The very first year I became editor of the Daily Times, the man who filled the seat I left behind out on the news desk came up with a great idea to tie into the holidays.
Bob Tennant, a name familiar to legions of Delco sports fans, had an idea for our P.2 feature photo spot. When I oversaw a major redesign of the newspaper a couple of years before, as part of a newly revamped P. 2 I created a spot where we could feature one of our staff photographers’ best shots each day. We called it ‘Focus on Delco.’
As we rolled into another holiday season, Bob came up with the idea of using that P. 2 position to provide a sliver of positive news among the often depresssing headlines we present every day.
Thus was born ‘Homes for the Holidays.’ It’s been one of our holiday staples every year since, in addition to our annual holiday fund, The Daily Times/Salvation Army Merry Christmas Fund.
Each day on P. 2 through this holiday season, we will feature a Delaware County house festooned in the spirit of the season.
There are only a couple of ground rules. One, we make no promises that any specific house will be featured. I know from experience that people have strong feelings when it comes to Christmas decorations, including the spots they believe we absolutely must feature on P. 2. Very often they just happen to be that person’s house. What a coincidence!
We will try to visit all areas of the county and make sure we don’t neglect any one town. The truth is we very likely will not be able to show a house from each town. There are 49 municipalities in Delaware County. ‘Homes for the Holidays’ will run through Sunday, Jan. 6.
But if your house is not featured on P. 2, that does not mean we don’t have a special place for you to show off your holiday extravaganza. Once again this year we are inviting readers to send us their best shots of homes they think capture the true spirit of the holidays. To some people that means thousands of lights.
Then there is always the annual debate between white lights and colored lights. That one no doubt will continue to be talked about.
We are asking our readers to join us again this year in capturing a little holiday spirit. Email us your photos to either editor@delcotimes.com, or vcarey@celcotimes.com and we will display them on DelcoTimes.com. That’s one of the things I love most about the online world I now toil in. There’s no end to it - at least none that I’ve been able to find. We’re limited only by how fast we can shovel the information out there.
We’ll display your holiday homes on DelcoTimes.com
It’s not a contest. There is no prize, other than sharing a little holiday cheer in a world that too often desperately needs it.
Jeff Wolfe visited a few folks who were busy constructing their holiday displays. Here’s what he found out about this beloved holiday tradition.
Our first house is featured on P. 2 today. I also have posted it with today’s blog.
Maybe your house will be in the paper or DelcoTimes.com tomorrow.
Why not join us? Joy to the World, or at least our little slice of it here in Delaware County.
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