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Show Spectacular Christmas decorations made in memory of grandmother and others ""ST- ' f """" " ; , - 4 - J - - i f . - i ! i 1 iia- ,t iri-TI.-r11-., ,., , iA..ijJ,gi.wJj.' .V n ., nmi'mij By MARY COONS Neil Shumway of Pleasant Grove said that he spent most of his youth taking seven older ladies from the area around every year to see Christmas decorations and programs. Shumway said that after many years, many of the decorations started to vanish, and the ladies started to pass away. Today, Shumway has one of the most popular Christmas displays in his yard in the city. He designed all of the figures and strung all of the lights. When asked why, he said it's "more or less in remembrance of the ladies." He lives in the old Fugal home at approximately 500 North and 400 East. He said the home is still owned by the Fugal family, and he is leasing it from them. When asked what art training he has had, he said he has had none, but that he enjoys drawing, and designed all of the figures himself. But why is Rudolph lying on the ground, in a reclining position, Neil? "To be different," he laughs. He said that Rudolph is actually supposed to be hoisting a bag of toys 1 up to Santa on a rope, but the rope keeps breaking in the wind, taking 1 Rudolph's wooden hand off. Shumway related a recent story in connection with the display. He said a family from down the street came down to look at the display, and their little three-year-old daughter insisted that they couldn't leave until the family counted the red lights. He said that 20 minutes later the family was through counting, and the little girl happily went home. He said-that several people leave him notes and thank him for putting him in the Christmas spirit for the past four years. He said that many tell him how much they appreciate the work he goes to. But all of Shumway's work at Christmas time is not only on the exterior of the home. He said that he puts a great deal of time in decorating the interior of the home in an old fashioned Christmas theme. He said he has attempted to NEIL SHUMWAY designed these figures that are part of his Christmas display at 500 North and 400 East. Shumway said that he built the display in remembrance of his grandmother and several other older ladies who delighted in going around to see decorations during the Christmas season. put up a tree and decorate the home in the style that the home once enjoyed when it was originally built. He invites all who want to drive by the home and see the decorations both on the lawn and on the roof. He said that they will be up until after New Years. |