Letters to editor

OPINION: Theft of holiday decorations goes against the spirit of the season

Posted on Sat, Dec 31, 2011 : 1:47 p.m.

At this time of year we gather together with friends and family to celebrate the Christmas season. For many this involves decorating their homes and yards to express their holiday cheer. For the past many years our family has taken pride in providing a Christmas light display at our family farm in Lodi Township. Many from across the area have expressed to us their appreciation of this display and occasionally leave a note on the door thanking us for our efforts.

It is with this in mind that it troubles and upsets us so much when petty theft occurs.

Earlier this (past) year we had a Halloween decoration stolen from the yard and chalked it up to youthful shenanigans. However, most recently a significant display was stolen from our yard. The display was a personal one and featured the Peanut's characters skating on a frozen pond. Each figure was secured to the board and would have had to been damaged significantly in order to be removed. This sort of petty theft strikes so hard at a time of year when all our family was trying to do was bring some Christmas cheer to the community.

These continued acts of the theft will force us to limit the display in years to come. It is unfortunate as we look forward each year to investing in new items to add to the display. We ask that if anyone is aware of the whereabouts of these figures that they simply return them to the yard.

It would be the normal reaction of most to want to hold a grudge or hatred towards the individuals involved in this theft. However, our Christian faith teaches us to forgive. That is why we hope that those responsible for the cowardice act acknowledge their wrong and try to make it right.

A larger message here is for families to remind each other that kindness and generosity should never be recognized with theft and disrespect. We continue to wish all those who come by the farm to view the lights a very Merry Christmas, but wanted everyone to know the frustration we face when individuals stoop to the low of stealing from a Christmas display.

The Schaible family
Lodi Township