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Joey and Kendall Groothuis and their neighbors along Remington Park Drive have renamed their street — at least for the holiday season.

The street, located off Raulston Road, is unofficially Candy Cane Lane. Joey said she started working back in October on the candy cane lawn ornaments made out of metal pipes and then painted and topped off with bows. She said this was a popular holiday tradition in her native South Dakota. She moved to Maryville 11 years ago and admitted to just now having the time and energy to get it going here.

Joey and husband Kendall did most of the candy cane construction. She went around to all of her neighbors to ask if they wanted to participate, and all did. Each paid for their needed supplies.

All of the 16 houses on the street have at least one 7-foot candy cane, some two. Lighting was placed at each to show them off to passing visitors. They were stuck in the ground using fence posts.

“I knew it was going to be a little work,” Joey said. “In South Dakota there were all kinds of lanes — Candy Cane Lanes and Christmas Card Lanes and Snowman Lanes. I just liked the Candy Canes ones the best.”

The only thing needed, she said, are some street lights. This enthusiastic decorator said she hasn’t asked the county yet, but she might. Many of the residents on Remington Park have done their part by adding outdoor lights on their houses.

So far, Groothuis and her neighbors have received lots of positive comments from motorists driving by. It may not feel like Christmas with the recent warm temperatures, but it certainly looks it.

There was one unexpected snag, however. Three of the candy canes were stolen right after being displayed. Joey just got out her supplies and replaced them. They have been standing in the lawns since the Saturday after Thanksgiving.

Maybe someone else will take this idea and run with it. Joey said she would love to see more Candy Cane Lanes and Christmas Card Lanes pop up around this community.

A great evening to view this local display was during a recent fog, Joey said. It would have made the best pictures. “It had that winter look,” she said.

Of course, this is Joey’s favorite time of year. She said her dad was a “decorating nut” when it came to spreading Christmas cheer. Her brother tells her, “You have dad in you.”

She describes herself as a senior citizen who hasn’t quite grown up.

“We are not young kids but we act like it most of the time,” she said. “It’s all in the attitude.”