2016 Rossmoor Christmas Lights Celebration Awards

10 Year Anniversary

From the judges perspective this 10^th Anniversary Celebration of Christmas Lights was by far the most festive and fun.  Why you might ask, well, the mode of transportation was a big 45 foot long decorated bus.  We ordered a smaller scale to be slightly obnoxious, but this monster of an orange beast showed up, making the Christmas Lights judging tour even more entertaining, and commanded a conspicuous presence.  Yes we are pulling in front of your wonderful house.  Yes we are checking out your lights.  Thank you for decorating, and You Made the Map!

At several locations, we were blatantly bribed, and it worked!  The passing of the Bailey’s shot glasses, and throwing candy canes through the windows were definitely influential and encouraged in years to come.

First Timers:  Every year we have rookie families entering their home in the celebration, and this year, every rookie made the map – first time ever.

After ten years we are so grateful for the following families for participating and decorating their homes to the extreme each of the ten years.  Major thanks to Jim & Patti Harris of Burney Place (actually to everyone in the cul-de-sac) with 100% participation again.  To Rich & Kay Butterfield of Salmon Drive – so much love and care go into their efforts.  To Lynnette & Tim O’Bryan, who have created multiple award winning displays.  Lynnette has also been a huge support, taking Christmas Lights photos in both dry and raining conditions for us.  To Jon & Vicki Hermstad, who started the arched driveways, and didn’t want any credit, just wanted to make people smile.  And to Randy & Maria Leavenworth, who designed and started the Rossmoor Holiday Light Post tradition on St. Albans, only to see it blossom to over 400 Rossmoor homes standing proud in our front lawns.

Now time for the Recognition Award Winners, followed by the homes we deemed as Honorable and worth Mentioning.  These are all the ones that made the Rossmoor Christmas Lights Hot Spots Map!

Download 2016 Rossmoor Christmas Lights Hot Spots Map here

Just added to the Celebration is the Lights Bike Tour – Meet at 6:00 p.m. on Sunday 12/18 at Rush Park or join us along the way – check out the map below

Lights Bike Tour Route Map

Our Lights Bike Tour 2016 was a huge success with more than 60 riders joining at least part of the tour. Check out the details

Let’s get right to it! Drum roll – And the Rossmoor Christmas Lights 2016 Award Recipients are:

Welcome to Rossmoor Award, Benjestorf Family, 3371 Druid Lane

It’s glaringly obvious (pun intended) why we named this home as we did.  Location, Location, Location, and the corner of Druid and St. Cloud lets us know it’s Christmas time.  To get to this level of decorative sophistication, one must start stringing lights the first week of November, which is when the Benjestorfs started the process.  The judges were so impressed, we exited the bus and walked up to the lawn, only to be met with Christmas cookies and hot cider.  What was already spectacular, just got even better!

Griswold Award, Herrin Family, 11552 Wallingsford Road

This award has finally resurfaced from years ago, and we are rather certain the astronauts in the International Space Station can see this rooftop.  Whew! Those LEDs avoided the need to kick on the auxiliary power last night.  Clark Griswold may very well have met his match with this exhibit of Zac’s mastery of the art of external illumination. Shall we say that he has “Gone Griswold”? This house stands out as one of the best and brightest in the neighborhood and one that you’ll want to see with sunglasses! The cosmonauts want to personally thank Zac for helping them find Earth, and our applause to him for this masterful display

Family Fun Award, Warren Family, 3341 Cortese Drive

Oh wow did last year’s Rookie of the Year really step it up!  We thought the lighted parkway tree was rather festive, but the judges weren’t quite ready for what hit them when the bus pulled up to the Warren Family dwelling.  Lighted arches, family members dancing in the street to Christmas tunes, and even throwing peppermint candies through the windows!  However, none of that topped the snow making machine at the walkway entrance – first time ever in ten years, and what fun way to say Merry Christmas!

Good Neighbor Award, Herzog and Bingham Families, 2892 and 2902 Aceca Drive

This was another one of those moments when the judges had to exit the bus to experience the spectacle up close and personal – soaking in the sights AND sounds with Christmas music and dancing lights.  Everyone knows the Herzog house is on the “must visit” list already, and sticking to the theme, “if some is good, more is better,” they expanded efforts and brought a computer scientist into the picture, by partnering with the Bingham family next door.  We are so grateful they joined forces resulting in an incredible Christmas experience that might make you sing along!

 

Mele Kalikimaka Award, Marshall Family, 2751 Mainway Drive

Swing by the Marshall’s home on Mainway, in the land where penguins play and palm trees sway, and you’ll know that Christmas will be green and bright! The Marshall’s tropical paradise within the heart of Rossmoor symbolizes the island’s greeting – Merry Christmas! We appreciate all the hard work that goes into this display and the dedication that the Marshall family has put into the Rossmoor Christmas Lights Celebration over the past decade.

Silent Night Award, Butterfield Family, 2762 Salmon Drive

If it was snowing in Bethlehem, this might be what the wise men encountered upon arriving that special night.  It will bring smiles to children’s (and parent’s) faces when they see the Winter Wonderland of majestic snowmen above a blanketed white lawn, all celebrating Christmas with a special “Happy Birthday Jesus” sign right above the Nativity scene.  Rich and Kay Butterfield have been decorating for over 20 years now, and it’s magical each time.

Island of Misfit Toys Award, Jones Family, 3262 St. Albans Drive

Rudolph’s old friends from the Island of Mistfit toys have found a new home and they’re doing a great job invoking feelings of festivity and childhood memories, while brightening up all of St. Albans. Santa proudly proclaims his sign of approval from the rooftop with his big ‘HoHoHo’ as the toys play amongst the excitement on the ground below. Thanks to the Jones family for the great work and added smiles this will provide throughout the holiday season.  This home has always been one of our favorites!

 

Count Down to Christmas Award, Waters Family, 2932 Bostonian Drive

OK – let’s be honest here.  The bus drove by the Waters home four times in the course of the evening.  I’m sure John and Laura were convinced we were lost.  Although this is nothing new for them.  With cars continuously slowly passing, there’s so much to see, including the Christmas clock, which is somewhat like looking for Waldo amongst all the decorations and lights.  Enjoy soaking in all the vibrant colors at this home between now and Dec. 25^th!

Rookie of the Year Award, Monsen Family, 2762 Engel Drive

As one of the first stops along the route, this rookie entry definitely knocked it out of the ball park! The beautiful light display along with the projectors brought a fun and unique element that will ignite the Christmas magic in kids and grownups alike. Looking forward to having the Monsen family continue as seasoned veterans in future Christmas celebrations!

Most Festive Street Award, Martha Ann Drive between Piedmont and Bostonian

We could give this stretch of homes the Christmas Spirit Award too, as the neighbors have banded together to bring the Christmas Spirit to life.  We saw the effect up close and personal as the judges’ bus stopped at the Burress and Nolan homes and young children were bouncing around in their pajamas, excited to wish us Merry Christmas.  There are so many captivating homes along Martha Ann from the Alonso Family’s enchanted house on Piedmont to the gingerbread house that leads toward Santa and his reindeer flying across front lawns (really), and continuing through to Bostonian, you might want to just get out and walk the stretch.

Honorable Mention Homes

There are at least 5 to 10 more home displays listed here that could have earned Recognition Awards.  Many of these have in the past, and there were some great rookie efforts too.  All these are identified on the Rossmoor Christmas Lights Hot Spots Map (which is why we do the Celebration in the first place).  In addition to the Recognition Award winners (in green), here are the homes that are Honorable and worth visiting (in red) for a memorable family evening (get the map):

3371 Druid Ln		3331 Hillrose Dr		3282 Tigertail Dr
3121 Copa De Oro Dr		2951 Yellowtail Dr		2682 Brimhall Dr
12651 Foster Rd		2631 Copa De Oro Dr		2762 Salmon Dr
12681 Martha Ann Dr		12652 Martha Ann Dr		12552 Martha Ann Dr
2762 Engel Dr		2751 Mainway Dr		12112 Chianti Dr
12101 Chianti Dr		3152 Bradbury Rd		2932 Bostonian Dr
2892 Aceca Dr		2902 Aceca Dr		2942 Edgeley Pl
11811 Norgrove Ln		3051 Inverness Dr		3262 St Albans Dr
3341 Cortese Dr		3331 Huntley Dr		3321 Wimbleton Dr
3341 Kenilworth Dr		11552 Wallingsford Rd		11232 Davenport Rd
11302 Pemberton Rd		11325 Donovan Rd		11352 Wembley Rd
3072 Burney Pl		2862 Coleridge Dr		11541 Martha Ann Dr
2631 Piedmont Ave		11831 Martha Ann Dr		11871 Martha Ann Dr
2681 St Albans Dr		2751 St Albans Dr		2711 Woodstock Rd
		2702 Woodstock Rd

 

OK – now it’s time to enjoy the Christmas season. 

You can participate in the first ever Christmas Lights Bicycle Tour, starting at Rush Park on Sunday, December 18 at 6:00 pm.  Or perhaps you might prefer having an evening Pajama Party by hopping in your car with egg nog or hot cocoa, driving around the Rossmoor neighborhood and honking your horn to all these families that have decorated for you with Christmas joy.  You don’t need a bus, but it helps to demonstrate your appreciation.  Also make sure to check out all the Woodstocks on Woodstock.  Thanks again to all the participating families, and Merry Christmas from the Rossmoor Homeowners Association!

You can download the 2016 Rossmoor Christmas Lights Hot Spot Map here

Now it’s your turn to get into the action.  Hop in the car, grab your bike, or even take a walk – turn on the Christmas tunes, cruise by these homes and even honk your horn in appreciation!

Thanks for playing and Merry Christmas!

And a HUGE thank you from all of Rossmoor to Chris Marshall and his team of judges for taking the time to pull all this together. This is by far the largest class of Celebration Homes we’ve ever had. Thanks yo all of you who created this year’s spectacular show and to all of you who will cruise by these gifts and enjoy them – THANK YOU!