This year on our annual trek through the city looking at the Christmas lights we went over to one of the local Hotel's to look at this Gingerbread village that was displayed in the lobby. The pictures do not do it justice it was gorgeous and took every ounce of will power not to just break off a bit and enjoy the chocolate, gingerbread goodness. Beside the village was the following sign describing it:

Marina's Village

Making a Gingerbread House (or village) is one

of the most delightful Christmas customs in

Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and America.

The houses are made of gingerbread and

chocolate, the snow in the village and on the

hills are made of a royal icing. Chocolate houses

and marzipan trees fill the hills, as candied

ponds dot the landscape.

The village here is fashioned after Charles

Dickens. With Scrooge and Tiny Tim coming down

the stairs on Christmas Day and the Cratchitts

making merry with warm greetings, the village is

getting ready for a glorious day. As the church and

other homes open their doors for family and

friends, we welcome you to the Gingerbread Scene

of the Hotel Captain Cook.

Merry Christmas and May God Bless you,

Joe Hickel