On the longest night in 2014, December 21, the residents of Irvington lit candles along the winding streets in record numbers. Candles and bags sold at local merchants (Central Ace Hardware, Antiques by Jack & Jill, Deering Cleaners, Black Sheep Gifts, the Bonna Shops, and Your Local Deli, plus Karen Davis) were gone by the afternoon, and neighbors scrambled to improvise. The sand, supplied by Bobby Sponsel, was shoveled from the parking lot at Ellenberger Park to fill the bags. Over 13,000 candles were lit by hundreds of residents at dusk, creating a magical scene. Paula Schmidt organized this year’s Luminaria — the 38th. She was delighted at the huge number of participants and hopes that the 2015 Luminaria will be even more successful!
Paula wants to thank the many volunteers who made the Luminaria successful: Amy Mullen, Jim & Dee Banta, Ann Marie Predovich-Taylor, Bill Gulde, Kitty Fenstermaker, Ken Mayfield, Tricia Pohlman, Julie K Patterson, John Schlafer, Bobby Sponsel, Andy Maciotok, Dale Harkins, Jeremy Humphrey, Karen Davis, Kathy Tindall, Kim Disher, Kyla Thompson, Pat Waters, Suzanne Smith, Nancy Tindall Sponsel, Heidi Unger, Sue Kennedy, Chris Wolf, Pam Hull, Andrew Mankus, Steve Barnett, Sue Beecher, and the homeowners and businesses that lit up the night. The Weekly View also wrote an article and ran front page advertising to help get the word out.
Kathy Tindal was responsible for the renewed participation by local churches. They put out almost 800 candles around the churches. Local Scout Troops, wrestling teams were part of the folks setting up candles in the public areas.
There were over 200 Central Indiana Bicycle Associate members who visited and were served cocoa and cookies at Irving Circle. Kids of all ages visited with Santa and his sleigh on the Circle as well.
