Beacon Bits -- A Touch of Hope

When I returned to Mountain Laurel Florist at 15 Tioranda Avenue for the second time this week, a memory of walking around in Kopervik, Norway during Christmas in 1986 came to my mind. The building has a quaint European flair. I had just walked down from the Howland Cultural Center's "Holiday Crafts" show. That simple act of walking to engage in last minute shopping for something handcrafted or living like a poinsettia, wreath or seasonal flowers, triggered the happy memory. 

But it was also the warm conversation and easy exchange between the customer and the proprietor that struck a chord of familiarity. That reminded me of how I felt when I moved to Beacon over 10 years ago when most of the shopkeepers knew your name and a connection was established whether you were purchasing, browsing or asking about a special item to order.

Laura, the proprietor of Mountain Laurel Florist, is an experienced florist who is homegrown as a lifelong Beaconite. She previously had a shop located on Route 52 (2004-2010). She has re-established herself in this new venue down from Main Street after independently contracting as a florist in the ensuing years. While shops off of Main Street may not always get the peripatetic sightseeing crowd who have been frequenting the area since the pandemic and updated featured NYT article, those who are residents and want to establish an ongoing relationship with a florist will not be deterred because it's off the beaten path. In fact, the location may be part of the lure for those who are familiar with the many side streets and shortcuts that are helpful when looking for parking.

The possibilities of new growth is a sign of hope, which is still needed at this dark time of the year, even though we've just turned the corner with the days getting longer. Since Laura is so close to her roots, my wish is that she may bloom where she is planted.

Food for thought:  What gives you hope this holiday season? What memory have you had from your earlier years that evokes an enduring sense of peace and joy found in the simple things? What do you hope takes root and begins to grow in 2021?

Boscobel - Still Sparkling

For the last five years, I volunteered at the holiday event known as "Sparkle" at Boscobel. When "Friends" were called on to lend a hand to the staff hosting the event, I never turned it down. It was a way to become part of a gathering of families and friends who came to celebrate the holiday and revel in the lights, the music, the festivities, the gingerbread treats and to lay claim to it as part of their annual traditional celebration. 

Through the years, I stood guard at the entrance checking for admission stickers, assisted at the Santa workshop for crowd control, helped with photo opportunities, led people safely down the sweeping staircase after a docent-led tour with flashlights directed at their feet in the dimly lit and historically-appropriate decorated house, and greeted people as they entered and exited the reserved seating for the Putnam Chorale Society concert.

This year, no volunteers were called. As a member, however, I took myself to the grounds at twilight on the eve of the Army-Navy game across the river, with lights ablaze and cannons firing. The lights were bright at Michie Stadium, the evening was particularly warm and the sky was clear. I could almost imagine Saturn aligning with Jupiter in the south-southwest sky after sunset to be observed on December 21 and not again until the year 2086. Or the Geminid meteor shower peaking the night of December 13 to 14.

The quiet and twinkle of the purposefully placed lights amidst the few guests on the grounds was a testament to the name for this year's event, 'Silent Night'. Santa was going to make a visit the next day. But for now, not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse.....I think they were all scattered by the flock of geese that flapped their wings in unison as they took off across the lawn to herald the coming of the winter season at Boscobel. An arousing ovation for the season that was during a time that has never been.

Food for thought: How grateful and humbled to have such beauty right down the road and to be able to be spontaneous and still have an adventure, despite it all, during these dark times. 

Be ready for the Light to Come in the Spring 2021

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