Luminaries (Luminarias)
A Forest Ridge Tradition

In November 1978, the year I came to live in Forest Ridge, a Cub
Scout appeared at my door asking if I wanted to order Luminaries.
I didn’t really know what he was talking about but he only wanted
a few dollars and I liked supporting the scouts so I said yes. Later
my neighbor explained to me that Luminarias are an old Christmas
tradition of setting out rows of candles on Christmas Eve to light
the way for the Christ child.  The Luminaries, as provided by the
scouts, were small white paper bags, anchored with sand, and
containing a small votive candle. The bags were spaced out on the
grass between the sidewalk and the street and lit at dusk.
 

That first Christmas Eve I was surprised and delighted to see that
almost every house in Forest Ridge participated in this tradition,
creating an unbroken line of flickering lights up and down the
streets in every direction. Families who were not home on that
night would prepare their bags ahead of time and have a neighbor
set them out, rather than break the line. I later learned that people
from all over Dayton would make driving through Forest Ridge
part of their Christmas Eve just to see the lovely sight.
 

Decades passed, families moved into the Ridge and
families moved out. Cub Scout Pack 203 was no longer
large enough to go to every door and our beautiful tradition
began to die. Now on Christmas Eve many streets are almost
dark with only a few houses showing the licking lights.
This is such a loss.

Three years ago the Cub Scouts turned the Luminaries over to Boy Scout Troop 203, who continued to make them available through a central distribution point; however, Troop 203 has since disbanded and Cub Scout Pack 203 has stepped forward to preserve this Forest Ridge tradition. Although still not large enough to go to every door, the Pack is committed to doing everything it can to see that the beautiful flickering lights once again line our streets on Christmas Eve.
 

Even if your family does not celebrate Christmas, please consider joining your neighbors in creating this wonderful sight.  Families may order their Luminaries by completing and mailing the form below, by calling 236-8861, or by e-mailing the Scouts at pack203@live.com. The cost is $5.00 per home. Please specify if yours is a corner lot as corner lots receive a double size set (no extra charge). Also, please be sure to include your phone number to ensure delivery.

 
Let’s light up all of Forest Ridge this Christmas Eve. Thank you.

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LUMANARIES (LUMINARIAS) ORDER FORM
Mail to: Pack 203, 7401 Union Schoolhouse Rd.
Name: _______________________________________________________________________________________________
Address: _____________________________________________________________________________________________
Phone ______________________ Corner Lot (please circle) Y N
Please make checks payable to Pack 203