The Rossmoor Homeowner Association announced the winners of its 6th annual Christmas Lights Contest. With over 30 illuminating locations to check out in the neighborhood, you’ll be fully entrenched in the Christmas spirit, ready to build a snow castle of your own. Below is a summary of this year’s winners and access to a listing of all the homes that are worth mentioning and checking out on your Christmas lights journey:
1st Place, John and Shirley Vega, 11325 Donovan Road
Each year this is a favorite home to visit along the Rossmoor Christmas lights route, and this year John and Shirley gave us more to appreciate, having removed the cars from the driveway and replaced them with a decorated Airstream. The new addition adds an element of holiday fun to the already spectacular golden icicles and forest animals, with good old St. Nick greeting you at the front door. John and Shirley gave up the use of their garage for our viewing pleasure.
2nd Place, Bill and Lorraine Jones, 3262 St. Albans Drive
There’s so much love and passion put into decorating this house by the Jones family, and this year they’ve added even more Rudolph characters to the display. One judge was quoted saying “lights, lights and more lights” and another judge was quick to point out that each strand and character is carefully placed in a well thought out style. Even in the daytime, this home is beautiful with all the decorations and color.
3rd Place, Rosalio and Linda Alonso, 2631 Piedmont Avenue
Not bad at all for a rookie. Actually, this home is incredible. Up close it’s friendly and playful. Stand back a little further, and it’s majestic. This is one of those houses where you could park the car, get out and walk around to absorb all its Christmas magic. Right on the corner of Piedmont and Martha Ann. Don’t miss it. Plus the surrounding homes on Martha Ann continue the holiday fun.
Community Snowmen
Martha Ann between Piedmont and Bostonian. We noticed it at 11831 Martha Ann Drive, the home of the Nolen Family. Other “snowmen” along the street include the surfer and the candyman. It’s all further proof that snowmen do have multiple personalities. One of the route drivers wanted to order one immediately for their lawn. If interested in one of your own, contact RossmoorLights@gmail.com.
Rookie-of-the-Year Award, Stefan and Renee Snapper, 3331 Huntley Drive
Amongst the first time entries, this house really stands out. One might say the design looks like an icicle castle with each window framed by colored lights. The judges were so enamored with the lights that they almost missed the Santa display on the lawn and toy soldiers at the front entrance. More than a touch of class, this home is elegant and a beauty to gaze upon.
Silent Night Award, Teal Family, 11271 Foster Road
The rookies were glowing this year with an award winning entry from Jeff Teal. His simple yet pleasant display of the Nativity scene is accompanied by two bright angels, colorful lights and ornaments, and a star overhead. The entire front yard shines from a distance, which is nice because it’s so close to Rossmoor Park.
Father and Son Award, Graham Family, 3341 Kenilworth Drive
Sometimes you view a house, and once you understand the story, you appreciate the results all the more. Larry Graham has been decorating his house for years, going well beyond the common norm. This season, he had more to overcome, and couldn’t put the same effort into the project. Upon realizing this, Larry’s son, Aaron, immediately stepped up and took care of the roof and all the high places. Check out the Graham family house, and you’ll see why it’s so impressive.
Kid’s Choice Award, Mark and Debbie Denny, 12111 Martha Ann Drive
There are three ways to approach Mark and Debbie’s home. North or South on Martha Ann or directly west on Oak Knoll, the latter being the recommended route. You don’t want your kids to miss a square inch of this property, because everything is basically covered in lights and inflatables, including the parkway tree that can be seen from Anaheim. Even more impressive are the integrated reminders to drive safely this holiday season. Also must mention and you must see the “Ho, Ho, Ho” across the roof.
Rossmoor Holiday Light Posts
Since the RHA Santa’s Workshop occurred in November, over 100 of these Holiday Light Posts have been built and are on display throughout the neighborhood. You’ve probably seen a few already. Some streets like St. Albans, Oak Knoll and Mainway, between Foster and Martha Ann are lit up with the friendly posts each evening. Requests continue to come in asking when the next workshop will take place. What’s nice is that they are Holiday Light Posts, so they can be used year round, further demonstrating the Rossmoor spirit! The next RHA workshop date is to be determined, so contact RossmoorLights@gmail.com if you’re interested in acquiring a light post of your own.
Bedford Falls Award, Burney Place
A couple of Christmas seasons ago, one of the judges awarded this special cul-de-sac with a name from the endearing movie, “It’s a Wonderful Life.” The name and the award seem to stick, because every year, upon turning that corner into Burney Place, you immediately find yourself immersed in Christmas lights and appreciative that the families did it again another season. They have 100 percent participation, and you have another location to look forward to along your Christmas lights route.
Buddy the Elf Award, Andy and Carla Blocher, 2942 Edgeley Place
As Buddy was passing through the seven levels of the Candy Cane Forest and through the Sea of Swirly Twirly Gum Drops, there’s no doubt in our minds that he certainly visited the Blocher family’s house along the way. One judge suspected they eat a lot of spaghetti and maple syrup, because their house is just as charming as the storybook. Actually, the entire cul-de-sac is charming and could become a Bedford Falls of its own.
Good Neighbor Award, The Lujan Family and The Weldon Family, 11811 and 11801 Norgrove Lane
Unanimous choice by the judges for this annual award. Located at the corner of Norgrove and Aceca, both of these homes have character, traditional painted Christmas figures well lit with flood lights, plus fun reminders like a count-down to Christmas and Santa flying overhead with his reindeer. Every year the Lujan and Weldon families please their spectators.
Christmas Spirit Award, Tim and Lynette O’Bryan, 12681 Martha Ann Drive
Some would say we saved the best for last. Yes, another one on Martha Ann. Some homes are made for Christmas lights and decorations, and when you’re traveling west on Salmon towards Martha Ann, this house is captivating. Perhaps the driver should wear sunglasses until the car comes to a full and complete stop along the curb. A previous 1st place winner, Tim and Lynette’s home reminds us why the Christmas season is so special.
Now it’s time for you to get in the Christmas Spirit and check out these homes for real, instead of just looking at pretty pictures. Take your kids. Take your eggnog and warm cocoa. Take your camera.
Download the Rossmoor “Christmas Lights Hot Spots Map” identifying the locations of these homes and all the honorable mentions at www.rossmoor-rha.org.
Print the map and enjoy your own Christmas Lights journey!