WESTCHESTER/PLAYA HISTORICAL SOCIETY REVIVES HOLIDAY CANDLE TRADITION

By : Cozette Vergari

November 2022

It’s all about candles and community! The Westchester/Playa Historical Society has been providing Holiday Candle Making workshops, starting in September. The final workshop is November 19^th. WPHS Board Member and community leader, Grant Francis, has been conducting the workshops, receiving rave reviews from the participants. Those participating have had the choice of constructing a red or blue candle to display in their front yard.

The goal, due to requests from community members, is to honor and resurrect the Holiday Candle tradition, which, according to legend, was started in the 1950s by two men who lived on Chase Avenue and initially were inspired by the idea of a young paper delivery boy. They created candles for their neighbors that stood six feet tall and, early on, Chase Avenue became known as Candle Lane, drawing bus loads of “tourists” to see the holiday wonderland of giant candles. Over the years, the candles spread far and wide throughout the community. It was the pride of the community during the holidays.

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, the candle and lighting kit, fully assembled, and painted red or blue upon the winner’s choice. WPHS will offer these workshops again in 2023. Stayed tuned for those opportunities.

In mutual support, WPHS and the Westchester Mental Health Guild will be collaborating for the WMHG 3^rd Annual Holiday Lights Tour & Contest. The Holiday Candles will be added to the Holiday Lights Tour. 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, contact Judy Dews at 310.993.5810 or judyndan@sbcglobal.net . Your donation is tax deductible.

The WPHS Discovery Center, located at 6207 W. 87^th Street,  is open Sunday mornings, or otherwise by appointment, through November 20^th. Come in and enjoy the current Maps Exhibit. Thereafter, through the end of the year, the Discovery Center will be 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.