America Celebrates our Heros - 2021
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Latest News!
From Rev. Deacon Dave:
Great News! The 38th Annual “Deacon Dave’s Christmas Display” will OPEN FRIDAY DECEMBER 3rd. Opening Ceremonies will begin at 6:30 p.m. with the annual Christmas Procession down Hillcrest Ave.
Deacon Dave’s Christmas Crew is excited that we will have the display this year. As you may remember, the 2020 display was canceled due to Covid-19.
Due to the Covid delta variance, masks might be required.
Two Valley Christmas Displays Featured in New Christmas Book:
Deacon Dave’s Christmas Display and Mr. Bob Widmer’s Christmas Display in Pleasanton are featured in a new Christmas Book that was released by the publisher a year ago. The Book “American Christmas Portraits” by Danelle Manthey and test by Marlene Friis, illustrates Christmas Displays across the Nation and is distributed by Itasca Books.
Danelle Manthey visited Christmas Displays across the U.S. and photographed the displays and wrote a short commentary about the person behind the display. She focused on the passion and art of each display. Ms. Manthey talks about the American Tradition of Christmas displays and reflects on how “her family would load up the car and drive around looking at houses covered in Christmas Lights.”
The hardcover Christmas Book is in color and features Displays in: California, Colorado, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Louisiana, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota and Texas. “American Christmas by Danelle Manthey can be ordered on line. Library of Congress Control Number: 2020910156
Thank You as you move out of State:
Deacon Dave extends a blessing of thanks to Jeanie & David Haigh and John and Paula Bliss for the many years of volunteer work on the Christmas Display over the past 25 years. We will miss you all.
Rev. Deacon Dave Appointment:
With four people on the Christmas Planning Team moving out of the State of Calif., the Deacon announced the following appointment to his planning team:
Neil & Teri Donat. Rod and Jackie Holister and Keith and Michelle Jess long time members of the Christmas Planning Team will remain on the team.
Deacon Dave’s Christmas Planning Team:
What does the Christmas Planning Team do? The Deacon Names the Theme for the Display and then call the Planning Team together to get their input on the theme. Deacon has a basic concept but wants input from the team to enhance the theme and display. Be assured Deacon Dave has the “Papal Veto” should he wish to use it. The Team and the other volunteers have a wonderful time putting the display together. Volunteers are carpenters, electricians, painters, garland staplers, lighting crew, decorators, crowd controllers, coin toss designers, staff security,
assist in opening and closing, lunch providers for the Saturdays leading up to opening.
So, what has been happening at the House of the Dove:
With the cancellation of last year’s Christmas Display and Shelter in Place, we have been catching up by up-dating the Security Systems throughout the property, repairing the buildings on the property, working on the model trains scenery, working on the gardens and repairing Christmas Décor.
The year has been a good time to catch up.
Many people have asked what the gardens of the House of the Dove look like. The back gardens go back over a half acre. Deacon Dave took great care in making the meditation gardens and paths peaceful and presenting a restful atmosphere. Bushes and plants were incorporated into the gardens to attract birds, butterflies and honey bees. Various fountains are located throughout the grounds. The Spring time offers the most colorful flowers and plants.
The Chapel of the Holy Spirit is the crown jewel of Casa del Pomba (House of the Dove) and the chimes ring out at 12 noon and 6 p.m. During the Christmas Season, the chimes ring out Christmas Tunes at 7 p.m. and again at 7:30 p.m. The Chapel of the Holy Spirit is not open to the public.
Other residents of Casa del Pomba:
Deacon Dave has raised many animals and birds since 1952 on the property. The property belonged to Deacon’s maternal Grandmother and Grandfather, Clara (Nana) & Manuel Gomes.
They purchased the land which was between 10 and 20 acres after retiring from ranching out on Old Beck Road, now North Livermore Ave and Manning Road. The Current Hillcrest Ave property was purchased in 1952 and was not in the City Limits. Thus, when Clara Gomes gave permission to annex to the City Limits, the City Grandfathered in all the birds and animals.
Currently Deacon has Rabbits, Ducks, Pheasants, Quail, Chickens (no roosters), pigeons, doves, Koi Fish, Turtles and Frogs, to name a few.
TV The Great Light Fight:
Every year the show contacts Rev. Deacon to encourage him to compete on the Christmas Display Show. The Deacon’s statement “I am not doing the Christmas Display to compete but doing it for the people who visit. Keeping the Spirit of Christmas Alive is the goal of our volunteer team.
Here is some video from the 2018 display
https://youtu.be/EJfvYY4l2vgWebcam - click here - https://video.nest.com/live/58vY5W5dop
Facebook - click here - https://www.facebook.com/casadelpombachristmas/
https://981thebreeze.iheart.com/featured/the-morning-breeze/content/2019-12-17-deacon-dave-in-livermore-talks-about-his-famous-christmas-light-display/