Norman Bugg helped to light up Christmas in NM
Ebenezer Scrooge, to quote Charles Dickens, became a man who kept Christmas well by becoming “as good a man as the good old city knew . ... ”
The same could be said of Norman Bugg, who lit up Christmas for many thousands of New Mexicans for more than three decades with a dazzling display of lights at what became known as the “Bugg House.”
The Ohio native and Navy veteran who served in the Korean and Vietnam wars operated the Monterey Motel near Old Town for 25 years, remodeling an old Route 66 motel into a Triple Diamond-rated lodging.
But he was best known for his Christmas exhibit at his Northeast Heights home. It had more than 300,000 lights and featured nativity scenes, the “Peanuts” comic strip gang, eskimos, cowboys, Wile E. Coyote and the Road Runner, polar bears, penguins, Raggedy Ann and Andy and so much more.
The Bugg House became must-see for countless families, as children gazed in awe while their parents were often just as enthralled but tried to hide their inner child.
Norman Bugg spent a bundle on his display. In addition to the elaborate lighting he racked up a holiday electric bill in excess of $1,000. But he never charged folks to view the spectacle; it was his gift to us. For those who wanted to donate, the money went to feed the homeless through Noon Day Ministries.
The display was so bright and so successful that neighbors understandably complained about the crowds it attracted. It eventually was moved, first to the ¡Traditions! site on Interstate 25 between Albuquerque and Santa Fe, then to Menaul School and finally to the Belen Harvey House Museum. It is set once again to light up the nights Tuesdays through Sundays from Nov. 24 through Dec. 30 this year. Admission is, of course, free.
“My dad saw that the display made people happy and brought out the spirit of Christmas in everybody who saw it,” Bugg’s son, Matt, says. “He loved sharing that.”
Matt says he only recently learned his father donated significant amounts to charities but never mentioned it. “He never talked about it. Her just did it.”
Norman Bugg died last month at the age of 89. We remember him today as a man who brought joy and light to so many, and who “knew how to keep Christmas well.”