The holiday hurry slows to a crawl during December nights. There is good reason to pause, for houses and gardens throughout North Carroll have become painted in light.
In just about every neighborhood, every manner of door frame, fence post, sidewalk, or tree, even the school bus on Route 482, has received a mantle of colorful light bulbs.
A drive through the streets of Robert's Field at night is sure to inspire oohs and aahs.
With enthusiasm high for holiday lights, members of the social committee of the Robert's Field Homeowners Association cruised their neighborhood to pick out the houses that are showiest at night and during the day.
The committee has marked six homes for merit and granted the holiday decorator of each a gift certificate to Cranberry Mall.
Night-time showplaces are marked with a crescent moon and red ribbon.
Under the spotlight, a pair of grapevine reindeer was caught pulling home a snow-dappled lighted Christmas tree at the Trainor/Wisner home at 727 Spotters Court. This composition was awarded first prize for night decoration
Two houses of note for nightly displays are on Northwoods Trail. The second prize was awarded to the Ivanez residence at 4407 Northwoods, a glittering jewel of light bulb gingerbread visible many streets away.
Third prize went to the Stagner family at 4296 Northwoods, where a country-style fence outlined in white lights leads to a gift-wrapped front door and "Merry Christmas" in lights.
Houses noted for daytime decorations are posted with a sunburst and red ribbon. Capturing first prize for daytime decorations was the Falise home at 922 Gaming Square.
In this front yard, two white reindeer silhouettes with green bow ties nod toward the door. Like a country manor, the door is framed by a pair of tree-sized white poinsettias. A garland of pine, fruit and cones cascades around the door frame.
Second prize was awarded to the Jarrett home at 892 Gaming Square. On a comical note, the enormous power company transformer box was converted into a chimney, complete with Santa's legs and boots frozen at the moment of descent.
Your kids will spot the enormous gifts and bag of goodies next to the chimney, as well as the pie-sized candies wrapped in green, red and white framing the Jarrett family front yard.
In a more classical mood, the Ayres family home at 750 Sportsmans Court received third prize for an arrangement of wreaths, red ribbons and lamppost. Have your children count the Santa Clauses, sitting on the porch, in the window, on the door -- they should discover five in all.
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Florida fruit fresh from the tree has no equal, and in North Carroll fruit only hours old will arrive Jan. 19 and Jan. 20 if you reserve it before Jan. 10.
Musicians in both concert and marching bands at North Carroll High School are selling the fruit.
"There's a tentative trip planned to Toronto," said spokesman Jim Rice, parent of a freshman flutist. "If they don't go on a trip, the money will help the band [purchase] sheet music, [pay] marching band instructors for competition, and so forth.
"This month, we're selling 'honey bells,' technically the Mineola tangelo, a mixture of grapefruit and tangerine," Mr. Rice said. "The fruit will be shipped to Hampstead from Palm Beach County, Fla."
The honey bells sell for $21 per case, or $11 per half case. How many fruits can be packed in each case depends upon Mother Nature.
"Fruit comes in different sizes," explains Mr. Rice. "Our grapefruits last time went anywhere from 42 to 18 fruits per case. Some were like footballs. Sometimes we bring in different sizes. We usually say order a case, and when you pick it up, you'll have a choice from what's there."
The other choice for January is pink grapefruit at $14 per case or $8 per half case, averaging about 36 per case.
"Fund-raisers are being done on the fly" this year, noted Mr. Rice. Due to the new modular schedule of classes at North Carroll High, various members of the band may not be in practice sessions for several months until the next module begins. Marching band is an extracurricular activity, so fund-raising is essential.
High school band members are canvassing area homes during the sale. Two band members will take telephone orders, and you can order directly from the school.
To order fruit, call 374-6553 or 239-3471 or the high school at 374-6105.