Vera Billing, her son, Ed, and grandson, Thomas, admire the Christmas tree on the Rotary Plaza in Ironton in December 1999. Vera Billing’s late husband, Tom, planted the tree 25 years earlier in their Ironton yard after bringing it and another tree back from Michigan in the trunk of his car. The two trees were cut down in 1999 because they had grown to more than 25 feet tall and were obscuring the home. The tree was donated to the city’s official Christmas tree. (The Ironton Tribune | File Photo | Lance Dennee)

Nancy Jane Vance, of South Point, puts Christmas gifts for a girl in the Salvation Army “Angel Tree” drop box at Ames in December 1999. The annual Christmas gift drive benefited less fortunate children. (The Ironton Tribune | File Photo | Lance Dennee)

Jacob Scott, 12, is all smiles while dancing with Santa Claus to Christmas music during Lunch with Santa at West Ironton School in December 1999. The event was hosted by the Parent/Teacher Committee to raise money to buy supplies for the school’s classrooms and teachers. (The Ironton Tribune | File Photo | Lance Dennee)

More than 70 people joined in at tour of churches sponsored by the Lawrence County Historical Society in December 1999. Among them were Ironton resident Janice Bell, who brought along her grandchildren, Chloe Crabtree, 8, and Samantha Crabtree, 10. (The Ironton Tribune | File Photo | Melissa Scott)

Evan Soderberg, 3, gives Santa Claus a big hug after asking for toy trucks for Christmas at River Valley Health System’s 10th annual Christmas tree lighting in December 1999. His sister, Frankie, happily eyes her picture with Santa, while big sister, Kathy, gives her father, Kenneth, a hug. (The Ironton Tribune | File Photo | Lance Dennee)

Lawrence County Sheriff’s Deputy Aaron Bollinger helps Ruth Ann Delong, Lawrence County Domestic Violence Task Force program director, and MaryJo Mart, task force legal advisor, load Christmas gifts into the back of a cruiser in December 1999. With the sheriff’s department’s help, the task force delivered more than 300 toys to children in needy families. (The Ironton Tribune | File Photo | Allen Blair)

Students, cheerleaders, majorettes and Fighting Tigers football players sing “Men of Ironton,” the school spirit song during a pep rally on Dec. 13, 1999 before the football team set off for Massillon to face the Sandusky Pirates in the Division IV State High School Football Championship game at the Paul Brown Tiger stadium. The Fighting Tigers lost in a heartbreaking 16-14 game. (The Ironton Tribune | File Photo)