Thank you to Judy and Terry Falline for the “new” antique rope tightener (also known as a bed key) for the rope beds at the D.D. Collins House. We will not only use the tightener, but the story of how it was used will be fun to share. If you missed our story about the feather bed adventure click the piece or rope below . . .

This is a photo of the doll that belonged to Lavadna's mother. We first thought this belonged to her when she was a child; but have since have learned just how precious it really is. This baby doll was actually her momma's comfort doll when she had Alzheimer's disease. This doll represents much love and has very dear and precious memories. This baby doll, which has been loaned by Lavadna to the Friends of the D.D. Collins House for the 2019 holiday event, has been dressed in

. . . about it! Everywhere you look in the bedroom, there are toys, toys, toys - from stacking blocks to books, and toy horses to dolls. From the 1930s . . . let's cook! Here's another view of the toy stove. Surely many children played "make believe" and cooked along side their mothers. Makes you want to start some holiday baking and cooking, doesn't it? An applesauce ornament and cinnamon ornament hand-made by one of the preschoolers from an earlier visit not long ago brings

. . . about it! Here are close-ups of the small tree in living room parlor filled with candles, dried apple slices, pine cones, and garlands of cranberries and popcorn and a tiny basket. Notice the dried hydrangeas, too. The kitchen aglow from the December afternoon sun, features a mid-century aluminum tree with mercury glass ornaments hanging from its branches. A few antique toys are tucked under the tree while clippings of fresh boxwood fill the antique dough bowl on the ta

. . . about it! A tree representing the late 1800s - early 1900s can be found in the living room parlor. The tree is accented with garlands of popcorn and cranberries. In days gone by the dried apples would have added the fragrance of Christmas and would have been plentiful as this fruit would have been harvested from the orchards and kept in the cool cellars for eating all winter long. Candles would have lighted the tree of old. You can also see miniature antique basket

Here's a sneak peek of the community tree now in place. It will be decorated just in time for the lighting on Saturday. The wreaths have been placed in the windows and on the door. Step by step we are getting ready for the Light-up Parade and visit from Santa. Photos taken by Carolyn Welch on December 3rd, 2019. The garland on the fence is hung. Photo taken by Carolyn Welch on December 4th, 2019. Click Santa below for all of the big event information:

. . . about it! The Troy Times-Tribune reporter, Stephanie Malench, meets with Lavadna Hines at the Collins House to ask about the decorations for the Collins House for Christmas. The furniture in the dining room has been somewhat rearranged to make room for not only the corner Christmas tree, filled with a collection of ornaments from the 1930s and 40s, but to make room for Santa, who will meet and greet youngsters on December 7 and hear their deepest wishes. Simple boxwood