Compiled by The Bedford Citizen
Begun with just a few buildings that Anthony LaRosa purchased as Christmas decorations, he so enjoyed setting them up each year that his wife and daughter created the first Snow Village for him. Ther est came naturally: LaRosa would purchase pieces that he liked, and others arrived as gifts from friends and family.
Each year the collection took over the LaRosa household and was the centerpiece for holiday entertaining. After his retirement as principal of the Hajjar School in North Billerica, the village moved to the ‘Party Room’ at Chip-In Farm, home to his daughter Andrea, granddaughter Mary, and son-in-law Paul Couvee.
Early in November the village would begin to come alive as LaRosa worked at Chip-In Farm for several hours nearly every day. His daughter said, “He loved knowing that people would stop in and enjoy his village.”
LaRosa had hoped to set up the village with Mary this year, but he passed away in September. With many “I don’t know how he did this” comments, the Couvees – Mary, Andrea and Paul working together– created the village in this year’s display.
Among the elements visitors should look for:Agnes and Tony’s house, a honeymoon couple, five churches, a snow blower, Mary’s house, a Starbucks franchise, a red bird on a fence, Scrooge leaving town, a pizza delivery person, a police station with attached donut shop, a kitty being rescued by a firefighter, sledding children, a jack-in-the-box, a cat raiding a rubbish bin, and a Nativity scene.
“I miss my Dad very much,” said Andrea, but seeing the village here puts a smile on my face, and I know that he’s smiling too.”
Donations collected this year will benefit the American Diabetes Association to honor LaRosa.
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