Updated: The Lights Are on at Fatima Shrine

Since Saturday, the lights have been on at , located on Summer Street opposite Mission Springs. 

The annual Christmas lighting display has delighted young and old for decades. Strings of lights are meticulously arranged throughout the 20-acre site, which has been owned since 1947 by the . Softly-played holiday music imparts a sense of peaceful reflection to those who stroll the grounds, which includes a statue of Our Lady of Fatima, Calvary Hill, and the world's largest rosary.

The lights will be glowing from 5-9 p.m. through January 2.

LEAF THEM AT THE CURB

The has announced that BFI will be picking up leaves at the curbside this week.

The leaf pickup schedule is the same as that for trash and recycling. All leaves must be in compostable bags or loose trash barrels. They must be placed at the curbside by 6 a.m.  NO PLASTIC BAGS WILL BE ACCEPTED!

Hardier souls might consider bringing their leaves to the Marshall Street recycling center on Saturdays from 8 a.m. - 3 p.m.

LOYA MOVES AHEAD

Jonathan Loya hasn't let his loss to Carolyn Dykema (D-Holliston) in this month's state representative race dampen his political spirit.  Loya recently launched a website, www.loyaloyalist.com, dedicated to promoting his thoughts and political ambitions.

Loya, a Holliston resident and student at the University of Massachusetts Lowell, ran against Dykema as an Independent candidate, with clear leanings towards the right. He captured 29 percent of the vote and earned the respect of many for running an aggressive yet clean campaign with a limited likelihood of success.

Loya has added a Loya's Losers page on his site, and this week takes direct aim at the Massachusetts' Democratic leadership's complicity in the Probation Department scandal. An easy, yet deserving target, it will be interesting to see how this page develops on more complex matters.

For those of you looking for the perfect holiday gift, Loyalist boxer shorts are available on the site for $23.

A NEW OPPORTUNITY FOR McMANAMON

A familiar face is gone, but certainly not forgotten.

Karen McManamon, formerly the Assistant Branch Manager at in Holliston, was promoted earlier this month to Branch Manager of their Boxborough office. 

Karen began her Middlesex career in September 2001 in their Natick office, arriving in Holliston in October 2002. There, she immersed herself in virtually all bank functions, performing them in a cheerful and professional manner.

In Boxborough, she will retain those responsibilities while also working to development business, and to increase Middlesex's visibility in the area.  She will continue to live in Holliston, where she serves the Lions Club as their Immediate Past President.

HOLLISTON STROLLS AGAIN

Ed Harrington is a menacing sight on summer weekends. Hiding behind dark sunglasses, beneath his black helmet, he cruises the blue highways of Eastern Massachusetts on his Harley Road King, in search of life's next adventure. But when the weather turns cold, he likes to stroll.

Tom O'Leary grew up in the "mean" streets of Natick. He is perceptive, quick-witted, and ready for fun. He also likes to stroll.

Peter Barbieri is a , a successful attorney, and a former member of the . He, too, is a stroller.

It was with these gentlemen, their respective spouses and others that I recently toured our town during the Annual Downtown Holiday Stroll on Saturday.

I love the Stroll. For four brief hours, one day a year, downtown businesses open their collective door in an effort intended as much to unite the community as it is to push their individual wares. During the Stroll, the usual five-minute walk can become an hour-long celebration, as friendships are made, renewed, and reinforced. The sights, sounds and smells that accompany this tour remind me of the many reasons why I love our town, and how fortunate I believe we are to be able to retain our sense of community and common purpose.

I am reminded of the movie It's a Wonderful Life, Frank Capra's classic 1947 movie about a man, his life and community. To me, Holliston is Bedford Falls. A walk down its streets is an opportunity to laugh and converse with many of the people who have profoundly shaped my life. And while I don't feel compelled to run down Washington Street proclaiming "Merry Christmas , Merry Christmas , Merry Christmas, you wonderful old gas station," I am delighted that these institutions of my youth still exist, and differ little from the image stored deep in my memory.

My strolling day began around 3:30 p.m. Anticipating that my strolling might conclude with a visit to , I parked in front and went inside to return a valuable softball trophy to its permanent home next to the Keno screen. From there, I hit the streets.

When I returned some hours later, Casey's was packed. In the meantime, I had sampled a "Claw Hopper" from , swayed to the dulcet tones of Jimmy Cormier, and had a wonderful conversation with Santa and his favorite elf. 

I had joined with friends as we dutifully followed our wives, a cadre of laughing lovelies intent on doing some real shopping, before skillfully peeling ourselves away to our Railroad Street refuge. And it was here we were able to refresh and warm ourselves, while reflecting on this fabulous day, and this event, that has brought us so firmly together.