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Come visit Snowflake Village

Story and photos by Ken Johnston

There is a little town within our big town. It is a place where life is carefree and there are no taxes. Its name is Snowflake Village and it is located at Susie and Jim Armstrong’s Third St residence.
Susie said the village was officially started in 1990 with a church and Ebaneezer Scrooge’s residence. “I bought them and from there it took on a life of its own.”
Since then it has grown to nearly 40 pieces and occupies pretty much the entire front porch at their home in Rainy River. Formerly of Baudette, Susie said that it initially covered the top of her entertainment unit. Then Jim added a piece of plywood and then another.
Every year she either buys a couple more pieces or gets them as gifts. Sometimes the gifts trigger more development in the village. For instance, a few years ago she received a lighthouse. “I had to add water, some docks and boats.” She found the boats in Aspen, Colorado while vacationing there two winters ago. “I find stuff all over,” said Susie. She also added Barnacle Bill’s boathouse to the waterfront.
The village boasts many services. There is a funeral parlour, a bowling alley, a butcher shop, a bank, a post office, a gift shop, a laundromat, a theater, a tavern, a running railroad and even a ski lodge. The ski lodge triggered more development. She added a ski hill with skiers on it.
Most of the village has electricity. The buildings are lit up both inside and out. Street lamps adorn the cobble stone and brick roadways. Susie said early on she had battery operated lights. Now she has electric lights.
Setting up the village takes her almost ten days. She does it in stages and by the time it is done you would swear it is a real live community. While she has not done an official census, there must be well over 100 people living there. The school yard is full of children as are the streets with people and activities.
The local skating pond is always busy as is the local barnyard. With it being a Christmas village, Susie said it is only fitting that at the north end of the porch is a special place. “I received a set of reindeer and a sleigh from some kids I babysat and that triggered a North Pole.” It features Santa’s Workshop and the Claus’ home.
In the south there is a huge mountainous forest filled with evergreen trees. Susie noted that the buildings are key to the village, but the accessories are equally important. “My sister just called and told me she has found me 50 more trees.”
The buildings she collects are mostly Lenex brand. They range in price from $15-$30 a piece. She said there are very expensive brands out there like Dept. 56 that can sell for more than $100 each. She prefers the lower cost pieces as it is more for enjoyment than for resale down the road. Right now she has her eyes open for a log cabin to put up in the mountains and a farmhouse.
“I really enjoy Christmas. It is my favourite time of year. I like to decorate” said Susie. Beyond Snowflake Village the entire house is filled with Christmas decor; right down to the toilet seat which as a cover featuring St. Nick himself. She also puts up a halloween and easter village. However, they are quite small compared to the metropolis of Snowflake Village.
Susie said that she plans to have an open house January 8, 2005 at 2 p.m. to let the public visit this town within the town.