CLEVELAND, December 19 — David Lahner, a member of BLET Division 6 in Boone, Iowa, celebrated the holiday spirit by writing, publishing and distributing his own children’s book for Christmas.
Titled “A Sirius Christmas,” the book is about a 12 year-old-boy who goes hunting in Iowa and has a magical encounter with Santa Claus.
“It’s a heartwarming story,” Brother Lahner said.
The book gets its name from the star Sirius, which Lahner says is the brightest star in the Northern hemisphere. The book’s main character sees the star in the sky at night and, along with other groupings of stars, reminds him of the Star of Bethlehem.
“The book has Santa Claus in it, but it really conveys the true meaning of Christmas,” Brother Lahner said.
The book is illustrated by Sarah Kudron, who is the daughter of BLET Division 6 member Joe Kudron. Lahner said he originally asked Brother Kudron to illustrate the book, but he deferred to his daughter.
“They both have a real talent for art and drawing,” Lahner said. “Joe is really proud of his daughter and she did a great job illustrating it.”
Lahner didn’t write the story for money. He donated all money generated by the book’s sale to his home town school system in Sheffield, Iowa. He donated about 1,000 books to the Sheffield-Chapin Community School. All of the books sold and the money was used to buy new playground equipment, Lahner said.
Lahner has also donated countless copies to various public libraries in Iowa, primarily along U.S. Highway 30. He most recently donated a copy of the book to the Ericson Public Library in the Boone area.
Lahner said his children Amy, Holly and Nathan, and grandchildren Jacob and Molly “loved the book.”
The book is written in memory of his late father, Dale Lahner, and with love to his mother, Luella Lahner. It is also dedicated to his former teachers James Cuvelier, Richard Heimer and Hank Stoffer.
