Ditto

Based on a reader tip from Patricia Charpentier, I had to go see this lighting display on the corner of Harmon and Clay Streets. Patricia said she laughed her head off when she saw this display of Christmas cheer. I drove to the location straight from work and when I arrived it was still light out. I knew immediately that this would be a fun sketch. Shortly after I started a woman arrived saying “Don’t worry, I ‘m not sneaking up on you, I just saw this house and I have to get a photo”. She took a shot with her iPhone and then asked what I was up to. I showed her the very early stages of this sketch and told her that if she wanted to see the final, she should check this blog. She got back in her car and just as she drove past me, all the Christmas lights flickered on. She threw her hands up off the steering wheel in frustration and parked a second time to get another photo. The Ditto sign however was still not lit. Patience pays.
This home comes complete with animatronic Mr. and Mrs. Claus in a window. Santa is also trying to get in the chimney while solders guard the candy cane lined entry. There is a nativity, carolers, candles, wreaths, reindeer and garland. Quiet Christmas music can be heard. The home owners came out a few times to straighten lights in the flower beds and to snap a few photos. The decorated house is owned by the O’Brien family. Mrs. O’Brien stopped over to see what I was up to and we chatted for a while.
Several times cars simply would stop in their tracks to take a look and commuters in a rush to get home, would have to honk to get them to move it along. This display has been been going up for 25 years. Terry O’Brien explained the the house with the ditto sign had once been owned by her mother. It was her mother who began building this Christmas light display over the years. Now Sara, a niece, lives in that home and she doesn’t have time for all the decorations. Mickey O’Brien set up the Ditto sign for her.