West Seattle Christmas lights encore tonight … for a soldier’s family

January 8, 2010 at 6:29 am | In West Seattle Christmas lights, West Seattle news | 8 Comments

Blue Christmas – Elvis Presley from Jim Winder on Vimeo.

It was something of a “Blue Christmas” for a local family awaiting a loved one’s homecoming from Afghanistan. But tonight – according to Jim Winder, who engineered the popular synched-to-music Christmas light show at the Helmstetler Family residence across from the Charlestown water tower – that family will celebrate belatedly. You’re welcome to be there too. Jim first told us about this a few days ago:

The other night the Helmstetlers had a lady come knock on their door and asked how much longer we were going to do the light show. They said it was pretty much over…until she explained that (I believe) one of her children was coming back from Afghanistan and she had told them all about the light show and wondered if it would still be running this week.

Then very early this morning, Jim sent word that the family had heard again from the woman and made a plan to present a special edition of the show at 5:30 tonight. Jim says, “We’ll have two new songs…just for the soldier. I’ll Be Home for Christmas by Josh Groban and American Soldier by Toby Keith.” And he reaffirms that you are welcome to be there, too. The house is right across from the water tower on Charlestown – the synchronized music is not blasted via speakers, but rather broadcast on 101.9 FM and receivable via radio in the immediate vicinity – 3908 SW Charlestown; here’s a map.

8 Comments

  1. Stop already! You’re making me get all teary eyed! This is very sweet. Welcome home.

    Comment by voodoo — 7:21 am January 8, 2010 #

  2. Thank you Helmstetler family – THIS is what WS is about. It was a great show – my whole family loved it.

    Comment by jsrekd — 7:22 am January 8, 2010 #

  3. Thank-you Helmstatler family! How generous and you made me teary ready this. And, thank-you to our soldiers. Happy New Year!

    Comment by Genessee resident — 8:40 am January 8, 2010 #

  4. Today would have been Elvis’ 75th Birthday!

    Comment by RPH — 10:08 am January 8, 2010 #

  5. RPH, I totally missed the opportunity to add that connection!!! My bad given I’m working on another story that has a mention of The King’s big day! PS – According to Bird on a Wire Espresso’s Twitter feed, peanut butter and banana sandwiches for 75 cents today – TR

    Comment by WSB — 10:15 am January 8, 2010 #

  6. I would have loved to have seen this. Unfortunatley I am going to meet a Marine tonight to take him to dinner. He does not get in till after your viewing. How nice that you kept it up for a returning soldier. I love WS.

    Comment by Lola — 12:06 pm January 8, 2010 #

  7. Hey Lola..

    When does he get in? We could do another show tonight.

    Comment by jsw — 12:20 pm January 8, 2010 #

  8. Thanks Jim! The kids loved it, and the candy canes too. The dancers in the driveway were a nice touch. The kids were watching them as much as the lights.

    Comment by k — 8:39 pm January 8, 2010 #

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