- By Ben Widmer -
The display cases in Lakeside will feature Charlene Willeman’s special collection of Santas. Charlene says at one time, she had collected about 300 Santas, but gifts to friends and relatives have reduced this number considerably.
The Santas are from all over the world. One of her favorites is from Scotland. This Santa has kilts and bagpipes.
Charlene hasn’t unpacked her Santas in several years, and she says she’ll have a few surprises for us to see.
At the Fairway clubhouse, a “Community Holiday Display” will be featured with treasures from north campus residents, such as nativity sets, menorahs, dreidels, Santas and special ornaments. Word went out in November to the Fairway residents that they are welcome to share their holiday treasures with everyone.
A very special part of the holiday decorations this year include a model train set in the Lakeside clubhouse, a new “mini-village” set up in Fairway, and the handmade dollhouse to be raffled off.
The holiday train display in the Lakeside clubhouse is meticulously and lovingly maintained by John Liston and Cyrus Grimshaw. Trains are HO gauge and travel along industrial buildings and through a large tunnel. The track is approx. 15-feet long. The height of the table has been adjusted this year to accommodate children and those in scooters. The train will be chugging along the entire month.
Also on display in Lakeside is the handmade dollhouse that will be raffled off at month’s end. It was built by John Liston, Cyrus Grimshaw and Jan Klaus. The proceeds will add to our Toys for Tots fundraising.
A wonderful new display of a “mini-village” will be set up in the Fairway clubhouse. This beautiful set, on loan from Nancy Muschek, is actually a charming collection of New York City buildings, circa 1906. Residents will enjoy looking at the tiny shoppers, hotel bellmen, ice skaters and more. Please look but don’t touch.