It’s not difficult to feel festive when you live in a town that looks like Bedford Falls. Snow-covered streets are radiant with twinkling lights on bare branches and a misty glow from the red-brick cafes and public houses of Main Street.
Hanover has contributed more than its fair share to Christmas: the creators of both Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer (Robert L. May) and The Grinch (Thomas “Dr. Seuss” Geisel) are Dartmouth alums. Curiously, there is a temporary statue of The Grinch in town, but no tribute to poor Rudy. Why does the world’s favorite shiny-beaked mammal find himself shunned all over again? Do the people of Hanover have hearts two-sizes too small? Or has the obsession with all things green gone a little far? Hopefully, the carrot I leave out on Friday night will provide him with some solace.
Despite term having ended and most students having departed (armed with sacks of gift-wrapped Green clothing) for homely holidays by the family fire, there’s still a buzz about town. I’m not quite sure who is responsible for it, but it’s certainly here. As is the snow! Marvelous!
In the run up to the holidays, Tuckies defied the stress of final exam preparation and resume drops, and everyone got into the spirit. Bad holiday sweater parties, caroling, Old Fashioned cocktails, eggnog, and roasted bird… my classmates knew how to embrace the season. The highlight for me was an evening jaunt with four classmates and our partners to the Boston Pops, proving that Hanover isn’t really too remote after all.
Despite my affection for the New England holiday season, I’ll be migrating west for the break, spending Christmas with my wife’s family in Walnut Creek, CA, and New Year with Tuckies in Lake Tahoe, squeezing in a visit to Napa for some wine tasting in between. It’s a tough life. Wherever you are for the holidays, have a great time. Or, as you may here as you walk past Lou’s on Main St: “Merry Christmas, wonderful old Building & Loan!” Here in Hanover in the festive season, it really is a wonderful life.
Read the full article: The most wonderful time of the year