In The News 10 December 2012

Leesburg celebrates annual Luminaria

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By NELLDA FRIEND
Leesburg

Despite the dismal weather reports of impending rain and storms, the annual Leesburg Luminaria took place Dec. 9 with just a scarce few drops.

The sixth-grade royal court coronation kicked off the festival of light at the Leesburg Branch Library. The royal winners were authors of anonymous essays which had previously been judged by the Fairfield High School senior English classes. They were to express "what the Luminaria means to me."

The 2012 king and queen were Riley Friend and Haven Woods, respectively; prince and princess were Dale Back and Mackenzie Woleab.

An antique tractor-drawn wagon driven by Ken Woleab transported the court to the village open houses. Visitors filled two additional wagons borrowed from the county fair board.

Businesses opened their doors and served a wide variety of Christmas goodies: American Legion Post 568, Hickory and Plaid, Katy's Home Care, Kay Simmons Insurance, Leesburg Flea Market, Leesburg Market and Meats, the post office (where Santa was a special guest), Saucy Sisters' Pizza, Southern Hills Community Bank, Square One Heating and Cooling, and the United Methodist Church, which also provided a live nativity scene complete with animals.

Area residences which included luminaries were judged for their attractive decorations. The judge was Lion Rick Tipple who is District 13-J governor.

 

The in-town winner was Pauline Morris at 354 South Street, and the out-of-town winner was Todd Wigginton on S.R. 72 south of Highland.

President of Leesburg Lions Kathy Huff thanked the participants. "We are especially grateful for businesses' contributions of needed items that added to the ease of selling and delivering the luminaries," she said.

Once again, the Leesburg area churches united in a community Christmas service, this year at the Leesburg Church of Christ. The royal court read their Luminaria essays, the Fairfield High School choir shared selections, and the church youth presented a silent skit which emphasized "giving away Christmas." The scripture cited was 2 Corinthians 9:7, "The Lord loves a cheerful giver."

The Luminaria continued to be a highlight of the Leesburg Christmas season. The Lions Club sale of luminarias has generated funds that enable the distribution of eyeglasses throughout the world--a celebration of light and sight.

 

 

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