Lighted Christmas Card

One of two Nativity displays built by Oehring. Submitted photos

Special to the Daily Mail

Jack Oehring has his quarter-mile long Christmas card set up again this year as he has for 26 years. Jack doesn't send out Christmas cards, but has created a hand-woven tapestry of designs and figures using some 35,000 lights as a Christmas card to the community.

In 1987, Jack took a 1-vinch-square picture of a deer from The Conservationist magazine, blew the picture up using an enlarger and drew it to the size he wanted, and then cut the picture in wood. The next year, a nativity scene and carolers were added. Things just progressed from there. He made a 20-foot-tall metal angel, huge poinsettias, kaleidoscopes, and many more metal designs which are outlined in lights. Everything in the display has been crafted with his own hands.

Large stars in a dark sky.

Around the first of October each year, Jack begins checking the lights and replacing burned out bulbs. The first of November, he works from daylight to dark getting the display ready. It's not unusual for him to purchase $50 worth of light bulbs at the beginning of the season, and then more if there is a wind storm and much of the work has to be redone.

At 5:30 each evening, Jack begins plugging and turning on at least 13 circuits and turning on the CD player with Christmas music. The lights are turned off at 10 p.m.

People appreciate the display. In one of the earlier years, 154 cars were counted enjoying the lights in one evening. Many people have sent cards thanking him.

One appreciative neighbor wrote, "Once again you have put the Christmas spirit in our hearts with all the beautiful lights."

Jack credits a former neighbor, the late Buck Hutchison, with getting them "hooked." He told them if they ever started outdoor decorating for Christmas they wouldn't want to quit. However, Jack never dreamed he would get so involved.

The Oehring home is located north of the former town of Portia, off EE Highway in Vernon County on 3050 Road between Harmony Road and Indian Line Road. It's worth your drive to see this lighted Christmas card. It's an amazing sight to come out of the dark countryside to this light display.