Updated January 21, 2024

Since 1994, luminarias have been a highlight of the holidays in our neighborhood, and this year is no exception. Thanks to the generosity of many Brentwood and Crestview neighbors, Arroyo Seco once again glowed with candlelight on the evenings of December 22-25, 2023.

Brentwood neighbors started the luminaria project to celebrate the 1993 planting of more than 250 trees along Arroyo Seco and Hancock Creek between Koenig and Justin. (More about Hancock Creek here.) More recently, the project has expanded into Crestview, north of Justin up to West St. Johns.

Volunteers are always welcome. Neighbors donate and gather milk jugs, candles, and sand, and then place, light, extinguish, and pick up the jugs after the lighting is over. Local neighborhood associations also have provided support for the project. (Updates and ways to help are posted locally on Brentwood and Crestview social media.)

In 2014, the luminarias were dedicated in memory of Sidney Paschal Shelton and his wife, Billie Jean Wier Shelton, longtime Brentwood neighbors who died tragically on December 15. On December 21, family members, friends, and neighbors attended a ceremony honoring the Sheltons at the Brentwood Park pavilion before the lighting of the luminarias.

Thanks to all the neighbors who make the event possible each year!

Several special holiday events were held in 2020. The Lil Lane of Lights, along Justin Lane near The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection (just east of Burnet Road), through January 3, 2021. Displays were constructed by volunteers with Brentwood Elementary PTA, Brentwood Playground Improvement, Brightside Eco School, The Episcopal Church of the Resurrection, Juice Real Estate Group at Compass, Violet Crown Care Network, Violet Crown Clubhouse, Violet Crown Community Works, and others. QR codes at each display gave visitors a chance to donate to the nonprofits involved. And, on Saturday, December 19, 2020, the Violet Crown Clubhouse sponsored the Buddy the Elf Christmas Carol Sing-a-long Walk, benefitting the Health Alliance for Austin Musicians (HAAM). You also can donate to HAAM here.

Another favorite local holiday event for all ages is the annual Swedish Christmas Bazaar and Lucia Concert sponsored by SWEA (Swedish Women’s Educational Association International) at Gethsemane Lutheran Church, 200 W. Anderson Lane, Austin. The event is typically held on St. Lucy’s Day, traditionally December 13, or the Sunday before or after. (Because of the pandemic, it was not held locally in 2020 and 2021.) In Sweden, December 13 is the Winter Solstice and the longest, darkest day of the year. In the Lucia concert, a young woman chosen to represent Lucia (left) and wearing a crown of candles leads a procession of all ages singing “Santa Lucia” and other songs in Swedish. Services at the church were conducted in Swedish until the early 1900s. Its first congregation was founded by Swedish immigrants in 1868 at another Austin location. Today, the church is in Georgian Acres, northeast of 183 and North Lamar.

Here are a few more holiday stories about good neighbors here . . .

For many years since we moved here, Harold Loftis decorated his Crestview home with festive handcrafted bells for the holidays. I took a photo of them on Christmas Day in 2015 (right). When they didn’t appear shortly after Thanksgiving the next year, I sent him a thank-you note with the photo for all the years we had enjoyed the bells as we drove by. I’m glad I did. Harold, 88, died December 30, 2016. And, thanks to his family, the bells returned for Christmas 2017 and every year since.

Jan Root and Richard Chaffee remember going to downtown Austin during the holidays to see lights and decorations in the 60s. In the video clip below, Jan mentions Scarbrough’s department store, which was at 522 Congress Avenue, and Calcasieu Lumber Company. Both were longtime businesses and family-owned for many years.

Judy Carlson grew up in Center Point, a small town west of San Antonio. In the clip below, she describes how her family made their Christmas tree “sparkle,” since their home had no electricity.

Beverly Lester tells the story of a very special bike she wanted one Christmas.

Ben Petmecky was full of laughter and life when we interviewed him in 2009 (read the transcript here), even though he was well into his 80s and had many health challenges. After our interview, he and his longtime partner occasionally called us to talk. Last Christmas Day 2010, Ben left us one final message. As always, he was in high spirits.

This is Ben Petmecky. We just wanted to wish you a Merry Christmas, so keep it merry!

We interviewed Jan Root and Richard Chaffee on October 24, 2009; Judy and John Carlson on September 5, 2009 (Judy died March 26, 2015; John died July 13, 2019); Beverly Lester on February 9, 2008; and Ben Petmecky on May 24, 2009 (he died October 13, 2011).

To all our neighbors, have a light and merry holiday! And, stay tuned for more Voices of the Violet Crown.