Reason #1 – “Won’t You Guide My Sleigh Tonight” – cover photo
Shaun and Jamie Viles – along with their son and daughter – worked for a month on designing and erecting a number of different displays that feature thousands of lights in preparation for their Light Up Night that took place this past Friday. The Viles family resides at 44 Kentucky Street on the North End of Wheeling Island and they welcome drive-by gazing or on-foot visitors who wish to get an up-close view of the displays. The family does post when Santa Claus and The Grinch stop by to entertain on their “The Christmas House On The Island” Facebook page.
Reason #2 – “Merry Christmas”
Of course, we should wish our friends and family members Seasons Greetings appropriately, but also it should be OK to celebrate the way you wish without political correctness getting in your way. If that includes “Happy Hanukah,” “Happy Kwanzaa,” or “Merry Christmas,” so be it.
Reason #3 – “The Walk of … Joy!”
Several of the neighbors along Kentucky Street have joined the Viles family with the Christmas decorating, and that means park-and-walk visitors should begin on the east end of the street, travel west, and enjoy all of the sights and sounds before reaching the Christmas House.
Reason #4 – “Larger Than Life”
One aspect of the Viles family Christmas display this year is that it is different than how they decorated their home for last year’s holiday season. Now, several of the large displays may be the same, but they have been moved so the experience is just a little different than it was in 2023.
Reason #5 – “The Stockings Were Hung by the Chimney with Care”
The Kentucky Street display also honors the art form of gift wrapping, a tradition in my family and also my wife’s. My mother-in-law and mother (God bless them in Heaven) both were talented gift wrapper, and my bride also is very skilled to the point I hesitate at ripping open the gifts like I’ve since I was a child. I’ve learned through the years to pause and appreciate the love that goes into such beauty.
Reason #6 – “The Christmas House”
My entire life, I’ve appreciated the house at 44 Kentucky Street. As a Little Leaguer on Wheeling Island playing against the Tigers or the A’s; as a young, early-married resident of the North End; and as a reformed Christmas Grinch, I’ve always admired the home’s pillars and overall design. Insider info – Shaun Viles spent three hours on each of the home’s four pillars to make sure the red and white are perfectly aligned. Last year, only white lights covered the pillars.
Reason #7 – “Vision of Sugar Plums”
My family’s visit to “The Christmas House” this past Friday brought smiles to the faces of people I love most in the world – for all the right reasons – and that’s the best part of all.
Have a terrific holiday season … and do it your way, damnit.
