The "Santa Bell Beach - Christmas in Miniature" Story

It was an ordinary day. Just finished my visit to Reese, Lower, Patrick & Scott Architects (RLPS) to see Jim. Jim was a student of mine years ago. After graduation he went to Penn State and became an architect. Has a great job at RLPS. And, this time of year he gets quite a few visits to his office, since they are having their 22nd Annual Christmas display. Everyone in the firm has a part in it and they build a miniature display of gingerbread houses that carry a different theme every year. The theme for this year is "Santa Bell Beach." All houses and accessories are supposed to be made according to scale which is 3/8" = 12". I just had to go and take a few photos of it, since I am a beach lover and Jim was kind enough to walk me around the display and point out the different and unusual aspects of this years' display.Wasn't disappointed in what I saw. The display is in a large window near the entrance to the building which is located at 1910 Harrington Drive in Lancaster, PA. You can walk around the display inside the building to view it and also see it from outside in the evening when it's lit. This year there are 15 buildings with names such as Santa's Skate Shop, Rudolpho's Pizzeria, Frosty the Doughman (a bakery and my favorite named building), The Bear Necessi-Tees, Taffy and Bail Money, Snow Balls, Santee's Souvenirs, Candyland Sno Kones, Frosty's Magic Hat Hotel and Candyland Mini Golf. The last one I listed is naturally on top of a few of the other places just as it is at most of the Jersey boardwalk towns. In the rear of the display are a few high-rise hotels and condos as well as the traditional water tower with the name "Santa Bell Beach" on it. There are also a sizable amount of accessories to draw your attention and amuse you. Such items as Frosty's Red Hots, Candy Christmas Carousel, 3 Snowman Band, Shiver's Pavilion, Occupy Boardwalk, Toasted Marshmallows, Christmas Break, Snowman Walking Penguins and Wright Bros. Ad Agency (you have to look up in the sky for this one). There is so much to take in that a few trips are necessary to see everything. The display is open from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM on Thursdays until January 1. Gives you two more times in which to take in this great holiday display. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - Photos follow with a description ........

Reese, Lower, Patrick & Scott on Harrington Drive. The display is in the far left window.

Frosty's Magic Hat Hotel on the Boardwalk and beach activity among the snowmen.

The rooftop Mini-Golf course and the Ferris Wheel

Dolle's Taffy & Bail Money store in the center of the display. Check out the tree made of lifesavers on the left of the photo.

View of Candy Christmas Carousel. Every Boardwalk has at least one carousel!

A view down one side of the Boardwalk showing a few of the stores as well as the "snowmen" shoppers along the Boardwalk.

Rudolpho's Pizzeria which is one of my favorites. Inside you can see the stools at the counter which are made with pasta and a piece of candy as the seat.

This display is titled Here Comes Santa Claus