Holiday features
Rollie Bach shows off his collectible Charles Dickens-themed miniatures. (Gazette staff photo)
Collector of holiday décor shares his collections
In one room of Rollie Bach’s home, it’s Christmas every day.
His guest room features a Victorian-themed Christmas tree that is on display year-round. Adorned with strands of pink pearls and hung with delicate glass ornaments, the tree is one of 12 currently erected in Bach’s home.
In fact, every room of the home is adorned with Christmas trees during the holidays. Even the bathrooms feature festive décor.
Read entire article: Collector of holiday décor shares his collections
A 12-foot pre-lit Christmas tree with 2,100 lights, is featured in the Van Atta’s living room, and is filled with family ornaments collected since her firstborn’s first Christmas 26 years ago. (Gazette staff photo)
Homeowner in Gregory Hills has extensive holiday decorating history
Christmas at Shelley Van Atta’s house officially begins Nov. 1. Though she decorates extensively for Halloween, those decorations come down after the last trick-or-treaters have made their rounds. Then more than 80 tubs full of holiday decorations come out of storage.
“I’ve been working nonstop,” Van Atta said of getting her home at 2940 Gregory Drive N. ready for the Billings Symphony Orchestra and Chorale’s Holiday Tour of Homes. The Van Atta home was one of five local houses lavishly decorated for the holiday, open for public tours to benefit the BSO&C.
Read entire article: Homeowner in Gregory Hills has extensive decorating history
Edna Dempster's home at 301 Clark Ave. is a favorite among children out for treats on Halloween. (Gazette staff photo)
Take a ghostly tour through one of Billings oldest neighborhoods
“Without a doubt Clark Avenue is the spot; it imports trick-or-treaters,” said Dennis Deppmeier, who lives in a 19th century bungalow located on First and Clark Ave. “Everyone tried to explain to us what it was like. Last Halloween I started handing out candy and didn’t go back in the house for hours. It was like nothing I’ve ever seen before.”
The home that draws audiences from near and far is Edna Dempster’s at 301 Clark Ave. Dempster has lived at the turn-of-the-century Greek Revival-style home for 15 years, and has been decking it out for Halloween for just as long. Pumpkins, skulls and a variety of frightening Halloween decorations turn this historic home into a haunted manor.
Read entire article: Take a ghostly tour through one of Billings oldest neighborhoods