Meyer passes the torch

Almost every year for the past 39 years, the lights perch atop a hill just west of Sahuarita, forming a tree that burns brightly, shining from Thanksgiving night until the New Year.

The seasonal beacon provides residents of Sahuarita, Green Valley and the upper Santa Cruz Valley with an enduring symbol that the holiday season has arrived.

Keeper of those lights is Sahuarita resident Herman Meyer, 84, who, for 22 years, has taken it upon himself to serve as volunteer caretaker of those lights — -no small task, considering there are 355 white light bulbs on 13 lines to tend if something goes wrong.

The elder Meyer is now passing the torch to his grandson, Jason Meyer, 32, who will be the tree-light caretaker and who will keep the tradition in the family.

The 110-foot seasonal landmark is sponsored and paid for by Twin Buttes Properties.

Herman shared some advice with his grandson about his new duties.

“Keep you fingers crossed it doesn’t storm,” Herman says. “If we don’t have a rainstorm, the bulbs stay lit pretty well. Last year, I changed about 300 bulbs during the entire time it was up.”

That feat is dwarfed by the 600 to 800 bulbs Herman changed one season many years ago.

“The quality of the bulbs have gotten better and I let them know that cheap bulbs wouldn’t work,” Herman says.

The lights probably would have gone out a few decades ago when the Anamax Mine (the company that started the tradition) closed down and the property went to the Park Corp.

Learning of the sale, Meyer says he inquired with the new owners back then as to the fate of the tree of lights.

He was told the company didn’t have the manpower to keep the tree going.

So Meyer, true to tradition and the holiday spirit, volunteered, and has been keeping it going all this time.

Herman shared a little history about the tree with his grandson.

“When they started out years ago, we used 200-watt green lights that didn’t show up at all,” he recalls. “Then we used 200-watt red lights and they didn’t show up, either. And about 10 years ago it cost about $2,500 for electricity to keep them burning. I suppose that cost has gone up a little, too.”

Herman, a career Air Force veteran who spent 26 years in the military, called his grandson recently, asking if he would like to serve as caretaker of the annual tree.

“I told him it would be an honor to take over,” Jason says. “I just hope that I do as good a job as my grandpa.”

Herman’s wife, Katheryn, and Jason’s wife, Erica, say they are proud of their husbands too.

“I knew how important this tradition was to his family, so I was very excited when Jason decided to carry on with the tree lights,” Erica says.

“It wouldn’t be Thanksgiving without Herman lighting the tree,” Katheryn adds.

The tradition may be in the Meyer family for years to come.

Herman’s grandsons Isiah Meyer, 15; Judah Meyer, 16, and Noah Meyer, 18, all have a chance to eventually step into Jason’s shoes.

“This could just be a Meyer tradition forever,” Herman adds. “As long as there is a holiday season, the Meyers will make it happen.”

rford@gvnews.com | 547-9740