Luminaria Memories, from the Manchester Lions Club
Making the luminaria sales more visible helped when the Lions Club first took over–they were able to use the current “Over the Edge” building prior to its renovation. For the last three years, the K-J House has been the site of all Luminaria sales.
Barry Allen, of the Manchester Lions Club, shared the club’s perspective on its 10-year involvement with this important community project. The club took over the Luminaria from the Historical Society back in 2008
“The MAHS had been doing the project for quite a number of years, using the Blacksmith Shop,” Allen recalls. “Their technique was labor intensive and as they all aged, they just couldn’t do the grunt work any more.”
Allen described the labor-intensive process: an MAHS member would bring a trailer load of sand to the Blacksmith Shop during Christmas week. Volunteers would then shovel and wheelbarrow the sand to the back of the shop, filling two large tubs. Purchasers could bring their own bags/boxes, or volunteers would scoop the required amount of sand in the box, and provide candles and bags.
“The first year we did the Luminaria, I determined it would be easier to place a portion of sand equivalent to a set of 10 luminaria into a one-gallon freezer bag so it could be distributed that way,” Allen says. “I remember that first time, it was the week of Christmas and Cindy Kelley and I were out freezing in a snow storm, bagging sand in front of the Blacksmith Shop. I thought, there must be a better way, and so we scheduled sandbagging in the fall when temperatures were mild, placing the bags in milk crates and storing them in our barn. The week of Christmas, we’d load up the crates and bring it into town in my trailer.”
MAHS member Carl Curtis, who had done the “lion’s share” of the work for the last several years the Historical Society coordinated the luminaria, stayed on and eventually joined the Lions so he could continue to be a part of this tradition and provide technical assistance. This year will be Curtis’ 40th year of participation in the project, Allen stated.
Although historic and spacious, the Blacksmith Shop was seen as “off the beaten path” in terms of visibility, so after a couple of years the Lions decided to move. Jim Mann generously arranged for the use of the then-abandoned Consignment Shop, now Over the Edge at the corner of Main and M52.
“Location, location, location, but we paid the price!” Allen recalls. “(The building had) no electricity or heat, but at least had a working toilet. Carl brought over his portable generator and we ran extension cords to our lighting. Ron Kohmescher brought in a patio heater to provide some warmth. We parked the trailer load of sand in one of the curbside parking spots out front and brought in cartons of sand as we needed them.”
About the time renovations began for the restaurant, the Historical Society was moving ahead with its own purchase of the K-J House. “I had just come on as a board member of MAHS,” Allen says, “so they agreed to let the Lions use the garage for luminaria sales. This worked out well and we continue to use it for our sales.”
Allen says that back in the heyday of luminaria, virtually every street in town would be lined with candles. Block parties were formed, with captains reminding neighbors that the time was coming up–often even volunteering to pick up and sort supplies for the entire neighborhood. As many as 10,000 units were distributed at one point; but by the time the Lions took over it was down to 2,400.
“We went at it with hope and new ideas,” Allen says. “We tried new hours, longer hours, pre-sales … all of this helped a bit, but it’s really more dependent on the weather. Just about everyone waits until Christmas Eve, or the day before, to pick up their supplies.
“We did have a couple of bad years due to weather, but at least we can carry over supplies to the next year; we don’t lose any money. We have kept the basic price the same–$5 for a set of 10 bags and candles, which is enough for most Village lots. But the cost of candles and bags continues to rise. We’ve been grateful to Farmer’s for giving us a free trailer of sand for as long as we can remember.”
Allen notes that the participation of the village has been a mainstay of the program. The DPW lines all the village property throughout the village–in front of the village hall, parks, and other village-owned areas. “So even if the side streets aren’t participating, visitors and residents alike can enjoy this tradition simply by driving through the main streets of Manchester.”
YOU can help keep this great Manchester tradition alive! Here are the times and dates that you can purchase your luminaria supplies at the garage of the Kingsley-Jenter House, 302 E. Main Street: Friday, December 21st, 10 am – 4 pm; Saturday, 22nd, 10 am – 4 pm; Sunday, December 23rd, 10 am – 2 pm; and Christmas Eve, 10 am – 4 pm. Put your candles out by 6 pm and watch the soft glow warm the streets of Manchester … lighting the way for the “reason for this season.”
Members of the Manchester Lions Club get ready for the annual sale.
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