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Happy Holidays 2006

Holiday lights

By TIMES WIRES
Published December 27, 2006

CLEARWATER

Japanese Garden Mobile Home Park, 19709 U.S. 19 N: Joan Sytsma of Fujiami Drive writes that nearly all 280 homes and the clubhouse in Japanese Garden Mobile Home Park are "fully decorated and lit up beautifully. ... Worth taking a ride in the park." James Eveland, former president of the lot renters association, writes that "this year is the best I have ever seen. We even had church buses come into this park for a quick tour."

2281 Lagoon Circle S: Bob Owens has put up 60,000 lights and decorated all of his palm trees. He also has a helicopter with Santa, sea lions, blue water and an igloo, as well as a polar bear with twin cubs surrounded by snow. Ten radios play Christmas music from 7 to 10 p.m. "The nice thing," he writes, "is I put it all up myself, and I am 60 years old."

1645 Eden Court: Bob and Barb Heuschkel offer working model railroads and Christmas villages set up in the garage of their home, which is off Lake Avenue between Belleair and Nursery roads. Hours are 7 to 9 p.m.

1727 Penny Lane: Corner lot with lights, filled with more than 30 blowup figures: Santas (including Mickey Mouse and the Grinch as Santa), reindeer, penguins and bears.

2958 Deer Run S: Mike Engelmann writes that his display is "not elaborate, but if you're a Florida Gator, you'll enjoy these decked-out Gators." For a slide show, go to http://homepage.mac.com/gatordadmike3/PhotoAlbum9.html.

1001 Druid Road S: Zena Lansky's home in Harbor Oaks at Druid Road and Magnolia Street is decorated like a reindeer crossing, with reindeer and a sleigh coming up the steps into the house.

2820 Whitney Road: Roy and Judy Stines' display features mostly white lights, a 6-foot Santa standing beside what appears to be a fire in a potbellied stove, with Mrs. Claus in her rocker watching an elf decorate a tree.

2662 Beaumont Court: Train, total village, flying Santa.

2833 Meadowhill Drive: Living Christmas tree, snow, "old-fashioned Christmas."

Beckett Lake Estates, 2147 Hartford Way: Red, white, blue trees; loads of animations; snow machine; decorated classic '69 Mustang.

El de Oro West, 2143 Grove Place: Animated, life-size Santa; mailbox; moving carousel; seesaw; lights galore.

Greenbriar, 2159 Greenbriar Blvd: Animated characters, Santa and Mrs. Claus on a Harley, snow people, manger, trees. Neighborhood lighting winner two years running.

Pinellas Groves, 14601 58th St. N: Singing Santa, three sleighs, one sleigh on the roof with a waving Santa, animated lights (helicopter, elves with stocking, more), six inflatables, two snow globes.

Washington Square, 2 N Fernwood Ave: Many lights and blowups on this patio.

Woodgate III, 2245 Tulip Tree Lane: Decorated live oak and holly trees, reindeer grazing and taking flight. Driveway lined with candy canes, a grand Christmas tree on display.

Woodgate III, 2313 Hawthorne Drive: "Holidays on Hawthorne. Thousands of lights, complete nativity scene and much more."

Woodside Village condo, 4215 East Bay Drive, No. 802: Lots of lawn displays, balloons, animations, festive scenes, thousands of lights.

[Last modified December 26, 2006, 22:46:19]