Remember the Rossmoor homes that had Santa’s sleigh and reindeer flying over the street from one house to another? Or the huge 15’ lighted Christmas tree that you could see across Rush Park? Remember the luminaries that somehow stayed lit at the entrance of Rossmoor Way, or large palm trees on the corner that were wrapped with lights to the top? Those were all great memories driving around during the Christmas season in Rossmoor.
The tradition continues and new memories are being formed. Which homes and decorations will you remember from 2013? Again, there are over 30 wonderful, spectacular locations to check out in Rossmoor this year! Perhaps you’ll remember the light show on Aceca five years from now, or the Holiday Light Posts on Mainway. The Christmas Elves have descended upon Rossmoor and left a Winter Wonderland for all of us to enjoy (even though they forgot the snow).
Thanks to all the families who participated with magical lights and colors in the 8th annual Rossmoor Homeowner Association (RHA) Christmas Lights Celebration.
Here are the recognition award winners and a listing of the homes that made the Rossmoor Christmas Lights Map! Now it’s time for families to drive around and make their own Christmas memories, journeying through Rossmoor!
To see where these homes are located check them out in person, download the “Rossmoor Christmas Lights Map” at http://www.rossmoor-rha.org/
In-Synch, Rookie of the Year Award, Ryan and Kelly Herzog, 2892 Aceca Drive
You don’t have to be an electrical engineer to put on this type of a show with your house, but it helps. Pictures hardly do this home justice. You need a video camera, as Ryan entertains the street synchronizing a spectacular light show with notable Christmas tunes – something we normally just watch on YouTube. One judge planned to grab the kids and head back to Aceca later that evening. Simply outstanding, especially for a rookie! Don’t miss it before Dec. 25!
Festival of Lights Award, Rosalio and Linda Alonso, 2631 Piedmont Ave
Meet you at the corner. For some reason, the judges wanted to find that ideal house that was situated in a prime location for all to see from blocks around. They found the Alonso’s house at Piedmont and Montecito. A combination of colored lights forming into a Christmas tree, multi-levels of animation, and a Santa with reindeer atop the high roof of this beautiful home, it’s a great way to soak in the Christmas season. Pictures do no justice for this home. Enjoy it in person as you start your journey and we’ll meet you at the corner!
Snowman’s Village Award, Richard and Kay Butterfield, 2762 Salmon Drive
This home seems to get better each year. Decorated with so much tender loving care and being so close to Hopkinson School, it’s always a childhood and judge’s favorite. Use of inflatables is always an attraction, and Bill is able to put style and class to his land of Snowmen, so it doesn’t look like the upper shelf of the Lowes seasonal section. Plus there’s the manger scene and a neon light wishing Happy Birthday to Jesus – reminding us of why the day is celebrated!
Waiting For Santa Award, Dimitri and Gina George, 3272 Walker Lee
A previous winner of the Good Neighbor Award, the George Family fly solo this year and created a spectacle that can be seen from the clouds – or at least from Santa’s overhead sleigh. The corner house of Montecito and Walker Lee is covered with bright silver and red lights, glowing and surrounding friendly Christmas characters, all waiting for Santa’s big arrival. No doubt he will find the home because on the roof, there’s a Santa Landing Strip with blinking lights the big guy won’t miss. This is the place to hang out on Christmas Eve.
Christmas Count-down Award, Stefan and Renee Snapper, 3331 Huntley Drive
A former Rookie-of-the-Year winner, the Stefan family enhanced their multi-colored lights castle with a Count-down to Christmas clock on the front lawn. You can’t miss it from afar. The multi-tiered layers of large colored LEDs and exquisite attention to detail, make the house on Huntley a must see for Aunt Mabel or any family member you happen to be with.
Polar Express Award, Andy and Carla Blocher, 2942 Edgeley Place
The judges were adamant. This house has to win an award – again. It looks absolutely terrific just like last year, and it has the same charm, color and friendliness that would attract a character such as Buddy the Elf to visit. However, the Blocher Family enhanced their display with a component that will make Dads visit and reminisce about times of yonder years. They added a Christmas cho-cho train that actually rides along a train track circling the front lawn, and we suspect will bring Christmas presents to all the children in the imaginations of fathers everywhere. Who knows, this and the canned ham might be your lasting impressions of your Rossmoor Christmas Lights outing in 2013.
Good Neighbors Award, Burney Place
This special Rossmoor cul-de-sac continues its tradition of illuminating the neighborhood during the season. For over 20 years the families have made a point to share the Christmas magic with evening travelers, and once again they have 100% participation from all the homes on the street. We’ve recognized their efforts with numerous awards over the years, and this is the RHA’s way of saying Thanks for being such a Good Neighbor!
Canned Ham Award, Larry and Debbie Graham, 3341 Kenilworth Drive
No Christmas would be complete without a canned ham. For Rossmoor, Larry Graham has us all covered with his charming and unique display in the front lawn. Not sure what we are talking about? Type in “canned ham trailer” on Google Images. Then visit the Graham’s house on Kenilworth, and you’ll appreciate their hard work even more. Rumor has it Larry found the trailer abandoned on a lot, and couldn’t resist the temptation to bring it back to life. Awesome job!
Spirit of Rossmoor Award, Tim and Lynnette O’Bryan, 12681 Martha Ann Drive
Situated in an ideal location to be viewed from three directions, Tim and Lynnette’s house has been a welcome mat for generations. In addition to a spectacular Christmas showcase of icicle lights and fun inflatables, they also treat visitors to a Halloween adventure in October. This year the judges were impressed with the addition of two Rossmoor Holiday Light posts greeting visitors on each side of the front walk-way.
Silent Night Award, Russ and Pam Cross, 11541 Martha Ann Drive
Another Rookie entry this year, and a great job of displaying a manger scene with illuminated figures, the star hanging high above in the night and surrounding colored lights adding to the tranquility. At one point Russ considered getting a hay bale to surround the manger, but soon realized the winter leaves from his trees worked just as well. The guy with the leaf blower was given specific instructions to avoid the driveway.
Gingerbread House Award, Bill and Lorraine Jones, 3262 St. Albans Drive
What is there left to say about this home except that it is again absolutely wonderful and a must stop along the Christmas Lights route. This home is uniquely shaped to introduce the Gingerbread Man and Schrek to the Abdominal Snowman and Rudolph, who proudly light up the roofline above the patio. Santa is kissing Mrs. Clause somewhere in the lawn, and every glimmering light is carefully placed each year. There is much to appreciate, so bring a second cup of hot cocoa.
Candy Cane Lane Award, Kieran and Carrie Nolan, 11831 Martha Ann Drive
As the very first house to sign up for this year’s Christmas Lights Celebration, the Nolan family got the ball rolling quickly. Not only were the judges enamored with the continuous string of peppermint candy decor, they loved the gift wrapped front door simulating a Christmas present! The judges also determined this house represents the shared Christmas spirit displayed by the neighbors along this Martha Ann stretch. So many homes feature commonly shaped snowman, each uniquely “styled” by the home owner. The Rossmoor Holiday Light Posts plus Santa’s sleigh and reindeer flying across two front lawns, show us how we can celebrate the Christmas season together!
Lamp Post Lane, Mainway Drive between Foster and Martha Ann
Speculation exists that there are over 350 of these Rossmoor Holiday Light Posts sparkling across the neighborhood. And at night time on Mainway Drive between Foster and Martha Ann, you can see why their popularity continues to grow, signaling community spirit. Several of the other streets with the Holiday Light Posts include St. Albans, Christy, Oak Knoll, Martha Ann, Woodstock and Cortese. The RHA will probably conduct another workshop in May or June to make more posts, since they are geared for year-round seasonal usage. Join the party and contact RossmoorLights@gmail.com to make or acquire one of your own!
All of these following homes are Honorable, worth Mentioning and also made the 2013 Rossmoor Christmas Lights Map!
2662 Tucker Lane
11302 Pemberton
3321 Wimbleton Dr.
11325 Donovan
3371 Druid Ln.
12652 Martha Ann Dr.
2862 Coleridge Dr.
2711 Woodstock Rd.
2751 Mainway Dr.
3181 Tigertail Dr.
2681 Woodstock Rd.
11271 Foster Dr.
3051 Inverness Dr.
3011 Shakespeare Dr.
3282 Cortese Dr.
3121 Copa de Oro
2951 Yellowtail Dr.
2642 Salmon Dr.
11811 Norgrove Ln.