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Christmas Figure Collector's Dream Comes Alive

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By Scott E. Smith | The Suncoast News

Published: November 29, 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 been collecting items that comprise the villages for roughly 40 years. "It's a family tradition that was inspired by my late mother and aunt," Tipton commented.

The main component of Tipton's winter wonder land consists of about 100 Department 56 miniature porcelain houses, buildings and storefronts with many of the pieces being lit from the inside out.

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 smoke stack and another train delights viewers of all ages. Her villages are complete with trees, roads, automobiles and plenty of statues that represent residents.

Also included are moving figurines such as a Ferris wheel, store keepers and ice-skater's 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 directly at Discovery Realty, at 848-0486, or visit the real estate office, 5820 Nebraska Ave., 1 - 9 p.m. on Saturday, Dec. 12, during the quarterly shop-n-stroll put on by Greater New Port Richey Main Street.

For more photos of the various villages visit www.suncoastnews.com, keyword: Tipton Village.

Scott E. Smith can be reached at 727-815-1063 or ssmith@suncoastnews.com.

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