HOLIDAY TRADITIONS CAPTURE OUR COMMUNITY SPIRIT

By : Cozette Vergari

December 2022

The Westchester/Playa Historical Society successfully provided five Holiday Candle Making workshops, completing the final workshop on November 19^th, resurrecting a seventy-year-old community tradition, which started in the 1950s and drew busloads of “tourists” to see the holiday wonderland of giant candles. 

Spectrum News was on site for the final workshop, a video of which can be viewed at https://spectrumnews1.com/ca/la-west,  as well as the historical society’s website under events https://wphistoricalsociety.org/candle-making-workshop . 

The current participating community “pioneers,” skillfully led by WPHS Board Member Grant Francis, will launch their own giant candles this holiday season. Once the holiday decorating season is in full swing, you will be able to see the holiday candles at the following locations:

6716 West 87^th Street 90045

6433 W. 82^nd Street 90045

6610 W. 81^st Street 90045

7526 Kentwood Avenue 90045

7536 Ogelsby Avenue 90045

5912 W. 78^th Street 90045

8001 Denrock Avenue 90045 

7800 Stewart Avenue 90045

6963 W. 85^th  Place 90045

8031 Nardian Way 90045

8035 Nardian Way 90045

7738 W. 80^th Street PDR 90293

If you missed the opportunity to participate in this fall’s workshops, there will be a Holiday Candle Raffle for one lucky winner. The drawing will be held December 5^th at the WPHS Board meeting. For more information, contact cozetterotary5280@gmail.com. The winner will receive, in time for display this season, a fully assembled candle and lighting kit, painted blue or red as the winner chooses. 

Westchester/Playa Historical Society will offer these workshops again in 2023. There is already a waiting list of 16 future candlemakers for 2023. Stay tuned for those opportunities. For more information, contact cozetterotary5280@gmail.com.

WPHS and the Westchester Mental Health Guild will be collaborating for the WMHG 3^rd Annual Holiday Lights Tour & Contest. The Holiday Lights Tour & Contest raises funds in support of the efforts of Airport Marina Counseling Service in its two-fold mission to provide affordable, community-based mental health services and in its training of mental health therapists. If you would like more information or wish to support the WMHG 3^rd Annual Holiday Lights Tour & Contest. WMHG website www.Westchestermhg.org. 

The Westchester/Playa Historical Society Discovery Center, located at 6207 W. 87^th Street,  is open Sunday mornings or, otherwise, by appointment. The Discovery Center is currently closed for renovation and will reopen in January 2023. We offer small group tours and are available for special events.

I wish to acknowledge and thank the Westchester/Playa Historical Society Board Members and Donors who make our existence possible. We are so thankful to our donors and have acknowledged each of them on our website. Please visit https://wphistoricalsociety.org/support. Your donation is tax deductible.