The “Bear House”, as some of you folks have dubbed us, was started in about 1980 when a it teenage boy in high school wanted to add something to the house at Christmas.Lights are nice, but everyone can have them. He needed something different.

There it was, a 4x8 sheet of plywood. What could this teenager do with this??? He thought back to his childhood. As he grew up head many memories of the windows at Emporium. The visits upstairs to see the trains as well as jolly old Santa. The only smart thing, seemed to make a snowman. It did, however, need a special touch. It needed a motor to run it. This became the first “project”.From there it developed into a large scale production.

The following year he added a table to the porch. As bear after bear was added, it got to the point that the porch wasn't large enough. So one December day another bear came home with an old style hair dryer. What was this young man going to do with them?

Two days later he had a bear blowing bubbles. This worked well. It was too large for the table but could be set on a base and blow bubbles over the plants. The only problem with it was replacing the azalea that was killed each year.

The following year, with the porch filled, he created a box that can hold those additional ideas that would no longer fit on the porch. He dulled many chain saw chains, cutting and carving the oak logs he uses. He came up with a bear going back and forth on a ladder decorating the tree; a dog in his house, excited to get a present; another bear that is a little dizzy from a sledding crash. Later an LGB train was added. The table on the porch was modified so the train could take two routes.

Through the years, many things have come and gone. The young man who works so hard to set it up now lives in Rohnert Park. He comes down each year at Thanksgiving to set up the display, always trying to come up with new ideas.

He has recently started on his house, taking what he has learned and trying to make it special for people up there. He works in retail and is always challenged to get the houses ready before the holiday rush. He gets frustrated when trying to repair those things that break each year.

When asked why he does this, his answer is quite simple. I do it for the children. I will always do it for the children. You see, I will always remember those family moments at the Emporium that still keep me believing in Santa. When I build something, I look at it through a child's eyes. Who knows, maybe someday one of your children will remember a night here. One day they might ask, “Dad, are you using that sheet of plywood for anything?”

As I do now live in Rohnert Park, dad does most of the upkeep. He stops what he’s doing several times a night to fill the bubbles. He can often be found in the front yard sharing a story. His joy is like mine. The happiness of watching the children.

If you’re young or just young at heart, thanks for visiting. We hope we put some joy into your Christmas.

Merry Christmas, Donn Nisja