Arlington calls me its “Love Doctor” [Note from City of Arlington: This is the first time we’ve heard this claim in our 147 year history].

So this week, I returned to the Interlochen neighborhood to report on their Christmas light display. Loyal Scaiaholics will recall 200 houses there put on a display that draws 100,000 people each year at the holidays.

In this era of arguing with strangers on Facebook, I was pleased when the organizer of Interlochen suggested I talk with one of his neighbors about how the display can bring people together. As a college student, Chad Bates brought his date to Interlochen. They’ve now been married 43 years, so he’s offering some dating advice.

His house is decorated with lights that change in sync with music. He says he tinkers with his display every year, so his neighbors suggest he’s a modern day Clark Griswold, forcing them to stay on top of their game.

But the competition is friendly. A few blocks away at Ralph Sobel’s house, he says neighbors help each other get everything ready.

This is the 48th year for the Interlochen Lights, and Sobel says they’ve carved out a reputation so a lot of people who move there choose the neighborhood because they can do something unique at Christmas. In other neighborhoods, for instance, you may not see many homes with a decorated Millennium Falcon or stormtroopers guarding a festive Death Star with candy canes.

In fact, when describing the struggles they all face putting up lights, one might say sometimes it gets colder than Hoth. Sobel didn’t say that, but one might if he was feeling particularly whimsical.

Star Wars isn’t the only pop culture house. On the tour, you can also see a Snoopy house and a Home Alone house. Sobel says someone also has a “Down Under” theme; someone else set up an homage to the 1980s to celebrate all that was gnarly and rad.

Each year, Sobel includes a Festivus pole in his display to show that Interlochen is a place where people of all beliefs can feel welcome and have a good time [You might say he does not have a lot of problems with you people].

This year, though, the celebration of different faiths takes on added significance. He says a lot of houses have added menorahs or a Star of David to show support for people in Israel.

One house also has Santa climbing a ladder. I found this to be a bit of a downer. He climbs the ladder again and again. Like a modern day Sisyphus, he knows his work is never done. As soon as he delivers all the toys, I know he knows people will just start asking for more toys.

I’m now being a pessimist at a time this neighborhood is coming together to bring us hope. My apologies. Santa can take a break to enjoy some cookies and milk at each house.

Sisyphus’ hubris means he ain’t gettin’ gingersnap one.