Westwind Trace home lights up this Christmas for lost loved ones

by Chris Studor

Hinckley has its’ own festival of lights and it’s just a few minutes’ drive for most township residents – no need to travel. A spectacular array of more than 25 Christmas themed displays can be found along the Pay family’s 800-foot driveway and front lawn on Westwind Trace.

The holiday lights, lit up for the first time this year on Thanksgiving Day, will remain illuminated through Jan. 1, 2022.

The man behind the scenes is Jeff Pay, supported by his wife, Kara, along with the couple’s three children, Austin, Mason and Alyssa. There’s also a generous helping of cousins and friends who pitch in, doing everything from holding 30-foot ladders to hauling bundles of lights and displays down from the overflowing attic of decorations.

“This is really all his doing and I am the behind-the-scenes person,” said Kara Pay. “Jeff has been collecting Christmas lighting displays since before we were married. Christmas is family time for us all and is very special to Jeff.”

Visiting the Pay residence the first Saturday of November one finds the driveway lined with cars belonging to the helpers who arrived early to begin what is at the very least a three-day process of putting it all together. One of the first jobs is hanging five massive lighted wreaths to go on the roof peaks of the home. Cousins and friends are spotters for Jeff Pay and Tim Kruse, Kara’s cousin, who carefully climb up 30-foot ladders to attach the wreaths to the peaks. Everyone gives a sigh of relief when the wreath is securely placed on the highest one and the climbers are back on the ground.

The next adventure is a trip up to the Pays’ attic where lighting displays, stacked against the wall, look like a wall of cable wires. One by one the displays are carried down to the lawn as the helpers shout; “Where do you want this one Jeff?”

By noon, things are starting to take shape and some of the displays have already been placed on the property. Among the attractions is a dragon, one of the first displays Pay acquired and the favorite of his daughter, Alyssa. Other displays include a spinning snowman and a 10-foot Christmas tree. There’s also a nativity scene, the favorite of the Pays’ son, Mason, along with angels, reindeer and an illuminated ambulance, as Jeff Pay works as an emergency room physician. In every direction, a holiday scene sparkles and shines.

The property has become a favorite stop for many throughout the Christmas season and was sorely missed by locals in 2020 when the Pays were forced to take a year’s hiatus last year after losing four loved ones in the span of a month. Included in that list is Jeff Pay’s grandmother, Laverne (Case) Pay, a former Hinckley Citizen of the Year who died from complications due to COVID-19 at the age of 100. Kara’s mother, MaeBeth Kruse, also died from COVID-19 just days short of her 70^th birthday and 50^th wedding anniversary and the family also lost a beloved aunt and uncle, Jack and Judy (Pay) Whyde, again due to COVID-19.

Also lost was Jeff Pay’s aunt, Kathy Zuk, who passed away earlier this year after a long battle with cancer.

This year’s display is dedicated to all five family members, Jeff Pay said.

This year, the home, located at 1007 Westwind Trace off River Road, will be lit up 5:30-9 p.m. on weekdays and 5:30-11 p.m. on weekends. Tthere’s a big rock at the driveway entrance and passers by will be able to clearly see the lights they pull onto the street. The Pays ask that visitors travel the 800-foot driveway up to the front of the home, decorated with a North Pole theme, and then circle back out.

“This is our way to spread love, cheer and the Christmas spirit throughout the community,” Jeff Pay said. ∞