Merry
Christmas 2001
Welcome
to the Nisja's 21st year. I don't write my letter with quite the same enthusiasm
as usual. The events of September 11 have changed the world forever. There has
been incredible good will among each and everyone and I hope you can help us.
Every year many of you ask me if we need anything from Barbie dolls to bikes and
from trains to trikes. I would like to take you up on your offers. This year we
have added a new addition. We have added a Toys for Tots Barrel to our front
yard. There are may children that will not ever see our display and for that
matter they never see a tree with gifts under it. Our goal with your help: fill
some barrels and make a difference. We only have until December 19th to help.
What
do you do after the 20th year was so great (even with the energy crisis), you
take the thing that people love the most and make it better. That's right, we
made the train bigger and better. We moved it closer to the street and totally
redesigned the layouts on the lawn. We have around 200 feet of track down for
all three layouts. There are many other changes that we have rnade this year.
Lots of them will never be seen as they will work to improve the performance and
durability to our entire display. Other changes are visible such as the new
church and railroad cutouts. In case you didn't notice, the hours have changed a
little. Sunday through Thursday is 6:00 PM to 9:00 PM and Friday and Saturday
are 6:00 PM until 10:00 PM. We will have it running until 10:00 pm or later on
Christmas eve. We need to change this due to the additional cost of electricity.
Answering some of the questions that you ask us each year: it takes between 200
and 250 hours to set up, we store everything at my home in Rohnert Park and here
at mom and dad's. What is the hardest thing happening after 20 years?
Remembering where everything goes! Even with pictures and video, we still look
at each other and ask "What did we do with this?" Each year it also
get tougher to enlarge the display as more and more time has to go into
maintenance. The soldiers that we made last year had to be completely redone as
the finish did not cure properly. It took about 50 to 60 hours to refinish them.
Most of the cutouts take 20 to 40 hours for each one. We usually start. working
on them in August. Our son Niklis (who is now 6 years old) would like us to make
a 12 piece Nativity set next year! Speaking of our son, he is very involved in
helping. He knows how to use a cordless screwdriver and if there ever is a light
out, he will
be
the first to find it! He is our pride and joy and my inspiration. When we are
here, he enjoys talking with you and your children. He is always sure to ask you
if you have seen the newest item we have made. Mom and dad still stay home each
evening in December so you and your families can come and enjoy our display.
Last year we started a small web site with some pictures of our display. We
have been able to use it to share what we do with friends around the world.
Check it out at www.sonic.net/~ren383.
Recently
I was out with an old friend. We went through Macy's (the old Emporium) and I
had to stop for a moment and reminisce about my childhood and the window display
that motivated me to start my own display 21 years ago. Our display has become a
way of spending time with friends and family throughout the year.
Speaking
of friends and family, I need to thank them. If I did not have the support from
mom, dad, my sister, a very close friend, and my wife, this display would never
get completed.
When was the last time you sat down with your family and watched a Christmas special or movie together? I recently did. I bet when you do, you will remember those thoughts and feeling that remind you of Christmas when you were young. We hope that coming by makes you think back to those special times with friends and family. Have a very Merry Christmas. Donn Nisja