Thank You for Another Magical Luminaria

By Becca Vianello Hlad MPPG Luminaria VP

This year’s Luminaria brought another magical night to Mariemont, with warmer weather bringing nice crowds of neighbors, friends, and families to the Old Town Square to celebrate the holidays and light the Village tree together.

Mariemont Preschool Parents Group (MPPG) hopes everyone was able to catch a relaxing carriage ride, visit with Santa and Mrs. Claus, listen to the talented sounds of the MHS choir and strings groups inside our stunning Memorial Chapel, and watch a live performance from the Dance Coalition.

The House Decorating Contest was a hit once again with six entries this year. Congrats to the Tanner family on Elm Street for being voted the best decorated holiday house!

Luminaria is a special night, and it takes a Village to make it happen. Special thanks to Chief Rick Hines and our police department, John Scherpenberg and our maintenance department, Pastor Todd Keyes, Mayor Bill Brown, and Town Crier Bob Keyes. We are also very grateful for the hard work of Liz McGahey and Sarah McEvoy leading our MHS choir and strings groups.

Thanks to Biggby Coffee and Golden Hands Bakery for donating hot cocoa and donuts to be enjoyed while taking in all the lovely lights and luminaries.

Lastly, this event could not have happened without the volunteer efforts of our MHS Key Club and MJHS Builder’s club, along with over a hundred volunteers from MPPG. Luminaria planning starts in early summer, and the efforts continue through fall to prepare, sell, deliver, and display Luminaries throughout our community. This year’s team was incredible! Thank you to all our Luminaria team leaders, who were a joy to work with:

Cassidy Beals and Meg Cooper: Sales

Kristen Semberg and Carolyn Hohl: Assembly and Delivery

Molly Tanner and Kelsey Clear: Marketing

Sarah Moorehead and Emile Hunter: Programs

Elizabeth Wood and Carrie Starts: Sponsorship

Michelle Hjelm: Day of Coordination

Katie Phillips: Boy Scout Sales

And, of course, thank you to our MPPG President Maggie Cooper Kenner.

Through the hard work of this team and the generous support from our community, MPPG will donate over $15,000 to local charities and community projects. Members voted to utilize some of the proceeds to provide healthy snacks for the families staying at the Ronald McDonald House of Cincinnati. The remaining funds will be donated towards improvements at the Mariemont Pool and Dogwood Park “Tot Lot.”

We thank everyone who purchased and/ or donated a Luminaria kit as well as our 37 sponsors who helped make this significant donation possible. Special thanks to our Gold Sponsors: The CK group with Comey and Shepherd Realtors, and Team Reed and Roe with Coldwell Banker Realty.

We hope you enjoyed this year’s Luminaria night, making special memories and taking in the beautiful sights of our Village. Happy New Year and many thanks from MPPG!