It turns out that humans aren’t the only ones who love holiday lights. This week’s news that squirrels are almost certainly responsible for chewing through the light strings on the Common’s big fir was a relief in many ways. Rather than an act of heartless vandalism, this was the work of industrious neighbors surviving a harsh winter in their own inimitable way. And in doing so, they inadvertently reignited a spirit of community that has seemed sadly lacking of late.
Not so many years ago, preparing that tree for the holidays was generally seen as a community responsibility, not one the Parks and Recreation Commission had to handle alone. And so it is again this year, with a generous donor buying the new lights, the Fire Department putting them up, the Firefighters Association donating money to rent a lift, and a sizable portion of the populace cheering them on. What seemed impossible two weeks ago is now a virtual certainty: The tree will be lit for the holidays. And those lights will glow with a special beauty, thanks to the community spirit that brought them to life.
