It’s just like in the hit movie

By Kim Hone-McMahan

Akron Beacon Journal

AKRON

If you are like millions of Americans, watching National Lampoon’s “Christmas Vacation” is a tradition this time of year. Who can forget the Griswold home decorated with 25,000 bulbs? Or the eight tiny reindeer that Clark kicked to smithereens?

Maybe you’ve wondered what that house would look like if you saw it up close. Here is your chance.

Greg and Rachel Osterland have re-created the light display at their home, complete with a trash pile and a charred Griswold chair.

During a recent evening, I drove to the Osterlands’ home in Wadsworth, Ohio. And while I was looking at the road signs for direction, it wasn’t necessary. I soon spotted a low-lying, glowing cloud (from all of the LED lights) that pointed me to 173 Duane Lane.

You see, when Greg was growing up, he watched the movie every Christmas Eve with his extended family. It took him a few years to convince his wife to allow him to wrap the house in lights. The outcome is marvelous and hysterical.

The back of the two-story home is as decorated as the front. The couple say visitors are welcome to walk behind their house, but watch for stinky land mines courtesy of two large pets.

Greg and Rachel threw a party when the display was officially lit this year. Family and friends came to the lighting dressed as characters from the Chevy Chase hit. The lights will remain lit each day of the week from dusk to 11 p.m.

While sightseers are not invited inside their home, the couple permitted me indoors to take a peek.

In staying with the Griswold theme, there’s a decorated Christmas tree similar to that in the movie. On the floor, they re-created the outline of an electrocuted cat — the fur of which came from a kitty owned by one of Rachel’s family members (eww).

The Osterlands are encouraging spectators to donate to charity, a practice that’s becoming more popular in our area. All contributions collected at their home will be given to the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, said Greg, who has the disease.

I love this idea. I know plenty of families who dress the kids in pajamas, turn on some Christmas music in the car, and head out for an evening of looking at lights. The entertainment is well worth slipping a buck or two into a donation box.

For young Ella

In Green, Tony and Sara Biviano have a light display, synchronized to music, that benefits young Ella, whose 32-year-old mother, Emily Joy Mitson-Lavy, died earlier this year following a battle with leukemia.

Because the young mother from Jackson Township spread such joy during her life, the Bivianos wanted to reflect that spirit in a fun light show.

“One of the earliest memories of Christmas was watching my dad climb high on the roof of our two-story colonial to decorate with strings of multifunction Christmas lights,” said Tony Biviano. “I loved how the colors chased each other around, faded in and out, and twinkled. I was in awe. That began my love of decorating.”

Because they have big hearts, the Bivianos are also collecting for the U.S. Marine Corps Reserve’s Toys for Tots program, which distributes toys to children whose parents cannot afford to buy gifts.