Marsh Creek broke out in holiday colors Friday evening, with homeowners lighting up their homes for Christmas, and in a community first, lining their streets with small flickering candles, the latter part of a first-ever Marsh Creek luminary event organized by the Spoonbill Neighbors social group.
Hundreds of homes, and the Marsh Creek Country Club, answered the group’s call to string luminaries, a series of small paper bags containing a small candle or light resting on a bed of sand, along the front of their properties.
A drive around the neighborhood (More photos below) found about 60% participation rate in the luminary event, magnified by the homeowners who piggy-backed it onto their own holiday lighting plans, creating, on many streets, an impressive seasonal tableau. Adding to the festivities on a warm December evening, several homes held holiday driveway and porch parties, with guests cheering on, and cheered by, those touring the neighborhood by foot, bike or car, to enjoy the holiday sights.
Neighbors’ Observations:
Rodgers Marian Bacheller:
“Wow! We road through Marsh Creek and we’re delighted with all the efforts made to participate in the luminary night! Great job neighbors! Many residents didn’t know or were not in town and it was wonderful to see others pitch in and share their surplus bags and such making up those dark spaces. It was a great practice run. We learned a lot about what to do and not do. Kudos to the party animals in Lakeway.”
“Our compliments to those who initiated such an “Illuminating” event. Shine on and Merry Christmas!”
Peter A Clayton:
“Almost half the homes on our section of Marshside Drive had luminaries and residents were walking and biking around with libations, taking photos, chatting with each other and enjoying themselves. Lots of vehicles driving around taking in this unique example of “neighborhood”. Great Success!!”
Donna Delzingaro:
“100% participation on Vista Ria Ct. The Spoonbill Neighbor Neighbors’ first annual luminaries was a huge success!
Great job organizing this event Louise! It had a little bumpy start but finished with great success! It will only be better next year! Donna”
Mohammed Mirzai:
“This is a great idea and you’ll be happy to know that every single home on Birdie Way was illuminated! Very proud!”
MK Peed:
“We drove around the entire neighborhood and we were happy to see such a good number of neighbors participating!“
Rodgers Marian Bacheller: “Yes! It was beautiful! Well done!“
More on FB’s Marsh Creek Neighbors: https://www.facebook.com/groups/1403803856458012/posts/1908233426015050/?comment_id=1908718405966552¬if_id=1639242096603125&ref=notif¬if_t=group_comment_follow
Kudos to Louise Nelson, Lorri Maloney, and everyone on the Spoonbill Neighbors team who made this event possible.
Great uplifting event. Every home on players court showed their bright light and some gathered for libations
Well done! And a wonderful concept for the future! Kudos to Louise Nelson for coming up with the idea… and then making it happen!
We had 100% participation on Birdie Way, thanks to Dan Mantini, Mohammad and Sharon Mirzai, and Lee and Mary Ellen Danielson picking up the slack for those who couldn’t participate. We also had a chili cookoff with 5 delicious pots of chili. Lee Danielson was named the winner.
Lessons learned: The pretty bags with the cut-outs collapse almost immediately in our humidity. Better to have plain bags. I noticed some people folded the bag along the top edge which added to the stability. It will be plain bags for me in the future.
What fun we had. I’m looking forward to the 24th and next year when we will do it all again.