Way to glow

Find illumination with the coast’s holiday lights trail

Story & photos by Gretchen Ammerman

Oregon Coast TODAY

Many businesses and homeowners have decided to end what has been a particularly trying year on a bright note, upping their holiday decorations game and prompting the chambers of commerce in Lincoln City, Depoe Bay and Waldport to help organize holiday lights tours in their communities.

“It all started with trying to find anything uplifting,” said Lincoln City Chamber Executive Director Lori Arce-Torres. “A holiday activity that is positive but still keeps people safe.”

With more than 50 stops in Lincoln City and a number in southern Lincoln County, the tours, bolstered by hot thermoses of cocoa or cider and our handy maps, give homes and business a chance to show off, while locals and visitors enjoy a fun family outing.

“More than ever before, we need something that we can do privately and get our kids off the screen and out of the house.” Arce-Torres said. “My house is on the tour, and the chamber office is, too; it will be lit for the first time this year.”

A section of Holmes Road in Lincoln City has neighbors who have decorated their properties for years, egged on by a gentle competition with Steve Prewitt, whose popular displays and photo ops with Santa have raised money for North Lincoln Fire and Rescue and the Lincoln City Food Pantry. This year there is no Santa, and viewers must stay in their cars, but it’s still a fun stop.

“I ran into Steve’s wife when I was buying lights,” said Roger Robertson, who lives across the street from the Prewitts. “When she saw what I was buying, she said, ‘Would you stop, because every time you put up another one, he has to put up three more.’”

The Robertson clan has been adding more than lights, due to the contributions of a family member who’s staying at the home with his family because they lost theirs in the Echo Mountain fire.

“Our Santa and sleigh are new,” Robertson said. “Compliments of son Phil; it’s a treat.”

Among the not-so-new decorations that grace the Robertson home is a wreath that pre-dates the incorporation of the city of Lincoln City in 1965.

“There was a steakhouse called Henry Thiele at the Dune a long time ago,” Robertson said. “When Henry closed the place, he gave the Congregational Church a number of wreaths. Then, about 40 years ago, the church decided to sell them and we bought one, and have put it up every year since. I have no idea what happened to the rest of them.”

“I’m really tickled to have one of them still,” Robertson said. “I’d love to find anyone else who has one.”

The Dorchester House, a senior living facility in Lincoln City, is another stop that became a particularly popular place with the help from maintenance person Julio Reyes.

“In 2003 the management said, 'We have $100 on the budget for an outdoor Christmas display,’” Reyes said. “So, we went and bought $100 worth of lights.”

Using the architectural attributes of the Colonial style building, constructed in 1929 and entered into the registry of historic buildings in 1980, Reyes and his team made a display that drew a lot of positive attention.

“The design of the building made it really easy to make it look good,” Reyes said. “We had so many compliments from the community, so the next year, they gave us $300.”

After a second holiday season of positive attention, Reyes got full support for his design skills. 

“The third year we went all the way,” he said. “We even decorated the bushes and added some animated things.”

That year, Reyes and his team entered a Lincoln City Christmas lights contest and won, then continued winning until they were asked to give others a chance.

“After a while they said we couldn’t be beat,” Reyes said “So they asked us to become judges instead and that was really fun, too.”

The attention brought by the display was welcomed by residents of the Dorchester.

“It became a tradition in the town," Reyes said. “People would come in just to say ‘thank you.’”

Reyes left the Dorchester to take care of some personal business out of the area, then later returned to Lincoln City and started working for Spectrum for a few years until he was offered the position of director of maintenance at Lakeview Senior Living, another stop on the tour.

“I can’t tell you how blessed we are to have him for many reasons,” said Lakeview Community Relations Director Joy Wilson. “We are really excited to see what he does with the lights this year.”

Once again, Reyes has been given full support to make a winter wonderland come alive at his place of employment.

“One of the directors said, ‘I want to see Lakeview from the moon.’” Reyes said. “It’s nice to have that kind of support. Hopefully we’ll start a new tradition for the community here at Lakeview.”

Homes for the holidays

If you are still overflowing with holiday spirit and looking for an outlet, there is still time to get in on the competition for best edible edifice in the Habitat for Humanity virtual gingerbread house-making contest. Proceeds will go towards much-needed housing in Lincoln City as well as Habitat’s Home Repair program, which improves the safety and longevity of homes owned by low-income families.

Home bakers and professionals of all ages are invited to craft a creation from scratch or from a kit.

Contest categories and fees are: youth up to eight years; from nine to 12; and from 13 to 17, $10. Adult amateurs, $20 and adult professionals, $30.

For details or to register, go to www.habitatlincoln.org/gingerbread. All entries must be received by midnight on Monday, Dec. 14. Winners will be announced on Friday, Dec. 18.