BANGOR (AP) – A large, 1960s-style peace sign in colored Christmas lights adorns the front porch of Stephen King’s mansion, but the author’s personal assistant cautions against reading too much into it.

It’s “just a decoration,” said Julie Eugley. “He decided that he wanted to decorate for Christmas.”

King and his wife Tabitha are usually away for most of the holiday season, spending time at their Florida home. This year, however, the couple have been in Bangor since November.

“Usually they don’t decorate for Christmas because they’re not here very long,” Eugley said.

The Christmas lights, which click on shortly after 4 p.m., are strung between the porch pillars at the top of the front steps of the red-and-cream Italianate-style home on West Broadway, and those living nearby seem to enjoy them.

“I love that sign,” neighbor Cheryl Wixson said. “Every time I drive by I think that’s what the whole world should be thinking about.”

An outspoken Democrat, King has made no secret of his opposition to the war in Iraq and the Bush administration, but Eugley said the peace symbol is not specifically representative of his political beliefs.