TWO MORE WEEKS !!!

In two weeks...the Northern expansion of Olde Dickens Town will be unveiled!  The Fezziwigs, Mr. Scrooge, The Holiwell's, and The Cratchits will all make an appearance to show off their new digs. 






And perhaps ....in a far away land .... a new colonial town will show it's red, white and blue to you!  Can you smell the warm coffee and hear the church bells and the Fife and Drums?

Stay tuned....

Construction Begins !!! What a mess...

Please pardon our appearance!

I Construction has begun in Olde Dickens Town, which includes the elevation enhancements in the western part of town. 

While resources have been gathered for the elevation enhancement, local buisiness's have also been busy readying themselves for the relocation.  As of today, the earth has been supplied and is hauled to create higher elevations in town.  Currently, workers are making adjustments to the earth and rock so that it will blend in nicely with the current earth/rock that exists in the location.  These are the same "workers" that will be working in a few weeks to one month (depending on the existing construction schedule) on the Northern and Eastern expansion of Olde Dickens Town.  Materials for this phase, Phase II have been gathered and assembled but remain untouched for now.  Plans are currently being drafted for a new shopping district in the expansion.  One name tossed around by the local architects is, "Manchester Square".  Researchers and planners have taken great efforts to develop a master plan for the elevation project as well as the expansion project.  Besides the architectural allure of Olde Dickens Town, a variety of shopping venues bring visitors to town.  The expansion will recognize this fact and plans have been made to provide a new shopping district.  More details to follow, stay tuned!!

SPOTLIGHT 02 - Fezziwig's Ballroom

With a slow growing economy and sluggish expansion progress, why not spend a few minutes familiarizing ourselves with Olde Dickens Town's new business owner!  Mr. Fezzwig has decided to open a second warehouse in town and word on the cobblestone street, is pure excitement!  Mr. Fezziwig and family have been in the area for a long time.  Crucial to the local economy, the Fezzwig's have also been known to throw quite the party.  Mr. Fezziwig fancies himself a fine dancer with a belly full of laughter!  Mr. Scrooge who has committed a large sum of money to the expansion of Olde Dickens Town, has in fact worked for Mr. Fezziwig as a young man and convinced Mr. Fezziwig to relocate his business to Olde Dickens Town.  Mr. Fezzwig being a man of opportunity jumped at the offer and is eager to begin construction of his new warehouse.  He is interested in a warehouse style building with a lot of stone on the outside and tudor styled architecture.  Be sure to say hello when the Fezziwig's arrive in town.  Or better yet, find a way to attend the Fezziwig parties.  You will surely never forget the dancing and good times!

Fly into the Tavern!

Have you stepped into the Flying Horse Tavern recently?  Of course you have!  In fact I believe I have seen most of you there with a pint or two in hand.  Maybe you have seen me there as well.  But enough about that, I digress. 

The proprietors of the Flying Horse Tavern are very excited for all the changes planned in town for 2011.  They are one of the businesses that is slated to be raised in elevation.  The Owner of the tavern has been overheard saying, "This tavern has always been on top, and this move only highlights the fact even more, Cheers!"  The tavern is quite stunning.  With lead glass windows and ornate moulding, the tavern is sure to please the architectural eye.  Inside you will find dark woods and brass finishes.  Fish n Chips is served daily along with numerous pints of beer.  Both tourists and local village folk enjoy the spririts and atmosphere at this tavern.  Mr. Tipler, the tavern's neighbor, has in fact from time to time supplied the tavern with rare and exclusive wine's and ports.  Typically these can only be found at Mr. Tipler's shop. 

The tavern owners are very positive that they will continue to prosper in the village and will have absolutely no problems with revenue and customer support.  However as Mayor, I wonder with the abundance of taverns planned for the expansion area will the Flying Horse Tavern remain the "tavern on top"?  Both Mr. Tipler and the owner's of the Flying Horse have managed to retain similar customers if not the same because of the different items offered and atmosphere of each business.  However with at least four tavern's planned and possibly a fifth in the north and eastern expansion will the Flying Horse be able to retain such high profits? 

SPOTLIGHT 01 - J.D. Nichols Toy Shop

SPOTLIGHT  - As resources and funds are being collected for the great Olde Dickens Village northern and eastern expansion, this is an excellent time to take a closer look at some of the new businesses that will be moving into town. 

Mr. Nichols and his family of the current neighboring Cambridge town will be relocating to Olde Dickens Town this year.  The Nichols family are very excited to re-locate their business to town and as Mayor, I am pleased to welcome them!  The J.D. Nichols Toy Shop will be a lovely and quaint building that will sell handmade toys and treats alike. Both children and adults will love this special place not only during the holiday season but all year round.  The family intends to sell miniature train sets, rolling hoops, jacks, jumping ropes, fine porcelain dolls and many more items.  The Nichols family, a distant relative of the Crowntree's, have been packing up their store and getting ready for the big move.  While we don't anticipate most of the businesses to relocate until October/November of 2011, many of the owners will be in town to consult with the Mayor in planning this summer.  One of the familiy's primary concerns is planning a central shopping area in the expansion.  They believe in order to have a prosperous and cohesive shopping district the town should provide a strolling "center" in which residents can move about freely from shop to shop.  Gas lighting, landscaping and path/stone walkways are all being considered for the expansion. Local stone quarries will be tapped for the stone walkways that will be installed throughout the village. 

Be sure to say hello the the Nichols family when they arrive in town and give them a warm Dickens welcome!  You will be able to find their place of retail by the large brass train sign that will hang above the door.  Full steam ahead! 

Crowntree's and Candles...of course!

Everyone in town was overjoyed when the Crowntree's bought the ailing small candle shop.  Today this is a vibrant Village Candle Shop where the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Crowntree has taken to running the establishment.  Many a mornings you can catch her with wicks and sticks brimming around her wax pot.  The Crowntree's daughter has in fact lobbyed for village enhancements such as the potted poinsettia's during the holidays and also the holiday garlands and wreaths placed throughout the marketplace. 

Throughout the candle shop you can not only find a wide variety of candles, but scented goodies and tapers as well.  Scents such as bayberry, cranberry and fresh lavender.  Everyone in town can relate to some of the deplorable sanitation, but with the goodies sold at the Village Candle Shop, one can enjoy a more pleasant homestead.  These treats are not cheap and quite a shilling will need to be tendered for such a luxury. A sure holiday gift!  Be sure to stop and enjoy the atmosphere! 

For Immediate Press Release 2011-02

The Crowntree Family has donated a considerable amount of money to the Northern and Eastern expansion project of Olde Dickens Town.  Mr. and Mrs. Crowntree (quite the Gentleman and Lady) pictured to the left leaving the inn, have publicly supported this grand expansion.  The Crowntree family have played a key role in this town for many generations and have pledged to continue their financial endeavors.  The Crowntree's have spent a signficant amount of time convincing Mr. Crowntree's nephew, Mr. Ebeneezer Scrooge to relocate to Olde Dickens Town.  Apparently the both sat for an extended period of time and chatted over a leisurely pipe.   One can only presume the nature of the conversation.  Mrs. Crowntree indicated that her daughter Belle (manager of the Village Candle Shop) would indeed be moving into her own residence to be built in the North and Eastern Expansion.  Mr. Scrooge has always shown a kind heart to Belle and local townspeople have gossiped that this could be why Mr. Scrooge is moving his entire operation to Olde Dickens Town.  Of course, the townspeople knowing a bit about dear Mr. Scrooge have also gossiped around town that by no means did they anticipate Mr. Scrooge to financially back any such endeavor.  Why that would just be soooo unlike Mr. Scrooge.  The Town Mayor has been kept informed of all buisness arrangements between the Crowntree family and Mr. Scrooge but for some reason most of the towns people do not believe this to be completely accurate.  While they hold the Crowntree's with complete respect, they do not trust Mr. Scrooge and his intentions. 

I guess like many people say, we shall see....

Turner's spicy over his new locale!

Mr. Turner of Turner's Spice and Mustard Shop is full of spice of and joy!  One of the few local businesses that is excited for the relocation.  Mr. Turner has reported lower revenues in the previous years because of low visibility.  Mr. Turner's business sits in a hidden spot in Olde Dickens Town behind the Golden Swan Baker and the Jones & Co. Brush and Basket Shop.  While both these businesses have enjoyed heft profits, their neighbor to the West has not.  Mr. Turner remarks, "My son stands outside every day, shouting to passerby's, Get your spices ere!"  However even with Mr. Turner's repetitive vocal marketing, the business still suffers.  Naturally, when the Town Mayor announced his renovation plans to the West end of town, Mr. Turner was elated!  He saw this as an opportunity to showcase his business and possibly save it from closing.  If you have the opportunity to visit Mr. Turner's Spice and Mustard Shop, please stop by, the building is quite stunning.  There is a large and bright entrance to the shop with ornate lanterns hanging above to the left and right.  The structure is heated by the two brick fireplaces in the building.  On the one side of the building there is large spice mill area.  Often you can catch Mr. Turner himself out there using the mill and grounding spices a plenty!  This is done daily to ensure only the fresh ingredients for one's cooking endeavors.  The brick cornerstones on the structure add to it's period flair.  The Turner family lives above the shop and will continue after the renovation.  The Turner's would like everyone to know they will continue their sales and operations during the renovation and to please keep them in mind for any spice and mustard needs. 

Engineers and Monks on the same page with Bell Tower



Village Bell Tower



The Village Bell Tower is slated to be raised to a higher elevation along with four other town businesses in the next few months.  The Village Bell Tower, one of the oldest structures in the village has local engineers seriously concerned about the tower's structural integrity should it be moved.  There are a significant amount of loose roof tiles as well as aged mortar.  Some of the local monks who pull the bell tower strings and reside in the tower have voiced their concerns to the Town Mayor.   

The Village Bell Tower has an interesting past.  The structure, according to local historians, has stood at it's current location for longer than any recorded village historical period.  Local historians believe the structure was originally built in the 1700's but the exact date is unknown.  They do know that the structure has been altered and renovated over time.  The ornate pillars were believed to have been added at some time as well as the tile roofing.  The clock is rung every hour on the hour by the local monks and this is taken very seriously.  Most visitors to the town comment on the soothing chimes and enjoy the regularity of it all.  Locals also respond well to the hourly bells.  For some this is an excellent way to keep time.  The local historians also believe that the clock face feature that keeps time currently was an added feature to the tower.  Originally, only the bell chimes kept the time. 

The next time you visit the Village Bell Tower, be sure to take a walk around the property.  Not only is the view magnificent from the property overlooking the village, the fauna around the building is stunning!  There are low and thick shrubs that surround the building as well as creeping flowers and vines.  It's quite stunning to see the mature landscaping.  In fact, this is also one of the concerns the Bell Tower grounds-keepers face as it pertains to the relocation. 

Both the Engineers and the monks who oversee the Village Bell Tower's day to day operations favor an alternate method of elevation change for the West End.  They both agree that "fill material" should be injected under the existing sites.  This could prove to be a more extensive and expensive procedure however the risks to the individual structures and historical references would be less than the actual building relocation to a higher elevation.  The method is gaining popularity among many business owners affected by this change. 

Residents up in arms over Ole Holly Tree

After the town mayor's announcement concerning the elevation changes projected for the west end of town, residents have contacted the local government upset with numerous complaints about the relocation of the Ole Holly Tree which currently stands next to the Holly Tree Inn.  The primary complaint is that the tree is very old and should be protected from such expansions and relocations.  Visitors during the holidays enjoy warm cider and a pipe under the tree.  Children will play hide and seek around the tree as well. 

The town mayor has taken the matter under consideration and continues to stand his ground (no pun intended).  The Ole Holly Tree will be relocated to the higher elevation along with the Holly Tree Inn.  However, due to the public's overwhelming interest in this tree's well being, the mayor has agreed to award all rights to the Ole Holly Tree to the owner's of the Holly Tree Inn.  The Holly Tree Inn is known for well manicured shrubs and evergreens.  Many guests have also enjoyed sleigh rides along the property. 

Should any decision need to be made concerning this tree in the future (post elevation changes) the public will need to consult with the owner's of the Holly Tree Inn.  The owner's of the Holly Tree Inn choose to remain anonymous at this time.  ;)

For Immediate Press Release 2011-01

Under the sole discretion of the town mayor, the entire west end of 'Ole Dickens Town' will undergo a much needed face lift this year.  To the casual observer this may not be noticeable but several buildings will be raised to a higher elevation.  It was determined that more revenue is needed to support the Northern and Eastern expansion planned for 2011.  Existing residents and costermongers alike have previously expressed interest in more visibility.   This operation and renovation will only increase the revenues needed for such a proposed expansion.  Currently, the west end of town has not been as  visible to the common visitor and buisnesses in the area are reporting loss revenues.  Thus the following places of commerce will undergo an extensive elevation renovation:

• The Crowntree Inn
• The Holly Tree Inn
• The Flying Horse Tavern
• Turner's Spice and Mustard Shop
• The Village Bell Tower

The area of work is noted in the orange circles below. 

*It should be noted that E. Tipler Agent for Wine and Spirit shop will not be among the five businesses undergoing the extensive elevation change. 

More details to follow.