— On Christmas Eve when I was a child, my parents used to pack my brother and sister and me in the car and take a drive around town looking for the Christmas lights.

Dad would drive, and Mom would lead us in Christmas carols.

Thinking back on it, those drives are among my warmest memories of Christmas.

Christmas Eve around our house could get pretty hectic. Mom and Dad were always rushing around to finish the last of the Christmas shopping, and there always seemed to be an item or two that had been left off the shopping list. A container of eggnog or a fresh roll of film for the camera.

And in the midst of fretting over whether Santa had gotten our Christmas lists, we kids always had to pitch in to get the house in a condition that would be fit for company.

And so that brief car ride was a moment removed from that mad rush to Christmas. It was a time to kick back and relax, to look out in awe at the twinkling lights and the various Christmas scenes.

My siblings and I would shout out our favorites and keep a running score of the best house we’d seen all night. Of course, we didn’t always agree.

I always liked the monochrome displays, perhaps because they were different. I particularly remember a white brick house outlined entirely in blue lights. It seemed quietly elegant in comparison to the more garish multi-colored displays.

There were no prizes, of course. Our favorites probably never even knew they had made our list.

This year, you can change that. You can nominate your favorites to be listed in the Pharos-Tribune.

If you see a home, a business or maybe even an entire neighborhood that is particularly decked out for the Christmas season, let us know, so we can spread the word.

We’ll publish our list of the area’s most spectacular Christmas displays on Dec. 23.

You don’t have to nominate a stranger. You can even nominate your own home if you’re particularly proud of the decorations.

There is still no prize. The only award you’ll get is the joy of knowing someone noticed all your hard work.

Send nominations to the Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. You can also send nominations by email to ptnews@pharostribune.com. Or you can send them by fax to 574-732-5070.

Please include the street address and city of the display you’re nominating and give us a brief description of what you like about it. If you have a name and contact information for the property owner, we’d love to have that, too, and please also provide your name and telephone number in case we have questions.

The deadline for nominations is Dec. 12.



Beacon deadline nears

Just a reminder that the Pharos-Tribune is inviting nominations for its annual Beacon Award, an award designed to recognize a community leader who has helped to chart the course of the community.

We’ve been presenting this recognition since 2004. The name is derived from the word “Pharos” in the name of our newspaper. One of the seven wonders of the ancient world, the Pharos was a lighthouse designed to lead sailors safely to port, The Beacon Award, then, goes to a local visionary who has helped to chart our community’s course.

If you know someone you think should be considered, we’d like to hear from you. Send us an essay of up to 500 words telling us who you’d like to nominate and why.

Nominations may be addressed to Beacon Award, the Pharos-Tribune, 517 E. Broadway, Logansport IN 46947. The e-mail address is ptnews@pharostribune.com, and the fax number is 574-732-5070. The deadline is Dec. 12.

Kelly Hawes is managing editor of the Pharos-Tribune. He can be reached at 574-732-5155 or kelly.hawes@pharostribune.com.