Christmas officially comes to the peninsula
BY FRANKLIN HAYES Gulf Breeze News franklin@gulfbreezenews.com

Families in a Gulf Breeze neighborhood are enthralled by one man's holiday light display, pictured to the left. Families and neighbors collect every night to watch over 50,000 lights flicker and dance to Christmas music. The homeowner is also using the light show to generate support for worthy causes.

After returning from Iraq, Lt. Mark Siviglia spent approximately a week setting up the unique display around his home, located at 1617 Kauai Court. His demonstration features a 20 minute light show that is coordinated by his computer and a program called Light-O-Rama.The show runs every half hour from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. every night. Siviglia encourages people to come and enjoy the fruits of his labor and bring a donation for Toys for Tots. After the Dec. 14 deadline for the Marine Corps charity, Siviglia said he will give any donations to underprivileged children through the NAS Pensacola Chapel.

Siviglia was inspired by a video he saw online of a similar set up coordinated to the Trans Siberian Orchestra's performance of "Wizards in Winter." Siviglia included the song in his demonstration as well. When watching the show, tune in to 106.9 FM in order to hear the coordinated music.

Franklin Hayes/Gulf Breeze News Right: Members of the Gulf Breeze HIgh School Jazz Band, directed by Neal McLeod, perform at the annual Lighting of the Christmas Tree ceremony at Gulf Breeze Hospital Dec. 6. Below: The Gulf Breeze Middle School Chorus, directed by Dottie Castleberry, also performed. Hundreds enjoyed the Gulf Breeze Area Chamber of Commerce's "It's a Wonderful Life in Gulf Breeze" holiday parade Dec. 8 despite early morning rain. However, Santa needs help in recovering his lost watch. Santa lost his watch on Shoreline Drive while he was throwing candy from the fire truck. If found, please call the chamber at 850-932-7888.