Getting into Christmas spirit in Admiral Heights

When a decorated fire truck meandered through Admiral Heights in December, pausing occasionally to toot its horn, residents rushed to their windows, just like in “The Night Before Christmas” children’s book.

Later in the month, Santa scheduled a visit and hit every street. This time he arrived in a decorated pickup and made his presence known not only by the tooting horn, but also by Christmas music and candy canes.

The next Christmas event was the Gingerbread Jog which included a competition for the best Christmas decorations and collecting charitable donations of nonperishable food and socks. Proceeds from the sale of Gingerbread Jog T-shirts were also donated to charity.

Congratulations to Admiral Heights residents who had the best decorated homes in the neighborhood: John Franco on Sumner Road, Janet Wattles on Williams Drive, and Liz Uehlinger and Wendy Hickok Uehlinger on Nimitz Drive.

Derek and Keren Lotfi, Lauren and John Heier, and Mary Austin and John Franco arranged the Santa visits. Karma O’Neill organized the Gingerbread Jog and Mary Austin and John Franco provided the hot chocolate during the jog.

Brie Lang organized a food and diaper drive in conjunction with the jog. Food and baby items were brought to the jog, to her home, and to the homes of the O’Neills and the Francos.

Thanks to the efforts of these Admiral Heights volunteers, 20 bags of non-perishable goods and diapers were delivered to the West Annapolis food pantry on Dec. 23.