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VIDEO: Miniature Christmas village makes trip to Youbou worthwhile

It’s a trip through a winter wonderland, all set up in a room at Cassy’s Coffee House in Youbou.
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There’s a nifty bridge over the local river and a boat house nearby. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)

A special treat awaits anyone willing to make the short drive to Youbou this December.

The creation of Donna and Dennis Jones’s Christmas village began about 28 years ago when Donna’s parents sent her a small village for her birthday. There were two small houses and a church with people and trees.

The next Christmas Dennis gave her a replica of Charles Dickens’ Old Curiosity Shop.

From there, the collection began to grow.

Originally the idea was to stick to a late 1800s theme, but over time these pieces became more difficult to find, and some more modern pieces, such as the ski village, were added.

To this day, there are no motorized vehicles or modern conveniences such as department stores and gas stations in the collection.

The Jones’s collection currently consists of about 150 buildings with a multitude of figurines and accessories.

There are residential neighbourhoods, business districts, a playground area, wilderness areas, ocean front, and winter recreation areas.

Donna says the couple also has several vintage pieces, but they have left them at home this time for safety. One of her favourite things in the display is a little train set. It sits on a table almost by itself, with a merry-go-round in the centre.

Dennis laughed as he showed off a German inn, saying that he allowed Donna to purchase one item when they were in Germany, but she could have easily bought the shop’s contents.

Over the past several years the collection has been displayed in several rooms at the Jones’s house with viewing by invitation and proceeds to the food bank. This year, the collection has moved to Cassy’s Coffee House at 10375 Youbou Rd. so that it can be displayed for the public at large. Cassy has added several pieces of her own to the display this year.

Along with Cassy Emerson and her husband, Pat, who helped set up the lights, Richard and Lucy Vermiere also volunteered hours of time with set up.

Bring along a donation or some non-perishable food item for the food bank to help families in need this winter.

The final showings for the Christmas village will be on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday, Dec. 15, 16, and 17 from noon to 5 p.m.

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The doctor’s been called out in his carriage. His route takes him past a tea room. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
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Dennis and Donna Jones have been collecting for their Christmas village for decades. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
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Sugaring off and ice-fishing are all-Canadian outdoor activities. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
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Skating and skiing, with hot cocoa afterwards: outdoor sports are fun for everyone. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
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Dogs. a brass band, and lots of action around the community Christmas tree. (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)
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Everyone is outdoors, building snowmen, or enjoying some entertainment. Can you find the romantic quartet of singers? (Lexi Bainas/Gazette)