ROANOKE TIMES
Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times
DATE: Thursday, November 21, 1996 TAG: 9611210002
SECTION: HOLIDAY GIFT GUIDE PAGE: 6 EDITION: METRO
Collectors are always on the lookout for that special piece for to add to their collection. The harder it is to find, the bigger the challenge to add it to their personal treasure trove.
Marlene Holmes of Roanoke made a phone call to Fallon Florist.
"Do you have the 1995 Yankee Jud Bell Casting from the New England Village Series - a piece that was retired or taken out of production last year?"
"Yes."
She bought it and the 1993 Blue Star Ice Company.
Holmes and her husband Scott wanted to put the pieces in display cases he recently built. The lighted cases will show off their collection year-round.
The Holmes vacationed in New England in 1989, loved the area and started collecting the series, starting with the original seven houses.
"It's too nice to keep in boxes and put out for only a few days," Holmes said. "We like to leave it out to see it."
Department 56 specializes in themed villages such as Dickens, Alpine and New England.
"One lighted piece makes a good night light," said Ruth Valentine, Fallon Florist manager. You could choose a lighted Victorian House or church to start a collection.
1996 marks the 12th year of the Heritage Village Collection. It includes 225 lighted designs, 103 are still available. The lighted buildings and accessory pieces are created of finely detailed, hand-painted porcelain. All lighted pieces are stamped with the designated series name, title, year of introduction and Department 56 Inc. logo.
It only takes one or two Village pieces to get started. "Start A Tradition" sets include two lighted houses, accessories, trees, snow and a cobblestone road. Put them on a table for a centerpieces or make a scene under a holiday tree. They also fit on top of an armoire, corner of a staircase landing or on a bookshelf as bookends.
"I think people with young children make it a family activity - for mom, dad and children," Valentine said. "Putting it up becomes something they do as a family, and it becomes a tradition. They shop together. Dad and child may shop for a piece for Mom."
Villages are made of porcelain and ceramic and are available in seven different themes. From Dickens and the North Pole to Christmas in the City and New England, there is a style to fit any home.
The earliest Christmas villages were first popular in Germany and depicted the nativity scene. Immigrating families brought this tradition to the United States in the 19th century. As the popularity of the villages spread in the U.S., manufacturers began producing miniature houses, churches, animals and figurines.
Department 56 discontinues several pieces each year.
The villages are available at Leggett and Salem Creek.
LENGTH: Medium: 58 lines ILLUSTRATION: PHOTO: Victoria Station, part of the Department 56 Heritageby CNBVillage Collection is available at Leggett, Fallon Florist and Salem
Creek in Roanoke.