MEMORIES LIGHT UP THE PARK
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A few months ago, Ringgold County Conservation Director, Travis Scott, reached out to P.J. West to talk with her about an idea to honor Matthew Wayne Munyon and Munyon Plumbing and Heating in the form of a lighted display at Poe Hollow Park.
“He shared that Matthew and Munyon Plumbing and Heating had such a positive impact on the community and supported their efforts, that he wanted to give a little of that back,” stated West.
West agreed to handle the decorations while Travis worked on creating a banner. She did not share the plans with her mom, and even fabricated a story about where the trailer was to surprise her.
She chose the most Matthew Wayne things she could. Mat West and one of their daughters made the peace sign.
Travis enlisted help from Podium Ink to create a banner to display, one of Matthew’s friends helped come up with the saying, and the cost of the banner was covered by donations.
Last Friday, P.J. invited her mom and gathered the rest of the family and close friends for a trip through the Poe Hollow Park on opening night to see all the lighted displays.
Members of the Munyon and West families gathered with friends at the Poe Hollow Park lighted display last Friday to pay tribute to Matthew Wayne Munyon in the spot that has always been reserved for Munyon Plumbing and Heating.
“It was emotional, and just perfect,” said P.J. “I never ever wanted to do this life without him. I know none of you did either. The park is a small sample of my love.”
“He was such a big supporter of the lighted park display since the beginning,” stated Scott. “I’d like to keep that spot as a memorial for at least a few years. It was always their spot.”
The lighted park event raises funds for the Ringgold County Conservation Foundation, and the all the money raised goes back into the parks managed by the Ringgold County Conservation Board.
The drive through holiday lights displays at Poe Hollow Park (2434 State Hwy 2 – Mount Ayr) can be viewed the next two weekends. In addition to the Munyon Plumbing and Heating display in memory of Matthew Wayne Munyon, nearly 20 lighted holiday displays sponsored by local area businesses and organizations light up the park.
Gates are open from 5:30-9:30 p.m. on Friday, December 13, and Saturday, December 14, and the following weekend December 20 and 21. The cost to drive through the lighted park is $10 per vehicle.
Santa will also be making an appearance at the Dragoon Trace Nature Center on Saturday, December 21 from 5:30-7:30 p.m.
