Watertown Street, Nonantum’s thriving mix of restaurants and retail shops, has been a longtime holiday destination for children and their families. Santa Claus, candy canes, elves, reindeer, and lights from posts and branches continue to be a holiday attraction. On Saturday, December 16, approximately 75,000 — permanent — twinkling tree lights expanded the village center’s illuminated business district.
Josh Morse, Newton’s Commissioner of Public Buildings, and his staff responded to a request from the Nonantum Neighborhood Association (NNA) to access $25,000 allocated to the group by Rep. John Lawn through the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021. The new lighting extends the original twinkle tree lighting from West Street to Chapel Street, installed by the NNA about ten years ago, as a unique village center amenity. Public Buildings employees installed the new lights from Adams Street to West Street on Saturday. Commissioner Morse noted, “Many of my staff who did the installation live here in Newton, so there’s a level of personal pride that comes with projects like this, as well. In addition to the $12,500 for the lights, the remaining $12,500 will be applied to electrical infrastructure costs.”
Taken together with traditional and ever expanding festive lighting at Coletti-Magni Park, Watertown Street is the luminous example of a “vibrant” village center, attracting many people to the park and local eating establishments. On Saturday evening, members of the NNA joined Teresa Sauro, its President, Rep. Lawn, and Ward 1 City Councilor At-Large John Oliver to admire the new lights. In thanking Rep. Lawn and Commissioner Morse, Mrs. Sauro said, “These new tree lights symbolize the bright future we continue to build together with our neighborhood businesses.”
Santa Claus comes to Coletti-Magni Park
On Sunday, December 17, Santa Claus and his helpers paraded through Nonantum, accompanied by the North End Marching Band before arriving at Magni-Coletti Park. Several hundred children were waiting to climb into his sleigh to tell him their Christmas wishes. Five reindeer, including Rudolph, were attached to the sleigh, ready for their Christmas Eve run. Ward 6 School Committee member Paul Levy and his family were enjoying the festivities, as was Ward 2 Councilor-Elect David Micley and two of his daughters. Santa’s annual visit is sponsored by the Nonantum Children’s Christmas Party Association. Although Santa will not be in attendance, the Park, its lights and attractions will be open until after New Years.
