‘Snowman’ Strikes Cheer Into the Hearts of Neighbors

There’s a snowball fight going on in Laguna Niguel.

It started on Rancho Grande six nights ago when someone, some anonymous neighbor who has yet to make his or her identity known, rang the doorbells of 14 homes and disappeared into the darkness, leaving only a brown paper bag, a picture of a snowman and a list of instructions:

Put the snowman in your upstairs bedroom window to show that you have already been “hit.” Then, in the spirit of a chain letter, make at least two more bags and deliver them in the same, time-honored “ding-dong ditch” maneuver to other neighbors.

“You’ve just been hit by a snowball!” the note that is being circulated concludes. “If you decide to accept this mission you will have fun! May the snow be with you!”

The game, strangely charming and indisputably unique, is a show of holiday cheer that not only underscores the frivolity of the holiday season, but also shows just how far some neighbors will go to bring a community together.

The note goes on to say that if, by Tuesday, 90% of the 113 homes on the street have snowmen displayed in the windows, the “Master Snowman” who started it all will reward residents with a hot cocoa and holiday cookie party.

Residents along Rancho Grande said they have been grateful for the distraction from the typical stresses of shopping and preparing for the holidays.

“We have a neighbor here who has taken the time to do something fun, and it’s just the cutest thing I’ve ever seen,” said Jayme Barger, a mother of two who has lived on the street nearly three years. “I mean, have you ever heard of such a thing? The kids are going nuts over it, they love it so much. And everyone wants that cookie party.”

Barger said the snowball fight quickly swelled into a good-natured but all-out battle of the block. For nearly a week, teams of parents--herself included--and clans of children have been ducking behind bushes and between houses to avoid being caught throwing the next snowball.

“It’s pretty cool,” said Joseph Carter, 11, who counted 55 “hit” homes while riding his bike Friday. “When it gets dark we get to sneak all around and leave snowballs for people. But you have to be fast. You have to run like crazy.”

Mothers are whispering about who the “Master Snowman” could be, more suspicious of some than others but refusing to rule out anyone. Children are spying on one another from driveways and sidewalks, many at their parents’ request.

One neighbor, who did not want his name used, installed a motion detector on his front porch to alert him when--or if--he gets “hit.”

“My guess is it’s the same person doing all of it, and I’m gonna catch the little elf,” he said, laughing.

But Maggie Rizza, who was among the original victims last weekend, said she knows for a fact that isn’t true.

“Last night we ding-dong-ditched two families,” she said. “It was such a kick. . . . We even ran into another neighbor that I think was doing the same thing. We’re all running around acting like a bunch of little kids.”

They are encouraged by the sight of handmade posters that have appeared along the street, signed in large letters by the Master Snowman, whose latest message was the most urgent.

“Have you thrown your snowball yet?”