FORT FAIRFIELD, Maine — Holiday lights could be seen recently adorning homes and businesses throughout Aroostook County, but for some decorating is a year-long adventure.
Cub and Dee Condon, whose modest home is located on the Maple Grove Road, near the intersection with Route 1A in Fort Fairfield, have spent the better part of their marriage making holidays — be it Christmas or the Fourth of July — special for family and friends alike.
“We’ve been doing this since the kids were small,” said Cub Condon, a semi-retired dump truck driver for Buck’s.
For nearly 40 years, the couple have tried to make each event special for those close to them, as well as passersby who travel their road between Fort Fairfield and Presque Isle.
“We don’t just do Christmas. It’s gotten to the point people wonder when we don’t put something up. We do Halloween, Fourth of July. People driving by notice — they slow down. But we’re used to it,” said Dee Condon, with a smile as she looked toward the much-traveled road in front of her home.
The latest to notice the festive decorations have been the drivers in charge of moving the windmill blades to their Mars Hill destination. Since they can’t make it beneath underpasses, due to the size of the load, trucks have been transporting components for the project across the Maple Grove Road, traveling past the Condon home before making their turn to head south on Rt. 1A.
“They’ve taken a bit of the attention away from us the last few weeks,” said Cub, acknowledging the large loads have drawn a lot of interest from neighbors and others traveling in the area.
Each year, the couple tries to do something different.
“Sometimes it’s snowflakes or bells on logs. I get ideas throughout the year. I look for what works; I keep in mind things I’d like to change that others would enjoy,” said Dee, semi-retired after working for nearly 45 years doing accounting for Maine Potato Growers in Presque Isle.
It’s not uncommon, according to the Condons, for area children to stop by to see the latest design plans.
“Young people come by to see what we’re doing. People traveling bring kids by to see the decorations and they seem to love it,” said Dee.
Neighbors have no problem with the couple’s interest in decorating.
“We have an elderly neighbor who loves to look up this way. We all get together in the summer and have a community picnic — hold it at a different home each year,” said Cub.
Decorations are an assortment of items collected over the years.
“This year, we have snowmen, a big Santa in front of the garage. We can move him around,” said Dee. “If we see something different and we like it, we get it. We’re always thinking of what we could do different.”
Family members have also gotten involved in decorating.
“One year, our son and a friend even decorated the dog house,” said Dee with a laugh.
Decorations aren’t limited to the outside of the home either.
“I have to move my collection of blue glass to make room for decorations inside,” said Dee, motioning to the shelves and windowsills where items were displayed.
When not decorating or working, the couple have a few of their own interests to keep them busy.
“I enjoy ice fishing with my son,” said Cub. “And I enjoy collecting cobalt blue glass items,” said Dee.
The Condons’ decorations can best be seen after dusk, around 4:15 p.m., when the lights kick on for the evening.
