They were ‘Merry in Merrick’

Braving cold and rainy weather, Merokeans gathered last Saturday night for the second annual Merry in Merrick Tree Walk. Organized for the first time last year by sisters-in-law Jen Casano and Andrea Martone, Merrick residents with children in local schools, the event was back on as families gathered to enjoy the neighborhood displays.

Families involved in the tree walk — which started as an idea to boost morale during the pandemic — volunteer to “host” a tree. With holiday lights and other decoration, their homes are transformed into fun displays focusing on the trees, usually with a theme. This year, 21 households took part, and the themes included “Tis the Sea-Sun-Summertime Christmas,” “A Festivus for the Rest of Us” and “Holiday Fir for our Furry Friends,” among others.

Once the participant list was finalized, a map of the households was drawn so tree walkers could stop at all the houses.

Though the event was a big success last year, this year Casano, Martone and their neighbor and fellow organizer, Sharon Loscalzo decided to make it more about the community, and giving back.

“This year, we said, ‘Let’s do it again, but a little bigger,’” Casano told the Herald. “The walk is also a food drive — there are about four or five locations taking food for the Bellmore-Merrick Community Cupboard. It’s still the same idea of raising morale, but also about keeping the community strong.”

The food drive was arranged with the assistance of Chatterton Elementary School’s student council, which helped spread the word.

Although fewer households took part this year, that made the event more consolidated, with a 10- to 12-block radius from Smith Street to Gormely Avenue. “It’s a little more intimate,” Martone said.

Last year, for the inaugural tree walk, Casano said, everything was “old school.” “We handed out 1,500 fliers to homes,” she recounted. “This year we used a Facebook page and a website so families could raise their hand to host a tree.”

Local businesses, such as the coffee shop RS Beanery, on Merrick Avenue, also participated, taking food donation and offering a signature Merry in Merrick Latte during the week.

“It’s just nice that a bunch of people in our community have also stepped up and took part in this,” Casano said.

On Saturday night, a small opening ceremony took place in the cul-de-sac of Gormely Avenue and Doris Place. Although Sanford H. Calhoun High School’s musical choral group Pulse was scheduled to perform, it was unable to do so due to some conflicts. Later in the evening, Santa Claus was seated in front of a home on Gormely, posing for photos with neighborhood kids.

“This event is really near and dear to our hearts,” Loscalzo said as she welcomed the tree walkers. “We hope that you’re all ready for some beautiful, handmade, thoughtful, funny and artistic exhibits.”

“We want to say thanks for all of our brave and fearless tree hosts,” Casano added, “and for your creativity and determination — and for coming out and working in the rain today and creating your masterpieces.”

Those interested in taking part in next year’s tree walk can visit the website merryinmerrick.com or the Facebook page @Merry in Merrick – Holiday Tree Walk.

“We are so thankful to be in a community like this, with all these friendly faces,” Martone said. “It’s safe and happy, and that’s all I’ve ever really wanted in our town.”