A Holiday Message for You

To all of our members, volunteers, and supporters, we wish you Happy Holidays. We hope that you are able to spend time enjoying this season with your nearest and dearest.

We have had a wonderful holiday season in Greater Newburyport and are appreciative of all the support we have had in this year’s new 501(c)(3) charitable foundation. The foundation was established for beautification and thanks to our member contributions, 100+ lamppost sponsors, Newburyport Mayor Donna Holaday, Newburyport Development, and an anonymous donor, we were able to have two trees professionally lit and decorated, plus 250 lampposts decorated with garland from Greenskeepers and topped with big, red bows made by Beach Plum Flower Shop.

The foundation had an additional anonymous donor which allowed for repairs and painting to be made to Santa’s Workshop. The addition of electricity, a floor, and handicapped accessible ramps made for a more inclusive, and also warmer, visit with Santa. We were thrilled to have Newburyport High School’s Interact Club volunteer their time greeting families visiting Santa, and all the collaboration with Newburyport DPS with installing electrical and keeping downtown Newburyport sparkling.  

The season kicked-off with Newburyport Rotary Club’s Santa Parade, which is now in its fourth decade, and a successful Sea Festival of Trees at Blue Ocean Event Center. We hope that this year’s three Invitation Nights brought crowds of shoppers to our numerous, charming small businesses and diners to our fabulous eateries who will return in 2020 because of the excellent service you continuously provide. We also wish to extend our appreciation to the Anna Jaques Aid Association for their coordination of the horse and buggy, which so festively carried shoppers across downtown Newburyport from The Tannery to City Hall for the first two Invitation Nights.  

We had a wonderful Holiday Mixer last week at Steeple Hall at Mission Oak Grill and were happy to have so many longtime and new members together celebrating all that 2019 has provided. Steeple Hall was gracious to host us, and we appreciate their hospitality. This time of year can spark the spirit of volunteerism for many, and we hope that spirit continues into 2020. We ask that you keep our non-profits in mind after the holiday season, as they help to make Greater Newburyport such a fabulous place to work, live, and play.

From Frank, Mark, Elisabeth, and our Board of Directors