Dave Poulin’s decorations.
Some of the cut out figures made by Dave Poulin and his father, Raymond. Submitted photo
REGION — United Way’s Deck the Halls event was fun and provided a safe way for families to enjoy the holiday spirit. Sponsored by Merrill’s Garage and Sterling Electric, participants signed up online for the contest. Categories included Best Lights (winner: Daigle residence in Jay), Best Decorations (winner: Knight residence in Phillips) and Best Overall. Best overall has the best story overall!
Dave Poulin, an employee of Androscoggin Mill and huge fan of his father’s Christmas tradition won best overall in UWTVA’s “Deck the Halls” contest this year. He donated his $100 prize back to United Way, saying that he did not enter for the prize money, it is his passion and loves seeing the joy it brings others.
Dave’s father, Raymond, started making his own life-sized character cut outs in 1967, constructing Santa, his sleigh, and reindeer as one of his first. Forty plus years later, Dave still incorporates them into his Christmas displays each year.
After Dave’s father passed, he missed his dad and the Christmas tradition, so Dave decided to bring the tradition of printing out a Christmas image onto an 8 ½ x 11 paper, then graphing it onto a 6ft x 4ft white board, free-hand drawing it onto the white board then cutting the shape out and free-hand painting it to replicate the original printed image. Then adding one each year to his magnificent yard of lights and decorations.
This year Dave had 14,465 bright colorful lights and a dozen handmade cut outs as part of his front yard holiday display. Each year when neighbors, friends and strangers stop by to see his display, there is always a new focal point cut out. This year was Frosty the Snowman, 2019 – Charlie Brown (with Snoopy and his Doghouse), 2018 – Grinch and Max, 2017 – Santa and the list goes on to include candy canes and such.
Dave starts his decorating the day after Halloween and has all his lights and decorations ready to be lit up and displayed the day after Thanksgiving and leaves them up until New Year’s Day. He loves the build up to Christmas Day, seeing his neighbors and passersby happy and smiling.
Dave lives with his partner Celine Donahue at 30 Lavoie St in Jay and invites all to come see his decorated yard and share in the holiday spirit next year.
To learn more about United Way of the Tri-Valley Area programs, events or initiatives, check out the website at www.uwtva.org, the Facebook page (www.facebook.com/uwtva), call (207) 778-5048, or visit; 218 Fairbanks Rd. Farmington.
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