Christmas at Lucille's

Christmas lights, red and green ribbon, apple cider, pine needles and laughter filled the rooms of “Lucille’s Place” Tuesday night.
The historic home, along with its two sister homes, Bess and Lilly, were open for touring to raise money for the Leisure Lifestyles of Oxford.
Leisure Lifestyles of Oxford is a non-profit organization geared towards senior citizens in the community. The organization offers free dance classes, art classes and yoga classes, along with many other opportunities for senior citizens.
Deb Helms, director of Leisure Lifestyles of Oxford, said the money raised from “Christmas at Lucille’s” will be used to offset costs for the senior citizens’ organization to take a trip.
“We’ve taken local trips,” Helms said. “They are what we call old country roads trips.”
In order to help the organization raise money, Judy Watt Connor, owner of University Florists and Lucille’s Place, opened her doors to the public to tour.
“I did it because I wanted to help them,” Connor said. “I love the older people, and I think it’s great what Deb does with them.”
Connor said that the three homes were built in memory of her grandmother and two great-aunts.
“Lucille was my grand mother, so that’s where Lucille’s Place comes from,” Connor said. “The other two homes are named after my grandmother’s sisters, Lilly and Bess.”
The three homes were decorated with spectacular Christmas decorations in each room. Guests were offered refreshments, and the scent of apple cider and cookies filled Lucille’s Place.
Profits to benefit the Leisure Lifestyles of Oxford organization were made through selling $5 tickets.
The Leisure Lifestyles of Oxford organization hosts many of these special events, the next of which will be a “fishing rodeo” at Lamar Park in April, according to Helms. However, an official date has not been set.
“The biggest thing I get out of it is people laughing and having a good time,” Helms said. “That’s what keeps me going.”