The Christmas season has arrived in Scioto County — and this year, the celebration carries a deeply emotional tribute. The Scioto County Commissioners are honoring the memory of late Commissioner Cathy Coleman with a special Christmas display in their meeting room, featuring her beloved tree and Nativity statue.
The commissioners shared a photo of the display on social media with a message that captured Coleman’s spirit:
“Commissioner Cathy Coleman loved the Christmas season. Her heart and love for others shone bright through her joy of gift giving.
This year while unpacking Christmas decorations for our office, we found Cathy’s tree and decorations. To honor her this holiday season, we are displaying her tree and Nativity statue in our meeting room.
We ask that you honor her memory this Christmas season by giving without expectation of receiving, pouring out love on all the kids in your family and neighborhood, and spending quality time with those you love.
Merry Christmas.”
A Courthouse Transformed for the Holidays
The tribute is just one part of a spectacular Christmas display inside the historic Scioto County Courthouse. Commissioner Scottie Powell praised the maintenance team for their hard work:
“It takes a couple weeks to get the tree up and all the lights up. If you drive past the courthouse at night, you’ll notice it’s in red and green.”
During the Dec. 1 tree-lighting ceremony, the courthouse rotunda was filled with music performed by the local symphony. Inside, Santa’s official mailbox is now stationed on the main floor, collecting letters from local children. Commissioners traditionally read some of those letters during their meetings — a tradition that continued this week.
Powell noted that the county truly embraces Christmas:
“We believe Scioto County is Ohio’s Christmas County. From Portsmouth Winterfest to the Christmas Cave to Shawnee State Park Lodge — it’s everywhere. Wheelersburg looks fantastic, GLOW lit their tree in Lucasville, and Otway has their Bridge Lighting this Saturday.”
He added that he even went ice skating in Market Square the night before.
Coleman’s Tree: A Labor of Love
Commissioner Merritt Smith said the courthouse staff felt strongly about putting up Coleman’s tree this year.
“They missed Cathy because she always made sure everything was just right,” Smith said.
When the maintenance crew realized they needed “a lady’s touch” to decorate it the way Cathy would have liked, they called in a female employee to help.
A County Full of Christmas Cheer
Scioto County is bursting with holiday events this year, including:
Portsmouth Winterfest
- Ice skating in Market Square
- Horse and carriage rides
- Train rides
- Gift shop
- Parade
- Visits with Santa
White Gravel Mines Christmas Cave
A live, underground nativity experience with reenactments of the Christmas story.
Remaining dates:
- Dec. 5–6: 4–10 p.m.
- Dec. 12–13: 4–10 p.m.
- Dec. 19–20: 4–10 p.m.
As Scioto County celebrates the holidays with lights, music, and community traditions, the presence of Cathy Coleman’s Christmas tree serves as a warm reminder of a woman whose joy, generosity, and love for others continue to shine — especially at Christmastime.
