Downtown New Bedford, Inc. has done its job of giving me holiday spirit. It starts with the laurel hanging and proceeds with the Holiday Stroll. The annual downtown shopping trip, lunch and visit with friends is the grand finale. Photography by Sally Spooner
The holiday stroll, the Saturday and Sunday after the laurel decorating, is another favorite event. Santa’s arrival by antique fire truck is a highlight, including the “stroll” to Mare Studio for photos with Santa. At Mare Studio two hundred and forty six families received photos with Santa this year. These photos will be treasured for years. Many families come back year after year just for the photos with Santa. Mare's also raised $906 for the neediest family fund and collected 8 bags of groceries, doubled from last year.
Thank you to everyone who helped make DNB festive for the Holiday Season, both those who contributed to the Laurel fund and those who came out to decorate the poles:
2015 Volunteer Teams who Decorated the Historic District, organized by DNB staff; Diane Arsenault, Marianne Conley Hodgson and Board Member Arthur Bennett Bristol Community College – Dean Jim Daniels and son, James, Nathan Vaughan and Tinamarie Marshall Beatnik Lounge and Spa – Kelly Walsh Buzzards Bay Coalition – Alicia Pimental and Kari Amick Fiber Optic Center – Ethan Weiss and Paul Sousa Freestones City Grill – Joe Costa, Cali Tetreault and Carlina Ferreira GNB Community Health Center – Toni DePina, Terry Winn, Dereck Mendes and Steven Lopes NB Area Chamber of Commerce – Rebecca Laliberte, Deven Tillman and Kelli Munroe NB Resident – Steven Naja NB Symphony Orchestra – Conee Sousa, Martha Souza and Pattie Burke NB Whaling Museum – Henry Moniz and John Antunes NB Whaling National Historical Park – Meghan Kish, Jen Smith and Rulai Shardow NB YMCA – Tara Pacheco, Robyn Shwedo, Nancy Bonell, Rayana Grace and Jodi Machado Mt. Vernon Group – Kevin Geirbo and Walter Fraga Santander Bank – Nancy Cabral, Scott Baran and Carrie Riggles Sea Born Products – Jeff Lang and Donna Pimental Southcoast Business Alliance – Nick Francis, Vernon Miles, Macy Korolnek and Jason Almeida Standard-Times – Brad Ellis and Mike Jope Sylvia Group – Jill White, Maureen Armstrong and Vincent Sylvia The Landing Gift Shop – Laurie Botelho Photography by Sally Spooner
Companies and individuals whose donations funded the Laurel, Red Bows and White Lights:
Beauregard, Burke & Franco Carter’s Clothing & Footwear Christopher McKeon Common Sense Environmental Deborah and Ben Baker Elizabeth Pennington Freestones City Grill Gallery 65 on William Greater New Bedford Community Health Center Jessica Bailey Kirk Whiting Law Offices of Robert F. Murray Mathieu & Mathieu New Bedford Credit Union New Bedford Whaling Museum New Bedford Whaling National Historical Park Sally Spooner and her Family Sea Born Products, Inc. Solange Guillet Tia Maria’s European Café
Congratulations to the winners of the Deck the Windows competition and to the New Bedford Cultural Council for organizing the project. Photography by Sally Spooner
BEST HOLIDAY SPIRIT: YOUR FATHER'S MUSTACHE
BEST NEW BEDFORD THEME: AHA!/WHALE/NBAM Co-Creative Center
BEST MUNICIPAL: BUTTONWOOD PARK ZOO/SANTANDER
MOST CREATIVE: McFEE STUDIO
The Council thanks the independent Judge's Panel, all businesses, artists, schools, city offices, and non-profits for stepping up to make New Bedford a fun and important arts capital!
