2017 – The 11th Annual
Rossmoor Christmas Lights Celebration
The Christmas season is upon Rossmoor in full force with home owner entries in record numbers taking advantage of our Southern California climate, turning it into a Winter Wonderland (just without the snow).
For the Rossmoor Homeowners Association (RHA), this is our 11th year (thank you very much Chris Marshall), and it’s an honor every season to create the Rossmoor Christmas Lights Hot Spots Map. Getting tech here – you can either download the map in PDF format, or you can check out the interactive map showing the exact address of all the Honorable Mentions and images of the Recognition Award winning homes. The interactive map is courtesy of Kieran Nolan our co-chair for the event this year. Also, thanks so much to Lynnette O’Bryan for following the judges and taking the photos of the winning homes.
This year we expanded the judging pool a bit more and tapped into an assembly of kids in pajamas to join the three-minivan-caravan. Let’s just say it was a high-energy bundle of fun, and the young judges never lost interest in the lights. Way to go home owner entries!
Two winners this year have synced their light shows to FM radio stations, and it seems like every Rossmoor family that “Made the Map” has decorated their homes even more generously. Now it’s your time to celebrate the season and express your appreciation to the home owners. So grab the kids and grandparents, brew some hot chocolate, bake some cookies and hit the roads of Rossmoor with the map as your guide! Don’t forget about the Christmas Lights Celebration Bicycle Tour on Dec. 23.
Now – let’s get to the Christmas details!!! Where to go, when and why!
Classy Christmas Award, Farber Family, 11352 Wembley Road
Thoughtful details make this elegant display of timeless colors pop, as if a classic Christmas card had come to life. This beautiful display brings out those fond memories and feelings of the Christmas season. Many thanks to the Farber family for keeping Christmas classy!
Kids’ Choice Award, Waters Family, 2932 Bostonian Drive
The candy cane archway and the glowing lamppost draw you to the Waters’ home. Once you arrive, you’ll discover layer after layer of Christmas fun. The falling snow and active fog sealed the deal for the kids’ choice! The countdown to Christmas adds to their excitement and anticipation, reminding them to be on their best of behavior in order to stay on Santa’s “nice list”.
Two Turtle Doves Award, Herzog and Bingham Families, 2892 and 2902 Aceca Drive
Tune your radio to 107.9 FM while you visit this display to hear the drummers drumming and the pipers piping – this will surely get your ladies dancing and lords leaping. The Herzog and Bingham families banded together like Two Turtle Doves to deliver this spectacular display of light and sound. Prepare to stop and let the kids out to dance during you visit!
Griswold Christmas Award, Den Hartog Family, 3212 Hillrose Drive
OK, hold onto your staple gun as you drive by this incredibly decorated (understatement) home on Hillrose. Take your sun glasses too, as in full Griswold style like the movie, it illuminates the horizon with rows of warm holiday lights across every surface, and a yard full of Christmas characters that will bring a smile to everyone’s faces!
Winter Forest Award, Vega Family, 11325 Donovan Road
Upon arrival, you’ll quickly feel as though you’ve been transported into a magical winter forest! The trees shimmer with hues of red and green as the deer gently stroll through this winter wonderland. The Vega family’s creativity and hard work is sure to enchant all who pass by!
Up on the Rooftops Award, Graham and Herrin Families, 3341 Kenilworth Drive and 11552 Wallingsford Road
Yes, up on the rooftop – click, click, click. Actually, when Saint Nick and his reindeer visit either of these beautiful homes, right close to each other on Christmas night, it’ll be more like crunch, crunch, crunch if they’re not careful with the hoofs. In addition to the ground being covered in multi-colored lights, both homes are extravagantly decorated as one looks across the skyline!
Not So Silent Night Award, Skunca Family, 11502 Harrisburg Road
This was a rookie entry by John and his family, and sometimes a home needs to be recognized for more than just a first time appearance. Oh Wow did this one ascend to new heights in both sights and sound! Families can tune to station 89.7 to hear the lights dance to music. Completing the festivities, we applaud the manger scene as part of the display, reminding us of why the night is so special.
And from John Skunca – A Not So Silent Night video show:
Merry and Bright Award, Benjestorf Family, 3371 Druid Lane
You will feel the warm glow as you approach this stunning home on Druid Lane. The perfect placement of every light and attention to detail certainly brightens the night, while the warmth of the display and seasonal music leaves you feeling merry. As our judging team can attest, the best way to experience this fine display is with a nice warm cup of apple cider!
Spirit of Christmas Award, Wind Family, 3152 Bradbury Road
With several of the Recognition Award winning homes, there’s a special father/son passing of the baton happening in Rossmoor. With insights from the Mom, Cindy, we learned that son Ryan is taking over the decorating reigns from Randy. This has always been one of the favorite houses, and so great to see Ryan stepping up and making the display even better than last year!
Santa’s Workshop Award, O’Bryan Family, 12681 Martha Anne Drive
Check your map! Did you detour to the North Pole or are you still on Martha Ann?
Santa’s workshop seems to have relocated to Rossmoor and they brought the snow along! Wait a minute, do we see Santa up there? Catch a glimpse of him as he busily prepares his Christmas delivery for all the good girls and boys!
Thanks to the O’Bryan family for bringing a part of the North Pole to our great community!
Rookie of the Year Award, Garcia Family, 11862 Martha Ann Drive
While this is a rookie entry in our celebration, this display demonstrated masterful use of space. This home is sure to put a smile on your face through the variety of familiar characters for people young and old. You’ll feel jolly after just a short visit to the Garcia home. Thanks for all the hard work and we look forward to seeing your home in future celebrations!
Snowman Party Award, Butterfield Family, 2762 Salmon Drive
There are some homes you look forward to seeing every year, because you know they’re going to be wonderful. This has to be one of the friendliest displays in Rossmoor with the snowmen perfectly placed to make it feel like a party. The combination of inflatables with the colored lights and Happy Birthday Baby Jesus sign make every visitor feel the Christmas magic.
Most Festive Street Award, Woodstock Road between Chaucer and Montecito
Even better than Where’s Waldo. Families can play a game finding the most Woodstocks on Woodstock. Hint: there are two sections of Woodstock Road in the hood, and you want to see both! The famous yellow bird Peanuts character, perched atop multiple Rossmoor Holiday Light Posts on so many homes in each section. What started on Woodstock near Martha Ann now extends across the neighborhood on Woodstock to Montecito. Thanks to all the families and homes on Woodstock for participating in the fun!
Honorable Mention Homes
There are quite a few more home displays on this list that could have earned Recognition Awards. Many of these have receive awards in the past and are terrific displays of lights to check out this season. 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, here are the homes that are Honorable and worth visiting for a memorable family evening (get the map):
| 3072 Burney | 2751 Mainway | 3262 St. Albans |
| 12101 Chianti | 11831 Martha Ann | 2751 St. Albans |
| 2862 Coleridge | 12652 Martha Ann | 2732 St. Albans |
| 2942 Edgeley | 11881 Martha Ann | 2681 St. Albans |
| 2762 Engel | 11871 Martha Ann | 3201 Tigertail |
| 3331 Huntley | 11302 Pemberton | 3282 Tigertail |
| 3171 Kittrick | 3011 Shakespeare | 2951 Yellowtail |
And Our 2017 Award Winners
| Classy Christmas – 11352 Wembley |
| Griswold’s Christmas – 3212 Hillrose |
| Kids’ Choice – 2932 Bostonian |
| Merry & Bright Award – 3371 Druid |
| Most Festive Street – Woodstock (between Chaucer and Montecito) |
| Not So Silent Night – 11502 Harrisburg |
| Rookie of the Year – 11862 Martha Ann |
| Santa’s Workshop – 12681 Martha Ann |
| Snowman Party – 2762 Salmon |
| Spirit of Christmas – 3152 Bradbury |
| Two Turtle Doves (neighbor award) – 2902 Aceca & 2892 Aceca |
| Up on the Rooftops (neighbor award) – 3341 Kenilworth & 11552 Wallingsford |
| Winter Forest – 11325 Donovan |
Christmas Lights Celebration Bicycle Tour: It’s happening again, since it was so popular and fun last year. Starting at Rush Park on Saturday, December 23 at 6:00 pm. Show up with your bike decorated in colored lights, and we’ll tour the homes together on a selected route!
And a HUGE thank you from all of Rossmoor to Chris Marshall, Kieran Nolan, and their team of judges for taking the time to pull all this together. This is by far the largest class of Christmas Lights 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!
Thanks again to all the participating families, and Happy Holidays from the Rossmoor Homeowners Association!
