TERRE HAUTE —
It’s beginning to look a lot like the holidays, as twinkling lights and tinsel ornaments were hung in downtown Terre Haute on Wednesday.
In an all-day project to brighten the Wabash Avenue corridor through downtown, volunteers teamed with the city and Duke Energy to decorate lamp posts from Third to Tenth streets.
“This is something we enjoy doing,” said Brent Meadors, president of The Holiday Light Pros. “It’s a lot of fun.”
He and a crew of four employees checked the decorations on Tuesday, replacing burned out bulbs.
Each of the more than 70 decorations — colorful candles, holly and gift boxes — has more than 100 lights. That adds up to more than 7,000 twinkling lights added to downtown in one day.
A crew from Duke Energy donated their lift trucks and time to hang the decorations along the slim black lampposts lining Wabash Avenue. Some decorations were also hung along Seventh Street.
With Rick Burger of Duke Energy and Mayor Duke Bennett overseeing the project, the effort got off to a quick start. Officers from the Terre Haute Police Department directed traffic and provided safe areas for the work crews.
Duke Energy has assisted with the project for about eight years, Burger said, storing the decorations during the non-holiday season at the Duke facility on Home Avenue.
“We just look at it as a way to give back to this community,” Burger said. “It’s a great community. And having these lights up really brings the downtown alive for the holidays.”
Bennett agreed.
“It’s time to get into the holiday spirit,” Bennett said. “We’ve had so much growth downtown, and positive things, and everyone gets excited with the start of the Christmas season.”
Funding for the decorations was raised by the Wabash Valley Community Foundation through its Cityscape fund. Any businesses or individuals wanting to contribute to the purchase of new decorations can direct funds to the Cityscape fund in care of the foundation, 2901 Ohio Boulevard, Suite 153, Terre Haute, 47803.
Reporter Lisa Trigg can be reached at 812-231-4254 or lisa.trigg@tribstar.com.
Follow her on Twitter@TribStarLisa.
Local & Bistate
Related Photos
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Present and accounted for: Bob Long of Precision Lawn Plus holds one of the decorations to be placed on a light pole on Wabash Avenue Wednesday morning.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Bulb check: Ryan Mahalek of Precision Lawn Plus checks strands of holiday lights for bad bulbs Wednesday at the Crossroads of America Plaza on Wabash Avenue.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Cutting themselves some slack: Chris Alvey of Precision Lawn Plus releases lights as Ryan Mahalek places them on the tree at the Crossroads of America Plaza Wednesday on Wabash Avenue.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Ornament placement: Kenny Helms, a Duke Energy lineman, grabs a holiday decoration from Rick Burger for placement on a downtown light pole Wednesday on Wabash Avenue.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza With a bucket truck: Ryan Mahalek of Precision Lawn Plus and Kenny Helms of Duke Energy work together to decorate the tree at the Crossroads of America Plaza Wednesday on Wabash Avenue.
-
Tribune-Star/Joseph C. Garza Looking a lot like...: Duke Energy lineman Kell Ragan lowers his bucket to place another holiday decoration on a light pole on Wabash Avenue Wednesday morning.
Discussion
Lighting up Downtown: Decoration project rings in the holiday season in Terre Haute
- Local & Bistate
-
-
ISU unveils interactive Bayh Family Legacy Wall at school
A who’s who of Indiana Democrats paid tribute to Evan Bayh and several generations of the Bayh family Friday during a dedication of a new interactive display at Indiana State University.
-
Can you smell me now?
A contraband cell phone has been discovered by the Vigo County Jail’s youngest and most unique officer.
-
GIVING BACK: Steve Weatherford buys shoes for kids day before charity run
Terre Haute’s Steve Weatherford, punter for the 2012 Super Bowl champion New York Giants, showed once again his generosity Friday by donating new athletic shoes to more than two dozen Vigo County kids.
-
N.Y. Giants honor Weatherford as ‘Man of the Year’
Dan Tanoos, superintendent of Vigo County schools, remembers the first time he saw Steve Weatherford as a freshman at Terre Haute North Vigo High School.
-
Sunday recital at The Woods
A recital featuring songs from well-known composers is at 7 p.m. Sunday in the Church of the Immaculate Conception at Saint Mary-of-the-Woods.
-
Police investigating rash of car window shootings
Terre Haute Police are investigating a rash of shootings that have shattered car windows throughout the city.
-
City hospitals get passing grades for patient safety
Two Terre Haute hospitals have been ranked for patient safety by an independent organization that assesses safety, quality and affordability of healthcare for Americans.
-
Three from Operation Turn and Burn sentenced in federal court
Three co-conspirators in a Wabash Valley methamphetamine trafficking ring were sentenced this week to several years in federal prison.
-
Illinois Senate approves medical marijuana bill
SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn must decide if he will sign a measure allowing the use of marijuana for medical purposes after the state Senate approved legislation today.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 17, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Thursday, based on jail records.
-
I-70 resurfacing project will close westbound exit ramp
PUTNAM COUNTY, Ind. – The Indiana Department of Transportation announces the resurfacing project on Interstate 70 will close the westbound exit ramp at Indiana 243 beginning Wednesday May, 22 at about 6 a.m. until 9 p.m. that same day to mill and resurface the ramp.
-
UPDATE: Fire damages buildings in downtown Greencastle
GREENCASTLE, Ind. — Fire badly damaged several buildings today near the courthouse square in Greencastle, with flames shooting through the roofs as firefighters from several communities were called in to the central Indiana city to help.
-
Get outside this Memorial Day weekend
Although DNR campgrounds and cabins at state parks, state reservoirs and recreation areas are booked to capacity for Memorial Day weekend, some shelters remain available for picnics and other day-use gatherings.
-
Skateboarders, BMX bike riders working to improve area of city park they use
The sound of small wheels rolling across smooth concrete fills the air, accented by the clacking noise of a wooden skateboard coming to an instant stop on a metal edge before rolling on again.
-
Indiana State to host 2014 MVC baseball tourney
Build it… and they will come. The Missouri Valley Conference and Indiana State University made that famous line from the movie “Fields Of Dreams” reality Thursday.
-
Overlay recommended for 812 area code
The state agency that represents Hoosier utility customers is calling for a ten-digit solution to southern Indiana’s vanishing supply of 812 area code telephone numbers.
-
Elementary school saddened by student’s death
A 9-year-old Dixie Bee Elementary student died unexpectedly Wednesday evening as the result of pneumonia, said Vigo County Coroner Susan Amos on Thursday.
-
Vermillion CSX crossings undergoing maintenance
CSX maintenance crews are working on railroad crossings between Dana and Chrisman, Ill. this week and next, a CSX official said Thursday.
-
Beware of scams everywhere
Ever get a phone call in the middle of the night from a person claiming to be your grandchild, who unfortunately has been jailed in Canada and needs bail money?
-
INDOT to start work on Indiana 163 in Vermillion County
Maintenance crews will begin a pavement preservation project Monday on Indiana 163, between Indiana 63 and the Illinois state line west of Clinton.
-
Union Hospital community garden spots now available
Community gardening spots are now available at the Union Hospital Community Garden for Wabash Valley residents interested in planting and maintaining a garden but may not have the space. The garden is located west of the intersection of North Sixth Street and Seventh Avenue in Terre Haute at 1430 N. Sixth St.
-
Correctional officer remembered at memorial
Greene County native and Wabash Valley Correctional Facility Officer Timothy Betts was honored during a memorial ceremony at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
-
Money donated for Dresser sculpture
100+ Women Who Care of Vigo County on Thursday awarded a $20,200 grant to Art Spaces that will help make the Paul Dresser sculpture, “A Song for Indiana,” a reality.
-
Powerball jackpot quickly jumps to $550 million
The Powerball jackpot jumped to $550 million on Thursday — the third largest lottery in history — as dreamers in all but the seven states where the game isn’t played snatched up tickets for the minuscule chance at a life on easy street.
-
School bus carrying special-needs kids rolls over
INDIANAPOLIS — A school bus carrying special-needs students rolled over today on a highway near Indianapolis, injuring a dozen people including five children, state police said.
-
Vigo County Jail Log: May 16, 2013
The following individuals were booked into the Vigo County Jail by area law enforcement on Wednesday and Thursday, based on jail records.
-
Terre Haute to host MVC baseball championship in 2014
After 32 years, Terre Haute will once again host the Missouri Valley Conference baseball championship tournament next season.
-
About 200 channel catfish find new home in Dobbs Park pond
About 200 channel catfish transferred into a new home at the Dobbs Park pond on Wednesday, but it’s unclear how long they’ll remain there. That depends upon the people fishing.
-
GED grads turn the tassels
Michelle McClendon’s first child was born when she was 15.
She tried to stay in school, but it was just too much, so she dropped out to take care of her daughter. -
MARK BENNETT: Local summer music series idea remains a good one
One-of-a-kind ideas happen rarely.
As the biblical adage goes, there is nothing new under the sun. We humans succeed occasionally, inventing electricity, automobiles, telephones and the Internet. Invariably, though, someone else insists, “Hey, my grandpa thought of that years before Edison.” - More Local & Bistate Headlines
-
Conn. Commuter Trains Collide; 60 Go to Hospital
Coffee Run Leads to Hatchet Hitchhiker Arrest
Fmr. IRS Head Insists No Politics in Targeting
Lotto Fever Sweeps the Country
Raw: Driver Ejected From Truck, Over Bridge
CDC: Fecal Bacteria Common in Swimming Pools
Horse Saved From Slaughter, Goes on to Win Big
Dying Man's Blinks Lead to Murder Conviction
Terror Suspect Due in Court in Idaho Friday
Raw: Germany Protestors Picket Barbie House
China, Others Want What's Under the Arctic Ice
Raw: Crash Sends Car Into Fla. Pool
Raw: Obama Sits Down With Elementary Kids
Raw: 6 Die in Russian Ship Fire
NM Mom Chases Down Child Abductor
Officials Arrest Man in Idaho in Terrorism Case
Raw: Child, Stroller Falls Onto Pa. Train Tracks
Jolie Genetic Cancer Risk High but Rare
ShowBiz Minute: Jolie, Jackson, 24
Raw: School Bus Crash Injures Five Children
Coffee Stop Leads To Arrest Of YouTube Sensation Wanted For Murder
Bearded Dragon Reunited With Owner
Marine Reunited with Warzone Companion
Beyonce Is Pregnant!
SF baseball player overpaid $500,000 RETURNS money -- and team says KEEP IT
$1 Million in Jewels Stolen at Cannes Film Fest
Dad returns from Afghanistan, surprises family during Rays' first pitch
See Jennifer Lopez's New $10m Hamptons Mansion
Woman tricked into taking abortion pill
Emma Watson Goes Pantless
IRS scandal: Republicans seek to tie Obama to agency's woes
Play of the Day: Flipping to Safety
Pregnant Kim Kardashian Squeezes Her Swollen Feet Into Stilettos
Top Videos of the Week: Angry Taco Bell Guy, Glacier Moves on House, Dog Hates Baths
Cindy Crawford Stuns At Cannes
Raw: Marines Come to Obama's Aid in the Rain
CUTE: Monkey shares lollipop with dog, then HITS pooch on head with it
Miranda Kerr Looks Sexy in a Bikini Photo Shoot
