And The Winners Are…

Historical February 1989 report or notice. Original dates, prices and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.

Winners of the 1988 holiday outdoor lighting contest are: Hal & Lee Lansing, Parkview; Doug Wampler, Rosedale; and Loretta Bruton, Washington Heights. Terry Buckley and Venita Lake judged this year’s lighting contest. Hal & Lee Lansing, 62XX Washington, credit their, daughter Dana for their decorations.

It was her idea four years ago to string blue & green lights in the design of a Christmas tree on the front of their house.

And it’s a giant Christmas tree: it extends from the ground to the roof.

The tree is an annual tradition now and Lee Lansing says they add a little something new each year—in 1988 they replaced the bulb in their street lamp with a blue bulb. Doug Wampler, 61XX McPherson, says he is a kid when it comes to Christmas. Wampler’s single family was open for the SDCC Christmas Walk December 18. Those of you who took the opportunity to tour Wampler’s home understand what he means; he had six spectacular Christmas trees among other decorations inside his house.

And outside there were lights and bows, bows and lights and more lights and bows. Loretta Bruton, 59XX DeGiverville, also says she’s like a kid about Christmas. She’s been putting up outside decorations for 21 years.

Initially, she just put up lights, but she likes decorations other than lights that show up during the day.

In recent years she’s added figurines. She, too, likes to add something new each year. She’s gratified that the children on her block seem to enjoy the decorations at her house.

She feels like it’s a “Christmas Toyland”.

The contest is sponsored by the SDCC.

Each winner received a commemorative ornament.

Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, February 1989.

Read this article in the original newspaper issue.

Original source: SD_Times1989_02.pdf, printed page(s) 6, 7; PDF page(s) 6, 7.