News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
News and Opinion from Sisters, Oregon
There is possibly nowhere south of the North Pole that has more Christmas spirit than the home of Richard and Sherry Flaherty.
Each year in this season, the house at 15686 Trapper Point Rd. blossoms into a spectacular Christmas display - inside and out. Hundreds of decorations, from a train set to an elaborate Italian nativity diorama, to Santas of every size and description fill virtually every room of the house.
Sherry Flaherty told The Nugget that they started decorating at the beginning of November and it was "quick and easy." Quick being 10 days or so of work, though Sherry said they went at a relaxed pace.
Richard Flaherty has lived in Sisters for about 30 years; Sherry for 13. Each year, they go all-out on Christmas. Richard says with a chuckle that "it's a little over the top." But that's part of the fun.
"My first wife was really into it, and we started collecting as we went," Richard explained. "Along came Sherry, and she loved it, too, and we just went with it."
Some of the decorations have personal meaning, like a pair of large stars that was gifted to Sherry by her best friend's husband after the friend died. Others have been with Richard for 20 to 30 years.
The couple recounted a recent visit from a family from England who walked past the house. The young children were enthralled by the outside decorations, so the Flaherty's invited the family inside to see the rest of the fantastical display.
"That's what it's all about," said Richard. "I wish there were more kids."
The couple welcomes visitors to walk or drive by to take in the display.
"We love sharing what we have," Sherry said.
Jim Cornelius is editor in chief of The Nugget and author of “Warriors of the Wildlands: True Tales of the Frontier Partisans.” A history buff, he explores frontier history across three centuries and several continents on his podcast, The Frontier Partisans. For more information visit www.frontierpartisans.com.
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