On Sunday, June 8, the Hyde Community Center and the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council (NHNAC) offered bouncy houses, caricature drawings, free pony rides, kids songs sing along, contemporary jazz, a demonstration from Atom Jiu Jitsu & Science, face painting, cupcakes, and a wide array of crafts and jewelry.
The free pony rides – a new feature this year – were organized by NHNAC Councilor Emily Manus. With two ponies of different sizes, they were a big hit with kids both large and small.
The 48th Newton Highlands Village Day attracted both long-time residents and newcomers to the many attractions that were offered. Food and drink were supplied by various vendors, such as Che! Empanada and DL’s Fresh Squeezed Lemonade.
NHNAC treasurer Groot Gregory was primarily responsible for recruiting vendors for the booths and engaging with sponsors. NHNAC Councilor Srdj Nedeljkovic said that Gregory “worked tirelessly to oversee everything and conduct the event flawlessly.” Gregory collaborated closely with John Rice, the executive director of Hyde Community Center, to make the event a success. “This year has over 100 booths – more than we’ve ever had,” Rice said.
From the central tent, the Contemporary Jazz Orchestra East and the Highland Conservatory Jazz Group provided hours of live jazz. Other acts included a Kids Song Sing Along, and a demonstration by Atom Jiu Jitsu & Science.
Along with entertainment, there were countless vendors offering different hands-on activities, along with handmade jewelry, bowls, and stuffed animals. Additionally, the League of Women Voters was available to assist with information on voter registration.
Climate organizations such as Mothers Out Front, Green Newton, and the Newton Conservatory provided tips on preservation and sustainability efforts. Green Newton, which just the previous week had attended Nonantum Village Day, has been attending Newton Highlands Village Day for the past few years. “Tabling is a great opportunity to reach out to the community and spread our word,” said Armela Gjylsheni, the Energy Advocate of Green Newton. “The kids who run around and come to the table love to spin the wheel, which is a great way for them to learn about being sustainable.”
Newton For Everyone talked about their plans for dealing with the Massachusetts housing crisis. Brooke Lipsitt, who is part of the leadership team of Newton for Everyone, noted that the group has been attending the Newton Highlands Village Day for three years. “We look forward to being able to talk to people and get our concerns out on housing units,” she said, “Tabling helps [promote] our message of getting more diverse options for housing.”
The New England Chinese Cultural Studio, which promotes Chinese culture and traditions, has been attending Newton Village Day for five years. It has partnered with the Hyde Community Center to engage kids through crafts like origami and character writing. “It’s great to get to know the people here in Newton,” said Regina Kuo, a volunteer teacher who specializes in arts and crafts. “We are an organization based in Northern Massachusetts, so seeing that there is a strong community here has us continuing to come back.”
The ArtWorks table, a first-time vendor at Highlands Village day with a shop located between Cacao and Otake Sushi, strives to give high school students the opportunity to share their work outside their social circles. ArtWorks is a non-profit organization that formed last summer for an internship program. “This is our first year [at Village Day] and our first event,” said Alexis, who works for ArtWorks. “We started planning this last July specifically for Village Day. Our group wants students to have an easier time pursuing art later.”
Throughout the event, the Newton Highlands Neighborhood Area Council set up a tent in the center and provided assistance and information – along with free T-shirts and cupcakes!
The giving out of T-shirts for free, on a first-come/first-served basis, was a new feature for Highlands Village Day this year. This year’s T-shirt – showing an image of the Hyde School from the program for the school’s dedication in 1895 – went very quickly.
NHNAC Councilor Srdj Nedeljkovic said, “The T-shirts, pony rides, and cupcakes were all provided free-of-charge by the Area Council through generous funding provided by Village Day donors listed on the back of this year’s T-shirt: The Village Bank, Brookline Bank, Builders FirstSource, National Lumber, O’Hara’s Food & Spirits, Olympia Fencing Center Newton, Knot & Purl, ATOM – Jiu Jitsu & Science, All Sports Wear, and Newton Custom Printing. …And a good time was had by all!”
Right: Fig City News editor Bruce Henderson and NHNAC treasurer Groot Gregory
Chloe Yu is a Fig City News student reporter.
