McGregor street a lights destination
By Audrey Posten, Times-Register
“That’s what you drive down Ann Street for, to see the lights.”
Janet Hallberg is one of several McGregor home owners on the street’s 600 block who goes all out for Christmas. There are bright, colorful strands covering everything from porches and windows to trees, while holiday figurines dot yards. You’ll even spot Santa and his reindeer on a rooftop.
“For being little McGregor, we’re kind of a destination block to drive by and see them,” Hallberg said.
She’s lived at her home for 16 years and has put up lights annually.
“I’ve slowly been putting up more. I’ve also been adding more blow-ups, as long as I can get them to stand up. Usually Santa is taking a break, resting before Christmas,” she joked.
Hallberg said it takes her three or four hours to decorate, which includes placing the blow-ups and wrapping lights around her large porch.
“As soon as Halloween is over, I take my Halloween decorations down and put up my Christmas ones because I don’t like to be cold,” she said. “Then I turn them on the day after Thanksgiving.”
A few houses down, Tom and Michele Sinclair have illuminated their porch and trimmed lights around the eaves, doors and windows of their home and garage.
Michele said Tom is the main drive behind their large display.
“We lived in West Branch before moving here. When we got married, we couldn’t wait to decorate for our first Christmas,” she shared. “We moved to McGregor and carried our excitement for decorating with us.”
“Our parents were big Christmas people, so I guess that’s where we got our love for decorating,” she added.
Tom usually starts with the lights in November, working in phases. Michele said they seem to add to the display slowly, and have found a new love for blow molds.
For the Sinclairs, their favorite part is seeing the excitement of kids—first their own and now their grandkids.
“We now have eight grandkids that keep us motivated,” Michele said, “so will continue until we are no longer able.”
At the end of the street is the famed Mullarkey home. Pat and Julie have lived at the location for over 30 years, and have added to their display over the years. The highlight is the dozens of blow mold figures—Santas, snowmen, candy canes and more—congregated in the yard.
Julie said she and Pat, got married in November. Each year, they’d gift one another Christmas decorations, thus expanding their collection. That’s how the whole display got started.
Pat is also an electrician, so it seemed like a natural fit to go all out for the holiday season.
“Every year, I look to see if there’s a new one,” Hallberg said of her neighbor’s display. “It’s so much fun.”
This year, especially, she thinks people not only on Ann Street, but in the community in general, made an extra effort on their decorations.
“I think a lot more people have done lights, even if it’s just a strand on a tree,” she said. “And we needed it—the lights and the fun.”
