The Observation Deck

Light Up Lakewood was a grand community event tonight. Congratulations to Mary Anne Crampton, LCPI and all the volunteers on a magnificent achievement.

I know businesses were full and pleased with the crowds and commitments. And the library was a packed and joyful spot, too.

Thanks to all of you for a terrific experience.

But I really want to tell you about the fox that Lit Up Lakewood.

Walking home from the library around 9:10 p.m. down Detroit, I saw a fox scoot across the street near Lakewood Observer World Headquarters, cut through Sinagra Park and then run past the shops.

It was for me one of those magical capstone moments that the Old Indian Trail on Detroit Avenue generates from time to time. And of course, tonight of all nights, the fox was right on time, delivering more magic and medicine to the Wood.

In Animal Speak, Ted Andrews notes the fox is “symbolic of the idea of magic being born within feminine energies.â€Â￾ Indeed, there were many wonderful women who worked very hard on a solid accomplishment. At the same time they created, I believe, an inclusive holiday magic that conveyed a warm sense of family and unity.

“The Choctaw saw fox as the protector of the family unity," as Andrews reminds us. He tells us the fox is an animal of “between times and placesâ€Â￾ associated with Card 21 of the Tarot – the World. “It is a card that reflects a new world opening up,â€Â￾ notes Andrews, “that the process of creation is beginning.â€Â￾

The mythos is thick, telling and healing.

Let’s take hope in the rich signs of nature and experience of community that demonstrate time and time again the wholy distinctive quality of life and people in Lakewood, Ohio.

Kenneth Warren

Ken

I agree. It is amazing what Mary Anne Crampton has done with Mainstreet and her efforts to make Lakewood more fun. Tonight was a grand night for Lakewood. Thanks to Mary Anne Crampton, and her amazing crew.

Just saw the clips on Channel 3, beautiful.

Standing ovation.



A nice large crowd was entertained.





.

Good morning, and thank you Ken and Jim for your kind words. The only thing I can take credit for is asking Jenni Baker and Jennifer Rayor to co-chair Light Up Lakewood and supporting them in every possible way.

These two women, "the foxes", have incredible vision and the ability to inspire countless talented volunteers to make that vision a reality. Soon, for Heritage Ohio, I will estimate the time our Lakewood community freely and joyfully committed to this event....it will be in the thousands of hours.

It is so humbling and gratifying to see what our community can create and support. I'm afraid to even start to name the unsung heroes, but anyone who was stationed outside on Detroit for for up to two hours last night has my undying gratitude and respect. That long, long list includes: our Boy and Girl Scout troops, the school choirs & bands, Kiwanis, YMCA Adventure Guides, Lakewood Hospital volunteers,Lakewood High Drama Club, the Trash Talkers, the Peddlers of Mirth, Darren Thoms, the city sound guys, the police, the public works staff, and the many, many LakewoodAlive volunteers (especially those who added tree trunk lighting to Sinagra Park and bows and ribbons to Detroit Ave yesterday), Observer photographers, and one guy wearing reindeer antlers and a trenchcoat.

We will also assessing the economic impact of the event through our Main Street retailers, who all seemed to packed with customers last night. Thank you, thank you all for a transformational night in downtown Lakewood.

Mary Anne

"We will also assessing the economic impact of the event through our Main Street retailers"

We were doing great...and them O'Bryan showed up--there goes the neighborhood. It's a good thing Jim and Chef Geoff were not together, we all know what happens when those worlds collide.

Corey
Rozi's

What an awesome event!

I was ecstatic after the Trash Talkers finished. I looked around and was awestruck by the number of people who turned out in frigid windy conditions. I’m already looking forward to next year’s event. Mary Ann you rock!

My boys loved the baklava from Aladdin’s, my wife and I enjoyed the tea and the hot cocoa. I enjoyed many doughnuts. It was just fantastic. Seeing the residents of Lakewood out in the street purely for holiday cheer was great.

I would like to echo the sentiments already shared. The individuals who worked the event made things run smoothly to our eyes. I’m sure there were bumbles and miscues as the night went on as there usually are problems with an event of that size, but like I said to you that night, Mary Ann, It really went well.

I hope that somehow this emerging Lakewood Youth Commission can make an impact next year in whatever way the coordinators see fit.

Again, let me say! Great event! Just Great!

Chris Karel