Winter in Ballston Spa
as never “scene” before

Warm memories of Christmas tree lightings in Wiswall Park, holiday excursions to Brookside Museum and midnight Masses at St. Mary’s Church inspired Mary Hauprich Reilly to create some of the snow-covered scenes that now grace a line of greeting cards and mugs. (Click on image at left to view some holiday greeting card and mug samples.)

Mary, who graduated from Ballston Spa High School in 1981, would later accompany her own little ones to post letters to Santa in the mailbox that once stood in the park that honors early village leader Irving Wiswall. Participation in culturally enriching events at Brookside -- with enthusiastic encouragement from her mother, who was then a Malta Avenue School teacher -- was another important part of Mary’s youth.

The youngest of the 10 children of Audrey and Donald Hauprich also treasures recollections of hearing her parents’ voices singing carols in the St. Mary’s choir during long ago Christmas Eve services.

Mary’s panoramic scene of St. Mary’s (which includes the convent, rectory and school as well as the church) and her whimsical Wiswall Park rendition are additionally showcased within the covers of Mornings with Morley, a tribute to the legacy of Maurice “Christopher” Morley by Mary’s author sister, Ann Hauprich (www.AnnHauprich.US).

As part of the 2018 heritage preservation project, Mary created a YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Iucwf3x0-mI) devoted to the late Ballston Spa History Consultant who endeared himself to generations of villagers as its old-fashioned wooden toy-maker. In the decades prior to his 2011 passing at age 89, Morley had donated countless volunteer hours to Brookside, bringing history to life for children of all ages through captivating demonstrations of the educational play things he had individually carved and painted.

In addition to scenes celebrating Brookside, St. Mary’s and Wiswall Park, the collection of cards and mugs created by Mary include nostalgic views of The Chocolate Factory, The Medbery Inn, The Old Iron Spring and Village Hall in winter.

By special arrangement with proprietor Sean O’Brien, a portion of the proceeds from the sale of St. Mary’s cards and mugs sold at O’Brien Pharmacy (https://obrienpharmacy.com/gifts/) this holiday season will be donated to St. Mary’s Church. And, as always, each purchase from the Saratoga County Historical Society at Brookside Museum Gift Shoppe (http://www.brooksidemuseum.org/gift-shop/) helps to support educational programs for thousands of regional children. Mary’s cards and mugs will be available at both O'Brien Pharmacy and Brookside Museum while supplies last during the 2018 holiday shopping season.

 

CLICK HERE to view a PDF regarding card and mug designs available at O'Brien Pharmacy and HERE to learn more about those available at Brookside.