CHICO HOMES ARE MERRY AND BRIGHT

CHICO » Students walking home from school along Ceanothus Avenue get a treat about this time every year: A surprise glimpse of Santa and Mrs. Claus during daytime hours.

Not until Christmas does Chico know the jolly couple is hanging out in the north Chico garage.

But Fred and Bev Reichel do.

“I put up the garage door about 4:30 so the little ones can get a glimpse as they walk home from school,” said Mrs. Reichel, nodding to the garage door at 3053 Ceanothus Ave.

Santa’s workshop, which is tucked back into the garage in a custom insert, includes a print of the life- size couple, along with a number of decorations — from soccer balls to a train set to Raggedy Ann and Andy dolls and a jack-in-the-box featuring an elf.

“I’ve been decorating since I was 10,” confesses Reichel.

Beside the Santa workshop, the home hosts decorated lawn scenes, a tower of dice, and rooftop lights.

Reichel admits his 21-yearold granddaughter, Katie, helps him.

“We sit on the roof and scooch around,” he said.

While there’s a long history of decorating in the Reichel family, even more joy was created when their son Darrin and his family helped.

Unbeknownst to either side, both Reichel families bought homes next door to each other.

They both bought their homes at the same time, and “It turned out it they were right next door. How likely is that?” Reichel said with a laugh.

The decorations were a little different, with a Nativity scene in the other garage, but still plenty of lights.

Side by side, it was an impressive glow that’s been on

map at

this publication’s Tour Lights for many year.

The younger Reichel and his family moved out of state, and last year he passed away.

Fred Reichel admitted that it was impossible to decorate last year, but this year it is a gesture to his son’s memory, along with a community gift at a time when happiness is needed.

Not only is the Reichel home decorated for Christmas this year but for other seasons and holidays throughout the year, including fall and Halloween, Memorial Day and Fourth of July.

“People need a little joy and a smile,” said Mrs. Reichel, who loves when families stop by to take photographs in front of the Santa display.

“We’ve seen pictures of kids who were less than 2 years old when the photos first started, and now they’re all grown up,” she added.

“That warms our hearts,” she said.

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STEVE SCHOONOVER — ENTERPRISE-RECORD Fred and Bev Reichel stand beside their annual Christmas panorama at 3053 Ceanothus Ave. in Chico which includes a life-sized Santa and Mrs. Claus.

CARIN DORGHALLI — ENTERPRISE-RECORD Moyer Way is home to dazzling a light display Tuesday in Chico.

GOOGLE MY MAPS The E-R Elves made this map of Chico for the Tour of Lights.

CARIN DORGHALLI — ENTERPRISE-RECORD Songbird Drive is home to a nativity scene made up of animals on Monday in Chico.

CARIN DORGHALLI — ENTERPRISE-RECORD Mt. Whitney Court is home to dazzling light displays Monday in Chico.

CARIN DORGHALLI — ENTERPRISE-RECORD Mt. Whitney Court hosts a snowman that’s taller than the houses themselves on Monday in Chico.

STEVE SCHOONOVER — CHICO ENTERPRISE-RECORD A close-up of Santa’s workshop created by Fred Reichel on Ceanothus Avenue in Chico.