Page 12 THE SAUGUS ADVOCATE – FRIDAY, DECEMBER 10, 2021 Festival of Trees gets town festive; lucky winners keep tree and gifts underneath S By Tara Vocino augonians got into the Christmas spirit during the Marleah Elizabeth Graves Foundation (MEG) Festival of Trees during its opening night last Friday. Trees were themed and decorated. Compass realtor Gayle Winters with her dog, Winnie, donated this black and white tree, complete with a dog treat stocking. Santa waves to drivers along Essex Street entering the festival. Shown from left to right are Partners in Rehabilitation employee Kristin Parsons and her daughters, Isabella, 12, and Abigail, 7, who donated the “Fancy Like” country music tree, inspired by the Applebee’s jingle during last Friday’s MEG Foundation Festival of Trees opening night. Hoping to win the Crayola tree are Caitlin Devine and her daughters, Emma DeCristoforo, 9, and Daniela DeCristoforo, 6. Revere residents Gloria Trentini and Clare Prizio said they won a white tree during a previous Festival of Trees. MEG Foundation board member Patricia Staples donated this grill master signature prize. Shown from left to right are Abigail Parsons, 7, Cameron Prescott, 7, Madison Prescott, 12, and Isabella Parsons, 12. They were hoping to bring home the Daughters of the American Revolution tree. Saugus resident/MEG board trustee Kathy Giannetti, dressed as an elf, donated this buffalo check ribbon tree. According to MEG Foundation board member Lynda Torregrossa, of Revere, there are 33 large theme trees and five small trees this year, along with a dozen gift baskets. The tree festival runs through this weekend, and winners will be called Sunday morning. The foundation supports local activities, especially for youths. MEG Foundation board member Patricia Staples said guests often see people they haven’t seen. “We have a lot of repeat offenders,” Staples said. “It takes approximately 50 businesses or residents to put this together.” Although the festival doesn’t The sunflower tree up for grabs brightened up the cold weather. have as many trees as last year (reaching into the 50s), donors and guests still were feeling festive. Compass Real Estate tree donor Gayle Winters said she doSaugus-based Partners in Rehab made this “Fancy Like” country music tree. nated to give back to the town that she lives in. “I feel grateful,” Winters said. “If it brings someone pleasure to receive my tree and gifts, it’s worth it.” Her tree had a black and white theme to it, complete with a dog treat stocking. She FESTIVAL | SEE PAGE 13
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