton, and Spencer gathered to spend the morning in a flurry of holiday wrapping.  The agents assembled bundles of hats, mittens, gloves, and socks to donate to local children in need.

Amidst holiday songs and cookies, the RE/MAX agents created over 100 gift packages.  They then disbursed to deliver their gifts to area schools, which will in turn provide needy families with the donated bundles.

A happy holiday to all the families of Central Massachusetts!

Text and photo copyright 2009 Kathryn Acciari

RE/MAX Hot Air Ballon Rides at Festival of Trees - Southbridge, MA

Today is the final day of the Festival of Giving Trees in Southbridge, MA.  In addition to viewing, and voting on, the beautiful Christmas trees on display, you can take a tethered ride in the RE/MAX hot air balloon.  The balloon will be at Notre Dame from 2 - 4 PM, today, December 6.

A donation is requested for each ride.  These donations will benefit the Festival of Giving Trees as well as the Center of Hope - two very active nonprofit organizations in Southbridge.  Come and see us this afternoon!

Earlier today, I visited the site where one of my clients is having a new home built.  The foundation is in, the framing is done, the siding is on, and the plastering was under way.  As I entered the house, my first thought was how wonderfully the construction was moving along.

My second thought was, "Ah - that new home smell!"

Most folks have an opportunity to know of the new car smell, but very few actually experience the new home smell.  It's a mix of the scents of primarily lumber with top notes of plaster, concrete, plywood, and paint.   And it is truly wonderful.

Ah - that new home smell!

Festival of Giving Trees in Southbridge, MA - Starts Dec 3 2009

The 2009 Festival of Giving Trees kicks off on Thursday, December 3.  This annual holiday event draws supporters from all around New England and is an enormous community fundraisers for cancer research. 

The Festival of Giving Trees is an event designed to bring the community together while raising funds for cancer research.  Each year, dozens of generous volunteers decorate and donate Christmas trees to the festival. 

Each tree has a theme.  Many local businesses donate goods and gift certificates to decorate the trees. Some of my favorite themes from past years have included a childrens' book tree, a candy tree, a pampering tree, and a motorcycle tree.

Visitors to the festival vie for their favorite trees by dropping tickets into each tree's mail box.  At the end of the festival, one winner is selected for each tree.  The winner gets to take that tree home.

Held in Southbridge, MA, the Festival of Giving Trees kicks off on December 3 with a special premier tree viewing from noon to 5 PM.  Other tree viewing (and voting) times are Friday and Saturday from 10 am to 5 pm, and Sunday 10 am to 3 pm.  The trees are on display at the LaSalle Reception Center, 444 Main Street, Southbridge, MA.

This year's Winter Starlight Gala will be held at the Southbridge Community Center, 153 Chestnut Street, Southbridge, MA.  A collection of trees decorated specifically for the gala will be on display.  The gala includes live music, auctions, hors d'oeuvres, and cash bar. 

If you love Christmas trees, and the magic they encompass, then you don't want to miss this sparkling festival.  For more information on the Festival of Giving Trees, see sparklingtrees.com

Deck the Doors in Sturbridge, MA

We are already starting to see some fantastic holiday decorating along Main Street, Sturbridge.  And if you have not heard, there is a holiday door decorating contest ongoing.

From December 1 to December 20, 2009, businesses and residents along Main Street Sturbridge are invited to participate in the first-ever Deck the Doors contest.  Residents and visitors to Sturbridge are encouraged to vote for their favorite decorated doors.  This includes both Routes 20 and 131.

The contest includes two separate awards, one for the best business door and one for the best residential door.  Voting remains open until December 20th, and ballot boxes are located at these businesses:

1) Susan's Secret Garden on Route 20; 2) Bake shop at the Publick House on Route 131; 3) the Visitor center on Route 20; and 4) Sturbridge Marketplace at the Falls on Route 20 - 2nd floor. 

So as you shop and work your way down historic Main Street, Sturbridge, take time to notice the decorations that have started to appear.  And do take a minute to cast your vote for your favorites.

May warm holiday spirits be with you this season!

So Proud of the New Orleans Saints

I wasn't able to stay awake late enough to see the entire game last night, but my bleary-eyed husband tells me that the New Orleans Saints remain undefeated.  He also admits in a respectful tone that the Saints were tough and played an exceptional game against the Patriots.  I am so proud.

My interest in the Saints began in the 1990's, when I was living in Buffalo.  I was supposed to be a Bills fan, but after a number of failed Super Bowl attempts, I had to step up and confess my real allegiance:  The New Orleans Saints.  Admittedly, they were not much of a team back then.

Fast forward to 2009.  Now I live in Massachusetts and am supposed to be a Patriots fan.  The Patriots are a superb team, no argument there.  But for me, they are in the second line, behind New Orleans.  It is so satisfying to see this underdog of a team, who has had so little respect in the past decade, rise to the top.  I'll be facing a lot of heat because of this, but I stand firm.  I am rooting for the Saints.

Go New Orleans!