Because this thread is still getting many visits, I am inserting an announcement we posted on Ted's site on October 30, 2012:

----------------------------------------------------------------
Announcement, October 30, 2012

After years of acting, performing music, and collecting and writing about his favorite Christmas traditions, "Papa" Ted Althof has succumbed to illness, on October 29, 2012. A Celebration of his life and work is planned, although we have no details yet.

When he realized his was ill, Ted worked with CardboardChristmas.com to establish this archive of his "Putz house" site, which will, hopefully, continue to inform, encourage, and bless other lovers of Christmas tradition for years to come. In the coming weeks, we will be making necessary adjustments (such as changing the contact information), but our primary goal is to keep the information on this site as useful and available as Ted always intended it to be.

In the meantime we appreciate Ted's diligence, his generousity, and his love of Christmas traditions. We also pray for those close to him who showed so much support in his last months.

If you need to contact us before we get everything switched over, please use the Cardboard Christmas contact page.

To paraphrase Dickens, Ted was a man who:

honored Christmas in his heart, and tried to keep it all the year.

I don't think there is a more fitting tribute than to follow his example.

Paul Race, Howard Lamey, Maria Cudequest, Nan Corby, Jack Ahearn, and the rest of the CardboardChristmas.com family.

--------------------- Returning to the Original Post --------------------

Years ago, putz house collector, cataloger, historian, writer, and promoter Ted Althof started a web page called Papa Ted's Place dedicated to sharing whatever he knew and whatever he could learn about cardboard Christmas houses. Ted loved hearing from readers. He had a "guest book" for a while, but unfortunately his web server couldn't filter the spammers, so he had to shut it down. This week, we offered Ted the option of interacting with his readers on this page. Ted, when you read this, chime in, so folks know we're not making this up. In the meantime, have a great holiday season, all - Paul

Ted…Good morning to you…and all the many followers of your site…

I have been visiting “Papa Ted’s Place” on a very regular basis since I first found it about late 2006...

What wonderful childhood memories it brought back…a little cardboard village…houses my sister and I made from Lincoln Logs and American Plastic Bricks…our dime store manger scene…all set up on a white sheet under the tree…and of course…my American Flyer electric trains…

I credit you with giving me the inspiration to jump into making little houses…my prime creative outlet that has brought me much pleasure…plus I’ve made e-friends with many, many people who share our passion for little houses…

I am very pleased to see your site is now linked with Paul’s new Cardboard Christmas forum…it’s just one more way for the hobby we love to grow and prosper…perhaps we’ll even convince some of the “ceramic collectors” to come over to our side…

Keep in touch…my very best regards…

Howard

_________________
View my Little Glitter House Photo Album
https://photos.google.com/share/AF1QipOODm--XeeYEyxSdc4RY4DdTpQBRuRSWuipFHFP7-QWtidYW9c6Az-qbcAAQXLsBw?key=YlNqQjVkbWRLcjlSS3F6dHZQa3RhN0x5Mm9MTFd3

Hello to all my "Gang" and everyone who visits "Papa Ted's Place!"

This is a new experiment to liven up activity and discuss all things "putzey" and Christmas - a place for memories and stories to be shared - a place for Christmas People to stay in touch. (Christmas people are the best!)

I found it a little complicated at first, but hope we can all get past that and enjoy an ongoing pleasure here.

Bookmark your way in, once you have found it.

All thanks to Paul Race for providing this!

-Ted

Hi, Ted,

Glad you figured out how to chime in! I'm hoping this forum gives your readers and other fans of putz houses and Christmas collectibles a better way to have a "conversation" with you and with each other. - Paul

Hi Ted,

I want to tell you how much I enjoy all my visits to your site!! I have ordered many doors and windows from you and they make all the difference in my houses!! There is a part of you in so many of my putz houses!!

Lynn

Oh, what fun this will be! As a faithful "Papa Ted" follower this will be an exciting adventure.

Paul, my thanks to you for creating this forum and I hope it will be another place for us cardboard house collectors to share our love of these little houses and the wonderful memories they bring every Christmas Season and the memories I wish future generations will appreciate!

Ted and Paul, thank you,

Janet

Well, I'm glad to see some you have already found the forum before I even got it posted on the website! I hope it proves out. They say you can even post pictures, but i haven't figured it out yet.
-Ted

Got these photos this morning from Tom H and with his permission I am posting. Quite a find. Here's what he has to say:
A new find from friend and putz collector Tom H--Santa's workshop

Tom says that: It is called “Santa’s Workshop” and is very likely a Colmor product as it has those type of windows on the door and the general Printed look of the thing. It is large being 9” long 6” deep and 6” high. When lit by a bulb placed in the hole in the back, the interior scene of Santa's workshop is illuminated.

p.s. they're late 1940's

Ted, I just ordered a few more doors and windows, but your magic window quote is on display this month at the Newport News VA library with some little houses I have. I emailed you recently; I hope you know what a treasure you have been to all the visitors to your site!