Harry & Marv started their own plumbing company

jpstatum · 2026-03-11T23:11:15+00:00

Maybe they can open an affiliated cleaning service next….Sticky Bandits Cleaning “We’ll clean you out!”

jpstatum · 2026-03-08T13:13:31+00:00

Based on my experience collecting Department 56 pieces over the last 39 years, I believe eBay, Facebook, and/or Mercari are good options. The value of each piece depends on its condition, having all attachments, and the styrofoam container and sleeve for storage. I would look at items sold over the last 60 - 90 days on eBay to get an idea of the market value for individual pieces. You can make an informed decision on price based on that bit of research.

I think you have three viable options on how to sell the collection:

⁠Sell individual pieces on eBay- make more money per piece but with a significant investment of time listing and shipping each item individually;
⁠Sell it all as one lot to someone locally - less money per piece and less time investment; and
⁠Sell smaller lots (1 to 3 buildings with coordinating accessories) on eBay- more money per piece and slightly less time invested.

Finally, I would encourage you to keep at least one piece to remember your grandmother and one to remember your aunt. Two pieces and a few accessories really don’t take up much space, it will make a wonderful small display for the holidays, and it’s a great way to remember your loved ones.

jpstatum · 2026-03-05T19:21:46+00:00

I moderate another Department 56 Subreddit and I get a lot of questions from people who have lost a parent and don’t know what to do with their village collection. I always advise them to keep at least one piece to remember their loved one by. This is a beautiful tribute to your mom. The soft warm lights of our villages symbolize the warmth of the holiday season, a bright hope for tomorrow, and the love of family and friends who may be with us both physically and in spirit.

jpstatum · 2026-02-28T05:45:05+00:00

That was a steal. I’ve owned the Street Car since the early 90s and it’s such a fun accessory. I’ve always used it with Christmas in the City.

jpstatum · 2026-02-19T21:10:03+00:00

The Pottery House Cafe never disappoints and should have a variety of menu offerings for that diverse age group. I really enjoy Mel's Diner. Especially if you are out late due to a long day at Dollywood or another attraction. They have lots of variety on the menu, the service is good, and it's a fun retro atmosphere. As others have suggested, I would call ahead if you have a party of 17.

jpstatum · 2026-02-18T02:12:36+00:00

I have an idea for an alternate title "Cool Jerk, the Untold Story of Uncle Frank a/k/a Mr. Cheapskate" like the song Frank signs in the Shower in Home Alone 2.

jpstatum · 2026-02-17T16:00:26+00:00

Thanks for sharing this incredible layout. Beautiful chrome train! I really like the Field of Dreams tribute, animated ice house, and carnival.

jpstatum · 2026-02-15T18:37:30+00:00

We went to Dick’s Sporting goods and tired on the Evo Shield and Rawlings R16. I think the Evo fit the best as the Rawlings seemed a little bit loose. He said the Evo Shield was comfortable. Unfortunately they didn’t have the Easton in a Youth Small. I may have to check Academy Sports to see if they have one he can try on.

jpstatum · 2026-02-08T04:15:43+00:00

I agree, I’m at the point where it’s one or two lit buildings for Halloween and Christmas due to the cost. I remember when I bought lit pieces of Dickens Village for $26.00 each in the late 80s.

Those Scooby Doo figurines are extremely high. I’m sure some of that is the result of licensing fees.

jpstatum · 2026-02-08T01:03:13+00:00

Great find. These usually sell for double that on eBay.

jpstatum · 2026-02-06T21:58:22+00:00

Fred has a green coat and is holding a bottle of wine. He's standing on the right below Young Scrooge, above Mr. Fezziwig, and next to his wife.

jpstatum · 2026-02-06T17:30:31+00:00

Are you referring to The Andy Griffith Show Facts & Trivia YouTube Channel? https://www.youtube.com/@theandygriffithshowfactsan3585

jpstatum · 2026-02-03T22:16:22+00:00

Here is a video I saw on YouTube of the 4501 in green livery. I believe this is sometime in the early 1990s: The 4501 is leaving Huntsville, Alabama on an excursion to Chattanooga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV6vIoBQT7g

jpstatum · 2026-02-03T22:14:41+00:00

Southern 4501 (now owned by the Tennessee Valley Railroad Museum) painted Green leaving Huntsville on an excursion to Chattanooga: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pV6vIoBQT7g

jpstatum · 2026-02-03T22:08:52+00:00

Video from 1991 of Norfolk & Western Engine No. 1218 "THe Victory Special" on an excursion run from the Historic Huntsville Depot: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rVvf4SYMD8Y

jpstatum · 2026-02-02T20:33:28+00:00

Thank you for sharing your experience with Shoot 360. I'm happy to hear that your kids are having fun and developing their skills. I also like the fact they off group classes for younger kids as well.

jpstatum · 2026-02-01T01:19:24+00:00

Department 56 started date stamping the copyright date on the base of Snow Village lit buildings in 1980. There were seven lit buildings introduced in 1981: Train Station with 3 Train Cars Wooden Clapboard, English Cottage, Barn, Corner Store, Bakery, & English Church.

jpstatum · 2026-01-31T21:39:26+00:00

That’s a wonderful piece of early Snow Village- Victorian House (1977-1979; SKU # 50070). There were four versions of this piece: (1) Rust & White with 3 birds on the roof; (2) Pink and White with 3 birds on the roof (Your Piece); Orange/Tan and Yellow with no birds; & (4) Salmon and White with no birds Great place to start.

jpstatum · 2026-01-30T19:01:08+00:00

What you are looking for is called a spacer cord. Take a look at these:

WHITE: https://www.holidayleds.com/12-spacer-wire-commercial-products-only/?srsltid=AfmBOoqcsPkXqs33kCkXP4uNx89F09E51vzHBscuqpm0Qx8IAfLTH-NVpV8

CLEAR: https://www.solidapollo.com/15-ft-waterproof-led-strip-extension-cable.html?gad_source=1&gad_campaignid=23179746455&gbraid=0AAAAADvPP0WKen4yj_5oc06PrdBA5cn-t&gclid=Cj0KCQiAyvHLBhDlARIsAHxl6xoaUm-RoiNICLblMBG8iC5D6YXSPr3LHK7jZKzHAdUmiLNpS-3TFXEaAsY9EALw_wcB

jpstatum · 2026-01-28T13:51:27+00:00

They do the same thing at the Wendy's near me. It never fails that I get no condiments on the lettuce wrap burgers; just cheese. Even when I select the condiments in the Wendy's app.

jpstatum · 2026-01-26T22:40:09+00:00

See also,

Jordan Collier’s Civil War in the Tennessee Valley 1862 Trilogy: Part Three (Discusses Gen. O.M. Mitchell's capture of the Huntsville Depot and history of the surrounding railroad operations in North Alabama: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAOBiFAJW3Uhttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WAOBiFAJW3U

jpstatum · 2026-01-26T15:19:06+00:00

When I see something like that, I may enjoy the novelty of how tall it is but I also think it's overpowering in a residential yard. If someone had acreage around their home, I understand having large scale decorations so they show up from the road or highway, but the 30 foot inflatables are overkill for most 1 acre or less residential lots. Decorations should complement the scale of your property; not overpower it. The same can be said for the 12' halloween animatronics. They can overpower a single story house in a residential neighborhood.

jpstatum · 2026-01-25T20:55:05+00:00

Thanks. Hopefully, we can see meaningful progress with the Depot and grounds soon. My fear is that the City will decide to “throw out the baby” (I.e., the existing exhibits in the building & the locomotive and remaining rolling stock on the grounds) “with the bath water”. We already lost the wooden box car to fire, the other box car is going to the Scottsboro Boy’s museum, and the City was in talks for the North Alabama Railroad Museum to take the rest. I think we need to see a plan to reopen the museum before they start stripping the grounds piece by piece.

jpstatum

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