Clark Township family fills yards with decorations
CLARK TOWNSHIP – Beetle Bailey, Popeye, Alvin and The Chipmunks and hundreds of other classic characters can be found in the Pattersons’ Christmas display.
The decorations are handmade by Beverly and Raymond Patterson’s son Raymond Jr. who is deaf.
“Every year he tries to add to it,” Beverly said. “My husband jokes that we need another farm.”
Raymond Jr. started making the wooden characters after graduating from West Holmes High School in 1975.
“He watches cartoons for ideas and gets some ideas from wrapping paper,” Beverly said.
Her yard features Disney characters, The Jetsons, Charlie Brown and friends, Rudolph, Frosty and more while Raymond Jr.’s yard, which is just down the road, has Scooby Doo, the Smurfs and other classics.
“We’ve had people stop from as far as way as Orange, Calif.,” Beverly said. “They were visiting, saw our signs and just followed them down.”
The display is lit up from 6 to 10:30 p.m. and Beverly also plays music to go along with it.
“Raymond (Jr.) just loves Christmas and working with wood,” she said.
It takes Raymond about eight weeks to finish one of his creations. He does all the drawing, cutting and painting.
“He took shop in high school and that’s probably where he learned about saws, but he’s had no help with the drawing,” Beverly said. “He works on the farm and sits at night and draws.”
Between their two houses, the Pattersons have about 400 of Raymond Jr.’s pieces on display and it takes them about two weeks to set it all up. The lights shine on them starting Dec. 12 and it all stays up until Jan. 2, when tear down starts.
“He tries to add to it every year and we also try to mix things up,” Beverly said.
She encourages people to drive by and check out the displays at 33551 Township Road 312.
“We don’t ask for donations, but if anyone wants to give us one there is a mailbox outside for them,” Beverly said.
She is very proud of Raymond and glad his talents bring him happiness.
“He likes watching the joy his objects bring to other people,” Beverly said.
josie@coshoctoncountybeacon.com
Category: People & Places, Photo Galleries
