BEAVERTON, Ore. — A Beaverton couple is continuing their longstanding tradition of decorating their home for the holidays in a big way.
“The display gets a little bigger every year,” said Duane Hesketh. “It’s just a joyful time of the year.”
Duane and his wife, BJ, admit they’re both obsessed with Christmas.
“Big time,” confirmed BJ.
When visitors stop outside the Hesketh home on Southwest Agate Court, they'll see 9-foot-tall soldiers, a family of giant snowmen, a gloriously lit nativity scene and too many lights to count. For Duane, the holiday tradition dates back 60 years — longer than that if you count the dream of one day getting to create such a magical display.
“I was raised in a welfare situation, and I could never afford lights,” said Duane, “so when I got here to Oregon, I bought my own house and just started doing lights!”
At one point, Duane had the house rewired to support his holiday habit.
“It was time to put a separate power panel in,” he said. “I wanted to put a bigger one in, but PGE wouldn't. They said they'd have tear up the streets to do it!”
Duane begins putting up his lights up in early October. It usually takes him about two months to get them just right.
“I don't work that fast,” he said. “January first, I start taking them down, rain or shine.”
The home’s interior Christmas display is BJ’s domine. The countless figurines, village displays, Santas, trees and ornaments are enough to fill up 42 storage tubs. She’s especially proud of the part of their house featuring blue walls and a white-and-turquoise Christmas tree.
“I got into this room and said, 'You know, I'm going to get crazy!'” said BJ. “I painted it this color, and then, I went in with sparkles — and of course, Duane thought I was totally nuts, and I vacuumed up sparkles for 6 months.”
Duane is just fine with it. More than fine, in fact. You might not have guessed it, but the Heskeths have only been married for six years. BJ said a big reason their relationship took off was their mutual love for holiday décor. She didn’t mind that Duane was obsessed with hanging up lights every year.
“I had quite a bit of Christmas decor, but it was all inside, so it was a perfect match!” said BJ. “When he found out, I really liked it, and I found out he really liked it — well, that was it!”
At 85 years old, Duane had initially decided that this would be the final year he would put up his outdoor display. But then, he said the neighbors weighed in.
“They all love it,” said Duane. “They said, ‘Don't quit doing it!’ So that was the main reason I decided I was going to go another year or two.”
BJ supports Duane's intentions.
“We want visitors to leave all warm and fuzzy and Christmas-y feeling,” she said. “We love sharing it.”