BURBANK : ‘Doll’ House Wins Holiday Competition

Rosalie Caruso has filled every window at the front of her two-story house with dolls. Santa and Mrs. Claus move and smile in an upstairs window, cutouts of reindeer and Raggedy Ann and Andy are hung outside.

And, at the front walk, is a sign: “Santa Please Stop Here.”

“Everybody is taking pictures out there,” said Caruso, a grandmother of seven and the grand prize winner in Burbank’s holiday decorating contest this year. It’s the third time in four years that she has been a winner.

About 50 households entered the contest, using Christmas lights and Santas, trains, trees and holly. Caruso, who lives on East Grinnell Drive, won by decking out her house with lights and her ever-growing collection of dolls. About 200 dolls--collected over the past 40 years--adorn the house.

“I get so much joy out of seeing all these people out here,” she said.

Homes and businesses were honored for their decorating in 10 categories by the Burbank Civic Pride Committee, which handled the judging.

“It’s just a hobby I started a few years ago,” said Caruso, who has found that her annual display has been a good way to meet neighbors when they come out to have a look.

On Mariposa Street, Dan Walker’s neighbors follow with interest his latest plan for Christmas lights.

“I’ve always tried to make it a little bit different,” said Walker, who won the award for unique lighting for his electric display, meant to resemble snow cascading off his roof. The lights have a longer lasting effect than Walker realizes sometimes, he said. Once, in the middle of the summer, a neighbor spotted him and said, “Hey, you’re the guy with the Christmas lights.”