Candlelight ceremonies to be held in Emo, La Vallee

The municipalities of Emo and La Vallee once again will be holding candlelight ceremonies in their cemeteries on Christmas Eve.
“I’ll have all the ice candles out there,” noted Debbie Zimmerman, organizer of the Emo event. “All the graves are to be marked with flags this year, so it should go quite fast.
“We’ll light them [the candles] and sing a few carols.”
Those interested in purchasing a candle are asked to call Zimmerman at Tompkins Hardware or the Emo municipal office by this Friday (Dec. 22).
The cost is $5 per candle.
“It’s for people to make a gesture that they still remember their relatives at Christmas even after they’re gone,” Zimmerman said, noting the tradition began a few years ago with one woman lighting a couple of candles.
“And I thought it was something others would like to do if we advertised it,” she added. “In Kenora on Christmas Eve, there is one put on every grave and it’s absolutely beautiful, but it’s a very big job.”
Zimmerman said she’s seen more and more candles purchased each year. As of Monday, about 50 already were spoken for.
The ceremony at the Emo cemetery will begin at 4 p.m. while the one in La Vallee takes place at 6 p.m.
“They are to go to the cemetery of choice and place their candle there,” explained municipal assistant Patti McDowall.
Those interested in the La Vallee ceremony can call Maxine Hayes (274-6049) or Lucille McDonald (486-1251).
The candles also cost $5 each, with all proceeds going back into the cemetery for maintenance.
Candles, if being picked up at the municipal office, have to be done so by this Friday (Dec. 22) at noon.