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Babette Overman decorates a Christmas tree at the Garrard County Courthouse. (Kendra Peek/kpeek@amnews.com / December 12, 2012) |
LANCASTER — She doesn’t do it for the recognition or the appreciation or notoriety. In fact, she doesn’t even like to tell people she’s the mystery decorator of the Garrard County Courthouse and the Garrard County Judicial Center.
Babette Overman simply does it because, as she said with a smile, “Something about Christmas should put everybody in a good mood.”
“Part of the enchantment of Christmas was going downtown where everything glittered,” Overman said, speaking of the small community where she grew up.
Sadly, she said, it didn’t glitter, when she first saw the courthouse in Lancaster at Christmastime five years ago, after she moved to the area. Despite her initial reaction, Overman said she knew the city and county couldn’t afford to spend the money on decorations.
“I have so much. I’ve been so blessed. I thought ‘Why not?’” she said.
So she began the process of decorating the interior of the Garrard County Courthouse. This is the fourth year she has done so and the first year she’s added the Judicial Center, donating her own trimmings for the project.
Overman, who said she is a real believer in “play,” said adults miss out on that essential part of life and the Christmas season.
“Adults forget how to play,” she said, grinning from behind the tree as she placed ornaments on its branches.
She simply hopes what she does — the lights and the decorations — help remind people of the fun that can be had this time of year and of the “beauty of the season.”
“Christmas is a real celebration (of) many things — a festival of life,” Overman said, adding this is the time of year we “need to forget a few things” and focus on the good.
Plans for next year already are in her head, such as a possible appearance from Mrs. Claus, to balance out the Santa visits. Overman also admits, if she could figure out how to do it, she would decorate year-round, celebrating various holidays and seasons.
For now, however, she will simply stick to making the city “glitter”¿for the Christmas season.
Babette Overman simply does it because, as she said with a smile, “Something about Christmas should put everybody in a good mood.”
“Part of the enchantment of Christmas was going downtown where everything glittered,” Overman said, speaking of the small community where she grew up.
Sadly, she said, it didn’t glitter, when she first saw the courthouse in Lancaster at Christmastime five years ago, after she moved to the area. Despite her initial reaction, Overman said she knew the city and county couldn’t afford to spend the money on decorations.
“I have so much. I’ve been so blessed. I thought ‘Why not?’” she said.
So she began the process of decorating the interior of the Garrard County Courthouse. This is the fourth year she has done so and the first year she’s added the Judicial Center, donating her own trimmings for the project.
Overman, who said she is a real believer in “play,” said adults miss out on that essential part of life and the Christmas season.
“Adults forget how to play,” she said, grinning from behind the tree as she placed ornaments on its branches.
She simply hopes what she does — the lights and the decorations — help remind people of the fun that can be had this time of year and of the “beauty of the season.”
“Christmas is a real celebration (of) many things — a festival of life,” Overman said, adding this is the time of year we “need to forget a few things” and focus on the good.
Plans for next year already are in her head, such as a possible appearance from Mrs. Claus, to balance out the Santa visits. Overman also admits, if she could figure out how to do it, she would decorate year-round, celebrating various holidays and seasons.
For now, however, she will simply stick to making the city “glitter”¿for the Christmas season.
