Berwyn man lights up neighborhood with Christmas display

BERWYN – Driving along Clarence Avenue in Berwyn, every other house or so is modestly clothed in Christmas attire.

They are adorned with small, colorful string lights that outline the edges of their windows and roofs. Some stick to pre-lit wreaths and signs posted on their doors and tiny plastic figurines secured on their front lawns to show a little spirit.

But none of them are a match for 53-year-old Kirk Kalinski.

At the foot of his home lie several rows of glowing angels dressed in white gowns, gold-painted halos and pairs of wings.

Their hands are clasped together and placed closely to their chests. Almost all of their mouths are agape, as if they were caught in the middle of singing a hymn to welcome the baby Jesus, who rests in the middle of a doting Mary and Joseph at the center of the lawn.

Teddy bear soldiers and candles marked with “Noel” are lined up along the front porch’s steps that lead into a collection of his favorite cartoon characters.

Fresh, green garlands wound tightly with Christmas lights are draped around his door and windows. Blue icicles drip down from his fascia, and behind them, a layer of red, green and silver ornaments gently swing back and forth in the winter’s bitter cold breeze.

A large twinkling Christmas tree that peers from the second story window tops off his vision of a winter wonderland.

“I’ve been accused of overdoing it,” Kalinski said, adding he began to “overpack” his home with Christmas decorations 16 years ago.

He recalled his love of Christmas came from his parents, and growing up, he watched his father decorate their house with some lights, a pair of lanterns and candles, and a basic nativity scene.

“I just took that and ran with it,” Kalinski said.

He noted his collection of Christmas decorations took years – “probably [his] entire life” – to grow, and throughout the years, he began to share his prized possessions and seasonal love with his closest neighbors.

Barbara Lloyd’s and Cathy O’Connell’s homes, which are located next to Kalinski’s, carry his style aesthetic, complete with a Christmas tree, choir of angels and jolly Santa on a sleigh.

Kalinski said it takes him, alone, about two full weekends – both Saturday and Sunday – to complete his and his neighbors’ houses, and that’s if he isn’t “doing anything but working on that.”

While he is mindful of keeping his neighbors’ homes simply decorated, their houses are threaded together by care, compassion and warmth.

“Every night after work, I’ll check if there’s any bulbs out or if something blew over in the wind,” he added.

Back on Kalinski’s porch, he reserved a space for his father’s old lanterns, which continue to carry his family’s Christmas message: Beyond the lights, this season is the time to “spend with your family, enjoy each other and be thankful for what you have.”