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Saugus Neighbors Share Holiday Joy Through Lights

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Neighbors Juana Guarino, left, and Joan Amsden in Saugus (Monica Brady-Myerov/WBUR)
Neighbors Juana Guarino, left, and Joan Amsden in Saugus (Monica Brady-Myerov/WBUR)

It's that time of year. Last-minute shopping. Mad dashes to the post office. And decorating your home for the holidays. Some people go further than others.

Take a section of the Lynn Fells Parkway in Saugus, where you'll find the homes of the Amsdens and the Guarinos. They share a driveway entry and apparently a love for holiday lights, as evidenced by their electricity bills, which rise by about $200 a month during the holiday season.

(Monica Brady-Myerov/WBUR)
(Monica Brady-Myerov/WBUR)

"We are listening to music from charms from when you walk through the pathway, you’ll hear music," Joan Amsden says.

"There are so many things in this yard," I ask. "What is your favorite?"

"The Santa Claus in the corner," she says. "When you touch him he'll talk."

'Happy Holidays from everyone in the North Pole,' says the automated Santa.

"We are surrounded by candy canes and mooses (sic) and wreaths and Santa Clauses and sleighs and snowmen. I get the joy of it, I really enjoy doing it. I don’t like taking it down, but I enjoy putting it up," Amsden says.

This program aired on December 21, 2011.

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