Nonantum Neighborhood Association’s Village Day honors Susan Paley and Joe Prestejohn

On a spectacular, sunny Sunday, hundreds of people came to enjoy the Nonantum Neighborhood Association’s thirteenth annual Village Day celebration in and around Colletti-Magni Park. Village Day is the second in the community’s three summertime events, between the annual Memorial Day parade and Festa Italiana in July. This year’s Village Day honored Susan Paley, retiring Senior Vice President of Community Relations for The Village Bank, and Joe Prestejohn, former owner of Cabot’s Ice Cream Shop. The Village Bank, located on Watertown Street, less than a block from Colletti-Magni Park, is the event’s sponsor, and its president, Joe DeVito, is a member of the Magni family.

A large Newton Fire engine offered tours to scores of children and their parents (and grandparents). Sheriff Peter Koutoujian sent a Middlesex County Sheriff’s paddy wagon and officers for similar exploration opportunities. St. Mary of Carmen Society contributed the popular climbing wall. There was an inflated baseball batting practice installation, and for the most intrepid, a (mechanical) bronco bull-riding option. Davey the Clown wandered around, at times riding his unicycle or walking around juggling. For the younger audience, Rosalita’s puppets performed at the Ciociaro Club. Wandering around the park, people found an array of vendors of jewelry, magnets, stuffed animals and other goods, as well as information tables for Newton Community Education, Village Bank, and others.

There were several local attractions as well. For boxing enthusiasts, the Nonantum Boxing Club offered gloves and instruction for adults and children. Kevin Reif and Newton North Head Basketball Coach Paul Connolly were on hand to support the aspiring boxers. Creative Steps Dance Studio, housed in the Boys and Girls Club building, performed for a most enthusiastic audience. Davis Rattanavijai, Austin Sue, and Abby Zeng from the LigerBots — Newton’s dual-high-school Robotics Team — demonstrated their Prometheus robot, which tossed basketballs to delighted children. 

Cabot’s supplied free ice cream, ably served by City Councilors Maria Scibelli Greenberg, Alison Leary, and Susan Albright, as well as Councilor Leary’s son, Peter. Councilors Tarik Lucas, David Micley (accompanied by two young daughters), Pam Wright, Julia Malakie, and Alan Lobovits joined in the celebration.

Transcending the generations, the Studio Two Tribute Band, faithfully recreating the early Beatles personae and music, attracted young and old Beatles fans who happily danced and sang in the middle of Watertown Street. 

Commenting on the successful event, Nonantum Neighborhood Association President — and third-generation Nonantum resident — Teresa Gentile Sauro said, “NNA is proud to have given over $35,000 in scholarships to our Nonantum Seniors through the 13 years of our Village Days, naming the two scholarships for deceased Nonantum residents, Jay Ciccone and Francesca Cedrone! Nonantum is truly a village of traditions that will live on!”