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Reminder Assistant Editor LONGMEADOW Nothing says winter wonderland like a town green covered in fluffy white snow and old, welcoming homes with small white lights in each window like holiday beacons. The Longmeadow Historical Society's annual Holiday Stroll on the Green aimed to capture that spirit this past weekend. Six different houses around the town's green were chosen for this year's stroll, according to first time stroll conductor Michael Gelinas. A local historian, Gelinas was also a history teacher at Longmeadow High School for more than 30 years. "I taught a Longmeadow history class while at the high school," Gelinas said. "This tour is like class with larger visual aids." The information presented on the tour covers the founding of the town, what the purpose of the town green is, the architecture of the homes on the stroll and most importantly, who built those homes and when, according to Linda Abrams, curator of Longmeadow Historical Society. New groups of homes are selected every year, and Abrams said she researches the historical information on each house herself. The annual holiday stroll began in 2001 and averages between 25 and 40 people every year, Abrams said. "It works out well at that size because every year, if we're lucky, a homeowner invites the group in for refreshments," she added. Last year, the stroll was comprised of close to 50 walkers. A similar stroll takes place during Long Meddowe Days in May. "It's similar, but all the historic homes on the Green have lights in the windows this time of year," Abrams said. "Most people only get to see it whizzing by in their automobiles. It really has a winter wonderland feel." The stroll usually starts at 4 p.m., just as the sky begins to darken, so the walkers can enjoy those twinkling lights. "It's really an interesting talk and walk," Abrams said. For more information on the programs hosted by the Longmeadow Historical Society, call the Storrs House at 567-3600 or visit their Web site at www.longmeadow.org/hist_soc/histsoc_main.html. |
