Lon’s Donuts shapes our community

Rita Nicholson | Copy Editor

Every Friday, Dancie Colson calls Lon’s Donuts at six in the morning and asks for individual bags of donut holes. She arrives a few minutes before seven and then goes to SHS, where she can give those donut holes to a few students. “It all starts at the donut shop,” said Colson, who is a guidance counselor at SHS. “When I go in, in the morning, I’m never greeted by a grouchy person that’s had a lousy day. They are a bright spot in my morning, and they let me make bright spots in people’s mornings.”

Colson brightens those students’ days by taking the opportunity to write encouraging and positive messages on the donut bags. She takes the time to notice their accomplishments and support them on test days. This positive atmosphere begins at Lon’s Donuts.

Liz Sims has worked at Lon’s for about one and one-half years, and she loves the customers, the owner, the job and glazed twist donuts. She grew up in the area and worked for a veterinarian for 10 years and a secretary before moving back to Scottsburg after 30 years away.

“I love to be back,” she said. “It’s always good to be back home.”

Jessica Hawns has worked at Lon’s for four months, and in that time, she has noticed the differences between a small business like Lon’s and a larger corporation. “Working for a corporation is nothing like working for a small business. Working here, I feel appreciated,” Hawns said.

Sims agreed, claiming that “the donuts here are always made with love.”

Colson has even seen the special place the Scottsburg community holds Lon’s in its heart. She sees other people in the community with smiles and bags of donuts.

After buying donuts and leaving Lon’s, customers usually have a smile on their faces; Sims and Hawns do their best to make sure the community enjoys the business. Sims talks to every customer like they are a friend, even when she does not personally know them. Sometimes, Sims sees people Fun facts: donuts she grew up with in the donut shop.

“The people my age now … remember coming in here once in a while. Now they’re older, they’re bringing their kids in here. Now they’re bringing their grandkids in here. They all remember the smiley faces,” Sims said.

Hawns even partakes in that tradition with her kids. Sometimes on her days off, she and her children get a donut.

Sims hopes that Lon’s will continue to be a special part of the Scottsburg community.

“I hope it stays here forever,” she said. “I just keep telling everybody that comes in here this place’ll be open in 50 years.”

Lon’s employees pose with an almost empty tray of donuts, evidence of a busy morning. Photo by Rita Nicholson