Christmas at the Farm with A Festival of Trees - November 2009

Thanks for coming out and enjoying the Festival.  It was the biggest ever.  This article has a nice recap and pictures.
 

About the event

November 28 - 29, 2009
10 a.m. - 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday (following Thanksgiving)

At the Peter Rice Homestead at 377 Elm Street in Marlborough.
Free and open to the public, with free parking in the large lot across the street.  Food and beverages, crafts, and raffle tickets were available for purchase.

The program for the event, including the list of trees and sponsors, is here [PDF].  The list of winners, along with the tree themes and sponsors, is below the pictures.

Pictures from the Festival

The 2009 tree themes, sponsors, and tree raffle winners

Theme	Sponsor	Winner
Traditional Elegance	Marlboro Nissan	Linda Hassapas
Blooms During Winter	Avidia Bank	Kathy Glenn
People Helping People	Fraternal Order of Eagles	Beth Crockett
Coffee for the Holidays	Starbucks	Cliff Avey
Champagne	St. Mary’s Credit Union	Eric Kuniholm
Life’s A Puzzle	Marlborough Historical Society	Donna Groto
Princesses	Marlborough Historical Society	Donna Carter
Cranberries	Margaret Dwyer and Michael Hogan Family	Sharon Proia
A Holiday Story	Cottage Children’s Center	Troy Fuccillo
Fruit of the Spirit	First Baptist Brazilian Church	Barbara Aiello
Prosperous New Year	Marlboro Cooperative Bank	Maureen Hayes
Pretty in Pink	Rachel Hooper	Mary Smith
NASCAR	Reggie’s Masonry	Pamela Fisher
Scentsational Holidays	Pauline Smith	Mary Jacques
It’s 5 O’clock Somewhere	Danielle Gregoire	Samantha Graham
Marlboro Then and Now	Marlborough Savings Bank	Cathy Orason
Angels Amongst Us	Christopher Heights	Steven Whittier
Blue Dreams	Debbie Foley	Barbara McKee
High School Musical	Debbie Foley	Barbara Harrington
Cars	Pauline Smith	Sheila Chase
Emerald Isle	Kennedy’s Pub	Jan Kearns
Strike Gold	Walter Bonin Financial Services	Chloe Bartlett
Shave and a Haircut, Two Bits	Vic’s  Barbershop	Annette Spitzer
Babes in Toyland	Peggy Schwarz	Nancy Stevens
Hannah Montana	Marlborough Historical Society	Pat McClay
Baubles and Bows	Joan Abshire	Carole Avey
Christmas 1949	Jack Gracey	David Fischer
Mediterranean Splendor	Atty. David Gadbois	Karen Werner
Stitch in Time	Debbie Foley	Terry Vachewski
Ribbons and Lace	Marlborough Community Development Corp.	Karol Deangeli
Starburst in Motion	Pauline Smith	Robert Taylor
Relay Rocks	Pauline Smith	Vikki Crowley
Tea Time	Debbie Foley	Nancy Brigham
Christmas Candles	Debbie Foley	Sue Acosta
Fancy Flowers	Debbie Foley	Karen Mosca
Chandelier	Debbie Foley	Michelle Herlihy
Quackers	Debbie Foley	Donna Winchester
Snow Flakes	Debbie Foley	Paula Denier
Frosted Berries	Debbie Foley	Linda Kuniholm
Country Christmas	Girl Scouts	Rose Johnson

Award winners

• Best of show: Marlboro Then and Now (Marlborough Savings Bank)
• Best tree from a new sponsor*: It's Five O'clock Somewhere (Danielle Gregoire)
  
• Most popular: Marlboro Then and Now (Marlborough Savings Bank)
• Best theme presentation*: Cranberries (Margaret Dwyer and Michael Hogan Family)
  
• Most creative*: Chandelier (Debbie Foley)
• Best children's themed tree*: A Holiday Story (Cottage Children's Center)
• Best representation of Marlborough history*: Marlborough Then and Now (Marlborough Savings Bank)
  
• Best tabletop tree*: NASCAR (Reggie’s Masonry)
• Best use of natural materials*: Blooms During Winter (Avidia Bank)
• Best contemporary tree*: Starburst in Motion (Pauline Smith)
• Best tree from a children's group*: Country Christmas (Girl Scouts)
  
• Best tree skirt*: Marlboro Then and Now (Marlborough Savings Bank)

• Outstanding craft*: Leis Stolk, bobbin lace
• Outstanding baked goods*: Katherine Wright, for a Christmas cabin covered in powdered sugar "snow"
  

• The Community Spirit Award*: Fruit of the Spirit (First Baptist Brazilian Church)

• The President's Award for Outstanding Contributions by a Volunteer: To Debbie Foley, who contributed her creativity and long hours to decorate several trees, get the Homestead ready for the event, and put on a craft workshop for kids all day Saturday and Sunday.
  

• The Trustee's Award: To the Whittier Family, whose donation of the tree they won, Angels Amongst Us, to a grieving parent represents the true meaning of Christmas. 

* Award category added this year.

Note: Other than Best of Show and Most Popular, awards are given only in years judges believe entries are deserving.

Thank you

This is an important annual event for the Society, both in terms of increasing awareness about the Society and the Peter Rice Homestead, as well as raising funds for the Society's preservation efforts.  This year's event was produced in conjunction with the Marlborough Community Development Corporation.

Thanks to all of those who came and participated, viewing the displays and decorations throughout the Homestead, purchasing raffle tickets, bake sale items, and crafts, and enjoying the home made gingerbread and the hot chocolate. 

Thanks, too, to the sponsors who supported the event with their financial contributions and the beautiful trees, and to the members and volunteers of the Marlborough Historical Society who spent countless hours planning, setting up, running, and then taking down everything associated with this event.

Finally, thanks to Jon Delli Priscoli for his support of this event.

If you are interested in participating next year as a sponsor or volunteer, please contact us.