Frosty returns

RIVER CLUB — River Club’s resident snowman will remain in the neighborhood next year, brighter than ever.

But, over the hill he goes — to the Cherry Hills Avenue Circle home of Chris and Megan Matras.

“He’s been a staple in our life for the last five years,” Megan Matras said of the decision to take in Frosty.

“When we lived in Lakewood Ranch, we would walk to see Frosty. We still walk up to him every year and take pictures with him every year.”

Longtime owners Don and Mary Lou DeBolt have kept Frosty alive every holiday season for more than a decade; they purchased the 20-foot-tall snowman light display from his second owners in 2003.

But the couple is ready to retire from being Frosty’s caretakers.

Why?

Don DeBolt and his friend Jim Roseneck spent about 40 hours this year getting Frosty ready, replacing more than 3,000 lights for his public appearance.

“We’ve had him 11 years and we want our garage back,” Don DeBolt said.

And at one point during preparations, Don DeBolt was ready to scrap the snowman altogether, out of frustration and exhaustion.

Following a conversation with Mary Lou, the couple posted a sign at Frosty’s side: “As you know, Frosty is as old as snow. If you want him, let me know. If not, to the garbage he will … go!”

“That sign stirred a hornet’s nest,” Don DeBolt said. “We had too many people wanting him — 90% weren’t qualified. They didn’t understand the magnitude of him.”

But after talking to Chris and Megan Matras, who live around the corner, the DeBolts are glad their dream has come true: Frosty will stay in River Club.

“They have a lot of lights and an ideal place for him,” Don DeBolt said.

The Matras family will take Frosty after the new year holiday.

“We didn’t want to see him leave River Club,” Megan Matras said.

Chris Matras, a general contractor, says he’s not afraid of the maintenance challenge Frosty presents either.

“We have 3,000 lights on our house right now,” he said. “I plan on changing Frosty over to LED. He’ll be a little bit brighter and less maintenance. I’m excited.”

Contact Pam Eubanks at [email protected].

COST
The DeBolts light up Frosty from 6 to 11 p.m. Each night he’s on adds about $1.50 to the couple’s electric bill.

FROSTY’S BIRTH
The late Dan Burgett built the 17-foot wide, 20-foot-tall Frosty out of PVC pipes and erected him in his front yard in 1997. It takes about 10 people to erect him.

The Matras family will be Frosty’s fourth owner.