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Community Corner

Optimist Tree Lot Expects Santa Claus

Final weekend of tree sales expected to be busy.

Business has been brisk at the at this holiday season and it will get a boost with the arrival of Santa Claus between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. today. The lot is open from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. today and Sunday. 

“It’s been a very good year,” Optimist Judy Geuder said. “We expect it to be very busy with Santa Claus here. We’ll be finished Tuesday or Wednesday depending on how many trees we have left.” 

The lot has been staffed by students from , and members of the Optimists. It has not been the usual sales job for Trinity student and football player Jono Mullins. 

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“It’s really cool,” Mullins said. “”All the people are in a good mood. We have fun with them. I throw the football around with the kids. We help people cut the trees.” 

Every tree gets one more cut with a chain saw before it leaves the lot to help preserve it according to Mullins. He does more for those who need assistance putting the tree in the car. “God gave me the ability to do this (cut and lift the trees) so I can help people this way.” 

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Though Mullins is new to the Deerfield lot, veterans like Geuder, Barbara Reich and Jim Golding have watched families mature there, which has been operated by the Optimists for approximately 50 years according to Optimist members. 

“Every year the kids get bigger and bigger,” Golding said. “People take pictures of the kids with Santa each year. We see them grow up.” 

according to Geuder. Most go to the youth of Deerfield but the Patty Turner Center has been the recipient as well. “All proceeds go back to the community,” Reich said. 

After the weekend, the lot will be open from 4 to 9 p.m. during the week. It will close later in the week and definitely be finished before Christmas Eve according to Geuder.

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