Dickens Village 2017

Sharon Ciri wrote on January 20th, 2018
I look forward every year to your displays. Love them so much. Thank you for what you do and sharing.
Debbie Givens wrote on January 13th, 2018
Larry you're my idol!! Each year your villages are such an inspiration, you don't miss any details. The annual village to Brighton is something I look forward to every year. Maybe next year you could do Brighton like you did your Halloween village, now that you're retired and have soooooooooooo much more time on your hands!! lol I have to say I am jealous of your endless supply of styrofoam! Thanks again for another great year
Barb Potje wrote on January 11th, 2018
As usual a wonderful job. I always enjoy your time-travelling. Thanks for sharing.
Rene A Hewlett wrote on December 28th, 2017
I have attempted much smaller Dickens Village Christmas displays. This will be my inspiration for next year.
Kandi sturm wrote on December 28th, 2017
Nice, very nice.... I am inspired
Randellyn wrote on December 27th, 2017
Larry, you've done it again! I always look forward to your village displays each year and it's always an exceptional treat! It's a wonderful way to close each year. Brighton looks wonderful and there's so much to see, I will return to visit many times. Love that you include a story with each display every year. The water in the harbor just took my breath away...it looked so real and fantastic....as everything does. Another superb job! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!
Rebecca Morse wrote on December 27th, 2017
WOW! Just WOW!
It takes me days to process all this creativity. I consider myself a pretty capable and imaginative villager, but you take my breath away.

First off, yes the cathedral shot is awesome, but most of your shots are. Your photography makes the viewer feel like it’s all real. The shot of the corner of the Crowntree Inn looking toward St Stephens is so intimate and cozy that I just want to be there. The same goes for the shot looking past St Stephens along Portobello Road toward the split. Just magical! So much atmosphere and ambiance. (I’m not a romantic at all LOL)

Then, of course, there are the structural elements. I love the split staircase around the fountain in front of the cathedral and the checkered courtyard. The harbor every year is a delightful surprise. And can I just say I fell over when I saw the little canal and the figures in the boat.

And, as every year, the devil is in the details. The little bits of fencing, the odd planters here and there, and OMG, the posts with the looping chains in front of the canal! BRILLANT!

Your villages are always a delight and a surprise, not to mention an inspiration.
I think you would be astounded if you knew what a gift all your talents are to me and the hours (literally) of joy they provide as I examine the pictures over and over all year long.

I could go on and on. I wish we were neighbors so I could stop for coffee and ooh and aww about the many elements that are such a treat to examine. I have friends who do that for me when my villages are done, and I have to admit I love all their enthusiasm and endless questions.

So, again, thank you so much for sharing. I’ll enjoy studying this latest offering, over and over. I have taken screen shots of every frame of every village since I found you in 2013, and I revisit Brighton in all of its iterations all year long.
Paul wrote on December 23rd, 2017
I wait all year for the new village each year. You should include video next time
Colleen OConnell wrote on December 23rd, 2017
This is one of the things I look forward to each year. Its becoming a tradition. Again this year a fantastic job. Beautifully built and wonderfully narrated. Thank you for an enjoyable annual trip
Kathy Chrest wrote on December 22nd, 2017

what a beautiful display and the story telling is remarkable. What a creative mind!!!
Kathleen McCook wrote on December 22nd, 2017
Return again and again!
Larry & Saundra Sharpe wrote on December 21st, 2017
Wonderful and very creative displays. Brings back memories of yesteryears when all of us created
Each year building on the previous years display. You are using all of your creative juices that God blessed you with
Merry Christmas everyone
C.M. Hiltunen wrote on December 21st, 2017
Beautifully executed, wonderfully imaginative. Thank you for doing this huge display and sharing it with everyone. Have a wonderful Holiday season.
Mary VanderBloomen wrote on December 21st, 2017
Once again, a wonderful display and story. So much detail it's hard to figure out where to look first. Thanks for sharing!
Frances wrote on December 21st, 2017
Absolutely amazing, I don't have words to describe it. You have done an unbelievable work of genius here. Thank you so very much for sharing this wondrous display.
Debbie wrote on December 21st, 2017
Great story telling with everything Dept 56...Wish i had the room to set up my buildings, or my kids enjoyed the collection as much as i do...thank you for sharing.
stefanie scher wrote on December 21st, 2017
Amazing!
Julie wrote on December 20th, 2017
I loved it - and the story was great! Nice job!
Brenda Jones wrote on December 20th, 2017
Thanks for sharing your beautiful village! Glad to know someone else has stories behind each person in their display!
Lilian Decman wrote on December 20th, 2017
Awesome display..I’m now excited to set up my Dickens and Christmas In The City houses again after 10 years...
William KIng wrote on December 20th, 2017
What a great display. You have put so much excitement into your production. I collect the Dickens Village and know what it takes to put it together. Fabulous!
Christine Speedie wrote on December 20th, 2017
What a beautiful display.
KIM ANDERSON wrote on December 20th, 2017
Wonderful displays-really like the "water" and the lanterns on the ship!
Cheryl Guth wrote on December 20th, 2017
Beautiful display and your story just pulls it all together. I am making a digital book of photos and narrative about family members that add special meaning
To so many of my North Pole houses. You should publish your story and pictures...so much time and attention has gone into your display!! I love it!
Paula Lazarus wrote on December 20th, 2017
Absolutely beautiful, love the narrative. I felt like I was really there! So much love and work went into this!
Beverly Stouky wrote on December 20th, 2017
This is a most wonderful village display. The narrative pulls it all together so you can see the thought process. I do this in my head with my villages but have never thought to put it on paper. What a great idea!
Marianne Scoggin wrote on December 20th, 2017
This is wonderful! I will be slowly looking at each photo and then be coment on individual scenes. Thanks so much for sending me notice that it was posted! I will be reposting your link for various village collector groups on FaceBook and sending it to friends. For now, I once again really enjoyed the guided tour and story you provide. Thanks for sharing!
Marianbe Scoggin wrote on December 20th, 2017
This is wonderful! I will be slowly looking at each photo and then be coment on individual scenes. Thanks so much for sending me notice that it was posted! I will be reposting your link for various village collector groups on FaceBook and sending it to friends. For now, I once again really enjoyed the guided tour and story you provide. Thanks for sharing!
David and Linda Spears wrote on December 20th, 2017
Brighton has taken on a new look - congrats on the changes. As soon as Linda finishes making fattigmand, we plan to tour your 2017 village together. Thanks for your creativity and hard work. Merry Christmas!!
Kathleen McCook wrote on December 20th, 2017
Little family sitting behind new fountain was so subtle,.
Kathleen McCook wrote on December 20th, 2017
I was able to capture the opening image and put it on facebook with a link.
Maria wrote on December 20th, 2017
An enjoyable visit to an interesting time period.
Kathleen McCook wrote on December 20th, 2017
This is truly exciting and educational. I tweeted it and sent an image o the Sun Sentinel. The trestle fire was sadly realistic given the Washington derailment.
Kathleen McCook wrote on December 19th, 2017
trying to get in
maria wrote on December 19th, 2017
testing this service