The 2025 Fire & Ice Luminary Path in Tenney Park was lit on Friday, January 31st. We are hoping that it brought a moment of peace, good will, and hope to our community. 

For sure, we had our share of challenges… Record high temps just days before the event melted so many ice lanterns, we doubted that we’d have enough for the path in the park. And then, sustained wind gusts resulted in canceling the lighting of the candles on Saturday night altogether. We didn’t want to risk inadvertently causing damage to the trees and bushes in the park, or injury to participants. 

Challenges notwithstanding, Fire & Ice was ephemeral and wonderful. 

We’d like to share our appreciation for all the efforts and contributions that allowed the ‘show’ to go on.

• Over 50 Ice lanterns graced the Marston Ave Bridge. Incredible commitment went into protecting these lanterns from the sun long enough so that they might shine their bright and welcoming light to visitors. Thanks to all who hauled their lanterns to their spots in coolers & insulated boxes, and/or who stored their lanterns in freezers or wrapped them in ice so that they’d make it to the 31st. 

• 200 paper lanterns, many decorated by neighborhood children and their families, held live candles purchased by the Tenney Lapham Neighborhood Association. The candles were nestled in glass votives contributed mostly by a neighbor who has an enduring fondness for Oui yoghurt. The paper lanterns made a circle path along the shoreline of the island, and shared messages of hope and community. Thanks to Lauren Engelke and the kind folks of TLNA who go above and beyond to support everything that goes into building our neighborhood community all year long!

• Thanks to Lauren and TLNA, 20 reusable lawn signs displayed around the park and neighborhood did their part to inform everyone of what was coming. 

• 2 nights before Fire & Ice (Monday & Tuesday of that week), 40+ ice lanterns created a magical ambience on Sidney Street and Marston Ave. respectively. Big thanks to Lukas, Jynelle, Lucia, Arthur, Angie, Ben, Mary, and Sharon for creating these unexpected experiences. I have to admit, those luminary popups provided a much-needed lift in energy. 

• Thank you a thousand times to all the stalwart volunteers who lent their hands, backs, lighters, shovels, sandbags, carts, & battery-operated lights to make it happen. And then, to help take the path down when the winds made it unsafe to continue. You know who you are! I’m not sure I can even name all of you.. We are so very grateful for the help you provided. 

• We brought 3 large collection bins filled with  much-needed food to the Wil-Mar Neighborhood Center food pantry. Thanks to all who contributed so generously to this effort.  

• A special shout out to Angie Hickerson, for all her hard work to make this event a success – She literally beams positivity and humor into everything she does. What a great co-coordinator!

• And lastly, to all of you who walked the path, brought your friends, dogs and children, and to so many of you who shared your delight and appreciation with us, thank you for coming and for the feedback!

We hope to see you next year! 

Keep the candles burning, Jeannette Deloya