By Robin GOLDSWORTHY

Though the pandemic has altered the way many traditions are being celebrated, the fact that they are being celebrated is a testament to the importance placed on them. In addition, many community members are finding comfort in those things that have not been canceled due to COVID-19.

Among them are the Christmas displays in the Montrose shopping park and at the La Crescenta Library.
The idea to have a traditional Christmas display was made early on by the Montrose Shopping Park Association (MSPA), according to Dale Dawson, Business Administration & Event Services.

“The board decided some months ago to have the tree,” said Dawson. “It’s not a cheap project and we couldn’t do a ceremony, but it gives people the chance to soak up some holiday cheer.”

The shopping park typically has a tree lighting ceremony the day after Thanksgiving and before Small Business Saturday. The community turns out for local dignitaries who are in attendance, seated in a carriage that can be seen weekends until Christmas day transporting shoppers up and down the avenue. Members of the Hummingbird Conservatory can be heard singing holiday favorites, inviting the audience to sing along.
This season was not launched in typical fashion, though. No tree lighting ceremony, no dignitaries in attendance, no members of Hummingbird Conservatory singing holiday favorites. Understanding its limitations, the MSPA knew that the ceremony would not be held and instead rallied around the idea of erecting a tree and decorating with flair.

Traveling along the 2100-2400 blocks of Honolulu Avenue, in addition to the year-round festive lights visitors will see wreaths hanging from key intersections of the shopping park culminating with a 17 foot Noble fir at the southeast corner of Ocean View and Honolulu.

“We work with Kathy’s Trees in Sunland,” Dawson said. “The board also focused on lights and other things to make a positive visual impact.”

With many of the shopping park’s mom and pop shops suffering financially from the ongoing restrictions being implemented by the county and state, it is hoped that the holiday display will brighten the spirits of those who visit.

“I think people are so distracted right now,” said Dawson. “The decorations offer a calming influence, which is especially welcome now considering all the restrictions.”

People are eager to shop locally, too.

“What I’m finding is that some people are coming just to support us,” added Dawson, who owns Mountain Rose Gifts on Ocean View Boulevard. “They come in and say, ‘I’ve had enough Amazon.’”

At the La Crescenta Library decorating almost didn’t happen.

“I almost didn’t do it,” said local realtor Robbyn Battles who has for the last several years overseen the tree lighting and library decorating. “I didn’t know if people would appreciate it or be angry.”

As it turns out, the display of holiday cheer has brightened the spirits of those who pass by the library and who take time to check out all of the special touches Battles and her fellow decorators installed.

“We’ve left some ornaments under the tree for children who want to put one on it,” Battles said. “There are also eight named elves hidden in the library courtyard. Kids can take a photo with an elf then post it on social media.” (Battles set up the Facebook page La Crescenta Christmas Tree Lighting.)

Battles had her own elves to help with this year’s effort. Lisa Griffin, who every year creates cutouts, candy canes and other holiday items for the library, was on hand as were Lisa Jenks, Kyle Studebaker and Battles’ husband Frank. With members of the county’s Dept. of Parks & Recreation helping, in little time the tree was up and the courtyard decorated outside the library.

“It’s one piece of normal that I could bring to the community,” said Battles. “How do you not smile at the reindeer?”

In addition to the tree, lights and other holiday decorations is one particularly important addition to this year’s festivities: a mailbox.

A red mailbox at the library is a receptacle for letters to Santa that come not only from children but from adults, too.

“I collect the letters for Santa and one was from a parent that read, ‘I wish that 2021 will be better’ and one from a teacher to Santa that read, ‘Wish my class a Merry Christmas, please.’”

This year, Mr. & Mrs. Claus will record a video of all the names of those who wrote to Santa. To be included send a message to Robbyn@Thehouseagent.com.

Despite her initial misgivings – “I almost didn’t know if I had it in me” –Battles said she is glad to have created a “happy spot” in La Crescenta.

“We did a good thing here,” she said. “It’s a bit of normal in a crazy world.”