Health & Fitness
It Takes a Village to Light a Village!
There is still plenty of work to be done before next week. To make this the best Christmas in the Village ever John is asking all businesses to "Dress up your stores to the nines!"
Enchanting! Beautiful! Magical! Were the observations I overheard from shoppers and diners strolling La Mesa Boulevard Saturday night. Hearing their delight made all the ladder climbing, pole jabbing and light-socket poking worth it. Thousands of twinkling lights (20,000+ bulbs on over 4300 linear feet) have ushered in Christmas in the Village!
The recent dazzle comes courtesy of business and church volunteers led by John Vigil, Chair of La Mesa Christmas in the Village, aka Chief Elf, who have been working for over one month getting Downtown La Mesa ready for its 22nd Annual Christmas event this December 9th and 10th.
Volunteers include Rick Bucklew & Jan Gonya of Keating Cars, property owner Richard Felix, Frances Settle of Antiques in the Village, Sherri Buck owner of Handful of Wildflowers, local resident Dan Christensen, John’s mother Julie Patterson (Queen Elf?) and Godson Jordan Hamil, Craig Maxwell owner of Maxwell’s House of Books and me.
Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Also lending a hand were members of La Mesa’s Christ Lutheran Church led by Choir Master Roger Howard. He rounded up his 16-year-old son Michael, Jim Koepke, Don Mathowetz and husband and wife team, Mark and Marie Dolan.
According to Mr. Howard, their helping out with the lights is one of 100 gifts they are giving La Mesa for La Mesa’s Centennial 2012. This is the church’s 3rd year of helping the Village get ready for the Christmas event.
Find out what's happening in La Mesa-Mount Helixwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
The La Mesa Village Merchants Association love throwing this old fashioned Victorian event every year. It raises La Mesa’s profile, makes downtown sparkle and brings in the crowds.
This year, like years past, will feature 5 pm Christmas Parade, Santa, strolling carolers, fire pits, horse-drawn carriage, and back by popular demand, the ethereal music box dancer "Angelique" (see photo). Restaurants, watering holes and shops stay open late!
There is still plenty of work to be done before next week. To make this the best Christmas in the Village ever John is asking all businesses to “Dress up your stores to the nines!”
John still needs volunteers to deck those last few halls and trim those last bare branches. He can be reached via email: jv92123@gmail.com Please shoot him an email if you feel like decorating…
