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If you can’t beat ‘em, amusingly underperform ‘em

By ANDREW GREINER

 

Dave Nosek

Dave Nosek’s neighbor always has an outstanding holiday lights display: white bulbs dangling from the gutters, blue bulbs circling the windows, trees completely wrapped in multi-colored lighting.

“Every year his gets bigger and bigger,” Nosek, 40, says.

So rather than compete with the shimmering light display that twinkles from Chet Cybulski's yard, Nosek followed a time-tested maxim: If you can’t beat ‘em, amusingly underperform ‘em.

Nosek arranged a few twisted sets of Christmas lights above his garage into the word “DITTO” with an arrow pointing toward Cybulski's house.

Where Cybulski, 52, spent nearly five days untwisting and arranging the lights for his yard, Nosek's job took about an hour.

But Cybulski and Nosek are far from neighborhood lighting rivals – there is no grudge match brewing between these Elburn residents. Cybulski actually gave Nosek the “DITTO” idea.

“I found a similar picture on the Internet and I showed it to Dave,” Cybulski said. “I thought it would be funny.”

Unfortunately, the “DITTO” display is outshining Cybulski’s intricate arrangement with spectators.

Nosek said dozens of revelers have stopped by to snap photos of his sarcastic illumination.

“I feel bad for Chet,” Nosek said. “Poor guy spends four days putting up his lights and I’m getting all the accolades.”

Cybulski said he doesn’t mind.

“Not at all,” he said. “It’s there for the enjoyment of all. As long as someone gets a kick out of it I’m OK.”

First Published: Dec 4, 2009 10:35 AM CST

So much great art pouring over my desktop this morning! Last to arrive: Laura Adel Johnson.