UpdatedThu, May 27, 2021 at 11:56 am ET
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The Memorial Day tradition in Newton is part of a history that dates back nearly 160 years. (Jenna Fisher/Patch)
NEWTON, MA Memorial Day is a holiday people throughout Newton and across America look forward to every year as the start of summer.
It also gives people a chance to look back, as the final Monday in May is a day to remember all American lives lost during military service.
Here are five things to know about the history of Memorial Day:
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It Was Originally Called Decoration Day: Remembering veterans who died while in military service in late May dates back to 1868, when Gen. John A. Logan called for a day of remembrance to honor the Northern lives lost amid battle during the Civil War that had ended just a few years earlier, according to History.com. Logan called it Decoration Day, which it was known as for several years. As time passed, more and more people called it Memorial Day, History.com reported, and
Wicked Local
Not all of Santa’s hardworking elves live in the North Pole – believe it or not, some live here in Newton and have been helping him reply to children’s letters for decades.
One particular elf, who asked to remain anonymous so she could go about her work without fanfare, has responded to thousands of letters over the 20 years she’s been on the job.
In all the time she’s been collecting the messages from Santa’s bright red mailbox in Nonantum’s Coletti-Magni Park, she’s only been caught once - by her very own grand-niece.
Nonantum celebrates Christmas with parade
By Gabriel Harrison Boston University journalist,Updated December 17, 2020, 4:03 p.m.
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Santa and his elves paraded through Newton this month greeting hundreds of residents who gathered on sidewalks to wave back.ARRIANNA PROIA, NONANTUM CHILDREN S CHRISTMAS PARTY ASSOCIATION, INC. (Custom credit)
As Nonantum prepares for a holiday season like no other, Santa, his elves, and a host of cartoon characters paraded through the village streets in a Holiday Roll on Sunday spreading cheer and reviving a tradition last celebrated over 25 years ago.
Before Sunday, the parade was just a cherished memory to some longtime Nonantum residents.
Nonantum Children’s Christmas Party Association to host holiday roll
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The Nonantum Children’s Christmas Party Association recently announced the revival of the Nonantum Christmas Parade as the first Nonantum Holiday Roll at 2 p.m. Dec. 13.
This event will be held in lieu of our annual holiday lighting at Coletti-Magni Park, and residents are still welcome to visit the holiday display and drop off their letter in Santa’s mailbox.
Attendees should be respectful of health guidelines and social distancing during the event.
For information on Santa’s route, visit http://nonantumccpa.org.
Santa can also accept and return virtual letters at http://nonantumccpa.org. Writers should include a return address or email address so Santa can reply.