Smitty McGee’s along Route 54 has established itself as a popular sports bar and restaurant for nearly two decades, though each Christmas season for the past seven years, there’s something extra about it that brings the customers back. 
Coastal Point • RUSLANA LAMBERT
Alicia Courtney has been decorating the windows in Smitty McGee’s for the past seven years. Here, she stands next to her angel creation.
Assistant Manager Alicia Courtney has offered her artistic talents, decking the halls – or windows, in this case – for the Irish-themed restaurant. Christmas scenes with Santa, reindeer, angels and nutcrackers adorn the glass the entire way around the building, livening up spirits of everyone passing by them during the holidays.
“It’s starting to become a tradition for a lot of people,” said Courtney. “People come to town for the weekend to see the Winterfest of Lights in Ocean City, and they stop in here for coffee and cake.” Over the past seven years, she has been decorating the windows at Smitty McGee’s for St. Patrick’s Day, Halloween and Christmas.
The collection of paintings on the windows takes roughly a week to complete – each individual one, just a few days. They begin with an outline of the drawing directly on the glass, and a tempera paint finishing.
“After painting them, I go back over to clean-cut the lines,” Courtney explained.
A little Windex and elbow grease is all it takes to wipe away the winter wonderland, though customers get their chance to admire the artwork throughout New Year’s.
Santa slides down a snow-covered roof on the back window, while Mrs. Claus and an elf help him suit up on one of the front ones. St. Nick revs up a Harley in one, while Rudolph accompanies him in a Hummer on another.
“I try going with themes sometimes,” said Courtney.
The restaurant’s owner, Dawn McGee, who drives a Hummer herself, has taken a liking to Courtney’s paintings – so much that she is having her create a mural in her home.
“Since I started,” said Courtney, “a few people have asked me to do something here and there in their homes.” She added that she never expected her talent to get her so much recognition from those she works with and others stopping in.
“It’s nice to know that people enjoy what you can do,” she said.