Almost everyone has a story about what they did or accomplished during the pandemic. Ken Lydecker moved to Sun City from his residence of 35 years in 2019, right before the pandemic. During the stay-at-home order, Lydecker managed to travel, in a way: he built a diorama of our country from coast to coast.
There are village squares from small-town America to the sparkling wonderland of the North Pole. Lydecker kept on building and creating the town of Bethlehem, a haunted village, a medieval village, and even a basketball court.
He was not new to this kind of project.
Lydecker said, âIt started about 35 years ago. I have five children. When they were all small, we went to Michaels and bought white plaster houses and I told them if they painted the houses, I would set up a Christmas village. They did, and we had our first village. We did that for a few years and then they outgrew it.â
Although Lydeckerâs kids outgrew the activity, he did not. He stumbled into the world of Department 56. Department 56 is a U.S. manufacturer of holiday collectibles, ornaments, and giftware, known for its Christmas village collections. It is based in Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
Lydecker said, âMy family knew what to get me for my birthday, Christmas, and Fatherâs Day. And my wife and I found some accessories and buildings at Kane County Flea Market. We ran into a couple who had closed their Hallmark store and were selling their inventory at 25 percent off. I waited until the crowd thinned out. They had hundreds of houses. I asked if I bought a hefty amount of the buildings and if they could give me a better discount. They did. I got the buildings at fifty percent off.â
Lydecker initially didnât keep keep his villages on display, but one day that changed.
âWe had two homes in Park Ridge. In our first home, I would put the houses up and take them all down and pack them in the original boxes after Christmas. One year, when we were not going to host Christmas or Thanksgiving, I asked my wife if I could display the villages throughout the house. She agreed. I moved all the furniture to the side, covered them with a tarp, and built platforms for the display. Anyone entering the house would immediately see the display. In our second home, I was able to have a permanent display in the basement.â
What are his favorite pieces?
Lydecker said, âI would have to think about it. I do have a display in my office in a curio cabinet. It is filled with pieces that have a special meaning to me. I have a wedding chapel that my daughter gave me when she got married. My son gave me an Irish Pub reminiscent of the semester he spent in Dublin, Ireland. Some of the pieces have meaning to us. I have a winery building; my wife and I enjoy visiting the Napa Valley wineries.â
There is also a farm scene added to the coast-to-coast diorama. The farm is a memory of family vacations spent there with the entire family. A sign identifies it as the Getz Family Farm. Looking at the display you can spot Chicago in the middle by Water Tower Place and of course New York by the Statute of Liberty.â
Lydeckers displays donât stop there.
âI built a display at the Park Ridge Public Library, the Community Center, and even at the request of my hairstylist, in the window of the business. I enjoyed doing these and was happy that the displays were enjoyed. Also, at Halloween, I put up a display on our front porch.â
Lydecker has a variety of other mini scenes, as well. Thereâs a medieval village with princesses, knights on horses, and castles, all built by Lydecker. Thereâs a town of Bethlehem filled with Fontanini nativity sets and figures from Italy. Heâs also working on a basketball court, a throwback to his years on DePaulâs team. Lydeckerâs eleven grandchildren have their favorite scenes and pieces that they have dibs on.
Lydeckerâs total number of mini buildings is through the roof.
âAround 400 homes, over 1000 trees, and around 1,000 people and animals,â he said.
Overall, his love for the craft is what brings it to life.
âI enjoy doing. It’s my relaxing time,â Lydecker said.
