Story idea submitted by Jana Walker, who provided the photos.
Candy canes, bows, bells… these are all symbols that bring to mind the Christmas season.
The Burke Street neighborhood in Fort Scott created candy canes as yard decorations this month using these symbols of Christmas.
“We started talking about it at the annual 4th of July picnic,” Jana Walker, said. The Burke Street residents have an annual 4th of July parade, and with a picnic following.
It was at the picnic that the neighborhood decided to do Christmas decorations. Burke Street resident Sara Ellis recommended a candy cane lane, said Jana Walker.
“We are trying to build a community with each other,” Jana Walker said. “We wanted to include the children.”
Walker said she would like to encourage other neighborhoods do projects together because it helps people get to know each other.
“It’s fun getting to know the neighborhood,” Bob Lemons said of the project.
Lemons was the carpenter on the project and spearheaded the children painting the candy canes.
“Shane (Jana’s husband) knew that Bob had done carpentry work,” Jana said.
In October, the Walkers then went door-to-door in the neighborhood seeking input about the Christmas candy cane yard decorating project.
“They supplied the materials,” Lemons said. “I cut them out.”
“They needed a place to paint, so I offered my garage,” he said.
Just before Thanksgiving, when the neighborhood children were out of school, the painting portion of the candy cane project got started in the Lemons garage.
“He volunteered to cut them out and directed the children in painting them white,” Jana Walker noted. “He then finished painting the red stripes.”
Then bows and bells were attached along with the hardware to allow them to stay in the ground.
On Monday, Betty and Bob Lemons, went down the neighborhood street, putting the candy canes on display in the yards, after getting permission from each family.
About 12-14 children off-and-on helped with the project, Lemons said.
“We’ve just lived here three years, it’s a great way to get to know the neighbors,” Lemons said.