Your Opinion: Holiday example for downtown

Dear Editor:

While doing my morning walk recently, I was thinking about how years ago downtown Jefferson City would be decked out at Christmas time like a Disney theme park with boughs of green garland strung over the streets between buildings.

Right above the center of the street would hang, alternately, a wreath with a candle in it or a big bell. The garland would be lit with bright multi-colored lights and one could actually tell it was Christmas time in downtown Jefferson City.

For whatever reason over time these decorations disappeared and were replaced with plain white lights on the trees. Each year less and less lights were put on the trees until finally there were none. All that now remains is a single strand of white lights running along the edges of the buildings and a few lights hung in baskets attached to light poles.

I couldn't believe they spent $50,000 for just white lights and then leave them up all year to weather away to the point that in many places they are hanging loose and uncared for. I also thought about the Capital Mall and how there used to be a big castle complete with Santa's workshop and animated elves making toys.

I was really starting to get depressed at how little effort and creativity is put in to our modern day celebrations when I came upon Busch's Flower shop.

My heart leaped at the sight, it was breathtaking. The detail and workmanship in the wrapping of lights, the display in the windows was awesome, a real work of art. To the creators of this masterpiece, I say bravo and thank you. I hope that downtown Jefferson City follows your lead and fills the downtown with creative and artistic Christmas decorations again.

Thanks again for bringing wonder and delight back into Christmas.