Local artists visit The White House, present tree ornaments
Published on December 3rd, 2008
STONEHAM, MA - Two town employees were invited to the White House earlier this week to present personally designed Christmas Tree ornaments to First Lady Laura Bush.
Newcomb Road resident and Board of Health Nurse Margaret Drummey and Stoneham High arts teacher Jessica Swegel were both asked by their local congressmen to design the bulbs for the First Family's 18-foot tall Christmas Tree.
The two town employees attended a reception this Tuesday to present their decorations, a tradition which started in 1961 when First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy trimmed the White House tree with themed Nutcracker Suite Ballet decorations.
Ever since then, the First Lady selects a theme and reaches out to select artists nationwide to bring the ideas to life. This year, the First Lady asked each congressmen to select an artist to create a red, white, and blue themed ornament to represent their district.
According to Drummey, Congressman Edward Markey approached her last July and asked if she would design a red, white, and blue themed ornament on his behalf.
"I happily accepted. I was given instructions regarding the theme and colors to use," explained Drummey, who designed a bulb with the U.S.S. Constitution with red, white, and blue fireworks exploding in the skies above.
"I feel so honored and humbled for this opportunity to represent Massachusetts from my district," added the Board of Health nurse, who attended a reception with Laura Bush and other Christmas ornament designers on Tuesday.
Swegel, a Mission Hill resident, was approached by Congressman Michael Capuano after he sought out advise from officials from the Mass. College of Art and Design, where the arts teacher graduated from.
The Stoneham High arts teacher, who grew up in Western Mass., created a rustic farm landscape, which depicts a picket fence and tree covered with fresh snow.
"Being from Western Mass., I was inspired by that type of landscape: Farms, picket fences, and the peaceful quiet that comes only after a fresh snowfall," said Swegel.
"I know that sounds kind of cheesy, but that's what I think of when I think of Christmas and winter in the Berkshires. I've always loved the way snow looks when it is undisturbed. It's hard to see that in the city."
As the two locals are recognized for their Christmas spirit in Washington D.C., 16 Stoneham merchants are also hosting a little decorating contest of their own this holiday season.
According to Sharon Iovanni, the executive director of the Stoneham Chamber of Commerce, the business association is hosting a tree decorating contest this year.
So far, 16 local businesses have picked-up four foot tall trees, which will be decorated and featured in the windows of Stoneham store fronts. Citizens will then vote on their favorite tree.
At the end of the contest, the artificial evergreen trees will be collected and donated to needy Stoneham families.
"In the past, we've done a window decoration contest, but we felt that was putting a little too much burden on the retailers. Window space in the square area is valuable," said Iovanni, explaining how the tree contest came to life.
"We're asking the residents to visit all of the trees and vote for the one they like best," said Iovanni, who added that ballots can be submitted until Dec. 19.
Ballots can be picked-up at each of the participating businesses or downloaded off of the chamber's website at www.stonehamchamber.org.
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