Joe Lelinski has always been an avid holiday decorater for as long as he can remember. With some help from his son Steven, the Falls Township resident took the next step in 2013 and computerized his display, programing the lights to illuminate in sync with festive music.
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Every year, Lelinski has the intentions of leaving up select lights if his favorite football team, the Philadelphia Eagles, for a potential deep playoff run. This year, Lelinski got that chance to light his home on Franklin Street in Falls’ Fallsington section in green.
“I’ve always been an Eagles fan, and even before computerizing my display, I set up the lights so that if the Eagles were going on a playoff run, I could unplug all but the green and white lights,” Lelinski told LevittownNow.com.
The most recognizable piece of Lelinski’s “Blinkinghouse” is the collection of singing Muppets. The original Muppets came from his son but after a few years, Lelinski sat down and made his own. The muppets will sing Christmas songs and now chant E-A-G-L-E-S after every song during the football-themed display.
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According to Lelinski, he has been a fan of the Eagles for as long as he can remember. He owns a ton of Eagles merchandise and always sticks with the team, even if they aren’t playing the best football.
And it’s not just Eagles football, Lelinski is also a fan of Pennsbury football.
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The retired Pennsbury teacher coached varsity football at Pennsbury from 1973 until 1983 and coached a number of sports for the school district. He was inducted into the district’s Athletic Hall of Fame.
Each year, Lelinski receives help from his family and neighbors setting up the lights. Lou Martin, Bob and Carol Epperson and Ron Stratton always step forward. Lelinski’s daughter and son-in-law, Terri and Chris Byers, help out each year, as well.
“I try to stay even-keeled but I am always with them,” Lelinski said.
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Looking forward to Sunday’s NFC Championship game versus the Minnesota Vikings in Philadelphia, Lelinski said he is “cautiously optimistic.” He explained its the same feeling he had when the Eagles faced the Atlanta Falcons last weekend.
“I am hoping for the best, but I guess I am prepared for the worst,” he said.
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Lelinski is trying to follow his own head coaching advice in terms of getting excited for a potential Super Bowl appearance in keeping his highs from getting too high, so the lows don’t feel so low.
Since the end of the regular Christmas show, Lelinski has begun taking down his lights not related to the Eagles show. This will allow him to have a bit of a head start once the run is over and it is time for the rest of the lights to come down as well, Lelinski explained.
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“I am just trying to do my part to keep enthusiasm high,” Lelinski said of his Eagles display.
The Blinkinghouse recently won the Falls Christmas display contest.
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“I sometimes think that we really are the best kept secret in Levittown,” Lelinski said, explaining people often tell him they did not know his display existed.
The Eagles display will run through the end of the Eagles’ playoff run from 5:30 p.m. until 9: p.m. each night at 9 Franklin street.
