Christmas Eve Luminaries
There is much confusion over luminary placement, even by those who have lived here for a LONG time!
Kell Todd generously made and donated the blocks in the past. Amanda Dalton has graciously assumed that role. That being said, when storing the blocks, place them in a box labeled Christmas Eve Luminaries. DO NOT DISCARD. When selling your home, the new owner will know what they are for and not throw them away!
How many do you need? You should set a luminary on the edge of the sidewalk, closest to the street, in line with each gutter seam or expansion joint in the roadway. You should not have enough to line your driveway or other sidewalks. They should only be on the sidewalk along the road.
Kell Todd told me how to ensure the bag doesn’t catch on fire if it should be windy. Some night when you’re watching TV, take the bags, and fold the top down a couple of turns. It takes a little patience, but gives the bag more stability and it will be less likely to blow and catch on fire if it is windy. Candles should be lit around dusk, about 6:00. If you’re not going to be home, ask a neighbor to light yours for you!
Another trick Kell told me, is take a few moments to scrape the excess wax off the block before storing it for the next year. This is easily done with a putty knife or straight edged screwdriver! This will ensure you can easily get the new candle into the base the following year. Kell also suggested drilling holes in all four corners of the blocks and placing pencils in them to secure the bag and keep it from blowing inward and catching on fire!
If you have an elderly neighbor that might need help putting out their luminaries, please offer your assistance. If you’re really feeling charitable, volunteer your time to help put the luminaries out along the common areas. If you’ve been here for a while, you know how much the luminaries are enjoyed, not just by the residents of Sorrento Woods, but many others in the area! We’re making memories that are going to last a lifetime!
If you should have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask. Call Martha Grover, or ask a neighbor. Together, we can accomplish great things!