An El Camino Christmas And Other Holiday Dreams

By Susan Bush
12:00AM / Friday, December 15, 2006

Sharon Engwer: One silver BMW, please, and could you toss in a Cancun trip?

It isn't sugar plums but El Caminos that occupy Veronica Bosley's holiday fantasies.

Bosley, a North Adams resident, was at the Gallery 51 reception desk during today's noon hour. When asked to describe her ideal fantasy holiday gift, she answered almost immediately.

"I have a 1993 GEO Prism and when it gets cold, the handles break off," she said. "So for me, it would be a new car, a souped-up El Camino painted sparkly purple with a good sound system."

Those questioned were asked to describe their version of a fantasy gift for themselves.

Cool Car, Hot Destination

Veronica Bosley: Glitter on an El Camino

A car was the fantasy gift desired by Hoosac Bank employee Sharon Engwer, but her yen focused on a vehicle with four doors and a lush interior.

"I'd like a new car and a trip to Cancun or some place warm," she said. "I'd like a BMW but not red. Red cars get stopped all the time. I think I'd like a silver BMW."

Williamstown resident Pete Ticconi disclosed an adventurous dimension when he talked about his fantasy gift.

"The thing I've wanted lately is a 10-day trip to South Africa, to Victoria Falls and Capetown," he said. "It would be a once-in-a-lifetime experience."

Hot Dogs And Baseball

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students Christopher Voght and Molly DiMuccio, both from Rhode Island, offered their versions of dream gifts.

Pete Toccini: Into Africa

"A gift certificate to Jack's [Jack's Hot Dog restaurant]," said Voght.

"I'd like season tickets to the Red Sox," DiMuccio said. "I've never been [to a game]."

Suncatchers business owner Ana Kronick shared an anecdote from a class she attended some years ago. The instructor asked the students what they wanted from life, and then read many of the responses aloud.

"I Want A Maid"

"People wanted to be rich, people wanted to famous, people wanted this and that," Kronick said. "Then there was this response from one of the girls. It said 'I want a maid.' She was a mother, so you see where she was coming from."

Christopher Voght and Molly DiMuccio: Jacks's and the Red Sox

"I tell you this so you see where I am coming from with my fantasy present," she continued. "I want enough money to be comfortable and and I want to not have to rush about all the time."

Kronick said another "fantasy gift" she would appreciate involves less attention to celebrity and more attention to issues of the world.

"Everybody wants to know who is getting divorced or who is gaining weight," she said. "Millions of people are dying all over the world and what we care is if an actress gains two pounds."

All Or Nothing

Williamstown police dispatcher William "Bill" Jennings said that he needed some time to consider the question.

"Nothing comes to mind right off the bat," he said. "I would like to see the Grand Canyon and that area, so a gift of a trip out there would be nice."

And Jack's Hot Dog restaurant employee Rissa Sawyer was unable to specify a particular gift. But the reason for the difficulty wasn't a lack of desires, it was an abundance of them, she said.

"This is so hard, I want so much," she said.

"So what do you get a selfish person? Anything, and everything!"

Susan Bush may be reached via e-mail at suebush@iberkshires.com or at 413-663-3384 ext. 29.