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J.D. Anderson has a passion for Christmas - he lives on Christmas Lane! In 1982, he began collecting his Department 56 "Snow Villages" by purchasing his first houses after viewing a village set up in a business window. And so the search began. Over the past 27 years family and friends have continued to add to his collection. J.D. has invested many miles and hours of travel to track down pieces he might have missed in the early years of production to gather together what is thought to be the only known complete collection of the "Snow Village" line in the world, including the six original buildings.
In the 1990's, J.D. put the entire village on display to raise money for a local Food Bank in the Lansing, Michigan area. The time involved in setting up and taking down the exhibit made J.D. realize that it would be better to have the villages on permanent display. So he built a 40 foot by 60 foot room on his home and began working on the display. In 2008, J.D. had a conversation with Kathy Hart, the Executive Director for The Manna Food Project in Harbor Springs, Michigan, and told her about the exhibit and how he would like to offer it at sometime to raise money to benefit The Manna Food Project and the local food pantries. J.D. had taken a 5-year break in working on the project so once the date was set for the fundraiser he, along with family and friends, began working tirelessly to finish the exhibit and track down pieces that may have been missing. The attention to detail in setting up these scenes helps to bring them to life as you stroll through a winter wonderland. Along with the huge center table, display cases line the walls on one side of the room with the additional pieces he is unable to get into the main display. On the other side of the room you can visit the "Halloween Villages" in their entire spooky splendor.
J.D. and his wife Nancy are graciously opening their home and this exhibit to raise money for the Manna Food Project and the Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra. As the food bank for 34 pantries in Northwest Lower Michigan, the Manna Food Project provides nourishment for the families struggling in our communities. The Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra provides nourishment for the soul by bringing top quality music to the area on a year-around basis. Together, these two organizations hope to bring joy and smiles to those visiting J.D. and Nancy's home to see this fantastic display.
Friday, June 5, 2009, there will be a special preview of the exhibit along with dinner and music. Cost is $80.00 per person and seating is limited.
Saturday, June 6, 2009 is an Open House for the public from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. Cost is $15.00 for adults, $3.00 for children 3 - 10 years. No strollers will be allowed in the house.
For more information or tickets contact:
The Manna Food Project 231-347-8852 or manna@mannafoodproject.org
Great Lakes Chamber Orchestra 231-487-0010 or glco@charterinternet.com
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