It's Beginning to Look a Lot Like - Holidays at the Cushing House!

Images by Bob Watts, text by Bethany Groff Dorau

For the past half a century, the Cushing House has been transformed into a holiday paradise by four local garden clubs and talented wreath-makers. Many of you will come to see the finished product, as we open for Holidays at the Cushing House this Saturday and Sunday from 10-4, but Friday morning is when the miracle of this transformation takes place.

Members of the West Newbury Garden Club (top) decorate the garden hallway, and the Newburyport Garden Club (bottom) brings the dining room to life.

Wreaths on the Fruit Street and High Street doors (top of page) were made by Lillian Newbert.

Before the doors open at 9 a.m., a dozen decorators are already waiting outside, eager to place their creations in their assigned rooms. Within the hour, they will be joined by others, until some thirty people are gathered in every room of the first floor.

A few smiling members of The Newburyport Horticultural Society stayed warm while transforming the China Trade Room (top).

West Newbury Garden Club crafted an impressive gold, green, and white assemblage for the main hallway.

They are a whirlwind of activity. Some haul in huge boxes and bags of fresh greenery while others cut the mylar sheets that protect the furniture. Friends gather in the tiny kitchen and fill vases and catch up. The museum staff scurries from room to room ensuring that amid this seeming chaos, museum collections are moved out of harm's way, and everyone gets the paper, tape, scissors, coffee, and encouragement they need.

A member of the Newbury Garden Club works to transform the parlor under the watchful eye of Margaret Cushing herself!

The care and creativity that goes into these displays is truly astounding, but images only go so far. The twinkle of lights in a wreath, the smell of pine and lilies and roses, and the sound of laughter and music are best experienced in person.

If you are not able to visit in person, here are a few of our favorite details from around the museum.

Key to the success of this entire weekend is months of planning by MOON board member Lois Valeo, who keeps this event organized and fun for all.

Upcoming MOON Events

Please join us:

• December 6 & 7: Holidays at the Cushing House
• December 7: Member Holiday Party - Registration required!
• December 14: Annual Garrison Lecture at Old South Church

and much more soon!

Visit www.newburyhistory.org/calendar for details and to reserve your spots!

Support Research and Preservation this Season!

Donate to the Annual Fund to support the care of treasures like these.

Click above for a peek into some of the treasures at the Perkins Art & Research Center, open on Saturday, December 6, from 10 am to 4 pm.!

Something Is Always Cooking...

Sweet & Tangy Nuts

Ingredients

• 2 c. of raw nuts – your choice/whatever you have on hand (I used 25% pistachios, 25% walnuts and 50% cashews)
• 2 Tbs. pomegranate molasses – you can find it in the international aisle at Market Basket!
• ½ tsp. ground sumac – just next to the pomegranate molasses
• 1 Tbs. turbinado sugar (or raw sugar)
• ¼ tsp. cayenne (optional)
• 1 ½ Tbs. butter, melted
• ½ tsp. salt

Directions

Combine all ingredients in a medium-sized bowl and then spread out onto a parchment-lined baking sheet.

Put into a pre-heated 300° oven for 20 minutes.

Stir once halfway through cooking.

Place the baking sheet on a rack on the counter and cool completely.

Stir periodically during cooling to keep nuts separate or in small clusters. Serve right away or keep in an airtight container for up to a week.

Puzzle Me This...

Click the image to do the puzzle

William Pitt oversees the decor in the front hall of the Cushing House Museum, courtesy of the West Newbury Garden Club.