Audrey Gomez
Most people haven’t gotten started on their Christmas cards yet, but when you’re preparing cards for the entire city of Sweet Home, you have to start early – especially when those cards are 4 by 8 feet.
“The Beautification Committee is what started this all,” said Ben Dahlenburg, one of the organizers of the Christmas Card display that will be set up around Sweet Home during the holiday season. “They wanted to light up the town and instead of using lights we went with the Christmas card theme.”
The project, which started in 2012 with 13 cards, has multiplied exponentially.
“We have over 100 – I think, 105 this year,” Dahlenburg said.
About 25 are new, he said.
“This year, I have about six high school-age people who are painting them,” Dahlenburg said. “It’s nice to get young people.”
The Boys & Girls Club will do another card this year, and Sunshine Industries is working on a card with their clients.
Some younger participants got a little help from a friend.
“Don Ross, a local artist, worked with the kids at Oak Heights,” Dahlenburg said. “Their card will be at Oak Heights so the kids and the parents can see it.”
Though they are all Christmas cards, the holiday-related cards vary in theme.
“They are all so unique and beautiful,” said Patty Holk, who also works on the project. “I do love that they are all lighted and large enough to be enjoyed form your car. They make a spectacular sight.”
Two cards may require visitors to get out of their cars.
The pair, with interactive features, will be on display at East Linn Museum. They have holes cut out to feature kids’ (or adults’) smiling faces.
About 20 Sweet Home High School students will help set up and take down the cards, Dahlenburg said.
Many of the cards will be hosted by residents this year.
The three neighborhoods that will feature the lighted cards are Canyon Creek Development, Meridian Heights Loop, and 29th and Foothill.
“What we’re asking is that those that are hosting the cards will maintain the light,” Dahlenburg said. “They hook it up to their electricity.”
One advantage to this is that if the wind blows the cards over, someone will be there to pick them up. Also, residents can keep an eye on the displays for security purposes.
“Last year we were hit pretty hard with thieves taking bulbs and sockets and extension cords,” he said.
In addition to the residential neighborhoods, cards will also be displayed at Clover Park, the Sweet Home Chamber of Commerce and Visitor’s Center, and the East Linn Museum.
Cards will be put up Nov. 28, Dahlenburg said.
While he is happy to see an increase in the number of cards, he would like to give people the opportunity to create new cards without accumulating too many.
“Hopefully some day, our goal, maybe if things go good, and you know the community accepts it, is to adopt these cards out and start over with some more,” Dahlenburg said. “That way we would get fresh ones.”
That decision will be up to the Beautification Committee, he said.
“All we’re going to ask is that they put them out every year,” he said. “I’d feel honored that they’d do that, that way we can move them all over.”