By Daniel Winningham
Terry and Lori Carroll of 302 Dowling Drive were the grand prize winners in the 2020 “The Lights Before Christmas” holiday decorating contest. Event organizers contacted them earlier this week.
The outdoor decorations feature a large, red “Joy” sign with a carved, white nativity in the O and a white star above it, lit wreaths with red bows on both the main and upstairs windows, starry snowflakes above the windows and lights in the bushes on both sides of the sidewalk leading up to the front door.
“I was excited,” Lori Carroll said. “We usually decorate the weekend after Thanksgiving. This year, we did a little bit extra I feel like because we thought a lot of people would be driving around, looking at the lights since Covid-19. We added some more lights around our courtyard.”
The courtyard display features several strands of colored lights, a Christmas tree, wreath and snowflakes, plus a couple of snowmen.
“We try to keep it Christian based,” Terry said. “It’s the reason for the season.” But there also is a painted Santa hauling a bag of toys in the courtyard.
“This is the first year we’ve had the joy nativity,” Lori said. “We’ve always put the wreaths up and stars around the windows.”
The couple thought many residents put more of an effort into decorations and holiday displays due to Covid.
