The luminarias history . . .   

In 1992, Linda Adcock started placing the luminarias (gallon milk containers) around The Children’s Lake.  Betsy Oyler became the General Chairperson for coordinating the Greens and Luminarias after Linda left, I believe (the Luminarias Committee was separate but under Betsy's guidance).  Jamie Frye chaired the Luminarias Committee in 2006 for one year.  Betsy Oyler was still the General Chairperson when Marilyn Morosky took over the Luminarias Committee in 2007.  Betsy would hang the greens and bows, and Marilyn coordinated all aspects of the luminarias.  The original Luminarias Committee was Marilyn Morosky, Don Morosky, Kathy Waddell, Diana Moscato, Bev Malmendier, Joe & Jeannette Cairo (for candle sorting/pickup by volunteers), Garry Fasick & Joe Winton (truck drivers for placing/removing the luminarias on each side of the Lake) and Joe Malmendier (sent out the generic “thank you” postcards).

In 2010, Betsy Oyler gave up the General Chairperson position, and the Luminarias Committee assumed the responsibility for hanging of the greens and bows in addition to the luminarias duties.  

When Marilyn took over the Luminarias Committee in 2007, we were only collecting the Keep the Spirit Burning forms and depositing the monies.  In 2008, Marilyn decided that she would like to post the names in “honor of” or “memory of” the people on the Keep the Spirit Burning forms.  She contacted the Appalachian Trail Conservancy Office, in Boiling Springs, and got permission to use the one side of their old wooden kiosk.  That year, a board was created and hung, and the “memory of” and “honor of” board is still created each year.  We also added, on the Keep the Spirit Burning form, that the Committee would send out “special” postcards/emails telling individual(s) that someone sponsored a luminary for them or their loved ones.  In addition to the special postcards/emails, the Luminarias Committee continues to send out generic “thank you” postcards/emails to all people who generously sponsor luminarias each year.  The Appalachian Trail Conservancy Office purchased a new kiosk and permits the Luminarias Committee to continue using the one side that faces the lake to honor or memorialize loved ones!

In 2017, F&M Trust wanted to continue to help the local community so we asked Barb Minnier, at F&M Trust, if they would defray the cost of the greens that adorn the Lake.  In 2018, we asked Terry and Kathy Rickert, owners of the Boiling Springs Tavern, if they would defray the cost of the greens that adorn the Bubble.  Both establishments kindly agreed and have done so yearly!  The decorating of the Bubble with luminarias and greens began in 2018!

In 2019, the hanging of the greens and bows was given to a newly-created Greens Committee; the Greens Committee is chaired by Kathy Westbrook.  

In 2014 or maybe a bit earlier, we decided to replace the gallon milk containers with the large plastic food jars to give The Children’s Lake a more appealing look day and night.  Linda and Ken Stoltz worked with Marilyn.  They gathered the jars from the local school’s cafeteria and from the Boiling Springs Tavern, and washed the initial “400” jars.  Roy Debski cut off the tops and drilled drainage holes in the bottom of each of the jars.  That was a big undertaking for all to get the new jars ready for display . . . that is why it is so important to wash the luminarias each summer to keep them as pristine as possible. 

In 2020, Darlene & John Benoit are the new location for sorting/pickup of the candles.

In 2021, the Luminarias Committee was taken over by Rachel Andreoli.