This holiday season will mark the end of an era for Shoreline resident Brock Hogle.
It’s the last time he will decorate the exterior of his house and yard on the 700 block of North 204th Street for Christmas. Hogle hasn’t missed the opportunity to put up lights and other assorted holiday decorations since he and his wife, Shirley, moved into his two-story residence in 1960.
The display began with a few strings of red lights on the roof and grew a little each year, according to Hogle. The couple knows their residence has become a seasonal sight to see for neighbors and those who drive by.
“One year I was out here in the rain wondering what am I doing when a woman came down the street, rolled down her window and said, ‘I just got to tell you mister, when we turned the corner my granddaughter, she yelled, look grandma, he’s putting up more lights’ and after that I just stayed out,” Hogle said.
Neighbors have contributed to his light display throughout the years, he added.
“One day I went outside and there was a three-foot lighted Santa Claus and I didn’t know where it came from,” Hogle said. “I finally asked my neighbor and he said it was him.”
The same neighbor also gave him Cecil, the holiday seal who moves his head and sits prominently displayed near giant letters that spell out “Noel” on the front lawn. Since the holiday decoration donation, the couple began adding bargains to their display by picking out new festive additions after Christmas.
At 76 years old, the display took the assistant Shorewood high school track coach three weeks to complete this year, longer than it usually takes, according to Hogle. He and his wife are contemplating spending the winter months in Sun City, Ariz., next year.
“This is the first year he’s really had any help,” Shirley said.
Putting the display together was a family effort this year, Shirley explained. As she and their adult daughter put up decorations inside the home, Hogle and their adult son worked to light up the exterior. The final addition — a Christmas countdown clock that displays the days, hours and minutes until Christmas — arrived at the couple’s home on Dec. 6.
Come next summer, many of the decorations that make up their collection will be sold, Hogle said. But now that his final holiday display is complete, Hogle has just one request.
“It’s as good as it’s ever been,” he said. “We just want people to come and see it.”
Edmonds resident Connie Chenoweth received a list of five other recommended light displays from Hogle when her family drove passed his home on Dec. 3.
“We’ve been coming every year to see it,” she said. “Isn’t it beautiful? I love it.”
Hogle’s list of holiday light displays is what he calls the Night Bright Tour, a list he began of displays in the Shoreline area. The list includes a one sentence description of displays by homeowners who also love the holiday season.
“I try to tell more and more people to get lights up,” said Mike Zawaideh, whose display on North 192nd Street is included on Hogle’s list. “The neighbors love it.”
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