Anyone who has lived on St. Simons Island for more than a year knows about the “Christmas lights house” in Sea Palms. Since the early 80s, Wally Spencer, a 93 year-old World War II Navy Veteran has been putting up Christmas lights and decorations in his yard to the delight of his Shore Rush Drive neighbors and countless others who pass by. Over the years, the display has grown from a few Christmas lights and decorations to a holiday extravaganza that would make Clark Griswold in Christmas Vacation green with envy. Every year, starting on Thanksgiving night and continuing through December, hundreds of families drive slowly by the Spencer house to view the magnificent cornucopia of colorful lights. It’s even become a stop for the Christmas lights trolley tours.
Last month, Wally had an accident and was in the hospital for over two weeks, enduring three separate surgeries. Since Wally and his lovely wife, Urania, always like to have the lights and decorations up by Thanksgiving, their daughter Judy reached out on social media to see if folks in the community would be willing to help pitch in. According to Judy, the response has been overwhelming! Judy said of the outpouring of support, “I can’t even tell you how overflowing my heart is. It puts tears in my eyes seeing how much joy my Dad has given to this community!” Many individuals and companies alike have heeded the call to make sure no “Grinch” steals Christmas from this wonderful Santa’s helper!
If you would like to help Wally and the Spencer family with the holiday display that we all enjoy so much every year, please email us at elegantislandliving@comcast.net and we’ll forward your name and number to Judy.
Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks, and we as a community want to thank Wally for his service and his inspiration.
Sea Palms Christmas Display Hosts Wally and Urania Spencer with EIL Publisher David Butler
**If you’d like to share a little bit of our wonderful island community
with your friends or family members, give the gift of Elegant Island Living. We’re offering a holiday special on mail subscriptions to EIL through December 31, 2018. Get 1 year (12 issues) for only $25 or 2 years (24 issues) for only $50. To order, visit elegantislandliving.net and click the “Subscribe” tab**
