Passersby may think the Santa in the port-a-potty on the front lawn at 15 Lilac Circle is a political statement, perhaps illustrating that even the declining economy can't stop Santa Claus and the holiday spirit.

No, it is not a political statement - it has a lot to do with the holiday spirit and a neighborhood that many of us dream of, to get along with our neighbors and actually have some fun at the same time. Yet, this neighborhood is the same neighborhood which was traumatized just this past year with a tragic shooting. Maybe what is still going on in the neighborhood is a sign of healing.

It is a beautiful neighborhood and there are signs which lead others, ending with the one at 15 Lilac that reads, "Potty With Santa At Tom's House."

How did this all come about? Dianne DeNuccio was happy to explain.

It all started a few years ago when the neighbors on and around Lilac Circle began to get creative with a Santa Claus lawn ornament. The inflatable Santa is new this year - the original was more like a "Santa on a stick." The neighbors would steal it in turn and each would get a chance to dress the "Santa" according to individual taste.

One year, DeNuccio said, Santa was dressed as the Easter Bunny and another year he appeared as a skier complete with an old set of ski boots and skis. One year, the neighborhood children painted Santa partially pink and purple to take a break from the red.

This year DeNuccio, formerly of the neighborhood, purchased a holiday display she saw at Diffley & Daughters in East Greenwich. Diffley & Daughters Septic Service deals in portables and other septic and sewer needs. On display was a portable bathroom decorated for Christmas.

"I just had to have the display," said DeNuccio. "Once I explained why, the employees at Diffley & Daughters sprung to action fixing lights and ensuring the display could withstand outdoor weather and would be a good fit for Santa."

Although DeNucciomoved from the neighborhood a while ago, it is obvious that her heart still remains in her friendships made here in Cranston. She was born and raised in the neighborhood and befriended a neighborhood girl, named Paula, when they were both in the fourth grade at Woodridge Elementary School. Their friendship continues to this day.

That's why Paula and her husband Tom DeQuattro were DeNuccio's target; although the DeNuccio family has moved, she wanted to ensure that their friends and former neighbors had an eye-catching display this year with a new and improved Santa lawn decoration.

The DeQuattros weren't warned about DeNuccio's plans, although the other neighbors knew.

As intended, they were very surprised.

"That night Tom kept calling me repeatedly and flushed his own toilet and would hang up," said DeNuccio. "It was his way of getting revenge I guess. I knew they just loved it."

Santa vanishes during the summer and DeNuccio admitted she forced the original "Santa" to retire since he was so tattered.

"Santa goes back to the North Pole [over the summer]," she said. "There are so many barbecues and events going on in the neighborhood over the summer, we thought a display may not be appropriate when guests are arriving."

For similar reasons, the "Potty Santa" had to take a break earlier this week in spite of his popularity.

"We had to take it down before Christmas," said DeNuccio. "The snowstorm was coming and Tom and Paula were having a surprise 65th birthday celebration for Arlene Gazerro [Paula's mother] over the weekend. We thought a Santa on a port-a-potty just is not fitting for the happy occasion."

Just where will "Santa" be for New Year's?

"You never know," said DeNuccio. "Stay tuned."