by Adele Woodyard
‘Try to see the world/with your heart/and everything will/ look like Christmas’ inscribed in the entrance stoop greeted guests to Rogers Christmas House and Village, for almost 40 years. Seven days a week, except on Christmas Day, the door opened to five buildings filled with holiday magic. What were once an unpretentious home, a carriage house, a stable, a garage were filled with gifts, not just for Christmas but year-round giving.
I finally succumbed to its lure while writing a regular Florida travel column for a now defunct magazine in the early 90s. Here’s some of what drew thousands of visitors from around the nation and other countries:
‘A map of the village leads you through rooms filled with German nutcrackers, nested figures, Steiff bears and Byers carolers; dolls of all shapes, ages and sizes; miniatures, holiday china, glass and linens; each room trimmed with at least one tree and swags of decorated greenery.
The enchanted world of children can be found in Storybook Land. Characters from Alice in Wonderland, Jack and the Beanstalk, the Wizard of Oz, help illustrate those inside the books shelved in an Old-English Shoppe. There’s Santa’s workshop, whimsically trimmed trees, tiny dancing dolls, even a dark and scary corner devoted to Halloween.’
Other stops were the Country Cottage, more formal Magnolia House and a Little House Under the Oak Tree. Altogether they made for a delightful day trip even if you never purchased a thing. It all came to an end in this week’s four-day auction. The unique store had been in a downward spiral ever since founder Margaret (Weenie) Rogers Ghiotta died in 2006. There will always be shops that specialize in Christmas and Brooksville has other tourist attractions. But as one woman at the auction said, “People will still be talking about the Christmas House years from now.” .
Tampa “freebies” for the Memorial Day weekend
Florida Aquarium :Sat-Mon: 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Two FREE tickets for Active duty, retired, National Guard with military ID. 50% off admission for up to four family members.
http://www.flaquarium.org 813-273-4000.
Henry B. Plant Museum: Sun. noon-4 p.m.. FREE admission for active and retired military and their families. http://www.plantmuseum.com 813-254-1891.
SS American Victory Ship:Sun. noon-5 p.m. All veterans FREE with one paying adult.
http://www.americanvictory.org
Lowry Park Zoo: Mon. 9:30 a.m.-4 p.m. FREE admission for active, retired, National Guard with photo ID. Up to three direct dependents included. http://www.flaquarium.org 813-935-8552
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