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It’s hard to believe it’s been six years that we’ve been setting up the Christmas Train Display at B & H Home Market in East Greenville.  It seems like just yesterday that I contacted Brian and Caroline Bitting to ask if they would be willing to have us invade their store with the train display.  The Bittings gave a big YES at the time and have been incredibly supportive ever since, with no thought of any financial gain for them.  And it makes it all the more rewarding knowing the Bitting’s and those setting up and tearing down are doing it purely for the holiday pleasure of the community.

We try to improve the display every year.  This year we added yet another large train bridge to the scene.  We also did something we had never done before – lighting about ninety percent of the buildings in the layout.  Plus we also had numerous animated lighted signs throughout the main street stores and other areas of the platform.

I must admit the first time Brian turned the store lights off after it was dark outside, it brought an amazing panorama, as if you were on a mountain looking down into the valley, seeing a village very much alive and animated after dark. (Just a little tip, this coming season if you want to see this amazing view of the display visit B&H about a half hour before closing and ask Brian if he would turn the lights off.  I think he would love to do this if he isn’t busy.)

Brian mentioned to me a number of times that he felt we had more people than ever visiting the display.  Community members who know I’m connected to the train display have time and time again expressed how much they appreciate that we do the display.  It does seem that the train exhibit has taken on a life of its own and has become ever more popular; we are very delighted this has happened.

The Bittings have enriched the Christmas Spirit by having an absolutely outstanding Santa Clause appear with the trains for the last two years. If you don’t think he’s authentic, just try pulling his beard (gently please!). You will learn he is the real thing.  This year they even arranged a book signing by a local author of a children’s book.  I think the Bitting’s truly have the official Christmas store of the valley and I’m very happy and proud to be a part of it.

I feel it is of up most importance that credit be given to the people without whom this whole Christmas happening would never materialize.  These individuals are the type of folks who don’t need to be front-and-center gathering all the glory they can.  These people are real people, down-to-earth individuals who volunteer for the sake of others in the community without the need for personal recognition.  These are the real community-builders. These are the people I am proud to work with to bring the Christmas Spirit to the valley.

To begin the list we have to start with Bob Esposito.  He is my partner in this endeavor. Without him it would not come into being; he is the creative force, artistic director, and advisor to all that is trains.  He tends to be a quiet person, but under that quietness is a very creative mind which shows in the train display.  Without him it could never happen.

We have several people who have helped for the second year – Barry Troxall, Alan Richard, and Stefan Laessig.  These people made it so much easier on Bob and me as they knew what needed to be done from the previous year.  They have been such a power in setting up and taking down the layout I hope they will continue to help in years to come.

Ron Hunter, Rich Kulp, and Doug Smith joined us for the first time this year.  Rich did much of the prepping of the buildings so they could be lighted. This was an important help in providing the new feature.  Ron and Doug helped Rich and also took responsibility for many other parts of the display.

Joe Rock used his expertise on animating the windmill which is part of the farm setting.  Both Joe and I were quite surprised just how involved it was to add a motor to turn the windmill blades.  I think we may not have tried to do it if we had known how involved it would be.

Joe Krathowill was there once again to support us, though he had to provide mostly moral support since he has a bum leg.  What Joe did provide was one thirteen year old grandson by the name of Jordan Kline.  Jordan was our right hand man; this is his second year of helping us. He was the only person who was able to go into the tunnel and the only person who could go into many of the tight areas of the platform.  Without Jordan it would have been very difficult to do much of the wiring to light many of the buildings.  We hope he doesn’t grow too much this coming year so he will still fit in all the tight spaces!

I don’t want to forget Cathie Verna who did a great job with the ad that appeared in the Shopper’s Guide.  I truly hope I did not forget anyone, if I did I do apologize.

Thank you, thank you, and thank you to all!!!

Many people have asked when my next blog will appear. I have generally posted blogs about every three to four months. I had been running an ad in The Shoppers Guide to let the community know when I posted a new blog.

There is a box on my blog site which you can check and my new blog will automatically post to your computer.  I hope this will help so you can easily keep up with my site.

SUGGESTED: There is a “follow” box (usually in the lower right hand corner) on which you can click to sign up to receive my blog posts in your email box automatically each time a new item posts.

I hope to post another blog within the next month. There is much published lately which does not necessarily represent the real truth.