The village square in Lucas was filled with holiday cheer as a crowd of over 100 people and Mayor Todd Hall gathered to watch Santa turn the lights on of the town Christmas tree.
“It’s always so amazing when Santa comes and passes out the candy canes. And oh, that magical moment when he [Santa] turns on the lights of the tree, the looks on the children’s faces is a wonderful sight to see,” said Dan Stotts, Secretary of the Lucas Lions Club.
For over 20 years, the Lucas Lions Club has been a part of the tradition, providing hot chocolate and sugar cookies to spectators who gather to witness the village tree light up and mark the holiday season.
“This is one way I can give back and do it in memory of my son Tyler. Lucas is a great community with great people. There is so much support here,” said Rene Davis of Lucas. Davis has baked and donated the sugar cookies for the annual tree lighting for seven years.
A member of the Lions Club, Davis participates as a gesture of gratitude for the Lions Club who purchased the first pair of eyeglasses for her son, Tyler Stone. Tyler Stone died three weeks after his 18 birthday in a roadside accident as he walked home from school in 2003.
“I do this for him, in his memory,” added Davis.
Davis went on the share that she bakes and donates an estimated 25 dozen sugar cookies every year and also adopts a family in the memory of her son. “I spend what I would have on my son and help a family in need. He is my inspiration. It’s for him.”
“This is a wonderful turnout. I’ve been out here other years in sub-zero temperature and you can still count on at least 100 people or more. The support in this town is amazing,” said Mayor Todd Hall.
According to William Spohn, past president and current Chairman of the Christmas Tree Lighting committee for the Lions Club, every year the tree is donated by a resident of Lucas. This year’s tree was donated by Ed and Paula Sauder. Sauder works for the Monroe township Road Department.
Bob Small, current president of the Lions Club, commented, “I’ve never seen a small town such as this come out and support things like they do here.”
The elementary students from kindergarten through second grade serenaded the crowd with Christmas classics that included, “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer”, and “We Wish You a Merry Christmas.” The performance was directed by Lucas music teacher Dan Cetina.
“It’s great to be apart of this. I’m new to Lucas myself, and something like this helps me feel apart of the community,” said Cetina. The teacher added that this is his second year as a resident of Lucas and as music teacher for the school district.
A Christmas prayer was led by Pastor Dallas Waggle of Lucas Foursquare Church. Mayor Hall and thanked those who volunteered for the event. Hall then asked the children to help the countdown as Santa prepared to flip the switch and light the tree.
Michelle Guegold of Lucas was out with her family, “It’s our first year, the boys are very excited to see Santa.” Guegold’s son Mason, a first grader, sang as part of the elementary chorus. His brothers, Brady, six years old and Owen who is two years old were very excited about the thought of seeing Santa and the lighting of the tree.
Spohn summed up the evening in saying, ”In the end it’s all about the kids, the look on their face. The community coming together to celebrate the true spirit of Christmas.”
“This is a wonderful turnout. I’ve been out here other years in sub-zero temperature and you can still count on at least 100 people or more. The support in this town is amazing,” said Mayor Todd Hall.
