BY RYAN O’CONNOR
Sipping hot cocoa,
eating cookies, carol
ing
and lighting
Christmas trees may be holiday
traditions around the
country, but in Hopkinton
and Contoocook, people
come together twice in one
day to share the spirit of the
season.
On Saturday, Dec. 2,
many residents convened
in Hopkinton and Contoocook
Village to ring in
the holidays and light up
the village Christmas trees.
Merle Dustin, who has
been going to the tree lighting
for 17 years, including
many with her husband before he passed away three
years ago, said a few tree lightings
have been washed out or
hampered by bad weather, but
the tradition has always held
up.
“We’ve had blizzards and ice
storms. There’s been 2 feet of
snow, but this is the largest, most
enthusiastic group I have ever
seen,” she said. “I’m still here
carrying on the tradition, and
this is really wonderful.”
While the Rotary Club sponsored
the tree lighting and the
Hopkinton Town Band led the
carolers, it was the Hopkinton
Woman’s Club that provided
hot cocoa and plenty of holiday
treats.
“I think it’s important to
provide a tradition for children
growing up,” said Valarie Chittim,
a member of the Hopkinton
Woman’s Club. “I think the number
of traditions in our society
are lessening to a great degree,
and I think if we can provide a
tradition the children look forward
to going to every year, it’s
really important.”
For the woman’s club, the
event also provides a chance
for members to give back to the
town, said club President Roxanne
Benzel.
“It’s special for the woman’s
club because we get to participate
in a community event and
interact with the community as
well as we like to bake and bring
all the goodies and the great
food that we make,” Benzel said.
“It’s great to get together with
the community band and kick
off the season.”