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Show s_— For the week of September 8, 2008 — The Spectrum ST. GEORGE NEIGHBORHOODS www.thespectrum.com Electric train a delight for neighborhood By J.B. SPILKER For St. George Neighborhoods ST. GEORGE — Nestled in a backyard in Dixie downs is an immaculate electric train that winds around a garden full of gnomes, herbs, and waterfalls designed by a kind man to bring joy to children’s hearts. Bruce Sanderson, 70, was born on Christmas day, and his heart reflects this Christmas spirit by building an electric train for the children in his life, which includes those from the neighborhood and his own grandchildren. Sanderson’s backyard electric train started out as SE ey SUNCREST HOME Centrally located by Costco & oo Stadium [ab 250. #2), spe sb wok Ps arietcim |This ee isin excellent cnn oot ites cable and Call to Seas an appointment today! Call CANDICE CALDER 435-632-0248 Ee tet apy: ull PRICED TO SELL $299,000!!! pean! . me eeie round access, full mK hae ci ue fey a eos nights. im onlyans from the woe this is : place you are ot It fo. ay .C CallDAVID CALDER 335-21 5-8154 Pee ea eur UL ee “TURN KEY” COMPLETELY FURNISHED TOWN HOME! Includes everything from beds & linens to dishes & silverware! Great for vacation, retirement or fa time buyers! 2bd/2ba. Beautiful grounds. Private yard & patio. Lots of amenities! Call MICHELLE MCCALL 435-680-4401 Eee ONLY $139,900! Best price in the neighborhood! Immaculate town home, shows like new! 3bd/2ba. Gas Fireplace, great location, near pool! Owner/agent. Call MICHELLE MCCALL 435-680-4401 Guu tare a simple train around the Christmas tree. Sanderson said, “I just had a little bit of track, and we just put it in the house around the Christmas tree” From there more was added to the train until it began to take up to much room in the house. Then Sanderson moved the train outside. Sanderson said, “The train has been up and running in the yard for about one year. I brought in five yards of extra dirt to build a mountain for the train to go up and over, but now there are two tracks that just go around it” The two trains wind around a small garden with good smelling herbs, decorative garden gnomes and a long tunnel. The railroad track is patterned after a standard railroad with imitation gravel spread underneath the tracks. Sanderson said, “You have to ballast the track just like a regular railroad. I use pigeon grit. It keeps J.B. Spilker/ For St. George Neighborhoods Bruce Sanderson cradles an engine from his train set while his wife Lila looks on. the track from moving. The ballasting wears out pretty fast? Providing Sales, Service & Ties e-Tie-ha toda) Since 1998 Sa ie ea) Energy & Homes, Inc. Solar * Wind * Hydro Net-Metering Batteries * Generators Fresh Air Heating Q. How Can Solar Energy Help Me Lower My Gas or Electric Bill? Q. How Much Solar Do | Need for My Home? BREATHTAKING VIEW LOT! Surrounded by Zion National Park and BLM. MLS # 07-94787 Priced at $250,000 Call CYNTHA WRIGHT 435-680-6769 8 ACRES IN LEEDS, UT Prime, Desirable Location. Views of Pine Mountain, and Peaks of Zion. Priced at $749,000 MLS#07-83073 Call CYNTHA WRIGHT 435-680-6769 _ . Q. Are There Tax Credits or Rebates | Can Take Advantage Of? A. These and Other Questions Can Be Answered By... Visiting Us at Our Off-Grid Solar Powered Office 2353 W Park Ave, Cedar City (by the Airport) or Call 435-867-9876 children * www.solarunlimited.net Sanderson was a farmer in California with about 200 acres, where he grew Macadamia nut _ trees. He also had a nursery for awhile. Right now for work Sanderson said, “I just kind of putter around’ Sanderson said he is a volunteer at the police department, and is a trails steward for the tortoise reserve. Sanderson's love for trains came when he was young. “T got a train during World War II when I was little? Sanderson said. “I’ve always enjoyed trains. Lila Sanderson, Bruce's wife, said she loves the trains too. “It’s really relaxing just coming out and watching them’ Both Lila and Bruce find joy in watching children play with their trains, and enjoy the company. Lila said, “There's a boy, I talk to him every morning before he goes to school, and a couple years ago they were playing trains under the Christmas tree. They asked, “Are we bothering you?” “No” Lila said, “but you got to go at 4 oclock because I have to make dinner. Lila also remembered fondly the time a lady came over with her four children and her one-year old boy George “was jumping up and down with excitement” In addition to the trains in the backyard, the front yard of the Sanderson is lined with whirly birds. There are about 10 of these model birds with wings that flap with the wind. Lila said about the birds “he makes them and I paint them’ Bruce described the history of whirly birds, or whirly gigs as Bruce refers e See TRAINS on page 9 |