Dear editor:

It was a wintry, starry night as we drove along the Niagara Parkway to look at the Christmas lights. The only sound we heard was from the car’s engine. Inside, we were warm and toasty in our finest winter attire; after all, it was Christmas Eve.

We soon approached the village of Queenston, where we pulled off the parkway and slowly crept along the quiet, empty streets muffled by the snow.

Fairy lights danced on the branches of the evergreens, while others twinkled at us from the rooftops above. The warm glow from the windows looked so inviting. “If we knocked on their door, would they invite us into their home?” I wondered.

The night was getting on, and our tired eyes were still glued to the window, searching for that special house that would make the drive worthwhile. And there it was.

The white house, with candles burning in each of its windows, with a white picket fence decorated with long evergreen garlands and red bows. Christmas lights sparkled on the arbour gate, simply decorated with a matching evergreen wreath and a large red bow.

We stopped to admire the charming white house, and I snapped a picture with my camera. I could imagine the family singing carols, or perhaps serving hot apple cider to their invited guests, or simply relaxing in front of the TV while watching “A Christmas Carol” with Alastair Sim.

Many years later, I came across the photo. I had to go back and see if the house was still there. I drove through the streets searching for it, and lo and behold, there it was. Nothing had changed.

It made me happy to see it again. It brought back the warm memories of that night, and I wondered why I had waited so long.

If you haven’t visited this beautiful part of Ontario, you won’t be disappointed. I’ve driven the Niagara Parkway to Niagara Falls and Niagara-on-the-Lake. Both are especially enchanting around Christmastime.

You will not be disappointed, and perhaps you will discover that particular charming house, like we did.

Lucy Kovaliv
Mississauga