Community group formed to support Candy Cane Lane

By LEIGH M. CALDWELL

Following a fire at Candy Cane Lane founder Tim Murphy’s property Thursday morning that authorities are calling suspicious, a group of West Frankfort residents has formed to support Murphy and the famous Christmas display.

The cause of the fire, which burned a storage shed owned by Murphy, is still unknown. The building was used to house Candy Cane Lane displays as well as personal items owned by Murphy. Most display items were still out for the season, and were not damaged by the fire.

But numerous incidences of vandalism and theft have been reported at Candy Cane Lane this year, the most recent being on Christmas Eve, when vandals sliced holes in Murphy’s blow-up display items. They had been put in the shed to be repaired for next year and were burned up in the fire.

A small group of residents, including former and current Frankfort Community High School art students taught by Murphy, gathered at Candy Cane Lane Thursday night to collect donations, and then met at the West Frankfort McDonald’s to discuss how best to help.

“First and foremost, we have to make him (Murphy) feel like people are behind him and supporting him,” organizer Kerri Melvin said.

Group members said they want to raise enough money to make Candy Cane Lane more secure from vandals and thieves next year, possibly by installing camera surveillance, a fence behind Murphy’s property and/or hiring a security guard for the season.

The new group, which is being called “Friends of Candy Cane Lane,” collected $821 on Thursday night, from people driving through the neighborhood to show support.

They plan to set up an account at First Bank and begin accepting donations there after 1 p.m. today.

Update 12:55 p.m. 12/28/2012: The group has set up the account at Southern Illinois Bank. Donations can be sent to the Friends of Candy Cane Lane c/o Southern Illinois Bank, P.O. Box 128, West Frankfort, IL 62896.

The group discussed a number of fundraising ideas to be held throughout the year. Tentative plans call for an initial event in January that would feature a slate of bands and be called “Murph’s Winter Jam.” The group is searching for an appropriate venue for that event.

Other tentative events discussed for the year include a family-oriented mostaccioli dinner with a silent auction, and a poker run.

The group is looking for more volunteers and fundraising ideas. A second meeting is tentatively scheduled for 7 p.m. Jan. 4 at La Fiesta restaurant in West Frankfort.

A Facebook page has been set up here to disseminate information, and you can e-mail friendsofcandycanelane@spielon.com for more information.

Candy Cane Lane storage building a total loss in early morning fire

West Frankfort fire fighters look for hot spots after an early morning fire consumed a storage building at Candy Cane Lane.

By BRUCE A. FASOL

West Frankfort firefighters were called to a storage building fire early Thursday morning on Candy Cane Lane. The building was owned by the extensive Christmas display’s founder Tim Murphy. It was fully engulfed when firefighters arrived, and was a total loss.

Murphy told FranklinCounty-News.com that among the items destroyed in the blaze was his own personal scooter, and his late fathers truck, which he kept in the building. Numerous other items also were kept inside.

“Normally my own truck would have been inside, but not last night,” he said.

And the building served as a storage area for the hundreds of Christmas display items now out in Murphy’s yard for the holiday season.

The West Frankfort Fire Department responded with numerous apparatus including the rig which allowed them to shoot water down on the pole barn structure. The aerial ladder provided that capability and other units were there in support, along with the WFFD ambulance.

 All that remained of the building was rubble, which firefighters continued to probe in the eight o’clock hour for hot spots.
The cause of the fire is not know at this early stage, but remains under investigation.
Murphy himself seems convinced of the cause.
“Someone set it,” he immediately replied when asked. There was also a previous fire in the same building a few months prior to this morning’s fire.
Candy Cane Lane, which grew out of Murphy’s elaborate home displays decades ago into a multi-block drive-through affair that draws thousands each Christmas season, has been the scene of numerous acts of vandalism this year. The wooden displays have been spray-painted and moved, and display items and floodlights have been stolen.
FranklinCounty-News.com will continue to follow this story and update as the fire’s cause is investigated.

Vandals strike West Frankfort’s Candy Cane Lane

By BRUCE A. FASOL

In just the few weeks that West Frankfort’s Candy Cane lane has been under construction for the year, an unusual amount of vandalism has already occurred. It is a scenario that worries organizers Tim Murphy, and sister Marilyn Murphy.

Originally, a display “The Twelve Days of Christmas” was vandalized. Then, another group of figures were spray painted, near the curve to the main area. And, this past weekend, a number of flood lights were taken from various displays along the route.

Last year, a display was stolen, and located in all alley in Johnston City. It was returned to Mr. Murphy and is being used again this year.

Those living in the area of Candy Cane Lane are asked to be vigilant. And, anyone with any information is asked to contact West Frankfort Police.

Candy Cane Lane has begun its yearly run each night until 10 p.m., weekend nights until 11 p.m. There is a food drive as well for any donations you wish to make.

Candy Cane Lane opens in West Frankfort

By BRUCE A. FASOL
One of Southern Illinois’ premier tourist attractions is now open in West Frankfort. Candy Cane Lane has opened for their seasonal run, according to founder Tim Murphy. Candy Cane Lane is a multi-block extravaganza that highlights lighted displays from popular movies, cartoons and more. Many times there will also be Santa, choirs, bell choirs and other seasonal entertainment.
Saturday was the first day that the lighted displays had been illuminated. Marilyn Murphy tells franklincounty-news.com that the first night saw a steady stream of traffic. That is expected to increase as Christmas quickly approaches. It is not uncommon to see special traffic control measures be put into place as traffic is backed up down Main Street where tourists enter the area.
As usual, there is no admission charged to drive through the displays. and, this year there sill also be a canned food collection taking place, on Candy Cane Lane. You are asked to bring a canned good or non-perishable food item when you drive through. There is a special basket for just that purpose.
Candy Cane Lane opens weeknights at dusk, and runs until 10pm. On weekends, the lights stay on until 11pm.
Benton, West Frankfort, Illinois News | Franklin County News