9 minute read
Cover story
from MidWeek_120821
by Shaw Media
Tim Caravia checks the connections on his Christmas display Wednesday, Dec. 1, at his home in Cortland. The display changes with the music and has a 12-minute run time.
Mark Busch - mbusch@ shawmedia.com
SHINING BRIGHT
Cortland family’s light show spreads holiday cheer
KATRINA J.E. MILTON
kmilton@shawmedia.com
CORTLAND – Tim Caravia doesn’t describe himself as the Clark Griswold of Cortland, but he does have a cousin Eddie mannequin on display in his front yard and his family’s house is lit up with more than 4,000 Christmas lights.
Tim and his wife Jen host The Caravia Family Light Show, located at 687 N. Goldenrod St. in Cortland. The couple started the light show for Halloween, when they programmed lights to music and had a 12-foot tall skeleton on display.
For Christmas, they decided to expand their usual holiday decorations to include a 12-foot tall Christmas tree, two 8-foot tall nutcrackers, a mannequin dressed as cousin Eddie from “National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation” and 4,000 LED lights. The lights are programmed to music using the software xLights.
The Caravia Family Lights Show will run daily from 5 to 9 p.m. through Dec. 31. The show’s music can be heard by turning your car radio to 89.3 FM.
Halloween is Tim Caravia’s favorite holiday and Christmas is Jen’s, so they decided to create a light show for each holiday. Their Halloween light show won “Spookiest” and “Mayor’s Choice” awards during the Cortland Halloween Contest.
“We’ve been decorating for years, and little by little, we have expanded our decorations,” Jen Caravia said.
Tim Caravia said his inspiration for starting a light show at their family’s home was the Larsen Christmas Lights Show in Elburn and his love of Lego displays.
“I began watching how-to light display videos on YouTube during the pandemic, and after studying and watching them, I decided to try it,” Tim Caravia said. “We both have a background in music, so we wanted to incorporate music into our show.”
The show features three songs and is 12 minutes long. Tim Caravia said he plans on adding another song or two into the show’s rotation by the end of the season.
“We wanted the show to be fun and entertaining,” Jen Caravia said.
Jen remembers her parents taking her to see Christmas lights and decorations in their family car when she was a young girl.
“I see how the lights make my 5-year-old son’s eyes sparkle, how excited he gets about lights and Christmas, and I want to spread that cheer and joy,” she said. “Driving around to see Christmas lights together is a holiday tradition for many, and it’s free.”
The DeKalb Park District, the Sycamore Park District and the Genoa Area Chamber of Commerce are each holding holiday house decorating contests. Information about the contests and houses participating can be found on the organizations’ websites and social media pages.
Tim Caravia said the question he receives most often is how the light shows affect his electricity bill.
“We use LEDs, and they’re only on for a limited time, they’re blinking and flashing and only at 30% strength,” he said. “Most people are shocked when I tell them that my electricity bill was only $17 more in October after the Halloween light show.”
Tim also said his neighbors have approved of the light show, and he asks light show viewers to not block driveways and to be respectful of his neighbors and their houses and yards.
“I would encourage everyone to come out here and see our light show,” Tim Caravia said. “I’d hope others would also get into the hobby. I would love to have multiple houses in Cortland or even DeKalb County, having light shows. It’s a fun and festive way to celebrate the holidays and share that experience with others.”
For more information and a sneak peek of The Caravia Family Light Show, visit the show’s Facebook page.
Kishwaukee Band to perform holiday classics
THE MIDWEEK
DeKALB – The Kishwaukee Concert Band will present a Holiday Concert at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall on the Northern Illinois University campus.
The concert, conducted by Deb Shofner, is free and handicapped accessible. Masks are required. Parking is allowed in Lots 3, 14 and 4 near the NIU Music Building.
This concert is sponsored by an anonymous donor, and is supported by the DeKalb County Community Foundation and the Mary E. Stevens Concert and Lecture Fund.
The program includes a variety of seasonal favorites. “The Lighter Side of Christmas,” arranged by Frank Richards, is a selection of well-known Christmas tunes woven together in a bright fashion. “Jingle Bells Forever” is a concert march arranged by Robert W. Smith, which uniquely combines “Jingle Bells” and the “Stars and Stripes Forever.”
Robert Sheldon’s arrangement of “A Most Wonderful Christmas” is a medley of some of the most popular Christmas tunes. From the Paramount Picture, “The Lemon Drop Kid,” comes the very familiar “Silver Bells.” “In the Bleak Midwinter” by Gustav Holst, Robert W. Smith’s arrangement presents broad expansive strokes combined with great sensitivity and taste.
“Fantasy on a Bell Carol” is based on the ever popular “Carol of the Bells” by Edward J. Madden. “A Rollicking Hanukkah” is an arrangement by Randall D. Standridge that is a “whimsical work that puts you in the saddle of a horse galloping across a snowy plain to a Hannukkah Celebration.” “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas” by Hugh Martin and Ralph Blane, and arranged by Douglas E. Wagner, is from the musical, “Meet Me in St. Louis.”
This is the 20th season of the all-volunteer Kishwaukee Concert Band. There are some members who are still involved, either performing or behind the scenes, after 20 years. Those musicians are Larry Apperson, Rich Carlson, Dave Lehman, Lowell May, Elli McLaughlin, Jay Monteiro, Deb Shofner, Jerry Zar, Aaron Butler and John Feken.
The Kishwaukee Concert Band is a tax-exempt charitable organization under IRS sec. 501(c)(3) and any contributions to the band are tax-deductible. Rehearsals are held from 7:15-9:15 p.m. Wednesdays at Huntley Middle School.
For more information on the band or to learn how to become a concert sponsor, visit kishconcertband.org.
Photo provided Kishwaukee Concert Band’s Holiday Concert will be at 3 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 19, in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall in the Music Building at Northern Illinois University.
Dr. Z has been in the area for 29 years 15 Minutes West of Somonauk
WWW.TRICOUNTYVETERINARY.COM
’TIS THE SEASON
Plan your holidays with this calendar of events
THE MIDWEEK
December has arrived and there are plenty of holiday sights and sounds to enjoy this season. Here’s a list of local events to help you plan. Be sure to check online before attending for up-to-date information.
Thursday, Dec. 9
• Performing Arts Academy’s “Fly into the Holidays”: 6 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb. $17-$25. egyptiantheatre.org
Friday, Dec. 10
• Cookies With Santa: 4 to 6:30 p.m. at the Sycamore Park District Legacy Campus, 480 S. Airport Road in Sycamore. Santa and visitors will have their own chairs so children can chat from a distance or bring a letter to drop in his mailbox and give him a wave. Time slots available every 30 minutes; register by calling 815-8953365. sycamoreparkdistrict.com • Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops Concert: 7 p.m. at Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, Northern Illinois University Music Building, 550 Lucinda Ave., DeKalb. $7-$18. Masks required. kishorchestra.org • Lightwire Theater: A Very Electric Christmas: 8 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb. $20-$45. egyptiantheatre.org
Saturday, Dec. 11
• Cookies With Santa: 9 to 11:30 a.m. at the Sycamore Park District Legacy Campus, 480 S. Airport Road in Sycamore. Santa and visitors will have their own chairs so children can chat from a distance or bring a letter to drop in his mailbox and give him a wave. Time slots available every 30 minutes; register by calling 815-8953365. sycamoreparkdistrict.com • Visit With Santa: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Santa’s House in Van Buer Plaza, downtown DeKalb. Santa will be behind a glass wall; masks requested. dekalb.org • Sycamore Santa House: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Santa’s House on the courthouse lawn, downtown Sycamore. discoversycamore.com • Rochelle Performing Arts Acade-
my’s “Dancing on the Polar Express”:
2 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb. $17-$25. egyptiantheatre.org • Live Nativity Drive-Thru: 4:30 to 6 p.m. at Evangelical Lutheran Church of St. John, 26555 Brickville Road in Sycamore. 815-895-4477 • Sycamore Performing Arts Academy’s “Nutcracker”: 7 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb. $17-$25. egyptiantheatre.org • Christmas in Kirkland: 2 to 7:30 p.m. throughout Kirkland. Santa will parade through Kirkland on a fire truck beginning at 5 p.m., making various stops. He will arrive at Franklin Township Park at 6 p.m. for the tree lighting at 7:15 p.m. facebook.com/Christmas-in-Kirkland-1735869006709918
Sunday, Dec. 12
• Sycamore Santa House: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Santa’s House on the courthouse lawn, downtown Sycamore. discoversycamore.com • Kishwaukee Symphony Orchestra’s Holiday Pops Concert: 2 p.m. at Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, Northern Illinois University Music Building, 550 Lucinda Ave., DeKalb. $7-$18. Masks required. kishorchestra.org
Thursday, Dec. 16
Friday, Dec. 17
• Drive-Thru Nativity: 6 to 8 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 2425 Bethany Road in Sycamore. Free. fbcofdekalb.com • Stage Coach Players’ “Elf: The Musical”: 7:30 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb. $15-$35. egyptiantheatre.org
Saturday, Dec. 18
• Visit With Santa: 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at Santa’s House in Van Buer Plaza, downtown DeKalb. Santa will be behind a glass wall; masks requested. dekalb.org • Sycamore Santa House: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Santa’s House on the courthouse lawn, downtown Sycamore. discoversycamore.com • Stage Coach Players’ “Elf: The Musical”: 2 and 7:30 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb. $15$35. egyptiantheatre.org • Drive-Thru Nativity: 6 to 8 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 2425 Bethany Road in Sycamore. Free. fbcofdekalb.com
Sunday, Dec. 19
• Sycamore Santa House: 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Santa’s House on the courthouse lawn, downtown Sycamore. discoversycamore.com • Stage Coach Players’ “Elf: The Musical”: 2 p.m. at the Egyptian Theatre, 135 N. Second St. in DeKalb. $15-$35. egyptiantheatre.org • Kishwaukee Concert Band Holiday Concert: 3 p.m. in the Boutell Memorial Concert Hall, Northern Illinois University Music Building, 550 Lucinda Ave., DeKalb. Free. Masks required. www. kishconcertband.org • Drive-Thru Nativity: 6 to 8 p.m. at Fellowship Baptist Church, 2425 Bethany Road in Sycamore. Free. fbcofdekalb.com
Tuesday, Dec. 21
• Santa Stocking Delivery: 1 to 4 p.m. delivery to homes in Genoa and Kingston. Fee is $20 for first child, $10 each additional child. Register at genoaparkdistrict.com
