EDITORIAL: Unwrap this gift from the Hagadones

Jerry Jaeger had a once-in-a-lifetime seat to the most extraordinary once-a-year event.

The date: Nov. 28, 2007.

The deal: The Hagadone family’s annual holiday season-opening gift to the community, the Holiday Light Show at The Coeur d’Alene Resort, but with a twist; this one was staged five days later than usual to accommodate a national TV audience, thanks to "Good Morning America" spotlighting the best holiday lights in all the land. Coeur d’Alene proudly kicked off the massive bash that glorious but frigid morning.

The seat: Jaeger, a marketing marvel who was a part-owner and overall leader of The Coeur d’Alene Resort, was in the control room listening to producers talk to the "Good Morning America" crew in New York. He’d helped muster 5,000 beautiful local souls to witness the event in front of TV cameras that spread the joy to some 5 million households across the country.

For many Americans, it was an astonishing introduction to a small lakeside city that kicks off the holiday season in a huge way.

We harken back to that amazing morning — when 5,000 locals got out as early as 1 or 2 a.m. to attend the recreated light show, brightly and vocally, with the broadcast beginning at 4 a.m. local time in 19-degree weather — because the 2022 version is now just hours away.

Jaeger still calls Coeur d’Alene home. He's thrilled that this decades-long tradition not only endures, but somehow seems to get even better every year.

His jolly co-conspirator, Duane Hagadone, passed away in 2021, but Brad Hagadone, Duane's son and the company's leader, is carrying the torch with as much gusto and as many grins as his predecessors.

Those of you who are new to our community or have been here awhile but never partaken of this early Christmas present from the Hagadones, maybe today is the day you unwrap that gift. If possible, do it with your family. Sing carols, light candles, stand in stunned silence when the fireworks go off and rejoice to the heavens when the lights come on.

Today we’re all one big, happy family, opening our arms and our hearts to the most wonderful time of the year.