Heartland Publications

The search for the Cheraw Chronicle’s Golden Christmas Tree is over.

A reader found the Golden Christmas tree on Nov. 19 after following a

clue given earlier that week.

"This will help buy Christmas. I have three very expensive children,”

said Shana Lane, recipient of the $500 Golden Christmas tree prize.

Lane found the tree near a gaming establishment on Hwy. 52 near the

South Carolina/North Carolina state line.

She had followed a couple of leads she received from a friend who

called asking if she knew of any streets in Chesterfield or Cheraw with

“Lucky” in the name.

The first thing to come to Lane’s mind was the gaming establishment,

but to no avail after checking the business she initially had in mind.

The last clue she needed was to travel from Front Street for nine miles

which came in last week’s Cheraw Chronicle.

According to Lane, she went back to the same establishment and found

the tree, this time she checked near some pine trees on the edge of the

property.

Prior to the discovery of the tree, Lane asked to borrow a friend’s

police dog, Nike, on the search. She quickly decided against it since

the owner and the dog would be claiming the prize if they found it.

Once Lane was in the general area after following the clue, she said it

took her only six minutes to find the golden tree.

Her three children, McKenna, Dylan and Griffin, will be the

beneficiaries of the money since it will go towards their Christmas.

Publisher Rick Bacon personally hid the Christmas tree.

The tree contained a certificate of authenticity. In this case, the

certificate was attached to the tree like a Christmas ornament and

after it was found, needed to be brought to the Cheraw Chronicle for

validation.

Staff writer Bryan Stewart can be reached at 997-3111 or by e-mail at

bstewart@yourdailyjournal.com.