12-02-2023 10:46pm

Weather Cooperates as Walkers Turn Out for Westwood Holiday Walkabout

Darlene Cancell Editor

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.

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.

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.

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."