HOLIDAY IN LIGHTS

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas in some places more than others.

Holiday lights lining rooftops and decorating shrubs have become something of a passion for some folks who will light up just about anything that doesn't walk away.

"This year I went a little overboard," said Ken Voepel, who has decorated nearly every square inch outside his business, 2256 Kingsway. After considering his statement for a moment, he changed his mind. "No, not really."

Voepel puts up thousands of lights to celebrate Christmas, or perhaps his own birthday. He was born Dec. 25.

"It was for kids that I started putting them up. But it's also for the kid in me," he said. "I put more up every day. I find a little bare spot and then buy more lights."

He said this year's display is about three times as large as displays in previous years.

"It's a lot prettier, a fantasy land," Voepel said. "We found a company with decals and you cut them out of plywood. They are very pretty, but it was a little more work than we anticipated."

The display attracts a lot of attention, Voepel said. "It's unreal how it backs up traffic. People drive by here all the time to see the lights."

But he loves the visitors and, in fact, often greets them himself.

"I just sit there and look at the lights every night. That's all I do between now and Christmas."

Voepel is considering buying a Santa suit to greet children.

"It's these kids," he said. "All you've got to do is see them, and you want to put out the lights."

Last year, Voepel decorated his home also, but not this year. "I stole all the lights and put them out here."

Voepel started decorating with just a few lights about five years ago.

"Every year it just got more and more. All year long people come up and comment on the Christmas displays," he said. "It's to a point now that I couldn't quit. People would be disappointed."

He has no desire to quit.

In fact, Voepel is considering a whole new theme for next year, a religious theme.

"But I don't know what to do with all this," he said. "I guess I could have a display at the county park and here."

Bob and Donna Komorech are building a family tradition with the decorations they put out each year at 1717 Bertling.

"It's kind of a family tradition with me," said Bob Komorech. "I grew up with Christmas lights outside. It's part of the tradition."

Initially Komorech began decorating his home as a continuation of that tradition. It has grown.

"Other families and friends drive by and enjoy it. Elderly people remember back to when everyone used to do it.

"I look forward to what I can do a little different each year," he said. "We tried making Santa and the reindeer this year. It is something new, and took a little longer to make than I expected."

Komorech said his favorite display is a manger set. "After all, that's the true meaning of Christmas."

He started putting up decorations the weekend before Thanksgiving. "I still have a couple strands I haven't gotten up yet."

His children, Chris, 14, Matthew, 10, and Becky, 7, help string the lights. "It's a scramble to see who gets to turn the lights on first.

"I hope these feelings will stay as a fond memory of childhood for them," he said.

"Each year we have added a little more," he said. "Eventually though I guess we will run out of sockets.

"We have so many of them, but it is the season to celebrate," Komorech said. "I guess it kind of gets out of hand. But the enjoyment makes it worthwhile."

When people ask about the cost of all the lighted decorations, he recommends that friends buy stock in Union Electric.

"The cost is worth it for all the enjoyment we get. To me, it's part of Christmas.

"This year they have got the home tour. I think that's nice. I would like to see more people put up lights. I think it puts us all in the spirit and mood."

Rick Werner's love for Christmas decorations has evolved into a business.

Putting up holiday lights started as a family tradition. "My dad always did it. When he died, I kept doing it.

"I've always been big in holiday decorations," Werner said.

So it seemed natural for him to open the Holiday Happenings store last Christmas.

"After Christmas we decided to keep it open all the time. We have a Christmas room open all

the time."

The store also carries items appropriate to other holidays throughout the year.

He decorates his home at 1722 Crestwood and also the business at 5 S. Henderson.

The house sits on the corner of Cape Rock Drive, so both the front and back yards are decorated.

"The house is trimmed in red lights and all the shrubs are in white miniature lights. We have a fountain with a spray of lights coming out of it," Werner said. "It's not quite done. I have most of the lights up, but they aren't all connected."

The business building is trimmed in blue lights. A big Santa and Snowman sit on the roof. He is planning additions all the time.

"Christmas is here and gone and I won't be done decorating," he said.

"When I go to market in Dallas, it's just unlimited the stuff you could buy. There is only so much room."

Werner started decorating the store in mid-November. He started putting lights out at the house just last Friday.

"It takes a while to dig it all out and check all the bulbs." Yes, Werner really checks the thousands of light bulbs to make sure each is burning brightly.

"It looks so pretty when you plug it in," Werner said. "These lights can take something drab and make it look beautiful. Always after Christmas I think it looks so depressing. All the life is gone."

The Cape Girardeau Chamber of Commerce along with a newly formed Holiday of Lights committee is planning a tour of some of the most brightly lit locations in town.

Monday from 6-9:30 p.m., members of the Holiday of Lights committee will be judging outdoor Christmas light displays and planning a driving tour of city.

The tour is planned for Dec. 12-14 and 19-21. Shuttle buses will be available each night of the tour or individuals may drive along the route themselves.

Shuttle buses will depart from Plaza Galleria and from West Park Mall. Tours start at 7 p.m. and conclude at 8:30 p.m. Tickets cost $1 for the shuttle bus tours.