It’s 5:30PM on Saturday, January 27, the depth of winter in Massachusetts — but not at the Hyde Community Center park, where over 600 people have gathered to eat soup, ice cream, and cookies and drink hot chocolate served by members of the Newton’s City Council and Rep. Jake Auchincloss. A giant Light Bright truck parked near the park’s Lincoln Street entrance lights the way to the festivities — including the Eli Cash Band (quartet) in the Hyde Community Center bandstand, hula hoopers waving light wands, and Light Brighters creating multi-colored light designs.
Renande Loayza, a Newton Community Pride Board member, and her daughter Carmen welcome people to the Soup Social — now in its twenty-seventh year and its second year outside. The Hyde Community Center and Newton Pride have pooled their considerable organizational and volunteer resources to produce a lively, winter-defying evening for younger and older Newton residents, many with family members and friends. Last year, faced with the on-going Covid pandemic, but not wanting to disappoint WinterFEST fans, John Rice, Hyde Community Center’s Executive Director and originator of the Soup Social, decided to move the indoor venue outside, bringing the soup and hot chocolate with him. As Renande Loayza explains,
”Newton Community Pride strives to create programming that celebrates the beauty and diversity in Newton. We work intentionally to bring different stakeholders in the city together to take part in making all who live and visit the city feel welcome. The WinterFEST was born out of a need and necessity to bring people together after a tough couple of years. It was beautiful to see so many different cultures, age groups, family representations and community members come together for a weekend of joy, and togetherness.”
Blair Sullivan, Newton Community Pride’s Executive Director, echoed that commitment and purpose, underscoring the appeal to Newton newcomers and longtime residents at a dreary time of year when people want to connect. She expressed gratitude for the support of local businesses whose contributions allowed WinterFEST to offer the public no-cost food and entertainment. The interactive Light Bright was the work of artist Tova Specter, contributed by the Jewish Arts Collaborative. And Newton Community Pride brought in the Eli Cash Band.
In anticipation of a crowd, Hyde Community Center and Newton Community Pride volunteers set up thirty large tables and two hundred chairs for the Soup Social and band audience. Last year, there was an ice cover on the grass and the anticipation of eighteen inches of snow — which did not materialize. Saturday’s weather was 50 temperate degrees during the day and 45 in the evening, which clearly added to the crowd’s enthusiasm.
Tarik Lucas, City Councilor from Ward 2, served at last year’s Soup Social, and this year with City Council President Susan Albright and Rep. Auchincloss — whom he replaced on the City Council. Ward 2 claimed the distinction for the greatest number of public officials volunteering at the event. Standing with the proprietor of Lincoln Street’s Grape Leaf Mediterranean Grille, Councilor Lucas ladled avgolemono soup into the cups of eager guests. “I want to thank Newton Community Pride, the Hyde Center, food and soup vendors, and all the volunteers for making the WinterFEST Soup Social possible. It was nice to get out into the community, see familiar faces and meet new people. I can’t wait ’til next year’s event,” he said.
Julia Anne Malakie, Ward 3 City Councilor served “ed lentil soup from the Dining Car Cafe on Lincoln Street. The soup is vegan and gluten free “and smelled great,” she said, asking “What could be more fun that making people happy with their choice of hot soup? Thanks to all the restaurants who participated.” Ward 4 Councilor Josh Krintzman echoed the general sentiment, noting, “It was a pleasure to help out the WinterFEST Soup Social. What a great weekend. I just wish that someone had properly informed us about where the camera was located,” he said, referring to the group photo of city councilors, the Congressmen, and the line of guests waiting to be served. Other City Council soup-servers were Maria Scibeli Greenberg, (W1), Bill Humphrey (W5), Vicki Danberg and Alicia Bowman W6), and Rick Lipof and Holly Ryan (W8). Rep. Auchincloss thanked the Hyde Community Center and Community Pride and introduced Mayor Fuller, who followed his lead in thanking the organizers.
Karl O’Hara, owner of O’Hara’s on Walnut Street in Newton Highlands and Paddy’s in West Newton, has been participating in the Soup Social from its inception, always donating chicken pot pie. This year, O’Hara’s provided fifteen gallons. “We donate anything John (Rice) asks for,” he said.
For his part, John Rice said the evening “was ideal.” although the Hyde Center Gym “was blocked off in case of weather.” In addition to food and entertainment, the Hyde Center provided biodegradable spoons and cups to minimize waste-disposal issues. He credited Blair Sullivan, Newton Community Pride’s Executive Director, for arranging for the band and the Light Bright truck and Chris Pitts for setting up the excellent sound system. And no Newton community event would be complete without Cabot’s ice cream.
Rep. Auchincloss summed up the event: “Hot soup and good friends on a beautiful Saturday night in Newton. Thanks to John Rice and Newton Community Pride for bringing us together!”
And Mayor Fuller added, “”Newtonians of all ages had a blast with lighted hula hoops, hot soup and hot chocolate donated by fabulous Newton restaurants, and lively music on a warm winter Saturday night. Kudos to John Rice and the Hyde Community Center and Gloria Gavris and Newton Community Pride for a joyous WinterFEST.”
John Rice reminded all to “Please support and thank the many Newton businesses that donated food to
make it a successful night.” They are:
- Ohara’s Food and Spirits (1185 Walnut Street)
- 57 Lincoln Kitchen (57 Lincoln Street)
- Otake Sushi Bistroi (15 Lincoln Street)
- Grape Leaf Mediterranean Grille (6 Lincoln Street)
- The Dining Car Lincoln Plaza (4 Hartford Street)
- Dunn Gaherin’s (344 Elliot Street)
- Avenue Deli (1134 Beacon Street)
- Walnut Grille (1203 Walnut Street)
- Sichuan Gourmet House (1203r Walnut Street)
- New England Soup Factory (244 Needham Street)
- Cacao (23 Lincoln Street)
- Cabot’s (743 Washington Street)
