Frontdorr.com

Christmas 2009 – Heartland Habitat Contributions III

tim — Fri, 01 Jan 2010 14:02:27 +0000

The Dorr Family Christmas Lights Display had the final show last night with Straight No Chaser singing Auld Lang Syne and the elves, Jingle, Jangle, and Elf Judy, saying their farewells at 11:00pm. Throughout the 36 day showing, those stopping by placed $1,527.26 in the donation box at the end of the drive. We also received a $100 check from the Copwood Hill Foundation in honor of the Ron Krause Family, for a total of $1,627.26 that will go directly to Heartland Habitat for Humanity organization. What generosity in this tough economic climate! This generosity was clearly demonstrated when three youngsters stood in 10º weather last night, putting their 42 pennies in the donation box. That wasn’t an easy task because of the design of the donation box, but shows the giving spirit of the Christmas season. They were giving their money so others could enjoy a warm home in years to come.

So here we are at 2010, and plans are underway for the new Dorr Family Christmas Lights Display which will be unveiled to the public on Thanksgiving night, November 25, at 5:30PM. Keep up-to-date with periodic postings throughout the year of our progress. And be sure to come Listen To The Lights in person with new songs, and changes to this year’s display. There is also one more video from this year’s display that needs editing, which will be posted soon.

HAPPY NEW YEAR

Christmas 2009 – Elves Say Goodbye Tonight

tim — Thu, 31 Dec 2009 14:57:56 +0000

With more snow and rain which blew some GFCIs, and a significantly reduced volume of traffic, it has been decided that tonight, New Year’s Eve, will be the last Christmas Lights Display show of the season. I’ll make every effort to have the complete show up and running for those who wish to stop by one last time, and we’ll keep the lights on until 11:00pm.

It has been a very joyous season for us behind the scenes, and appreciate all of the wonderful comments. We also appreciate all who made donations to Heartland Habitat for Humanity. The total amount collected will be posted tomorrow.

Christmas 2009 – Clock Winding Down

tim — Mon, 28 Dec 2009 13:41:48 +0000

The plan was to run this year’s Christmas Lights Display through New Year’s Eve, but now we’re thinking of extending one more day to give everyone who wants to, a chance of seeing it in person. We’re also hoping to reach donations to Heartland Habitat for Humanity of $2,000. After last night, people watching our display have contributed over $1,500. Outstanding.

While it is super that we’re receiving an outpouring of generosity, we also received the following note in the donation box:

This was the most fun we’ve had all season! Thank You!!!

The note is appreciated and we’re very pleased that our display is bringing the joy of the season to so many.

Christmas 2009 – Heartland Habitat Contributions II

tim — Tue, 22 Dec 2009 04:51:06 +0000

Five days ago I was pleased as punch to report that we had received in excess of $500 in contributions which will go directly to Heartland Habitat for Humanity. Surprise, surprise, tonight we exceed the $1,000 level. What tremendous generosity Kansas City. Thanks to all who made contributions which will go toward building another house, but more importantly, bring hope to a very deserving family.

Our display will be running for another 10 nights. Do I dare hope that we can hit the $2,000 mark? Heck yes I can. Isn’t that what the Christmas season holds for all of us – - – hope!

Christmas 2009 – Heartland Habitat Contributions

tim — Fri, 18 Dec 2009 04:47:28 +0000

This is our first year asking for contributions to a worthy charity, Heartland Habitat for Humanity. And tonight we reached and exceeded the $500 level. That is awesome, and as Elf Judy says during the show, “Thanks for your contribution!”

But don’t stop now. Let’s go for $1,000. You can contribute in person if you live in the KC area by stopping by and placing a donation in the house to the left of the driveway. And for those outside of KC, just click on the Heartland Habitat Donation link in the left hand column. Remember to place a comment that you are making the contribution on behalf of the Dorr Family Christmas Lights Display. Thanks everyone.

Christmas 2009 – Expanded Viewing Hours

tim — Sun, 13 Dec 2009 18:54:29 +0000

On Friday night, we had five cars watching the show when it stopped at 10:30pm. So we decided to expand the hours our Christmas Lights Display will run in order to accommodate those taking time to stop. The new hours are:

5:30pm to 11:00pm
Every Night Through New Year’s Eve

If we see a problem during the week, we may limit the hours to avoid causing a problem for those driving on Fontana, as well as being conscious of our neighbors.

Thanks to all who have stopped by, and for those making a donation to Heartland Habitat for Humanity. It is a very worthy cause.

Christmas 2009 – Two Videos Ready

tim — Sat, 05 Dec 2009 19:57:05 +0000

With this year’s Christmas Lights Display up and running, I’ve taken video and uploaded two of the four songs to Vimeo for viewing. You can check them out below in SD, or go to the Vimeo website and see them in HD.

Illuminations:Reflections of Earth 2009 from Tim Dorr on Vimeo.

Spirit of the Season from Tim Dorr on Vimeo.

Christmas 2009 – Sorry

tim — Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:09:05 +0000

To all who came out on our first night between 6 and 9, I apologize for the transmitter being off the air. It is on a timer to turn on at 5:30pm, but it failed, so there was no music to listen to until we returned from Thanksgiving dinner. It’s fixed, and I hope you return to really see the full show in action.

Christmas 2009 – Lights On Tonight

tim — Thu, 26 Nov 2009 15:42:55 +0000

Tonight is the night when the 2009 Christmas Lights Display is revealed after months of planning, building, sequencing, and installation. Here are the details:

Show starts every night between Thanksgiving and New Year’s Eve

6:00 – 10:30 PM

Location: 7909 Fontana (2 blocks east of Roe), Prairie Village, KS 66208

Turn your radio to 91.1fm

Please do not block our neighbor’s driveways

Please turn off your headlights so those around you can enjoy the show

Recommend parking on the west side of the street away from the house for the best viewing

Show runs a little over 13 minutes
Four songs were sequenced this year
Illuminations: Reflections of Earth from Epcot
Spirit of the Season from Polar Express
Wizards of Winter by TSO
Linus’ monologue from Charlie Brown Christmas + Linus and Lucy by Vince Guaraldi

Our elves (Jingle, Jangle & Elf Judy) return this year in voice only, and no bad elf jokes

Donations will be collected for Heartland Habitat For Humanity (donation box at north side of yard)
And you can donate online through the Habitat link found on the left side of this page. Please mention that your donation is due to the Dorr Family Christmas Lights Display.

While we have never experienced vandalism, we keep getting questions about our past experiences on this subject. So this year, and with the addition of the Habitat Donation Box, we’ve installed four surveillance cameras that are on and recording 24/7. It’s too bad that it has come to this, so we hope this is a deterrent to anyone who might get the idea of destroying our display and robbing the kid in all of us from enjoying this Christmas tradition.

Happy Thanksgiving to all of you, and we hope you enjoy our Christmas Lights Display as much as we enjoy putting it all together.

Christmas 2009 – Successful Preview

tim — Wed, 25 Nov 2009 22:41:09 +0000

Even with the wind whipping around and a wind chill in the mid-30’s, we had about 50 brave souls who came out to get a preview of this year’s Christmas Lights Display. There were several instances of ohs and ahs, along with clapping after a couple of songs. And the kids were hyper, so a good time was had by all.

After the show ran, the lights were on in a static mode, with the strobes flashing. We had several cars from outside the neighborhood stop and stare. No music. No dancing lights. But still captivating.

Yesterday we received a note in the mail addressed to “Residents of the Christmas House.” It was written by a lady who lives several blocks away and she writes, “Hello, I just wanted to thank you for putting up the wonderful display of Christmas lights. Our children love to look at the display every night during the holidays! They love the elves and call your house the “elf house.” Thanks so much for spreading the holiday cheer! Jill H and family.”

So why do I do it and take the rest of the family along for the ride? Why do I enlist friends and family to help erect the display each year? For all the Jills and family that are building memories of the best season of the year.

Tomorrows the big reveal for the rest of the world. I’ll post details later.