2, No. 3
WIN A CRECHE FROM BEIJING, CHINA
In June we visited China. While there, we did the things tourists do : cruised along the Yangtze River through the stunning Three Gorges, saw the beginnings of the world's biggest hydroelectric dam project at Sandouping, paid our respects to the terracotta army in Xian and walked the Great Wall. We also looked for creches among the exquisite traditional crafts offered in markets and shops in cities ranging from Shanghai to Suzhou to Chongqing.
Finally, in the gift shop attached to the Catholic Cathedral at Beijing, forgotten and almost out of sight on a dusty shelf way in the back, we found a small Nativity with ten figures in pale blue and white porcelain. Sitting next to it was a tiny set consisting only of the Magi and the Holy Infant. Needless to say, we scooped up both, along with four more small Magi sets found behind some boxes. The figures in the Nativity set are about 3-3/4" high, the Magi set is about 2-1/2" high
All purchases will be given away to lucky winners of a CRECHE HERALD drawing. To be eligible to win the Beijing Cathedral porcelain Nativity or one of the five Magi sets, just enroll one or more new subscribers to CRECHE HERALD. These new subscriptions must be received by November 25, 1998. Winners will receive their set in time for Christmas . Names will be announced in the Spring 1999 issue. We're looking forward to hearing from you. Rita B Bocher, Publisher
Creche Herald
Editor/publisher: Rita B. Bocher
Contributing editor : Mary B. Herzel
Office: 117 Crosshill Road Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511 U.S.A.
Web page: www.op.net/~bocassoc/ E-mail address: crecher@op.net
Everybody Loves a Creche-Survey, Part 2
Three-fourths of creche vendors and craftspersons saw an increased interest in the purchase of Nativities during the past year. After Christmas, the most popular occasions were weddings and birthdays . "In the last two years, I have seen such an increase in creche sales, especially for weddings, that our shop now keeps them in stock year-round," said one owner. "Lots of people buy creches as a treat for themselves," said another. Most sold through catalogs or brochures in the mail as well as through personal contact or through their shops.
Vendors' and craftspersons' experiences closely reflected what we heard from our collectors. Gift or specialty stores were the most popular sources for creches, with nearly three fourths saying they bought there . Nearly two-thirds (63%) used catalogs. Many sought out artists or craftspersons (43%) or dealt with other collectors (24% ).
Slightly less than half (43%) collected figures from specific companies; those that did so often included Fontanini, Hummel, ANRI and Lladr6.
Most collectors (67%) bought their own first creche, although a quarter had received their first one as a gift. A few had inherited their first set.
Survey respondents generally liked the types of articles featured in Creche Herald, with especially high points for interviews with collectors and artists, and new product features. Among suggestions for the future were creche trips, tips on developing a creche inventory, theological reflections and subscriber profiles.
FROM OUR READERS:
Dear Rita,
I have some information regarding Chinese-style creches that might be of interest.
A Chinese creche similar to the one shown in Matthew Powell's magnificent book for creche collectors (The Christmas Creche--Treasure of Faith, Art & Theater, Pauline Press, 1997. P. 131) can be ordered from China. The price is about US$65 plus shipping.
Ms. SHEN You-fan
15 She Ji Road
Hu Xi Dongyang Zhejiang Province, PRC 322117
Fax: (865) 796610092
Another source is the Anglican Bookshop here in Hongkong (St. John's Cathedral Bookstore, 4-8 Garden Road, Hongkong). They don't normally do mail order, but if passing through, the creches are available year-round. There are, alas, sometimes problems with mail orders, such as missing or broken pieces. So buyer, beware. God's blessings always.
Sean P. Burke (Rev.), Hongkong
Antique Nativity Glows in the South
About ten years ago, Jewell Younger Graeber saw the Metropolitan Museum of Art's renowned Angel Tree. Inspired by the sight, she set about providing a similar visual feast for those in her native Mississippi. Buying at auctions in London, New York and Chicago, Graeber's collection now numbers about 150 pieces. Her daughter, Gay, acts as curator, does the repair work, and often does the,1~ing.
he Graebers have attempted to keep the figures in their original state, but that often is difficult. "The silk fabrics frequently have totally deteriorated by the time we get them," Jewell Graeber notes, "so we have had to redress them in new silk, and I make many of the tiny outfits myself." When clothing is usable, she covers the pieces with a virtually invisible sheer fabric for protection. As a further precaution, the collection is illuminated with fiber; I\ic lights which are cool burning
his year, Jewell Younger Graeber' s treasured collection can be seen at Delta State University in Cleveland, Mississippi, Nov. 16 to Dec. 18.
An 18th century Neapolitan heralding angel soars above Jewell Younger Graeber's presepio, Cleveland, Mississippi.
Volga River Trading Company offers AUTHENTIC
RUSSIAN CREC HES
meticulously handcrafted in wood & birchbark
variety of styles for tabletop or tree prices range from $30 to $795
We also cany a beautiful collection of Madonna and Child wooden eggs and nesting dolls, Chrisnnas decorations of all kinds, and specialties from Armenia and Romania.
Contact us for further information. Please specify area of interest. Wholesale inquiries welcome.
Volga River Trading Company 354 North St., Burlington, VT 05401 Phone/Fax 800-639-4309 volgariver@prodigy.com
Prayer to Unpack the Christmas Creche by
James C. Huffstutler
As we unpack the Christmas creche, let each piece become a prayer that our lives will be changed during Advent.
As we place the stable, let us remember how a place never meant to be a home sheltered our Lord. Let us pray that our homes will be places of hospitality for all who enter them.
As the star shone to give direction to the Magi, let us hold high a faith in Christ to shine forth and give direction to our lives
As the shepherds were the most common of folk and yet the only ones to be summoned by angels, may we never forget that God calls the simplest among us to tasks of greatest glory.
As the Magi moved in the deep belief that God was acting in this world, may we always look for that same redemptive activity and never be so proud that we cannot seek our Lord with childlike faith.
As sheep and donkey, oxen and lamb looked on the Holy Miracle in wonder, and sang the newborn Child to sleep, may we, too, stand in awe before each miracle, wondrous or simple, which our God will work.
As the angel proclaimed the tidings of God, may we be open to hear God calling us to be a part of God's plan .
As Joseph wondered, then obeyed where he could not understand, may we be obedient--even in the face of our own lack of understanding.
As Mary opened herself to the miraculous working of God through her, may we be instruments of God's love in whatever humble way we are summoned.
As God was in Christ reconciling the world, may we in prayer kneel before the manger and wonder again at the miracle of Christmas.
Submitted by Helen Holder, Austin, Texas. She also wi/1 share • a children's version of the prayer. Write Creche Herald.
???? and Comments
{) Were there really three Magi? What are their n~?
A.Matthew's Gospel does not give the number of Magi. The number three probably evolved from the gifts mentioned: gold; frankincense, and myrrh. Early Christian art was not consistent about the number of Magi, with ancient paintings and decorative objects depicting anywhere from two to eight Wise Men.
The names of the Magi are as uncertain as their number. In the Latin Church, from about the seventh century, variations of the names Gaspar, Melchior and Balthasar appeared. Varied spellings of those names traditionally are used today However, names have varied among other groups. For example, to the Syrians, the Magi were known as Larvandad, Hormisdas and Gushnasaph.
Exhibits Celebrate the Season
(Free unless otherwise noted)
Arkansas
Eureka Springs. Wings Victorian Home, 207 Kingshighway. Fee. 1-800-MANSION.
Louisiana
Natchitoches. Live Nativity Dec 13 & 20.
Maryland
Kensington. Washington Temple Visitors Center of Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Annual international event. 9900 Stoney Brook Dr. Dec. 4-Jan. 3. 301-587-0144.
Massachusetts
Attleboro. La Salette Shrine. Off Rte. I-95 . Int'! display . Nov. 26-Jan 3. Wheelchair accessible. 508-222-5410.
Michigan
Ann Arbor. Domino's Farms. 24 Frank Lloyd Wright Dr. Spirit of Christmas. Nov. 20-Dec. 31. Fee.
Mississippi
Cleveland. Delta State University 18th century Neapolitan presepio. Nov. 16 -Dec. 18.
New Hampshire
Manchester. Diocesan Museum, 140 Laurel St. Int'! display. Nov. 18-Feb 5 . 603-624-1729. Wheelchair accessible.
New Mexico
Santa Fe : "Los Ires Reyes Magos" (fheThree Kings). Jan . 6 . Pageantry climaxes Christmas celebration that begins December 11 Museum of International Folk Art. Contact Pedro RiberaOrtega. 505-982-5039.
New York
New York City. Metropolitan Museum of Art. 18th c. Italian presepio Slide talk Dec 10 at 2:30 p m. Fee Westbury, Long Island. St. Brigid ' s R.C. Church. 75 Post Ave. 18th c presepio. Nov . 29-Jan. 31. 516-334-0021.
CHRISTMAS EDITIONS presents The Heart of Christmas Sterling Silver Ornaments-1998 REDEMPTION
Ornament about 2"
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Ohio
Columbus State Auto Insurance Christmas Corner. 518 E. Broad St. 75 life-size Nativity figures and display. December 2-Jan.1. Dayton University of Dayton Marian Library International creches Year round & seasonal displays. 937-229-4214
Pennsylvania
Bethlehem. Town-wide events. 800-360-8687 . Putzes at Central Moravian Church, 610-866-5661; East Hills Moravian Church, 610-868-6481; Edgeboro Moravian Church, 610-866-8793. Malvern. Malvern Prep. School. 418 Warren Ave Int'! display. Free by appointment. 610-644-5454.
Nazareth. Whitefield House. Moravian Christmas. Nov.22-Jan . 10 610-759-5070.
Pittsburgh. Carnegie Museum of Art 440 Forbes Ave Presepio Admission.
York. Tour of Bethlehem on night of Jesus' birth . Temple Baptist Church. 2550 Pine Grove Rd Dec 10-13 717-7413748 Call for free tickets
Texas
Austin: Helen Holder's collection by appointment or during open house on December 12 . $1 donation to Salvation Army . 507433-2643 . West Virginia
Harpers Ferry. Dec. 4 ,5, 11 ,1 2 . Living Nativity. Traditional Music St. Peter's Catholic Church 304-535-2511.
Compiled byMaryB. Herzel
On the Street Where the Creche Reigns
By Dennis DesRosiers
A famous tragic play in Naples, Italy, is "Natale in Casa Cupiello" (Christmas in the Cupiello Household). In the play, an aging, unsuccessful gentleman channels all his energy and enthusiasm into the annual ritual of building the Christmas creche while his family life collapses around him. Cupiello lives in Naples and buys all his supplies on a tiny street called Via San Gregorio Armeno--the Crib Street.
I visited this street in May, and I could understand how Cupiello became overwhelmed in his passion.
Via San Gregorio Armeno was a heady blend of tantalizing aromas--the rich smell of resin from cut pine to build creches, burning wood from brick ovens to fire the terracotta figures, and I'm told, at Christmas, those earthy scents are suffused with the fragrance of struffoli, the tiny balls of deep fried pastry glazed with honey and orange peel.
It is estimated that more than 300,000 crib items go on sale the weeks before Christmas. The street is tucked into the labyrinth of an area known as Spaccanapoli, near Piazza San Domenico, and you will need a map from your hotel or agent.
In May, half the shops were closed and no street vendors were in sight Artisans were busy working on new figures, some of which were figures of celebrities, such as Princess Diana, the Pope and various opera singers.
Many figures are small works of art, but as with so many things in Naples, goods should be examined closely before buying. One artisan I saw had just finished a Pulcinella--
the comedy figure from the Italian commedia dell arte-and was submerging him in dirty water to take away the new look.
There were three or four shops which I would classify as tops . Figures in these shops were well shaped, with realistic facial expressions, and sculpted details such as buttons, feathers in their caps or musical instruments . Some of the more expensive were dressed in period costumes .
I bought six hand-painted figures from a shop owned by Ugo Esposito (www.mds.it/esposito). Each figure was 50,000 lira, about US$35 and well worth the price . Smaller 1.5'' figures started at about US$1, with some 5" ones costing up to US$200 each . The high-end figures featured local costumes, and a craftsman might take three to four days to complete one. Needless to say, there were even larger, more spectacular ones for the collector.
Among the wonderful accessories to be found were the baskets of grains, breads, fish and produce, hanging fruits and cheeses, and meats carefully strung on little pieces of twine. There were even tiny pizzas . These items were priced between 1000-5000 lira, or about US .50 to $3.50.
My purchases here included a reproduction of an ancient wine press, baskets of grapes, and little jugs in terra cotta and in straw wrapped glass. Of course, I couldn't resist the tiny bricks, blocks and roof tiles for my creche buildings If you are traveling to Italy, and you are a creche fanatic like me, you will surely love the Crib Street.
Dennis DesRosiers is a collector in Ontario, Canada.
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GIFTS FROM THE EAST
READERS SHARE lvfEMORIES AND TRADITIONS
One day I heard a group of nuns singing an Italian c~ol, "Tu scendi dalle stelle," that I had learned as a child. Suddenly, there stood all my memories. And so, I'd like to describe our creche at home.
We lived in a part of Philadelphia (PA) inhabited mainly by Italian immigrants like my parents. About two we_eks before Christmas, there appeared at our door an anc1~nt man with his bagpipes who had come to play Italian Christmas music for us. After he left, our family would settle in for prayer in front of the creche built by my father.
One year my father introduced the "rivers" to the creche. For this, he had fused two pie pans together so the water would flow from one to the other. Each "river" held a goldfish. My father explained that surely the travelers who had come from afar had had to cross rivers as well as land.
When he introduced the train set that my brother had received the previous year, my father told us that Christ had come down to us through the ages and that even in our own time, people could come to Bethlehem to find Jesus, and with trains at their disposal.
AuroraMalfitano, Drexel Hill, PA
* * *
In Italy, in ancient times, a Yule log, called a '.'ceppo," was dragged into the house and set afire w~th great ceremony. Children would be blindfolded and hit the log with sticks or tongs causing sparks to fly. When the blindfolds were removed, gifts magically appeared for each child.
. Later, the. idea of the ceppo changed, but not its name. Now, the ceppo is a wooden pyramid with several shelves and candles attached to the sides
One shelf holds the presepio which represents the Gift of God. ~other holds fruits and nuts as the Gifts of the Earth. A third shelf holds presents and family treasures for the G~ of~an
Making a ceppo is easy, so here are directions:
1 The ceppo is 4' tall. The four triangular shelves are equilateral and measure 29", 23", 17" and 11 " A top piece is 6-1 1211 • Use 3/4" plywood.
2. Center and drill holes 3" in from points at a 15 ° angle. Using 3 lengths of doweling, each 4 ft long, run the rod through the holes, making shelves about l O" apart . Saw off tops of dowels to form a flat surface and nail the top tier in place. Secure rod and shelves with nails
3. Glue and brad 3/4" screen molding to edges of shelves.
4 Hammer nails up through all the points of the 4 shelves These serve as the 12 candleholders
5. Paint ceppo. Glue decorative fo il wrap on shelves.
6. Place candles on holders.
Submitted by Anna Marie Fiori , Pittsburgh, PA
"I look for unique and unusual items crafted in the highest quality," declares Ben Bergstein, the charismatic co-owner of the Volga River Trading Company (VRTC) of Burlington, Vermont. Ben's background has well_p~epared him for this search. He is a choreographer by tralillilg, has taught international dance and culture, has traveled in about 60 countries, and has been an avid collector for thirty years. While VRTC has been in business since 1990, for the last five years, it has concentrated its efforts on the wholesale and retail of Russian crafts. During that time, Ben, who co-owns VRTC with his wife, April Werner, has actively participated in the sister city program of his native Burlington and its counterpart in Russia-- Yaroslavl. "Yaroslavl is part of the Golden Ring, the 1000-year old cities around Moscow," he explains, "and they are filled with wonderful traditions."
Elaborately decorated Russian style creche figures are among the latest VRTC additions. These Nativity fi~es, intricately hand carved in wood are especially commissioned by Ben. "The clothing is meticulously painted with beautiful and ornate patterns--all very Eastern," he says proudly.
VRTC also has several hand fashioned creche items in birch. For this, Russians use the brown inner layer of the white birch which looks like leather. "Birch has always been important to Russians," explains Ben, "In preChristian days, the people used birch amulets because they associated the wood with strength." Among VRTC's birch Nativity items: a I 0-piece set of free standing figures, a 3-D ornament, and a set folding into a box 2" x 7"x 4.". Recently, VRTC has added handcrafts from Romania and Armenia to its list of unique offerings. Contact Volga River Trading Company at: 1-800-63 9-4309 or by E-mail: volgariver@prodigy.com. Retail and wholesale .
SHOP'S SPIRITUAL ROOTS YIELD BOUNTIFUL BLESSINGS
What started as a part-time business for Norma DiCocco and her late husband, Lou, in 1965, selling books and small religious articles from their home and church, has grown into a national reputation and six large retail stores in Pennsylvania and New Jersey known as Saint Jude Shop, Inc. In addition, the DiCoccos formed a full fledged liturgical studio that oversees church renovations and supplies original art; its artisans specialize in the Old World decorating crafts of gold leaf ap~~on and faux finishes. •
l
orma believes that St. Jude's success is based upon Lou's vision and his mandate that the company listen to the spiritual needs of the community and consistently strive to meet those needs through product availability and excellence in customer service. "St. Jude's Shop was started as a ministry first and a business second," she explains, "Lou believed very strongly in helping to support his Church by the goods that we sold, enabling our customers to have a greater relationship with God through books, music, and the world of art."
And despite a continually growing staff that now numbers more than 60 employees, St. Jude Shop is definitely a family business in which Norma and Lou's children actively participate. Lou, III, directs the liturgical arts studio, Mark serves as office manager, Gregory heads the five branch stores, and Judy oversees customer service.
St.
Jude Shop, Inc. maintains a wide year-round selection of creches in different sizes and styles, from a full line of Fontanini figures and accessories to porcelain Nativity scenes, children's Nativities, and even Santas with the Nativity. Contact St. Jude Shop through any of the following. Tel: 1-800-523-7604. Fax: 610-853-2611. E-mail: info@stjudeshop.com. Web site address is: www.stjudeshop.com. A full list of their retail stores appears in their ad.
The Sandor Collection
HUNGARIAN ART IN THE TIMELESS TRADITION OF THE NATIVITY
Creations of the heart
Handcrafted by Hungarian artisans using the ancient technique of reverse hand cut applique.
Other traditional and unique Hungarian Nativities available retail and wholesale The Sandor Collection Leve and Carole Karvazy 14 Johnnycake Lane, New Hartford, Connecticut 06057 Tel: 860-738-1417 Fax: 860-379-1347
Major New England Exhibits of International Creches
Visitors of all ages delight in locating a Nativity from their place of birth at the International Display of Nativity Sets , a popular feature of the Christmas Festival ofLights at the La Salette Shrine in Attleboro, Massachusetts.
Nativities are arranged in alphabetical order-from Alaska to Zululand The oldest piece is an 18th century angel from Italy. An especially popular display among the local Portuguese population is the Portuguese presepio recreating the hillside village of Fayal in the Azores.
The Nativities are a portion of the collection owned by Fr. Timothy Goldrick of St. Bernard Parish in Assonet. Usually, Fr. Goldrick participates in construction of the exhibit, and occasionally leads visitors in a spirited tour.
• * * * *
At the Diocesan Museum of Manchester, New Hampshire, an extensive international display features creches from the collection of Fr Charles DesRuisseaux. A special highlight is Fr. DesRuisseau's Santon collection which he acquired in his travels through France . These 18" village figures, of which Fr. DesRuisseaux has about 100, are unusual in their size and complexity of detail.
Fr DesRuisseaux of St. Anthony Parish in the city has been a collector for over 25 years. His sets include wood carvings from Germany, sets from Ireland and those made by Native Americans
The Land of Silent Night 10-Day Christmas Theme Tour to Austria and Germany
December 8-17, 1998
Join Christmas Historian Bill Egan and Charlotte Mueller Attend holiday concerts, Christmas markets, trace sites of Silent Night carol creators & visit charming villages in spectacular Alpine scenery An unforgettable experience . Be home for Christmas . CALL 1-800-545-8653
OLIVE WOOD CRECHES FROM PAL CRAFfAID
PAL CRAFTAID is a nonprofit ministry established in 1994 under the Association of Churches of Greater Pierce County (Washington) to raise appreciation for the ancient craftsmanship of the Palestine people. Proceeds go to Dr. Viveca Hazboun's Child & Guidance Training Center, Bethlehem, a mental health facility.
Creches and ornaments are sculpted in olive wood by fourth generation Palestine Christian artisans, Salem Giacaman & Sons . Their shop is located in Manger Square, Bethlehem. Tree ornaments are $4 and creches range from about $11 for a 5" model to about $105 for a set with 5" figures.
Contact: The Rev . Elizabeth B. Knoll, 106 SW 299th Place, Federal Way, Washington 98023 . Tel : 253-9464810.
Goebel
CHRISTMAS REFLECTIONS
by Val J. Peters
Christmas officially opens here at the Village of Boys Town on the first Sunday of December. We all gather in the Music Hall where the children enjoy O 'Henry's classic, The Gift of the Magi, and then we sing Christmas carols. This is followed by the lighting of the Christmas creche in the Village Square and Christ's Christmas Tree. Our kids also do "Christmas Reflections" a week before the holiday. Last year, shortly before the Christmas Reflections week, one of our girls, Amber, had told the following story:
When she was about four or five, a social worker came to take her away from her mom. She said she knew her mom wasn't taking good care of her, but she cried when the woman said she had to go with her. Amber begged her mother to help, but her mother only turned her back, walked into the bedroom and slammed the door.
Amber said, "As I was being taken out that day, I made a promise to myself that I would hate Christmas forever and ever." Then she added, "And I have kept that promise ever since."
Amber was 14 years old when she told us that story. For most of her young life, she had shut her heart from the peace and serenity of the Nativity.
During the week of Christmas Reflections, I made a special request of Amber. "Amber, you need to take that promise you made when you were four or five and you need to put it in the crib at the feet of Jesus this year. That way, the promise isn't yours to keep anymore. I want you to let the Lord love you on Christmas and have a beautiful experience of the Lord's birth."
Although Amber agreed to do as I asked, I still wasn't sure what really would happen. On Christmas morning, when I had finished all the Masses, I saw Amber at the chapel door with a girl friend. She seemed to have a slip of paper in her hand. Amber smiled, walked over to me, and without a word spoken, we both went up to the creche. At the creche, she hesitated. Then she put her written promises at the feet of Jesus in the manger.
That was the best Christmas gift I had ever seen.
Fr. Val J. Peters, JCD, STD, is Executive Director of Father Flanagan's Boys' Home. Boys Town, Nebraska
TIIE CRECHE IN THE LAND OF THE MAGYARS
How do you convince a new generation of Hungarians to continue a tradition of distinctive and beautiful handicrafts? That's where Carole and Leve Karvazy of The Sandor Collection in New Hartford, Connecticut come in. Since 1988, the Karvazys have been working with Hungarian artists and artisans to keep alive the unique traditions of that country. Among their many imports are the distinctive reverse applique feltwork creches. The feltwork originally decorated the szur (wool greatcoat) worn by herdsmen.
Leve Karvazy was born in Baja in southern Hungary, but in 1956, at age 18, he fled that Communist country for the United States. In 1988, he returned for his parents' fiftieth wedding anniversary and brought back beautiful handcrafted gifts for his wife, Carole.
When Leve returned to Hungary, the craft co~peratives, previously subsidized by the Communists, were on their own. Both he and Carole feared the crafts would eventually die out. They learned of Aid to Artisans, a nonprofit organization based in Connecticut, which linked entrepreneurs with Hungarian craftspersons, and soon the Karvazys were started on their venture They believe they are still the only importers of traditional handcrafts from Hungary.
"The feltwork used in our creches is very unique to Hungary," states Carole, "and it is a painstaking process. The outline of the shapes to be embellished are traced on the back of a piece of felt. The artisan lays a second piece offelt on the right side of the first and machine stitches the motif within the outlines . Turning the felt over, the artisan cuts out the intricate stitched motifs. The punched designs are made with sharp chisels and dies of different shapes. The felt is positioned on a log or hard surface and the artisan strikes the chisel with a mallet to pierce the double thickness offelt. The edges that look pinked are actually formed with a chisel."
Leve and Carole also import the ceramic Nativities of well known Hungarian artists, Agnes Barsody Papp and Katalin Moldavi.
Contact The Sandor Collection at: Tel: 860-738-1417 or Fax: 860-379-1347.
A CHRISTMAS PROJECT TO THINK ABOUT
For yourself or as a gift, you might want to think about building an eye-catching creche yard display. Full size patterns with painting and mounting instructions for scenes of various sizes are available from The Winfield Collection, 112 Ellen Street, Fenton, Ml 48430-2197 or by calling 1800-WlNFIELD. Prices start at about $13 for a six piece self standing construction of a Nativity to about $50 for larger Nativities that include shepherds, Magi and animals.
LIFE-SIZE NATIVITY GLOWS ON ROOFTOP
When State Auto Insurance Company of Columbus, Ohio, was founded in 1921, a post-war boom was just beginning. When the boom turned into the Great Depression, its founder, Robert Pein, remained an optimistic super salesman. During this period, the company's philanthropic efforts took on mythic proportions. Starting with the distribution of fresh eggs to the needy--about 12,000--to the distribution of toys and tickets to sports events to children, the company attempted to ease the harsh conditions in the city
But, above all, Pein and State Auto became synonymous with Christmas in Columbus. Starting in 1932, when holiday building decorations featured over 2500 lights and 853 Christmas trees to the outbreak of World War II when a "Santa Claus Towne" was erected on the roof, the decorations became increasingly more complex World War II ended the display, and when it was resumed after the war, the focus was changed. Santas and castles were replaced by a life-size Nativity.
Today, the display has 75 human and animal figures. In 1998, the exhibit has been enlarged to include a separate scene for the shepherds, as well as scenes depicting the Annunciation, Journey to Bethlehem and the Nativity itself. Known as State Auto's Christmas Corner, the Nativity display is one of the great attractions of Central Ohio.
eminiscent of the classic rolling pastures and meadows aero.IS America, the , Bucks Country Stable is completely handcrafted of wood, internally lit, highly detailed and includes a meandering stteam and grotto on the front. A warm barnboard base trim frames the entire scene.
Size is approximately 16w x 16d x 22h. Each distinctive creche is signed and numbered and limited to an edition of 200. The price is $750., plus shipping and handling. Figures are 5 1/2", quality resin, highly detailed and hand painted • from Matteo Comploi in Italy• and retail for approximately $17. each
Call or write for the new Navidad Heirloom Nativity Catalogue. Details, including landscape materials, are subject to change.
Subscriptions: $12 per year. (Canada: $15 U.S.; other countries: $16 U.S.) A check or money order is enclosed payable to the CRECHE HERALD. Mail to: CRECHE HERALD
117 Crosshill Road Wynnewood, PA 19096-3511 U.S.A.
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