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Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Pictured here at First Parish of Westwood, an acapella quintet visited the three Westwood Holiday Walkabout locations, treating listeners to their smooth harmonies.
12-02-2023 10:46pm
Weather Cooperates as Walkers Turn Out for Westwood Holiday Walkabout
Darlene Cancell
Editor
The temperature was clear and mild on December 2nd, the first Saturday of the new month, and a good stroke of luck for participants of the first Westwood Holiday Walkabout. Walkers came out in what appears to have been a successful attempt of First Baptist Church of Westwood, First Parish of Westwood, and Westwood Artists to come together to coordinate a holiday experience for local residents and visitors at their three different sites. Foot traffic was steady, and came not only from Westwood, but the surrounding area.
At First Parish of Westwood, a Dedham resident visited Westwood Community Chest's sales table where Luminary Night kits were being sold, and fondly remembered decorating her home with luminaries in another town. On more than one occasion, Westwood neighbors and friends were heard greeting each other with pleased surprise as they visited the Cookie Walk, silent auction, wreaths, and vendor tables. In one case, they had not seen each other for an extended time, so took a moment to reconnect, sitting at a table, chatting over cups of the church's popular clam chowder and chili - special offerings appearing only once a year at this annual Christmas Fair. Later in the afternoon, the acapella singing group Vocal Revolution would provide the community with a free performance at the church, opening up the winter holidays with familiar and uplifting tunes.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Potential bidders browse the silent auction at the First Parish of Westwood.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. First Parish Christmas Fair organizer Pam Kane (right) takes a rare moment to rest and sit with Donna MacClary, another event volunteer.At the Fisher School, Westwood Artists held its first indoor winter marketplace since the onset of Covid. In the warmly lit space, attractively arranged with artistic sensibility, were eye-catching displays of handmade wares like knits, wreaths, woolens, paintings, photographs, jewelry, accessories and home goods. Artist Amy Keith of AOK explained her upcycled creations: handbags made from jeans, seashells turned into gold-rimmed catchalls, and glass plates reinvented into raised platters. A number of other artists, including Kathy Zola and Maureen Obey, whom Westwood Minute has profiled, were also on hand with knitted hats and mittens, scarves, and paintings.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Artist Amy Keith gives new life to old products, turning them into upcycled creations.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Kathy Zola is one of the first artists that visitors see when stepping through the door to the Westwood Artists marketplace in the Fisher School.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Westwood Artists demonstrates how wool or felt can be a decorative material.At First Baptist Church of Westwood's Holly Fair, visitors would find friendly volunteers staffing tables with Westwood High School Alumni merchandise, attic treasures, home baked goodies, and jewelry, among other items. Event staffers added lighthearted holiday spirit, wearing headgear that included reindeer antlers and a minature, holly-decorated hat. An attendee was observed good-humoredly breaking out into what looked almost like a small, playful skip or two. Said coordinator Vickie Devoy, "I think the fair was a huge success. Very steady traffic. It was great working with the other people on the Walkabout. I think we did a lot of hype. I hope that we all benefitted from it."
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Holly Fair organizer Vickie Devoy calls the collaboration, that led to the Westwood Holiday Walkabout, a success.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. Event organizer Wendy Lewis (left) and a friend are cheerful and friendly, as they staff a table offering items with the Westwood logo.
Photo by Westwood Minute/Darlene Wong Cancell. The Holly Fair was held in one, large room containing a number of different vendors, food items, jewelry, and attic treasures, among other items.
