EXETER- For over 20 years the Exeter community has had a special glow on Christmas Eve when dozens of volunteers led by the Exeter Rotary Club take to the streets with hundreds of luminaries. Due to the weather this year the tradition will continue but will be shifted to New Year’s Eve but the community can count on the Rotarians and several collaborating neighborhood groups to be out with over 2,000 luminary bags.

The tradition began with a family on Front Street that worked with their neighbors to decorate the neighborhood on Christmas Eve. When the family moved out of town over 20 years ago Dottie Milbury led the rest of the Exeter Rotarians in taking over the project that brings so much joy to the streets of Exeter. The Rotary Club covers Gill St, Gale Park, Front St, Water St., Lincoln St. and the steps of old Town Hall and the Congregational Church and typically lights 1,500 luminary bags. Neighborhood groups on Pine and High streets also join in the fun adding over 800 luminaries to the event.

“This year’s Rotary theme is ‘Light Up Rotary’ and in Exeter it could not be more true. As Rotarians we light up our community by giving back and the luminary project is just one very literal example of that,” says 2014-2015 Exeter Rotary President Leigh Willett. The Rotarians not only put the luminaries out Christmas Eve but there is also a crew that typically comes through to cleanup on Christmas morning. The same will be true this year, just a week later; weather permitting.

At 3:00 p.m. on the afternoon of New Year’s Eve 25+ volunteers will begin putting out the luminaries; which have already been folded, filled with sand and a candle by other Rotarians and volunteers. Once lit, the candles typically burn to about midnight, which will provide the perfect welcome to 2015.

When asked why she’s been leading this project for over 20 years Milbury smiles and says; “It’s such a nice feeling to give this gift to the town. The thanks we get is priceless.”

The Exeter Rotary Club has been a non-profit member of our Exeter Area Community since 1959.   Rotary is one of the largest international humanitarian service organizations in the world, with more than 1.2 million Rotary members worldwide. Rotary promotes peace and international understanding through its educational and humanitarian programs.  In addition to providing thousands of dollars in scholarships to deserving students from local high school systems, the Exeter Rotary Club conducts many community projects and supports local non-profits who’s work benefits those that live and work in Exeter area. Meetings are held on Mondays from 12:15-1:30 p.m. at the Exeter Inn and are open to the public. If you are interested in attending, please contact Exeter Rotary Club president, Leigh Willett at waletts@gmail.com .Space is limited.