Lights add joy at safe distances
CONCORD, N.H. — At a time of great uncertainty, even the seasons seem scrambled. Christmas lights in springtime?
As the coronavirus spreads, holiday light displays are providing a bit of emotional and actual brightness. And they’re easy to enjoy from a safe social distance.
In Farmington, N.H., a roughly five-block stretch of downtown has been re-illuminated with holiday lights that swoop and zigzag between tall wooden posts. So cherished is the town’s 80-year tradition that taxpayers approved spending $11,500 six years ago to erect the posts after the electric company said lights could no longer be affixed to its poles.
“It’s a small town; we don’t have a lot of traditions. That was one of them, and we just didn’t want it to go away,” said
Lee Warburton, president of the Farmington Preservation and Improvement Organization. At his suggestion, the 2,000-plus bulbs were tested and turned back on Thursday night.
“It’s tough for everybody right now,” he said. “Everyone is on edge. We just thought it would be nice to give the folks in town something to smile about.”
Many of the posts on Twitter and other social media platforms point back to a Colorado man who tweeted Monday that his mom thought people should put Christmas lights in their windows “to remind each other there is still life and light” while they stay home.
Rosemary Peterson, the mom, said Thursday she made the offhand suggestion after making the wrenching decision to indefinitely postpone the funeral for her sister, Marlene, who died March 13.
“We know we are not alone,” she said. “Many are giving up events, experiences, celebrations and milestones. So in the midst of a lot of darkness, I thought we could all use some light.”