Temperatures were freezing but the cocoa was hot at the Central Square Holiday Fair on Friday, December 7th. The presentations were small-scale and heart warming. My first stop was to hear what sounded like singing angels at Carl Barron Plaza, at the crossroads of Mass. and Western Aves. The Peabody school "Early Bird Singers" lead by Ms. Silverberg spiced up the frigid air with renditions of holiday tunes as proud parents and enchanted passers-by circled the angelic voices with smiles of appreciation.

As the frosty darkness of nighttime advanced, I walked briskly along Mass. Ave. to the Salvation Army site where the Boy Scouts saved my fingers from frostbite by offering a steaming cup of hot chocolate topped with whipped cream and a complimentary chocolate kiss. This was well worth the $1.50 their fundraiser charged per cup.

Back-tracking up the opposite side of Mass. Ave., I found myself in the midst of Christmas cookies and carolers in the foyer of Sovereign Bank – out of the cold at last and ready to enjoy more holiday classics. Three high school groups joined forces to bring youthful exuberance to quaint melodies recalling snowmen, sleighs and sundry splendors of times gone by. The humble lyrics of “The Drummer Boy” made my eyes tear up; and a duet by extraordinarily talented carolers recalled more the skills of performers on Broadway than high schoolers.

My memory fresh with the comforts of familiar Christmas songs, I slowly headed home. In the distance, to my delight, I spotted a fully-outfitted elf milling about the glass-enclosed Leader Bank at the corner of Mass. Ave. and Prospect. I knocked on the door but it was locked! Through the glass walls, I could see Santa there too. The gracious elf opened the door, and both he and Santa posed for the readers of this blog: Merry Christmas To All and To All a Goodnight!