Author: Dianne Gregoire

I don’t know about you, but one of my favorite activities at this time of year is driving around looking at the lights on houses. There are a few neighborhoods that are especially festive: Westlake, Palisades, really, most of LO. But there is a house that is really amazing. The owner’s go all out.

Officially known as Todd and MIchelle’s Winter Wonderland, it is located at 19242 Indian Springs: on the corner of Indian Springs and Child’s Rd.

There’s plenty of parking and the owners love it when people take the time to get out of their cars and really look at all of the displays. I don’t think that there is a square foot of house or yard that isn’t covered with lights and decorations.

Christmas is the main event, but these home owners also do stunning displays for Halloween and Easter. It’s really fun to make the drive over and take it all in.

Happy holidays,

Dianne

All year around, less fortunate people need help from the community. I think of that Everclear song “I will buy you a new life” with the lyrics about a welfare Christmas. This is just a really rough time of year to be down on your luck. Because of this, there are some terrific community opportunities to make someone’s holidays just a bit brighter.

Annual Toy Drive

The Lake Oswego Fire Department is accepting new, unwrapped toys. Toys can be dropped off until December 11th at the main fire station (300 B Ave) or at the library (706 4th St). The toys are then distributed by the Tualatin Valley Elks Lodge.

Warm Clothing Drive

New coats, hats, gloves, and socks can be dropped off at the Adult Community Center (505 G Ave) or at the main fire station or the library until December 10th. They will be distributed by Bethlehem House of Bread in Tigard to local families.

Fleece

Organized by the City’s Youth Action Council, yards of new fleece are being collected to make blankets for the Clackamas Children’s Center. The fabric can be dropped off until December 10th at the Adult Community Center, the Library, or the Teen Lounge (1060 Chandler Rd). Donations need to be made by December 10th.

I am going to call out the obvious, these deadlines are right around the corner and timing is tight. If you miss a deadline, I have one more suggestion. This one is available year around.

Hunger Fighters Oregon

Located at 4 Monroe Parkway, Suite A, this non profit feeds those who are experiencing food insecurity in our community. Non-perishable food can literally be dropped of 24/7, 365 days of the year. They have a decent sized cupboard at the front entry that is secure from the weather. At this time of year, people come in hoping to find items to make a holiday meal. Think about what you prepare for your holiday meal. Is there a recipe that has ingredients that can be donated? I think of things like green bean casserole, canned ham, stuffing mix, a pie crust and pie filling. There are just so many foods that we enjoy at this time of year. If you want to donate a perishable item, that is also possible. You need to donate during hours that the pantry is open. Check their website for details by clicking here.

Thank you for helping those in need this holiday season.

Dianne

As of this month, not only is the skate park open, but so is the parking lot and the restrooms. If you are not in the area, you may not have seen all of the construction happening along Stafford Road between the City Golf Course and Rosemont Rd. The skate park is just one component of this development: the others being a new municipal pool and a large rec center. The skate park is step #1.

More exciting news is that this fall the City was awarded a $1 million matching grant from the Oregon Parks and Recreation Department Local Government Grant Program to fund construction of a play ground and picnic shelter adjacent to the skate park. The goal is to complete these by the summer of 2025.

The skate park is formally known as Rassekh Park. These are wonderful improvements to our community. The combination of skate park, playground and picnic shelter sounds like an ideal place to take the kiddos to work off some of that energy. Enjoy!

Dianne

Riding the Willamette Shore Trolley is a lot of fun. It runs on an old rail line from 313 N State Street in Lake Oswego to Bancroft Street in the South Waterfront in Portland. Round trip takes approximately 90 minutes.

I celebrated my Mom’s birthday on the Trolley several years ago. We brought along a picnic and turned it into an event.

Yesterday, while having lunch at Dang’s on State Street, I saw the Trolley go by. Here I had thought that the 2024 Trolley season was over. Turns out, it’s not.

There are 4 special Trolley events still happening. The first on is today and tomorrow (Oct 26 and 27), Fall Colors Trolley Trips. At noon and 2pm, fares are just $10.

At Christmas there is Fa La La Trolley, a Trolley ride for those who enjoy caroling. The Tinseltown Trolley is being organized by Lake Oswego Parks and Rec and may include a visit from Santa. Last, on December 10th, 13th, 17th, 19th and 21st, the Trolley will run to allow viewing of the Christmas Ship Parade on the Willamette River.

Plan ahead to participate because tickets are sold on a first-serve, first-come basis. For ticket information, click here.

Halloween my be just around the corner, but the holidays are not far behind. Enjoy!

Dianne