Oregon Coast today., December 13, 2019, Page 11, Image 11

holidays
BRIGHT
LIGHTS,
SMALL
CITIES
By GRETCHEN AMMERMAN
For the TODAY
T
he fi rst time I drove through Lincoln
City, it was late at night and I was
tired from a long drive. As I traveled
from the north end of town toward my
destination in Newport, I struggled to fi nd
ways to stay alert. Th en I passed Christmas
Cottage, all lit up with holiday lights even
though it wasn’t even winter yet, and the
sight immediately brightened my spirits and
perked me up. Something about the red and
green points of light lining the roof made me
smile even though it was out of season — it
was just what I needed to fi nish the drive.
Now actually ’tis the season, and there are
lights everywhere, and not just on houses
and trees; follow Santa around the county
and you’ll fi nd some other fun ways to see
lights, like at the Olalla Valley Golf Club
in Toledo, where all the golf carts will be
festooned with holiday lights until after
the holidays. Many of the trees around the
clubhouse are also beautifully lit and the
clubhouse holds a great big decorated tree,
in front of which you can get a free Santa
photo that is kid friendly.
“We saw how timid kids can be around
Santa,” said club owner Eric Anderson. “But
one year we went to the Polar Express with
our daughter, who was quite shy at the time,
where they did it diff erently and now we
have a picture we treasure.”
Th e diff erence was in the approach;
instead of parents putting kids on Santa’s lap
then standing back hoping for the best, this
Santa will join the family and let the child
get comfortable before pictures get taken.
Th ough Saint Nick will be at the
clubhouse every night during the winter
school break, there are a few upcoming
events that off er a little extra.
On Th ursday, Dec. 19, kids with sensory
sensitivities will fi nd an environment tailored
to their needs.
“Th is year we’re teaming with Oregon
Family Support Network to provide a
unique Santa experience,” Anderson said.
GRETCHEN AMMERMAN
The Andersons pose at Olalla Valley Golf Club
Ready for Waldport’s Lighted Dog Parade
One of Olalla Valley Golf Club’s festooned carts
“It’s for kids who might be overwhelmed
by the usual noise and crowds that can
sometimes be found.”
Advance notice is required but
accommodations will include a private visit
as well as unique light and sound settings.
On Sunday, Dec 22, hearing-impaired
kids can come sign with a special Santa;
wishes can be given and holiday greeting
received in American Sign Language.
Anderson and family, as new owners, are
actively trying to make the clubhouse and
golf course a family-friendly place as well as
a community resource.
“We’ve been adding lots of kids activities
12 • oregoncoastTODAY.com • facebook.com/oregoncoasttoday • December 13, 2019
and we are also dog friendly,” he said. “We
welcome people to come walk their dogs out
here as long as they stay aware.”
And speaking of dogs, if the thought
of holiday lights wiggling and waddling
across the Waldport Bridge on decorated
dogs makes you smile, head to Christmas in
Waldport on Saturday, Dec. 14.
Th e Lighted Dog Parade is the highlight
of an afternoon of holiday cheer starting
at the Waldport Visitors Center at 3 pm
with visits with Santa, including free photos
and fun, holiday-themed face painting.
Barbecued hot dogs cookies, hot chocolate
and apple cider will be served.
At 4:30 pm, the event goes to the dogs.
“We start with a dog-show style walk
where everyone goes in a circle and shows
off their dogs and their costumes,” said
organizer and emcee Janet Sutherland.
“Everyone laughs and claps as the dogs go
around, then I judge the participants in
categories that change every year depending
on who shows up, but everyone gets a prize
and a bag of treats.”
Once all the contestants have been
suitably awarded, the assembly heads across
the Waldport Bridge and back, a distance of
about one and a half miles, using fl ashlights
and glow sticks to help light the path not
already illuminated by the dogs.
“It looks so pretty watching all the lights
on our beautiful bridge,” Sutherland said.
“It’s really a very fun event.”
Th is free event was inspired, Sutherland
said, by two local ladies who celebrated the
season with a spirited bridge crossing every
year.
“Th ey would dress their dogs up and walk
them across the bridge singing and waving
to passers-by,” she said. “I thought, why not
turn that into a real event.”
Fifteen years later, the tails are still
wagging.
Th e Olalla Valley Golf Club is located at
1022 Olalla Road. For more information about
these and other upcoming events, fi nd them on
Facebook or call 541-336-2121.
Th e Waldport Visitors Center is located at the
south-west end of the historic Alsea Bay Bridge.
For more information, go to www.waldport-
chamber.com or call 541-563-2133.