Decorated Home Brightens Lives Of Freeway Motorists In/Around: East Central

Early morning commutes are a little easier to bear this time of year for those tooling along Interstate 90.

Out the car window, if looking at just the right moment, one can spot Santa - actually, dozens of Santas - along with candy canes, stars and a whole lot of colorful lights.

For the past 18 years, June and Franklin Kelly have devoted an entire weekend to climbing ladders and decorating their East Central home.

Perched on the southern edge of the freeway, just west of the ThorFreya exit, the house glows in the morning and evening hours when most people are driving to and from work. It’s a treat drivers say makes their day.

“I drive by it and it’s always nice and bright,” said Chris Saladen, a South Hill resident who travels along I-90 to the Valley at least twice a week. “It’s just happy.”

The Kellys get a lot of thanks for their effort.

“Lots of cars stop in front to look,” said June Kelly. “Every year, a couple of people come up to the door to tell us they like it.”

This year, someone took their appreciation a step further. Last week, June received a thank-you note addressed to “The Nice People.”

“Thank you so much for the wonderful sight,” it read. “I pass by every morning on my way to work at 5:30. It’s nice to know we still have people like you who enjoy lighting up the dark for other people.”

“That really made our day,” June said. “It made all our work worthwhile to think someone would take the time to do that.”

When she was growing up in North Dakota, Kelly’s family didn’t have a lot of money. Christmas decorations were something the family saw in other people’s windows.

“So now I just go nuts,” she said. “I still have boxes and boxes of lights in the attic we didn’t even get to.”

It’s hard to believe.

The yard, including a 20-foot tree, is sprinkled with colored lights. A Nativity scene sits at one end. Santa and his reindeer are launching from another corner.

In the East Central neighborhood, parts of which are known for crime and drug problems, the lights are a welcome sight, maybe even an inspiration.

“We’re really glad to do this,” she said. “I’ve noticed more houses than usual in the neighborhood decorated this year.”

The power bill may be a little higher next month, but it’s a small price to pay.

“It’s only once a year,” Kelly said.

, DataTimes ILLUSTRATION: Photo

MEMO: This sidebar appeared with the story: NIGHT LIGHTS The Kelly home is located at 2704 E. Third. The lights will be up and on all night until after New Year’s Day.