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A Nativity Story

Manger Scene Restoration at Saint Bernard's Church in Vernon Rockville, Connecticut
At end of Story, find complete photo gallery of the Project, including CoolIris Cinematic option


Around Y2K, I came to live in Vernon Rockville, Connecticut, "padding about" while recuperating from injuries from an accident and its complications.
Just when I thought my life and work would be downed, maybe permanently, the community offered me fine new work and opportunities.

Saint Bernard's Church here, was just a few blocks from my home,and there was support and friendship and more. So, when their Nativity Scene was brought out to be set up for its fiftieth Christmas, I refused to let my artist's eye move my mouth, and did not mention the fact that the group was very worn-looking and needed repair and restoration. I was so fortunate to be there to share the beautiful Holiday Spirit with these people, that I simply noted how they loved that group and watched for a time and place and the right words to return their kindness with my work to restore it.

I knew how - I grew up on Southport Harbor and fiberglass boat-making was a popular hobby in those days, and, my college training included Restoration basics. So at least I had a good idea of the concepts applied in dealing with fiberglass figures, and understanding of the path to pursue in the work.

In time, I was comfortable in the community and conversant with the Iconic Father John White, and had done some art with and for him, and one day was able to make a firm offer to restore the figures.

He thought it a fine idea and put it on the list, for the near future. Father White mentioned that the creche was there when he arrived, and had been with that parish for thirty-three years and was retiring, but the pastor who succeeded him, Father Rick Ricard, took up the project happily, and we met, planned, shopped for the supplies and got to work.

In about five minutes , everyone on the village park shoppes area knew of the project, and it was clear that the Old Nativity Figures were important to them, as they stopped me on my errands to talk about it and ask that I be very careful with them.

"It wouldn't be Christmas without that Creche", one said, " I am 55, and they were here as far back as I can remember."

I understood and loved the thought that others in addition to myself loved those figures. I felt much better supported in the work ahead.

The Old Convent Garage was my studio and 'Step One', of course, was assessment of the particulars of the task. I took "Before" photos of the group of figures, for reference and comparison later, but was stunned-speechless, when I got it home to process the photos in my computer. When I snapped the photo, below, the light hit the figure so that it seemed to glow, I guess, and I am not a superstitious type, so I smiled and thanked God for the good omen.

The image of this Glowing Infant figure sent me to the site, the next day with something special.

To begin the work involved the careful cleaning/preparation of the surfaces and hollow interiors of the figures. And at this point, I found incised ID at the foot of their pedestals. I thought it might be nice to enter the data in my computer "Search" , when I got back to my desk, and see what was to be found.

It was one of those moments - entering the name of the sculptor who designed them brought up a Magazine ad from the 40's, that read: "When famous Sculptor, Dick Wiken, is done with a hard day at the studio, he reaches for his Babst Beer." - and included a large photo of the artist and more. The sculptor was well-known enough to be sought for major merchandise ad endorsements.

Further search identified him in much better depth as a world-class sculptor with many fine achievements to his credit, and the man who designed the head for the famous WPA Doll. FDR's WPA projects are History, and its products are Archived and honored today, including the now-famous Doll.

This in turn , made me think that this Nativity Group manufacture was an FDR/WPA-inpsired project, too, since the plant that manufactured it was invented to put people back to work during the last of the Great Depression.

I took my data to Father Rick and Deacon Mike and the new assistant, Father John, and the parish secretaries. What a delightful moment, and happy hum among us, like on the "Antiques Roadshow" program many of us never miss. I also got a bit more supportive Provenance from emails to Dick Wiken's area historical society and the Art College he helped to found. Nice. The display area sports an invisible alarm system, and the group is covered in insurance, and now with some idea of its historic and arts-intrinsic value, it was time to stop the research and get to work.

Needless to say, I was helped again, in my desire to do "Something Beautiful for God", as Mother Teresa said. With this respectable Provenance, I was allowed the proper time and degree of perfection in my work.

The Community truly loved that group! After more than 50 years all 14 figures were there and intact! When the word got around about the restoration, a few men of the parish found me - jubilant - there had been a holy thing, for many years, concerning the care of that Creche - passed down from the previous aging one to a young apprentice of a sort. But then the drive for that seemed to fade, liked the paint on the figures itself.

The very old paint was very pale and chipped and flaked, and in some places showed the wear from hurried efforts to repair it in the past. Most of the figures showed pitting - a natural dehydration effect with old fiberglass. Many had cracks and the delicate Infant Jesus figure had lost a thumb, a toe and one arm had large holes in two places.

But essentially, the more I studied them the more impressed I was with the details in the designs on the figures. They endured in the molding and offered many possibilities and restoration options. Very nice facial features meant I might go for some lovely effects, and details in costumes and trimmings meant a fine and fancy finish to it all.

My six week project was complete in six months. This was partly due to the fumes from the cleaner - thinner needed to produce the right paint flow. I could only expose myself to them for a few hours a day, at most. When I began in July, the heat truly provoked the effect of the fumes, as well.

Still from July till December, the task was Labor of Love and devotion and near-daily application. I was glad I lived so nearby, and liked my walk, to and from the studio. The walk home cleared my breathing, as I took plenty of deep breaths to do just that, and I did not get as much as a sniffle from it.

I began with the Angel - so she could bless the project and keep an eye on me while I worked. The effects I was able to obtain were very encouraging. It just seemed so nice, to be able to give the Infant statue a nice new thumb, and say a prayer and sing the Jesus lullaby while I worked at it, sometimes! I guess a girl never tires of playing dollies. Whatever it was, it was very sweet. When our famous autumn rainstorms struck, it was easy to run over and drape the figures in plastic and put my sweater on Jesus to keep him warm. Life!

I prayed and worked with a feeling of privilege at the Statues of Mary and Joseph. I talked with the Shepherds and Wise Men and connected with the Lambs and the good Donkey. The faithful animals were sentinels as worked.

Dirt and flaking were removed, and surfaces smoothed. I had a palette of the red, blue and yellow and white and gold paints, and mixed the rest. The expense was for some real gold leaf outdoor striping trim tape for the bits of gold on the Wise Men's crowns, and possibly, hems and sleeves and belting on the other figures.

In spite of gloves and mask, I got fume-y and dirty sometimes. I was glad I was working alone. Father John comes from an arts family and so he took interest in artistic consulting - very helpful!

I sang and swept and cleaned and re-cleaned the studio , since dust in the paint would not do, and dust seemed to build up in the garage easily, from the direction of the breezes at the foot of the drive, and I had to keep the door open while I worked for safety ventilation. The only remedy was frequent sweeping, and at the times when the figures were covered or not wet with paint.

The putty/filler repaired the cracks and the parish sexton did some wood restorations to the support for the donkey and found a area heater when the weather cooled, and extra lights, when the days shortened. I had my own key so I could access the work as needed.

Each day, the painting called me, and seeing the grouping come back to life was so rewarding, I wished I was rich - I'd have paid for the privilege to do that job.

Time to set up the Nativity Figures had arrived, and the last sweep with the paintbrush on the rosy cheek of the Infant Jesus figure!

The men of the parish set up the life-sized wooden stable, nestled in beds and stacks of hay.

Once again, the Angel was called on first - and her figure attached over the door of the stable to hover in exultation.
Mary, Joseph, The Magi, the Shepherds, lambs and donkey completed the scene of waiting for the Coming of Savior. The Infant figure would not be placed till near Christmas Eve.

A photo of the creche I restored appeared, at the Saint Bernard Church website Home page, front and center at the 2007 Christmas season.

There was also a note about the Restoration and the invitation to the parish to join the annual event of caroling and placing the Infant in the creche on Dec.22, 2007 after the 5pm Vigil Mass.

It was dark at that time of day, and so there was the glow along the path from church to site of the creche - lit by white Lunaria, and all gathered round and began the carols.

Then, Father Rick Ricard , pastor, brought the Infant figure from the rectory to the site, and presented it to a little boy and a little girl, who, together, placed the Infant in the manger. I sang to the Infant represented by that figure, often, with it in my lap, at the work, and this time, I was joined by quite a chorus and lead by our priest.

They say it was chilly out, but not at our Creche that night. I was glad we had chosen the super-weatherproof paints used on fiberglass yachts - even if it was freezing rain, the glow of the figures would win. In fact, it gives a spooky photo-realistic effect - if the air gets very cold the skin tones change hue, just as though they were live. And then when it warms, the color returns to normal. Did I pray too hard, and "charm" in my song too much, while I worked, to win this "extra" from the Muse and the Angels? These are pretty challenging times - a bit extra for the good guys is a fair move, I think.

I was enjoying the pageant, at the back of the crowd - the tender way of the little children as they placed the Infant in the Manger. The Nativity Figures in place were the reward, for me, of six months of clean, scrub, putty, repair, prime, paint, correct and protective topcoat. I had enjoyed every moment of it, a delight, and honor, a pleasure, more than worth the fumes and mess and work.

It felt very nice, that night, just viewing the completed figures, and the story they told, arranged to commemorate the Scene that changed the world!

Father called me up to the front of the group to recognize me, personally, and the work involved - I used to enjoy hearing the word "gratified" when others were in my place, and now that word was mine to say and feel. The moment was the kind of treasure nothing can mar.

I simply said "Thank you for the honor of performing the happiest task of my life" I wanted to say "It's about the Infant, not art or politics." But did not and wished I had. And I enjoyed the applause and warmth of the moment.

All was merry and bright! Caroling continued and then a cheer followed by the invitation from Father to join the reception at the rectory, which proceeded to the church hall for refreshments and more chat. A special evening marking the completion and beginning of special things!

I hope you enjoyed my story, and will enjoy the photos below and share this page with friends. Most of all ...

Happy Holiday!

May we all appreciate the very best life lights in times when things seem dark and cold!



# Start Restoration Story Slideshow PicLens

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Happy Holiday!.

SaintBernardChurchCrecheRestoration

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Start Restoration Story Slide Show PicLens







Here the local news story of the additional NEW creche on the park, funded as a combined church effort, to express harmony and oneness at the Winter Holiday! In one publication it was titled,
"A Tale of Two Creches"

NEW NATIVITY IN CENTER PARK BY ANNIE GENTILE ReminderNews

For many long-time residents, Christmas in Rockville Center wasn?t quite the same last year without the Nativity scene which had graced Center Park for more than 50 years. At the time, the park was kneedeep in a restoration project that made it necessary to forego holiday and seasonal displays on the green. Now, with the restoration complete and the holiday season in full swing, a crèche once again sits on the green ? but it?s not the same one as before.

The long-standing 14-piece crèche was moved last year to St. Bernard?s, the church high on the hill overlooking Center Park. Over the years, the crèche had fallen into a state of disrepair, and local artist Elle Smith Fagan had, on a number of occasions, offered to restore the molded fiberglass figures. With the park going through a restoration of its own, last summer seemed the perfect time to get to work on the project.

Fagan said with the donation of supplies and a worksite in the convent garage/studio at St. Bernard?s, she enjoyed a quiet summer getting paint in her hair and setting about to her ?heaven-sent? task. ?The restoration project was one of the happiest of my life,? said Fagan, who completed most of the work over a five- or six-month period.

The project also revealed a pleasant surprise, Fagan said. While beginning work on the figures, she discovered engravings on the backs that indicated they had been created as part of a Works Progress Administration (WPA) Fine Arts Project, designed by Dick Wiken, a noted sculptor of his day. WPA projects were begun during the Roosevelt administration and were created to help train unemployed workers in new skills and to achieve needed and worthy work, Fagan said.

The Christian community was pleased to learn the life expectancy of the original Nativity would still have some mileage, yet the question remained what to do in the Park, especially since a new ordinance for holiday and seasonal displays on town property had been crafted over the summer.

Many of the religious leaders in the Christian community had already forged a bond through their association in a Rockville clergy group, and several decided to collaborate on the purchase of a new, shared Nativity that would be a witness to Christian unity, said Pastor Tim Oslovich, of Trinity Lutheran Church. ?Two people ? Father John Antonelle of St. Bernard?s and Cindy Carr of First Congregational Church ? really put in the effort to spearhead the project,? he said, adding that Father John did some research and managed to get them a little better price on the pieces from a company out of Poughkeepsie, New York. Additionally, the two, along with Nancy Osborn, a congregant at Union Congregational Church, and Father Rick Ricard, pastor of St. Bernard?s, had attended meetings with the town?s former mayor, Dr. Ellen Marmer, to provide input on the crafting of the new ordinance.

There are about 15 to 20 Christian churches in Vernon, and we opened it up to anyone ? churches or individuals ? who wanted to support the effort,? Carr said.

Recently, Father John made the trip to Poughkeepsie and came back with the three statues of the Holy Family packed tightly into his car, the figure of St. Joseph leaning over his shoulder. With the help of several volunteers and a local contractor, the Nativity was installed in the park on Dec. 12. ?[The crèche] is a beautiful symbol of the unity of our community and of our faith,? said Father John.

The newly-installed crèche ? or Nativity scene ? sits in Rockville?s Center Park.





The "flipside" of the the holiday displays - story of modern-day conflict of morality:

Brief, but passionate controversy arose, in 2007, concerning the nature of Winter Holiday displays on the beautiful, newly-restored Central Park in Rockville, Connecticut. In spite of unforseen delays in completion of the last details at the Park, there was just time to set up the famous Holiday Tree, and lights displays for the Season. It was thought that The Revered Saint Bernard's Creche should no more be displayed on the main park across the street and so a second creche was thought to be the way to do it. It was a beautiful idea that worked because the combined Christian churches in the downtown area joined hands in the fundraising, purchase, setup and take-down of the creche, plus the co-ordination of related celebratory events. Other belief systems were invited to share displays of their Winter Holiday icons, as well, in true Third-Millennium spirit.

As often happens with new ideas at a newly-restored site, one major "glitch" appeared - when an atheist group displayed a provocative three-sided set of placards, denouncing religion, and Christmas, rather than a cheery multi-belief icon, to express the positive side of atheist belief.

The hubbub began locally, with some loss of humor, by first observers at the site. Then the phone calls and emails and visits began at Town Hall. Folk were very displeased. VERY. The hope and goal for the displays was for the very best in today's belief expressions and "some of everything" in the range of Winter Holiday displays...since all belief systems do express special ideologies at this time of year in special ways.

The effect on the high-visibility site was, briefly, one of religious war, with the two displays, and two only, seeming to be in opposition to one another.

Federal funds made up a lot of the budget for the expensive and necessary Park facelift. And so, at this occurrence, it was easy for the Mayor's office to back the First Amendment rights of all belief system groups to share a holiday display on the Park. More objections were voiced. The outrage could only be tempered with the placement of a second Christmas Tree near the atheist display to partly obscure it , and diminish the offensive effect.

The issue was not that the Atheists like the nature symbols best, but that they did not respect the others, and spoke their views in a hostile manner, demanding their belief be respected, while disrespecting the beliefs of others

The major news media, local, state and further, had a field-day over this dilemma, about Jesus' birth and the First Amendment, including a featured spot on Fox TV news in New York.

Then something unexpected happened: the atheist antagonist actually seemed to feed the protagonists to their shining moment! People spoke and cheered, overtly, and demonstrated for Christmas and the Infant like never before. Then they joined spirits and quieted down and supported our Mayor and his people, and set again at the happy occupation of re-achieving "Peace on Earth" - with complete success!

The energy here in Rockville could be felt: souls pulling together to win through the moment, in time for the holiday!
And by Christmas, a Mirthful Holiday, with respect for all, was regained , as the rest of this page proves.

And that is my wish for you -
May your holiday be full of the Glow that comes from the Affirmations of Life at this time of year - however you express it!