Hi guys!

My sister Barbara suggested this year's improvements: a fiber optic starfield for the background and a bonfire for the skaters. So I did both and imagine my dismay when I read about Antoinette's 2016 mantel putz. I thought I'd have to take mine down and do it over. Luckily, though we were on the same page, we were in different books! Good thing, because the back side of the display looks like a 1920's switchboard.

Had a lot of fun making flatties this year, so have christened one of the main streets in town: Howard Avenue. Thanks again, Howard.

Merry Christmas, every one.

You have an AMAZING collection and great layout!!! Merry Christmas!! -Brian

This is a fabulous layout, as always, if I do say so! I can attest to all the hard work, preparation and excitement that goes into the display, and how much enjoyment and inspiration has been gained from ideas on this site. Particularly from our friend Howard, whose flatties are the gold standard! Great job, OK Pat!!

UN...BE...LIEV...A...BLE!... ..... I hope someday to have even a fraction of the collection of BIG houses that you do! Very nice set-up...

Will~

A feast for the eyes!!! What a wonderful collection and display of houses and figures.

Good morning...

Well...old Howard is "very honored" to have a street named for him...thank you...

Your display gets better and better each year...that star background is impressive...

The elevated risers really add so much dimension and visual interest...

Do I see two marching bands?...I think I do...perhaps I need to "borrow" the idea...if ok yith you...

Might make an interesting "flattie" project for 2017!...

My very best regards...Howard...

Greetings and thanks to all....

First, let us give credit where credit is due: again, to my sister Barbara for her great suggestions, and to
Howard for showing us all how to make flatties.

Second, a teaser: the starry background actually twinkles! And the bon fire flickers! A guy with a go
pro and steady cam has promised to make a video of the village, zooming over it like a drone, to capture
good shots of each house and the light show. Will post it a link when I get it. But I have to say, in the
evening, when I turn on the village lights, it's mesmerizing. I want to live there.

You have some sharp eyes, Howard! There are two marching bands, not counting the band in front of the
big church and the Salvation Army band on the middle riser. In fact, to accommodate everybody, I had to expand the putz
outwards so far than I cannot reach in to fix things when my stupid cat plays Godzilla.

Of course, a flattie marching band sounds like a wonderful idea... go for it. The
Salvation Army band could be a nice "appetizer"... just a few figures, and no repetition.

Pat,
The display is magnificent. I can't wait to see the GoPro video with the twinkling lights. I bet it is magical.

Godzilla cat - that is very funny. You may have to come up with a plexiglas wall like BrianB does.

Thank you so much for all the effort you put in it and then sharing it with us.

Lucy

Magnificent display--can't wait to feature a link to it from my blog!

And here it is http://everythingcroton.blogspot.com/20 ... finds.html