Lighting up the neighborhood

Costa Mesa residents meet for cider, cookies and a stroll through the streets to judge local Christmas decorations.Every year neighbors in the Costa Mesa neighborhoods of Halecrest and Hall of Fame get together for snacks, conversation and a holiday decoration contest.

Residents in the neighborhood, located near Baker Street and Fairview Road, organize a number of events every year in an effort to build a strong sense of community and welcome new residents.

“It’s just kind of a fun, simple way to make sure people feel welcome,” said Leslie Connell, one of the holiday display contest hosts. Connell set up a table in front of her home with cookies, apple cider and coffee.

She also said having a contest encourages people to decorate for the holidays. “We want to spread the holiday spirit.”

Dave Leighton, one of the residents, came up with the idea, and Connell and Linda Brumbaugh ran with it. They spent their own money to provide the prizes. Connell’s father even showed up dressed as Santa Claus and let all the neighborhood children sit on his lap for pictures.

“I think there’s more [decorations] this year than there was [in previous years],” said Mike Brumbaugh, president of the Halecrest and Hall of Fame Homeowners Assn. “This is a great neighborhood; the community’s really coming together.”

Kenny McLain and Doreen Ogawa-McLain, who won a prize for their decorations last year, said more people decorated this year, and that those who did put their decorations up earlier -- which may have something to do with the contest.

After everyone spent time catching up with old friends and making new ones over cider and cookies, they all walked around the neighborhood to look at the decorations. A couple of the residents decorated their golf carts and drove them around.

“It’s so neat when everyone gets together,” said Norah Mullikin, who has lived in the neighborhood since 1971. “It’s a nice warm, friendly neighborhood.”

20051212ird7ovknDOUGLAS ZIMMERMAN / DAILY PILOT(LA)Noah Riggs helps himself to just one more cookie during the third annual Cider on the Corner event in the Halecrest area of Costa Mesa on Sunday evening. Neighbors met for cider, coffee and cookies before taking a walk around the neighborhood to view the Christmas decorations. Noah attended the event with his mother, Carrie, and sister, Jordan.