Miniature Christmas village rises from the ashes

Not long after Nancy and Bill Baydalla retired and moved into their new home in The Retreat at Love Creek in 2014, a fire in their garage caused extensive damage, including the loss of Nancy’s Christmas village collection.

She had been collecting Lemax buildings and figures since the 1990s and took pride in her annual Christmas display, which started on one table. She began her collection again and her display has grown to more than 100 buildings and several tables.

Her collection grew in a major way when she bought 34 pieces at a local thrift shop for $250. Now, Bill sets up the tables and hooks up the electrical connections a week before the entire family descends on their home and spends a weekend constructing the village. This year, they added a Polar Express Lionel train to the village.

The couple hosted open houses Jan. 7-8 to let friends and neighbors see their display.