A merry, little Christmas display
By KATIE SEMINARA
Village sparks the imagination, evokes moods of the season
Every holiday season Gregg Fine treats his family and friends to dinner at a local burger joint, then they catch a movie at the theater, followed by beer and conversation at the Yuengling Tavern.
This night out on the town is enjoyed in the comfort of the Fines’ Youngstown home — one room to be exact.
How? The activities are done on a small scale. A very small scale.
The Fines have a model holiday village boasting more than 160 figurine pieces with 76 houses and all the needed accessories for a miniature collection.
“We liked the Snow Village, because the houses are big,” said Gregg’s mother, Barbara Fine, 65, of choosing collectibles retailer Department 56’s Original Snow Village.
“There is a lot more detail with Snow Village,” added 31-year-old Gregg.
Collecting started in 1989 when the Fines purchased their first pint-size house called the “Springfield House.” The blue of the Springfield House was reminiscent of the color of the Fines’ home, so they chose it to start their village.
“I love all the houses but I like that one the best,” said Barbara of the Springfield, reminding her of a time when her whole family lived together.
After the first year the village houses and buildings continued to multiply and the display became more elaborate.
The village was originally set up on one table which made Gregg’s job “simple.” Now the village needs an entire room, and three years ago Gregg created Styrofoam levels on folding tables so each tiny house, building and accessory is visible.
“It takes two complete days to get it all wired up,” said Gregg, noting that he only uses one plug to turn on all the lights.
“What keeps me motivated is that everyone comes to see if [the village] gets bigger,” he said.
There is plenty to be seen.
Houses with trains circling the yard, churches playing music, a Ford dealership with a red Mustang rotating in the showroom and about seven Santas ready to spread the holiday cheer.
“I bought the Ford building about seven years ago,” Gregg said. “I like cars and that’s probably why I bought the Chevy piece, too.”
One building Gregg and his older siblings, Debbie and Brett, all agreed on was Shelly’s Diner.
The glow from the retro diner’s sign shines across the miniature town, and wreaths and garland hang from the tin siding creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere.
“You don’t see many diners like that anymore,” said Gregg of how the village keeps bits of history alive.
If one of the village members were to burn his or her mouth on diner fries there wouldn’t be a hospital for them to visit.
Although the village has everything to facilitate its residents’ daily needs, it is lacking a hospital, police station and high school.
The hospital and police station were discontinued before the Fines started collecting, but if new ones come out they will be added, said Gregg.
“I am determined to make our village grow larger on a yearly basis,” he said.
When a resident of Snow Village breaks a leg ice skating, instead of getting a cast, Gregg is the doctor who uses Tacky Wax to stick the legs back together.
“We’ve had tragedies with accessories,” he said of the tables getting bumped by visitors.
Because the Fines celebrate both Hanukkah and Christmas there are numerous friends, family and co-workers who gaze upon the expanding village each year.
“Our family really enjoys it. They come and they say, ‘Oh my God I can’t believe you got more houses,’” Barbara said.
The kids especially like to look at the village. They enjoy the houses and churches playing music and always watch the moving train, she said.
Pointing out the differences each holiday and the new collection pieces is part of the spirit of the village.
“Every year I find something new,” Barbara said. “I think that’s because of the way Gregg does it.”
“I don’t even remember the layouts from the previous year. Part of the fun is doing it different every year,” Gregg said.
One other difference for Gregg this year is that he dedicated this year’s village display to his cousin, Marc DeCello, who is battling cancer.
Their families won’t be together during the holidays, but the joy of the village can be shared over the miles.
Though the Fines have been displaying the village for about 20 years, its aura grows each season.
“When I look at [the village] it reminds me of old times,” Barbara said.
“I could sit here for hours and just look.”