Christmas decorating brings Lincoln neighbors together

It may be a short block, but the residents on 42nd Street between Columbia and Washington make up for it with plenty of Christmas spirit.

The homeowners of the Lincoln neighborhood block have adorned their homes with lighting both classical and whimsical. Jenny Brown, chair of the Lincoln Neighborhood Association, has been the ringleader of this project for about 15 years. In the years that have followed, neighbors have added their own special twist to their decor, attracting curious drivers-by after sunset.

Brown and her husband, Neal Dykeman, who own side-by-side houses, prefer a more classical look, with red and white lights scattered over shrubbery and lining their yards. They’ve also recently added a winding loop of bright LEDs around dogwood trees in each of their yards.

Another neighbor has a lawn full of scarf-clad pink flamingos. Another has homemade Christmas trees and stars posted up in the yard. The residents on the southeast corner have complemented their TARDIS Free Little Library — a fictional time machine featured in the British science fiction series “Doctor Who” — with royal blue lights strung through trees in the yard.

“We’re all out here on the same weekend,” Brown said. “It’s a good time to catch up.”

There’s also a healthy dose of peer pressure, ribbing and swearing when neighborhood residents start hanging their lights. No matter how much planning they do, there’s always a few dead bulbs, a circuit that doesn’t work as it’s supposed to or an accident. Brown said she had the ladder slip out from under her once, leaving her hanging in the tree yelling for help while her husband and neighbors were inside watching football. Don’t worry; she made it down safely.

But even with the hiccups, Brown and Dykeman say it’s an ideal time to come together as a neighborhood.

“It gets a lot of camaraderie going,” Dykeman said.

List of holiday homes

Below is our annual list of homes that have stepped it up for the holiday season. Is your house missing from the list? Email reporter Katie Gillespie at katie.gillespie@columbian.com to be added to the online version of this story, alongside an interactive map of all locations.

• Slow down on your way past 12410 N.E. 152nd Ave., Brush Prairie, to see an expansive display of more than 150 blow molds, a moving Ferris wheel and plenty of lights.

• Lakeview Estates resident Valerie Humke recommends a visit to her neighborhood, nestled between Northwest 78th and 88th streets west of Northwest Ninth Avenue.

• The home at 11806 S.E. Riveridge Drive, Vancouver, is aglow with thousands of lights, dozens of characters and the sounds of Christmas music.

• Check out 2020 S.E. 132nd Court, Vancouver, for twinkling icicle lights, sparkling snowflakes and glowing snowmen in the yard.

• A display at 18001 N.E. 27th St., Vancouver, is 31 years in the making, featuring thousands of lights, glowing candles and Christmas characters to ring in the season. If you’re lucky, the homeowners may visit you outside with candy canes.

• Tracy Maguire says their home’s old-fashioned display “never goes out of style.” “Just ask our Santa, who’s busy filling stockings,” she said. There’s no laser show at 4155 N.W. Sierra Drive, Camas, but warm, cozy tin characters hearken to a simpler time.

• A home at 303 S.W. 10th St., Battle Ground, is alight with cheery winter scenes and a glowing Nativity.

• It’s time for the annual celebration on Franklin Street, where visitors this year will be treated to a 25-foot “Frozen” display, the Nativity, Santa and his reindeer and other characters. It will also snow on Franklin at 7 p.m. Dec. 20 and 21, on Christmas Eve between 4 p.m. and midnight and Christmas Day from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. on the hour. Children are invited to leave a letter to Santa in the red mailbox near the driveway. Search “Holidays on Franklin Street” for more details.

• Check out a vibrant display of color-changing lights, a forest of spiral trees, an inflatable Santa and other holiday characters at 4906 N.E. 56th St., Vancouver.

• Visit 11001 N.E. 11th Ave., Vancouver, to enjoy a glowing Nativity, Santa and his reindeer atop the roof, and plenty of other glowing lights in the yard.

• Tune to FM 88.9 to enjoy a 20-minute show at 1719 S.E. 162nd Ave., Vancouver, featuring 10,000 lights and 5,000 channels of computer-controlled animation. The show will run through Christmas.

• Drive by 5701 N.E. St. Johns Road, No. 62, Vancouver, to check out an inflated Christmas tree, giant snow globe and a snowman family of three at this home. The house is also lit with Christmas lights.

• Drive by Rene Nortz’s home, affectionately nicknamed the Nortz Pole, for a staggering display of elves, snowmen and other Christmas characters scattered throughout the yard at 8310 N.E. Pierce Drive, Vancouver.

• Brad and Brant Buchanan have gone over the top with their holiday decor, consisting of 100,000 lights, a suspended sleigh with all of Santa’s reindeer, multiple full Nativity scenes and more than 150 blow molds. Their neighbors have added to the fun with a sign simply pointing to the Buchanan house reading, “Ditto.” Their house is at 15309 N.E. Seventh St., Vancouver.

• Jack Ormson, 14, has taken his family’s Christmas decorating “to a new level,” said his mom, Carinn Eckis. Jack saved his money to purchase a Christmas light controller, assembled it himself, and used light programming software to animate more than 4,000 lights at 12816 S.E. 24th St., Vancouver.

• Mike Audette and Don Werner have decorated their home, at 8718 N.E. 77th Way, Vancouver, with cheery, multicolor lights, several lighted trees and Santa with his reindeer.

• This home at 511 N.E. 124th Ave., Vancouver, has really gone to the dogs — inflatable dogs, that is. Check out festive lights and a number of inflatables, including a slew of pups.

• About 10,000 lights dance to the tune of Christmas favorites at 9605 S.E. 13th St., Vancouver. Set your radio to 91.9 FM to enjoy the show.

• Enjoy this techno take on “Tidings of Comfort and Joy,” as lights flash to the tune at 3903 E. 16th St., Vancouver.