Ravenswood family continues luminaria tradition

RAVENSWOOD — Dee Scritchfield remembers driving to an overlook and seeing Ravenswood lit up in the soft yellow glow of luminarias in the '70s. After her dad died in 2014, her family brought the tradition back to life. 

"It was something out of a postcard," she said. "It was special."

Scritchield's father, Charles Shaver, was a mentor to many children in Jackson County. After serving in the military, he spent his career in academia as a teacher, coach and administrator. He invested in the future of the county — now his family is, too. 

Since 2014, Ravenswood has invited Jackson County to light luminaries on Christmas Eve in honor of loved ones and to celebrate the holiday season. This year more than 2,000 lanterns will glow across Jackson County. 

This event has put $8,000 into the future of Jackson County. Every year, Scritchfield's family gives a $500 Charles Shaver Memorial Scholarship to a Ravenswood and Ripley High School student. 

The luminarias stay lit for six to 10 hours and people are encouraged to light them at 6 p.m. on Christmas Eve — Scritchfield's family, like many others, spend the evening driving around admiring the lanterns.

"It's such a thrill to see people driving around street to street to look for the luminary on Christmas Eve," she said. "We're just so proud to be able to bring that tradition back to a city that we all love."

It isn't too late to get involved. People can purchase a set of 10 lanterns for $18. Contact Scritchfield at (304) 531-1507 for more information. 

— Katelyn Waltemyer (she/her) is the General Assignment and Enterprise Reporter for Jackson Newspapers in Jackson County, West Virginia. Have a news tip on local government or education? Or a good feature? You can reach Katelyn at kwaltemyer@jacksonnewspapers.com. Follow her on Twitter @Kate_Waltemyer.