Family shares holiday lights
By Phyllis Moore
Published in News on December 23, 2013 1:46 PM
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News-Argus/CASEY MOZINGO
Troy Connor, left, and Gary Joyce talk about the computerized light display at the Connors' home at 271 Clayton Road in Princeton Saturday night. Joyce stopped to watch and listen to the show with his family.
Troy Connor's day job is working with traffic lights for the city of Goldsboro.
He is able to get a little bit more creative at home, however, putting together a computerized light show of Christmas decorations.
He learned the technique through a lot of reading and research, he said.
This is the third year for the specialized display at 271 Clayton Road near Princeton, where he and wife, Stella, live with their two children, Angel, 18, and Leigh Ann, 16.
"There's in excess of 10,000 lights," he said. "Each year I build on it.
"This year I have incorporated part of a nativity scene. Next year I plan on getting the entire full front yards with nothing but a nativity scene."
The process actually starts in late September or early October, he said.
"We (light) it up Thanksgiving night until after the first of the year," he said. "This year it'll run until Saturday, Jan. 4."
While the decorative show may have grown each year, the reason behind it remains the same -- "Christmas, that's all I can say," he said.
"I haven't put it out for the public to be aware of. This is something I do. I don't expect anything in return."
The light and decoration show is free, he said, although donations are welcome. But anything collected does not go to the Connor family or to keep the show going.
"This time of year you always have families that get burned out (or other things)," he said. "We try to help those that might be overlooked. Anything left, we donate to the Soup Kitchen."
Boxes have been set up to collect canned goods, he said.
"There is also a monetary drop box," he added, "but I don't encourage that because I don't want anybody to feel like they have to pay to see the show."
The main thing he hopes to spark is for the community to enjoy the lights and decorations and in turn have a wonderful Christmas celebration.
"And if anybody would like to leave a comment, I'd like to get feedback," he said. "They can email me at [email protected]."