Posted: 12/22/04
By MaryHelen Swanson
Mickey and Minnie Mouse have ìflown the coopî according to Ed Leight of Stacy. He and wife Jayne are mourning the theft of special holiday decorations, although with over a million lights, 17,000 feet of buried electric cable, and hundreds of colorful display figurines youíd think they wouldnít be missed. But the lawn decorations that were taken recently from their outdoor display had special meaning. They were the first items bought years ago when the couple decided to stop giving each other gifts for Christmas.
Their very first yard display was a simple Nativity scene, they said, today, the spectacular display, on Emily Lane off of Falcon Avenue, draws hundreds of visitors who come by car, limo and busload year after year.
The couple especially enjoys seeing the delight on the faces of the children.
Whoever took the items apparently knew what they were doing and what they wanted. The limited edition Disney characters taken are no longer available and are probably valuable. A Tweety bird character was also taken and some others.
Ed Leight has anchored his display characters with three and a half-inch screws for stability.
The person or persons who took the display items pulled or cut them from their bases and were careful enough to unplug the electrical supply and remove the plastic from the connections. They even replaced things before leaving.
There was no vandalism to remaining display items.
The Leights believe the theft took place around 1 a.m. They were home asleep.
The lighting display was turned off at the time. They donít keep it lit all night to give the neighborhood some relief from the many visitors who drive down the dead end street.
And to help keep the electric bill down, although both say thatís not an issue.
Ed mused that he had just watched the ìGrinch Who Stole Christmasî that evening.
ìItís terrible that people have to destroy something that gives people so much pleasure,î said Ed.
It takes the couple, with some help from others, three months to put the display in place. They work as a team, doing what each can do best, be it the heavy work or replacing the tiny bulbs.
Each year they add new things to their display, and are always on the lookout for more characters where ever they go.
Kiddingly, they said itís not good to let the other go to the store alone; both have been known to come home with more display items packed into their vehicles.
They have plans to add more and more each year.
The theft was devastating to the couple who consoled each other with tears in their eyes.
They are both aware that they were simply objects, but they also know how much meaning there was to each. Sort of like special ornaments on the Christmas tree, said Jenny Leight.
The only thing to do, said Ed, was to go get some more.
The Leights said they have good neighbors who donít seem to mind the extra traffic each year from the sightseers.
In fact, they said some neighbors sad they are going to keep their lights on more often now. And perhaps theyíll all pay attention to barking dogs more too.
The theft was reported to the Chisago County Sheriffís office. In 13 years of displays, this is the first incident of any kind.
But the couple, who live for their Christmas lighting adventure, is not going to stop putting it up. They donít want to spoil it for the children.
Jenny loves to see the wide-eye delight of the children. She likes the way teens are curious about the display and enjoys the amazed responses from adults.
Thatís what itís all about, she said.
Even with some serious health problems plaguing him, Ed is determined to keep the displays going too.
This week he said he probably will have his display finished by the time heís 100. Heís 82 now ... and full of ideas for the years ahead.
If anyone has any information about the stolen display items, please contact the sheriffís department, (651) 257-4100.
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