Historic home is dolled up for food drive

HUDSON – After waking up at 4 a.m. in search of bargains on Black Friday, Hudson resident Samantha Bergeron decided to put aside her holiday shopping list Saturday morning.

There wouldn’t be any mall traffic jams to contend with as she packed her two daughters, Shyann, 5, and Abrial, 9, into the family car.

Arriving at the Alvirne Hills House, the trio escaped the blustery wind outside, carrying a handful of nonperishable food items into one of the Hills House’s side entryways. The items were a donation to the Hudson Historical Society’s annual food and gift drive and the Bergerons’ ticket in to explore the 119-year-old home.

“I think it’s wonderful,” Bergeron said as the group toured each of the house’s festively decorated rooms. “It supports the community and it’s important to teach (my children) that you have to give back.”

Now in its fourth year, proceeds from the historical society’s drive benefit the St. Vincent de Paul Society in Hudson, a nondenominational food pantry that provides food and financial assistance to Hudson residents.

From 10 a.m.-2 p.m. Saturday and again today, the society invited locals to stop by and donate food or holiday gifts. In return for their donations, guests are able to tour downstairs portions of the house that were seasonally decorated by area floral shops.

Making their way through the summer home built in 1890 by Dr. Alfred Hill for his wife Virginia, Abrial marveled at the Christmas decorations in the kitchen, library and foyer.

She decided, however, that the dining room, decorated by Flowers on the Hill, was her favorite.

“I like the blue flowers,” Abrial stated simply. She also expressed affection for the many Christmas trees dotting the house.

Besides the blue and white decor of the dining room, the house featured many other seasonally inspired designs. In a nontraditional holiday-themed meeting room designed by Tsubaki Flowers, red gloves hung from the fireplace instead of stockings and trees were decorated in silver and blue.

“We wanted something that would make people smile,” said Dave Picard, owner of Tsubaki Flowers. “I think it’s marvelous that the historical society opens the house for people to see. Where the economy is and all of that, I can’t think of a better thing to be doing for the holidays.”

In the foyer, Anne Marshall, owner of Anne’s Country Florals, worked swiftly to put the finishing touches on her traditional Christmas design.

“I grew up in Hudson, born and raised, so when I was approached about doing this, I was really excited,” Marshall said. “This event is wonderful, and brings with it a lot of hometown support.”

Held annually the weekend after Thanksgiving, the drive couldn’t come at more important time for many Hudson families, according to Hudson Historical Society assistant treasurer Leona Shanholtz.

Shanholtz, also an active member of St. Vincent de Paul, said that on Thanksgiving alone, the pantry donated more than 150 food baskets – a total of five days’ worth of meals that will serve more than 600 individuals. Shanholtz expects that number to grow to more than 200 as Christmas approaches.

“We see three different populations at St. Vincent’s right now,” Shanholtz said.

“Seniors citizens on fixed income, the working poor and a whole new population of young adults that have lost their income and are, for the first time in their lives, having to seek assistance.”

As a result, the pantry has already surpassed the 67,000 total meals it provided in 2008 and is likely to be well into 80,000 by the end of ’09, Shanholtz said.

However, while the need has grown, so, too, have the donations.

“The community has really been behind St. Vincent de Paul,” Shanholtz said.

“Events like this also raise the consciousness of people in the community,” Shanholtz added. “It brings people forward who, after the holidays, realize that hunger doesn’t go away.”

By day’s end Saturday, more than 50 people had toured the house, with the historical society collecting eight large boxes of food, along with four boxes of toys, said Joyce Hurd, a member of the historical society board of directors.

Hurd hoped to see even more guests and donations today, eager to show off how the home – which is designated as a National Historic Landmark by the U.S. Department of the Interior – had been transformed for the holiday season.

“When I come and see this house decorated, it’s like a piece of old Hudson is back,” she said.

“This is the historical society’s way of saying thank you to the residents who have supported us, while also helping those in need.”