Some Alle-Kiski residents decking the halls earlier to spread holiday cheer amid pandemic

For some in the Alle-Kiski Valley, decorating for Christmas before the Thanksgiving holiday has been the perfect pandemic pick-me-up.

Here’s a look at some of the early-bird decorators.

Harrison

Matt Bedick of Harrison has one festive front yard.

Bedick, an emergency room nurse at Forbes Hospital in Monroeville, is a Christmas decorating enthusiast with more than 30 years’ experience, but his partner Cory Mell said Bedick has been putting up his decoration earlier and earlier each year.

“He works hard and wants the lights up and completed as fast as possible,” Mell said. “It gets earlier and earlier every year. It fills my heart with love and joy to see all of the cars slow down to take a look at some holiday joy.”

Bedick strung more than 7,000 new LED lights this season and added new, green illuminated dancing trees this year.

He’s been brightening up Burtner Road in Harrison during the holidays with his musical holiday display for more than 14 years.

“I decided to decorate early because there’s a lot of hustle and bustle and we don’t know what’s going on with covid, and I didn’t know how much free time I would have,” Bedick said. “I actually got a sun tan on my face this year because it’s been so warm setting up the lights.”

Lower Burrell

Julie Hwostow, 49, digs out her Christmas decorations every year on Nov. 1.

“It’s my tradition. I’ve been decorating for 24 years,” Hwostow said. “I decorate early because I like to enjoy my Christmas trees, and it’s my favorite season. I want to enjoy the decorations for a few months,” Hwostow said.

She has three artificial trees, including a little “kids” tree with handmade ornaments from her three sons, a snowman-themed tree and one in the furnished basement.

“I’m very sentimental,” Hwostow said. “I love Christmas trees, and I enjoy putting them up.”

Gilpin

The Lerch family has transformed about an acre of their property along rural Evergreen Road in Gilpin into a whimsical holiday display.

“It takes me about a weekend to set up, and we’re still going to add more,” Leighanne Lerch said. “We’ve been decorating for more than 15 years.”

The family decided to decorate earlier than usual this year because of the covid-19 pandemic.

“We just wanted to make people smile,” Lerch said.

Look for a giant 18-foot inflatable Santa, whimsical lighted animal figures, rotating lights and everyone’s favorite sea sponge, Spongebob Squarepants.

Lerch said decorating early doesn’t diminish the importance of Thanksgiving celebrations.

“2020 has been an off year. I feel you should do whatever makes you happy at this point,” she said. “I haven’t forgotten about Thanksgiving and its meaning, but if putting up decorations makes you happy, then put up the decorations.”

Indiana Township

The River family has five Christmas trees throughout their home in Indiana Township.

A recent relationship break-up and the death of a beloved family pet led Cherie River to an early Christmas decorating decision.

She enlisted the help of her two daughters in decorating five trees.

“We love Christmas. I love having a super joyful place for my kids,” River said.

One of the trees has no rules as far as ornaments.

“The kids’ tree is all theirs, with homemade ornaments, and they can do whatever they want,” River said.

River said this year has been stressful, particularly with covid-19.

“I feel like right now the best thing we can do to make us feel at peace is to just focus on our families. Getting the Christmas trees out early for my family gets me to a mindset of what really matters,” she said.

River’s favorite tree is blue- and white-themed, and features cute snow owls.

“I like to see the trees all over the house. It’s like Christmas is everywhere,” River said.

Allegheny Township

Lucy Peters beat cancer and likes to celebrate creatively with Christmas trees.

All 24 of them.

“We always had one tree,” Peters said.

But Peters, fighting ovarian cancer, asked her husband Danny if she could decorate more than one tree during her cancer-related treatments.

So far, she has decorated 12 trees around the house, with a patriotic-themed tree prominently on display in the foyer.

The Peters, both Army veterans, met while in the service and have an unconventional tree skirt: multiple pairs of combat boots.

“We used the boots we both wore while serving in the military,” Peters said.

Peters said the trees just kept appearing, noting she only purchased three for herself.

“The rest were gifts from friends,” Peters said.

The trees include a superhero-themed one, one devoted to hunting and fishing, and a large, 12-foot-tall showcase tree.