Moreland open house should be a toyrific time

Christmas open houses and special gatherings are abundant this time of the year, but few of them feature the type of trip down memory lane of one that will come to Moreland.

Moreland Community Historical Society will present a Christmas open house at the Moreland Church of God on Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 2-3 from 1-5 p.m.

What makes this Christmas open house so unique is it will take visitors back more than a century through the world of toys, games and model trains.

Regardless of what decade someone may have grown up in, the toys they played with as children are more than likely ingrained in the minds of every adult who would love to have one more opportunity to return to their days of childhood.

While the Moreland Community Historical Society members don’t have the ability to physically turn back time and return people to the days of Trap the Cap or The Bunny’s Frolic or play with dolls like Patsy Doll and Hairbow Peggy, they can send people in the right direction as they present a couple of days that are sure to magically transport people down memory lane.

And speaking of transportation, there will be plenty of old model trains on display, providing another glimpse into a day when train travel was the main option of travel.

The rebuilt Moreland United Church of God will host the Toys from Christmas Past, which will feature a bevy of old-fashioned games and toys from the pre-1900s to the 1960s.

“There will be some really neat, rare toys and games and many of the old favorites from days gone by that should make for a great trip back in time for many people, and it should be fun for grandparents to tell their grandkids all about what they used to play with when they were young,” said Gail Miller, MCHS board member. “We hope that we help people step back in time and bring back a host of memories from their childhood, courtesy of the games and toys that were so popular back in the day.”

Miller said last year the inaugural opening for this family-friendly event was a smashing success, and the hope is this year’s show will be bigger and better than before.

“We wanted to create something different, something unique, and at a meeting, some threw out the idea of showcasing old toys, and it was a brilliant idea. It’s such a fun way to share Christmas with others, and we invite everyone to stop by and join us.”

Not only will there be toys and games on display, but there also will be a visit from the couple from the North Pole who are famous for handing out these gifts at Christmastime.

Next to the church is the newly restored log cabin, which has a large stone chimney. Beside that chimney will be Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus, who will visit the show and will be available to sit and chat with the kids from 2-4 p.m. Their perch beside the fireplace should make for an old-fashioned photo session for the young and the young at heart.

There also will be light refreshments. The Moreland Church of God and the log cabin are located in the heart of Moreland along state Route 83 between Holmesville and Wooster.