Wrigley couple honors daughter through Christmas Tree Lane

By Rachael Rifkin
Staff Writer

Every year since WANA press & public relation/historian Jim Trout and his wife Nancy’s then 21-year-old daughter Jaime passed away in July of 2002, family and close friends have gathered on the first Sunday in December to celebrate her life and decorate the tree dedicated to her on Daisy Avenue Christmas Tree Lane. The Trouts are happy they were able to get a tree in a location that holds memories of family drives down Christmas Tree Lane and evenings spent watching the parade together.

“Jaime was a free spirit. She was always there for you if you needed her. She had just turned 21 and was just starting to enjoy life, not worrying too much about the future,” said Jim.
The Trouts liked the idea of dedicating a tree to their daughter and hoped to get it planted on Daisy Avenue, a location that held special meaning for them. When Jaime and her sister Cheryl were young, they made handmade ornaments at school for the trees dedicated to people on Daisy Lane. They also helped their dad create Christmas Tree Lane Parade floats for their girl scout troop.
“The girls enjoyed helping build the float and loved driving down Christmas Tree Lane every year to see the decorations,” said Jim.
Jim asked Wrigley Association board member and chairperson Maria Norvell if she could help them get the tree there. “She contacted the Parks and Recreation Department to see if there was a spot for a tree on Daisy Avenue, and there was. Jaime’s tree is the second tree north of PCH,” said Jim. “Most of the ornaments decorating the tree today have been personalized for her.”
Jaime’s current tree is not her first. A couple of years ago, the original was vandalized. Most of its limbs were trimmed way back. After the Trouts contacted the city and determined that no one had been authorized to trim the tree, the city replaced it for free.
Throughout it all, Jim has continued working on Daisy Avenue. In the last few years, it has become a real passion for him. He helped refurbish the displays (one of the repainted 13 snowmen is now named Jaime) and has put thousands of hours into his volunteering efforts. One of his inspirations is, of course, Jaime’s tree, which they wouldn’t be able to decorate if Christmas Tree Lane didn’t exist, as the city doesn’t give out additional permits for public display at that site.
“I also do it for the kids in the neighborhood. I want to make sure the tradition stays alive. I want kids in the neighborhood to be able to enjoy Christmas Tree Lane as much as my kids did,” said Jim.