Finneran: The Work of Christmas
Tom Finneran, GoLocalProv MINDSETTER™
Finneran: The Work of Christmas
For many years, while I served in the Massachusetts Legislature, my wife and I would send out a Little Christmas mailing with the following poem. Many older constituents still refer to those mailings, noting that they kept it in a special place, on a fireplace mantel, a bedroom night table, or the refrigerator door and that they referred to it all year long. May the spirit and the work of Christmas remain with you in the New Year.
THE WORK OF CHRISTMAS
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When the song of the angels is stilled,
When the star in the sky is gone,
When the kings and the princes are home,
When the shepherds are back with their flock,
The work of Christmas begins:
To find the lost,
To heal the broken.
To feed the hungry,
To release the prisoner,
To rebuild the nations,
To bring peace among brothers,
To make music in the heart.
by Howard Thurman
May your New Year be filled with health, happiness, peace, and prosperity.
20 Reasons to Look Forward to Winter in New England - 2018
Providence, RI
Two of the best weeks all winter long is Providence Restaurant Weeks.
Choose from menus at nearly 100 restaurants. Enjoy three-course lunches at $16.95 and three-course dinners at $29.95 or $34.95, as well as two-for-one specials.
Providence Restaurant Weeks will be held from January 13-26.
Newport, RI
The 2019 Newport Winter Festival is set to be held from February 15-24.
The festival features 10 days of live music, food, games, a chili cook-off and so much more over a span of nine days.
New England Pond Hockey Classic
Meredith, NH
One of the coolest events of the winter, the New England Pond Hockey Classic is set to take place from February 1-3.
Final rosters for the tournament are due January 28.
If you can't make it up, grab the skates and find your local pond and play hockey anyway. BE SAFE of course.
The Festival of Lights at La Salette Shrine
Attleborough, MA
By far one of the coolest lighting displays you will see anywhere in New England and maybe even the country.
The festival features 300,000 lights over 10 acres of land.
The Festival of Lights runs from 5 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night until January 6.
Do not miss out!
Riding the Polar Express
Woonsocket, RI
No better way to get into the holiday spirit than to hop aboard the Polar Express.
The train runs through December 23.
The trip includes a 90-minute excursion on a real-life train that is filled with a reading of the classic children’s story, sing-a-longs, hot chocolate served in a souvenir mug, delicious cookies, games, and a special visit from Santa where he personally delivers the first gift of Christmas to every child.
Tower Hill's Night Lights Display
Worcester, MA
Night Lights is a walking experience throughout 15 acres of glowing gardens, where more than 200,000 lights have been thematically placed among the trees, shrubs, fountains, and statuary to create a magical winter wonderland celebrating plants and nature.
The display runs from November 23 through December 30.
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village
Sturbridge, MA
Christmas by Candlelight at Old Sturbridge Village is an evening filled with New England holiday traditions, live musical performances, storytelling, sleigh rides, festive foods, a roaring bonfire, and strolls around the decorated Village Common.
Christmas by Candlelight begins November 30 and runs through December 23.
Ice Skating at the Alex & Ani Center
Providence, RI
Whether you are skating on a pond or at one of the many ice rinks across the region like the Alex & Ani Center in the heart of Providence.
The skating center provides a full schedule of activities to carry you through the winter including adult and kids skating sessions as well as activities for the entire family.
Ice Climbing With Adventure Spirit
Burlington, Vermont
For the adventurous out there, Adventure Spirit in Vermont is your place for ice climbing. Choose from climbing at Bolton Quarry, Bristol Cliffs or even Smuggler's Notch to be lead by one of their experienced instructors.
Be prepared to spend your day strenuously climbing some of nature's frozen streams and flow offs. They also offer alpine climbing and outdoor rock climbing for those who wish to fully test their limits.
Curling Season at the Ocean State Curling Club
Cranston RI
You watch curling in the Olympics every year and you love it. So try it this winter.
The Ocean State Curling Club has your curling fix. Hosting events and tournaments or "bonspiels" at the Veteran’s Memorial Ice Rink in Cranston, RI, the Ocean State Curling Club is a "social club for anyone interested in recreational curling." The club also offers lessons for those who want to learn the sport.
Sing-a-Long with the Boston Pops at Symphony Hall
Boston, MA
Held at Symphony Hall, the Boston Pops holiday concert is filled with food, sing-a-longs and a visit from the one and only Santa Claus!
Have some holiday cookies as the Boston Symphony Orchestra plays holiday classics for you and your family.
The seven kids afternoon shows include post-concert photos with Santa as well as special treats.
Snow Tubing at Ski Ward
Shrewsbury, MA
Sledding, skiing or snowboarding not for you? Grab a tube and enjoy the ride down one of the many hills at the Ski Ward.
Don't forget to take the whole family out to Slopeside Bar and Grill after a long day in the snow.
Sled Down Neutaconkanut Hill
Providence, RI
Neutaconkanut Hill has some of the best slopes for sledding in the state.
Bundle up, hold on, and enjoy the ride.
In addition to the sledding slopes, snowshoeing and cross country skiing is offered at this legendary Providence slope.
Snowmobiling at the Tall Timber Lodge
Pittsburg, New Hampshire
For snowmobiling enthusiasts, Pittsburg, New Hampshire might be the snowmobiling capital of New England with more than 200 trails, all filled with great adventures.
The Tall Timber Lodge offers a variety of packages that include rentals, dinners, lodging and much more. If you need a break from the trails, the lodge also consists of a spa.
Snowshoeing at Wachusett Mountain
Leominster, MA
For those who can't ski or snowboard, snowshoeing is another way to get around in the snow. Wachusett Mountain is the perfect place for snowshoeing.
Cross Country Skiing at East Bay Bike Path
East Bay Bike Path, Bristol to Providence RI
For those that love skiing, well this is your season.
Grab your poles and skis and head down to the East Bay Bike Path for some Cross Country Skiing. Of course, you can go cross-country skiing anywhere there is snow and some flat land, but the East Bay Bike Path stretches about 14 miles from Bristol to India Point Park in Providence.
Christmas Carol at Trinity Rep
Providence, RI
No better way to get into the holiday spirit than by going down to Trinity Rep to see A Christmas Carol.
As is the company’s custom, the entire production will be completely new from casting to design and theatrical magic. This past season’s production became the highest selling show in Trinity Rep history.
Dog Sled Tours with the Ultimate Dog Sledding Experience
Oxford, Maine
Embrace the call of the wind and go up to New England Dog Sledding for dog sled tours. Tours are pulled by trained and "friendly" Husky sled dogs and are offered throughout the area.
Ultimate Dog Sledding is located just 40 minutes from Portland.
Ice Fishing
Across New England
It's practically a tradition for a lot of people, but ice fishing is an interesting winter experience. Head out to the ponds and see what you can get.
But be safe, it takes 4-6 inches of ice to support a person and 8-10 inches to support a vehicle.
Christmas at the Newport Mansions
Newport, RI
The glitter of gold and the sparkle of silver will dazzle you as you tour three magnificent mansions decked out in Yuletide finery. Music, tours, and spectacular decorations highlight the celebration of Christmas at the Newport Mansions.
The Preservation Society of Newport County invites you to make holiday memories with your family by visiting The Breakers, The Elms and Marble House this holiday season.
