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Christmas Wonderland

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By SCOTT E. SMITH The Suncoast News

The Tampa Tribune

Published: December 10, 2008

NEW PORT RICHEY - If you are dreaming of a white Christmas then you might be in luck.

Tucked away in a little office in downtown New Port Richey, a white Christmas wonderland has come alive with snow-covered grounds, Christmas carols playing and a train going around a picturesque village that took about a week to set up.

The creator of the lighted village is Lin Tipton, who meticulously spent a week configuring the Yuletide tableau.

Tipton has collected items that compose the villages for roughly 40 years. "It's a family tradition that was inspired by my late mother and aunt," Tipton said.

The main component of Tipton's winter wonderland consists of about 100 Department 56 miniature porcelain houses, buildings and storefronts with many of the pieces lighted from the inside.

Department 56, according to its Web site, began in 1976 when a group of friends gathered for an evening out and came across a village that had been decorated for the holidays. Through dinner-time banter the idea for a miniature lighted Christmas village was born. The dream was realized when the group introduced six hand-painted, ceramic buildings.

Department 56, now based in Eden Prairie, Minn., is a leading designer, importer and distributer of holiday collectibles and giftware. They are known for their handcrafted lighted villages.

Tipton's collection consists of the city of London, country farms, a seaside village and "downtown" scenario. As part of her collection, she has a complete Nativity scene that is no longer available to purchase through the manufacturer.

An original solid metal American Flyer locomotive, complete with smoke billowing out of its smokestack, and another train delight viewers of all ages. Her villages are complete with trees, roads, automobiles and plenty of statues representing residents.

Also included are moving figurines such as a Ferris wheel, storekeepers and ice skaters moving over a frozen lake. She estimates there are more than 500 total pieces that give her villages life.

"I also have hand painted items that I inherited from mother, Nora" Tipton said proudly.

For a private showing of Tipton's Christmas lighted villages, contact her at Discovery Realty, (727) 848-0486, or visit the real estate office, 5820 Nebraska Ave., 1 to 9 p.m. Saturday, during the quarterly Shop 'N' Stroll put on by Greater New Port Richey Main Street.

Keyword: Tipton Village for more photos of the various villages.

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