WE'RE THREE months into the new year, but it's never too early to be thinking about Christmas, at least not for the Christmas in the Park Committee in Lebanon.
The nine members of the committee are working to light up Horner Park for Christmas with a display that will draw people from all over the area, said co-chairwoman Sue Knepper.
"We have this 58-acre park with a 1-acre lake and nothing there at Christmas," she said. "It has a mile-long, one-way road, which is a perfect place to put some lights. I went to the park board and they said 'if you want to head it, it's yours.'"
Plans for the Christmas display are rolling along faster than Knepper thought they would.
"It feels like we're taking 10 steps at once, but it's going to be wonderful," she said.
Area churches have combined to plan a large nativity scene under the park pavilion, and some Air Force volunteers are planning a salute to the military.
There will be a salute to American farmers and lots of other displays. High school students will be cutting out figures for displays and painting them. Displays around the lake will have a Victorian theme to fit in with downtown celebrations.
A lot of donations have come in, but Knepper said the committee can always use more.
"We have purchased $40,000 worth of commercial lighting, but we still need more money for string lights," she said. "We'll save money in the long run because we are buying LED (light-emitting diode) lights, which are more efficient in electricity use. But they cost more."
A lot of people have volunteered time and effort for the display, which is planned from Nov. 21 to Dec. 27.
Brian Northway of Lebanon Electric is donating his services to help rewire the park to handle the added electrical load. Diana Franco agreed to be co-chairwoman to take some of the burden off Knepper.
The hall will be decorated for Christmas and host some events. The Horner Park Board will make it available to rent out Mondays through Thursdays during the display.
Upcoming fundraisers include a dinner and auction at Horner Park Hall on May 10 and a golf tournament at Locust Hills Golf Course ibMay 30.
The committee also has a donated Web site, www.hornerparklights.com, which is up but under construction.
For more information or to volunteer to help you can call Knepper at 537-8428.
Wally Spiers' column runs five days a week. Have a column idea? Call Wally at 239-2506 or 800-642-3878; or e-mail: wspiers@bnd.com
