Mrs. Mercedes T. Thomas, co-founder of George Thomas Realty & Thomas Insurance Agency here seated with her grandchildren began her Christmas village, affectionately named Thomas Plaza many years ago.  While visiting a friend during the Christmas season she saw her first village and being quite impressed, she raced home and started her own.  Now, 25 years later that same village has grown to include 104 homes and buildings including a Wal-Mart, antique stores, Christmas tree lot, bowling alley, hundreds of cars, trees, people, ice skating rinks, phone booths, a football stadium, streetlights and more.

Mrs. Thomas loves Christmas and this project has been a joy to her for many years.  Last year she submitted pictures of her village to a national contest run by Lemax Collectibles and received an honorable mention for her work on the village.  This year the village grew substantially and she has submitted the village again.  When asked if she's hoping to win this year she says, "I enjoy doing what I do and if I can share it with people that's great but I'm doing it for me."   Several groups have found out about the village and even made trips to her house to see it.  She enjoys letting people share in the magic she's created in her living room.  The project takes about 7 weeks to set up and it all turns on with the flip of a switch.  And she says proudly, "I did it all by myself!"   

For those of you who would like to visit the village, sorry no more showings until next year.  You can see the (7) photos below.  But you might as well wait anyway there are already some new buildings that will make an appearance in 2003.