Luminaries Tradition Continues In Mendham, Chester For MLK Day

MENDHAM, NJ — For the past several years on Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, there's been a glow of luminaries in Mendham among many residents, to remember King's legacy of unity and inclusion.

Started by Mendham resident Pratip Chattopadhyay, he's given out at no cost to each person who has requested one, a paper bag, some stones and LED tea lights.

The night of the holiday, residents with luminaries shine their lights in King’s memory outside of their homes.

He plans to drop them off on porches and by mailboxes throughout the weekend and people can request one until Monday morning, Jan. 17, by the Google form here. Chattopadhyay said he expects to have all of them delivered by Monday afternoon.

If residents from Chester Borough or Township would like one, they are also welcome to request one, he added.

In 2021, there were 230 luminaries distributed to 120 homes throughout Mendham Borough and Township, Chattopadhyay told Patch.

Chattopadhyay says he likes to write something about Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day each year, taking this year’s inspiration from the King Center website’s 2022 theme, “It Starts With Me.”

The letters “M” and “E” are built from words including “empowerment, cooperation, dignity, empathy, trust, justice, compassion, kindness, integrity, and respect,” he said.

“Those words all speak to us in different ways - that is one of the wonderful things about our diverse identities as Americans, said Chattopadhyay. “But what we all share is that these words actually speak to us, they are not meaningless.”

“They are important to each of us as Americans, no matter our race, religion, or politics,” he continued.

On Monday when people place their luminaries out, Chattopadhyay asks that they reflect on “what makes us diverse, but united.”

He describes Americans overall as, “Great, but imperfect.”

“Many great Americans - like MLK - laid down their life for the ideal of the more perfect union, and they are heroes to us all,” Chattopadhyay said.

After all the luminaries are lit, Chattopadhyay takes photos and creates a collage, with 2021's displays in the image below.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at: jennifer.miller@patch.com.