The "Merry Grinchmas & Happy Who Year!" Story

The main entrance into RLPS Architect's office.

It was an ordinary day.  Standing inside the RLPS archi- tect's office in Lancaster, Pennsyl- vania looking at their 30th annual gingerbread display.  I have been taking you with me on the journey for the past few years and this year the theme for the display is "Merry Grinchmas and Happy Who Year."  

Decorations in the lobby area were beautiful

The display started in 1988 with a theme of Lakeside Village.  Themes have changed yearly, but the inspiration and design imagination has been top notch since the start.  Last year's Gretna Greeting," based on the nearby village of Mt. Gretna, was wonderful.  Architects, assistants, secretaries and anyone who works at the beautiful building in Manheim Township participate in the display.  

The floor to ceiling fireplace in the main room.

One of my former students in my graphic arts classes, Jim, participates every year, since he is an architect at the firm.  Every year the list of building rules is posted and then the building begins.  A few people are picked to set up the basic outline and within a few weeks the display is ready for viewing.  The RLPS office used to be in the Foxshire development where I live.  Their building was the talk of the neighborhood and we hated to lose them when they outgrew their neighborhood office.  A few days ago I found an invitation to this years gingerbread show which was just for the Foxshire neighborhood.  Arrived just as the sun was low in the sky and the decorations on the buildings were beautiful both inside and outside.  My wife loves to get ideas for our personal decorations from their interior designers.  Well, this year there were 18 gingerbread houses and 17 accessories that were judged by the firm as well as those visiting the display.  The winners were not posted, thus they may not have been made as of yet.  Follow along with my photos as I show you some of the beautiful work that is done every year.  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.

Rules for this year's gingerbread display.  Click to enlarge images.

The very first display in 1988.

Display in 2004 showing downtown Lancaster, PA.

2016 display called Sweetscape.

Last year's display called Gretna Greetings.

Display titled "A Room for Every Zizzor Zazzor Zu." This is from this year's display.

The Orphanage.

Horton's Who.  

Next Stop Mount Crumpet.  Waiting for "The Whoville Express" along the railroad tracks.

Crescent Lodge.

All the Places You'll Go! Travel Company.

You Need A Christmas Thneed!

Chutes and Ladder.

Sam's Diner.

The Who Depot

The Sooper Dooper Whooville Looper.