As the winter solstice brings the year's shortest day to a close, St. Louis Park residents are finding ways to illuminate the season's pervasive darkness, quite literally. The City of St. Louis Park has sparked some creativity among its people, suggesting they craft their own ice luminaries – an activity often reserved for the crafty and environmentally conscious. A simple combination of water, cold air, and perhaps some decorative flair results in an enchanting glow from these frozen lanterns, perfect for adorning porches and windowsills.
On social media, the City of St. Louis Park extended an invitation for participation: "Try making your own ice luminary!" The accompanying instructional video, a nifty tutorial from Becky at Westwood Hills Nature Center, guides you through the tranquil process of ice luminary creation. And, in a warm gesture of community solidarity, the local Highway 7 and Louisiana Avenue bridge was lit green last night, a nod to Westwood Hills Nature Center's Be the Light Winter Solstice Walk – recognizing both mental illness and the endeavors of those helping the community find solace during the darker months.
This isn’t just a creative pastime, but a symbolic act as well, partaking in an age-old tradition that harnesses the power of light during the longest nights of the year. It ties back to numerous cultures that have long celebrated the solstice, seen as a pivotal point when the days begin to lengthen, heralding the gradual return of spring. These luminaries, beyond their picturesque qualities, serve as beacons of hope and a reminder of the cyclical nature of seasons.
The bridge lighting, on the other hand, serves its own purpose, standing as a noticeable landmark cast in a green glow; it's meant to draw the community's attention not only to the solstice but to a more pressing issue. It highlights the ongoing efforts to address mental health within the city’s population. Alongside festive lights and holiday events, the acknowledgment of such a cause, particularly during a time when many struggle with mental health, is both critical and commendable.
While the frosty weather may seem to suggest otherwise, the solstice and subsequent events remind us that warmth doesn't solely come from temperature. It emanates through community actions, well-lit bridges, and even from the glow of handcrafted ice luminaries that residents of St. Louis Park place outside their homes. Whether it's by joining the Be the Light walk or crafting an icy beacon of their own, St. Louis Park offers an array of opportunities for its people to bring a little light into the darkest of winters.
