Now that ‘real’ November weather has arrived (meteorologists, seemingly, also have ‘supply chain disruptions’ who knew?) and who among us believes it was a coincidence that the balmy temperatures and most especially the hot air disappeared right after election day, we can finally get suited up for The Holiday Season (THS).
If you’ve been watching TV, scrolling online, or reading newspapers, it can’t have escaped your notice that we’ve already entered the city limits of The Most Wonderful Time of the Year (Caroling and Eggnog Sold Separately). It can’t be just me, but doesn’t it feel like the year is accelerating? Perhaps because the clock hands shifted, the days are all shorter and more packed with activities.
I’ll admit I wasn’t feeling the Spirit of the Season when the marketing barrage started in the run-up to Halloween. I am not a fan of shopping at any time of the year but especially now. Don’t get me wrong. I enjoy the holidays but get overwhelmed by the Schlep to the Mall, being elbow (and other body parts) deep in crowds, and hunting and gathering presents that, instead of hoping for peace on earth, leave me wishing every person between me and the cashier would end up in a place so warm there’s no need for scarves or sweaters.
I’m in search of the gifts of craftsmanship, originality, and proximity, and (just in time), I can find all three in abundance this Saturday from nine until two at the 14th Annual O’tis a Festival at (where else?) the Otis Library.
And if you’re someone who does enjoy the hunt for that just-right something for Someone Special, Otis will be packed to the rafters with crafters and many local area artisans offering some pretty amazing items suitable for gifting to others (and, truth be told, maybe keeping for yourself) to include a variety of handmade items ranging from artwork, clothing, jewelry, pottery, and woodworking together with events and activities all day long for children and the young at heart.
I know you get tired of my saying this, but I do it because it’s true: Downtown Norwich looks to Otis Library the way the fingers of the hand look to the thumb. Located practically in the geographic center, Otis is the heart of Down City and events like Saturday’s are an important part of our city’s lifeblood.
A decade ago, there was very nearly nothing downtown, aside from potential. And now, after a lot of work from a small army of folks, there are many businesses of all varieties lining the streets in every direction around the library with even more on the way.
Some say our downtown is small; I prefer ‘compact,’ with restaurants, shops, and scenic harbor locales all within easy walking distance of one another and conveniently near acres of free municipal parking that step-for-step places you closer to it all than if you went to a mall. I’d strongly encourage you to bring along a discouraged expert who’s convinced ‘there’s nothing going on in Norwich’ and then listen to them change their tune. Sort of like a holiday miracle.
We talk a lot around here about ‘shopping local.’ Saturday’s O’tis a Festival is a golden opportunity to not just talk the talk but to walk it as well.
-bill kenny
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