A Lost Tradition From Last Century Returns -- "Lighting of the Letters" -- Will Light Up Whaley Park <nobr>Dec. 4,</nobr> <nobr>3 p.m.</nobr> to Dusk; Bring Canned Goods, Socks, Unwrapped Xmas Gifts For Charity, Meet Santa

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A Lost Tradition From Last Century Returns -- "Lighting of the Letters" -- Will Light Up Whaley Park Dec. 4, 3 p.m. to Dusk; Bring Canned Goods, Socks, Unwrapped Xmas Gifts For Charity, Meet Santa

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(Dec. 3, 2016. 1:15 p.m.) -- The Los Altos "LongBeach4d" blog reports that a Long Beach tradition will return on Sunday Dec. 4 from 3:00 p.m. to dusk with the "Lighting of the Letters" at the northern end of Whaley Park, 5620 E. Atherton St.

[LongBeach4d text] A mid-century tradition returns this year on December 4th, 2016 to the Los Altos neighborhood adjacient to Whaley Park (North) with a community lick-off event marking the return of giant letters spelling out a holiday greeting.
In the 1950's during the holidays, residents living around the Whaley Park each displayed one giant letter that combined spelled out the holiday message of Merry Christmas and Happy New Year around the perimeter of the park.
Why the tradition was lost and what happened to most of the old letters remains a mystery, but enough people still remembered the tradition as the occasional random letter was found as the homes changed hands over the years, keeping the story alive.

[Scroll down for further.]

Hosted by the newly organized Greater Los Altos Neighborhood Ass'n (GLANA), event organizers promise holiday music, children activities and a special visit from Santa Claus. "Bring canned goods, socks, unwrapped toys and games to be donated to California Children's Services," says a digital announcement, noting that the letters are provided by Long Beach Boy Scouts with the event sponsored by the Los Altos Charity Gift Giving Fund.

To read Joe Mello's article text backgrounding and previewing the grassroots community event, click here.