Yes Santa Claus, there is a Virginia

Virginia Smith had special muses this year when it came to her winning Christmas Lights display at her Jefferson Drive house.

"I have two grandchildren and they are my inspiration. My grandson who is 3 is just coming to know what's Christmas, and Santa Claus, so I added more lights this year," said Smith with a giggle.

She'd entered the Nevada Appeal lights competition once before, but didn't win. After driving around with the list this year, Smith was sure she'd get beat out again.

"I think to me, it all looks better than my decorations, but there's so many who voted for me."

Smith had about 30 percent of the votes with 1751 Carson River Road coming in second and 674 Buzzy Ranch Road coming in third. For her efforts, Smith will receive a $100 gift certificate to the Firkin and the Fox.

"I'm really, really surprised," said the native of the Philippines who's lived in the Capital city for 12 years.

Smith said she loves to decorate for the holidays, a passion that she was introduced to as a child.

She whispered that she'd spent about $1,000 on her display this year, and with a loud laugh, added she'd blown a fuse three times.

"I had to call an emergency electrician and they said I overcrowded my lights. So they put in an outside line and now I can have more lights," she said.

As a certified nursing assistant at Carson Tahoe Regional Medical Center, Smith said she's overheard people talking in the warmer months about the flowers she has on her 1.3 acre plot. In winter, while her flowers appear dead, her Christmas lights become her flowers.

"They look alive during the night because of the Christmas lights," she said. "Since I arrived in this house, I do not miss any Christmases. I love it."

• Contact reporter F.T. Norton at ftnorton@nevadaappeal.com or 881-1213.