Volunteer decorators make Christmas magic at Annandale NHS

Volunteer decorator Bonnie Sitts in the Tower Room at Annandale NHS. Bonnie chose a teddy bear theme for the room, which features 50 teddy bears. (Robin Krafft Photo)

Robin Krafft, Post Contributor

Thanks to numerous dedicated volunteers, Annandale House is fully adorned for Christmas visitors, and the festive decor can be enjoyed until Jan. 6.

Bonnie Sitts decorated three rooms on the third floor this year, and she brought her passion for crafting and history together to develop a theme for each room. This is the fourth year she's been decorating Annandale’s rooms for Christmas.

Last year's room provided the inspiration for her 2025 teddy bear theme in the Tower Room. Choosing a theme is just a starting point, after which she begins planning, researching and collecting, a year in advance. The room features 50 teddy bears that she found, borrowed or was gifted over the course of the year, as well as a colourful hooked rug which she made. Bonnie is resourceful, and she combs yard sales and second-hand stores to find treasures.

"If the teddy bear spoke to me, they came home," Sitts said. "I also save my garbage, you never know what you're going to be able to do with something!"

In the Tillson Room, the theme is Currier and Ives and sleighs. Currier and Ives was an early 1900s printing company. Bonnie's grandmother used to enjoy making things with greeting cards and her collection inspired Bonnie to do the same. The room features information about the origin of the iconic Jingle Bells song, and the one-horse open sleigh.

Sitts is a member of the Women’s Institute and a lifetime member of Tillsonburg Historical Society, both giving and attending historical talks.

"I learn a lot from the guest speakers," she said. "I'm a lifelong learner. When I researched the history of the song Jingle Bells, I decided to include sleighs and things that you would need for a sleigh ride."

The room features a 1917 piece of sheet music that belonged to her grandmother, fur coats that might have been worn for warmth, crocheted blankets, and her crowning glory: the Vanderbilt blanket that she made in 1978.

"I saw it in a craft book with the story and I decided to make it,” Sitts said. "It was on display at the Tillsonburg and Aylmer Fairs and I won the grand champion ribbon. I used an afghan stitch and there are 154 squares and 13 flower motifs."

Bonnie brought in additional information to add to the display because so many people were inquiring about the blanket.

She was also responsible for decorating the School Room this year, using a family puzzles and games theme. She made 100 kits to give away for children to make their own Christmas ornament out of a tangram, a card cut in seven pieces.

"Work every day like a job," Sitts advised. "Keep busy; retirement is just a word in the dictionary. I got involved with the fair as a volunteer at 13 years old. When you get involved early as a volunteer, it gets in your blood."

Like Bonnie, Mary Jane Kekes is already thinking about next year's themes.

Mary Jane has been involved with Annandale house for several years, and along with being a volunteer decorator, she catered this summer's Anniversary Tea and has planned a special (sold out) Pioneer Christmas Tea. There are many surprises in store for attendees.

"This is my gift to Annandale House and the staff,” Kekes said. "The girls are lots of fun, but they work hard. The staff is so amazing, and I just love them so much."

Mary Jane was born in Tillsonburg, and was a school teacher here for 33 years at Rolph Street, South Ridge and Rotary Westmount. She is also an experienced seamstress, and throughout those years she created many costumes for school plays.

She decorated two Victorian-themed rooms this year. The Sewing Room on the third floor was dedicated to her mother, Mary Kekes.

"My mom had a dress shop where the Bulk Barn is now," Kekes said. "There are three wedding dresses that my mom made on display in the room, from 1947, 1951 and 1952."

One dress was already in the collection, and the others were borrowed from families. Also on display is a vintage covered-button maker that Mary Jane used to use to make covered buttons for her mother.

"My brother Joe used to make them, but when I got old enough he said it's your turn," Kekes said.,

Kekes wore a Victorian dress for the open house, made for her by her friend Suzanne Buehner. Under the dress, the swish of the crinoline that she had worn under her own wedding dress could be heard. She has plans to make a matching bonnet. Suzanne collaborated with Mary Jane to decorate the Sewing Room.

"I gave her all the stuff, and she put it all together," Kekes explained. "She's an amazing dress designer and we both make costumes for the Tillsonburg Theater. I've made hundreds of costumes."

She also decorated the Victorian Room on the second floor using a Dickens theme. Last year she created a candy cane room and one visitor, Kathy Upper, mentioned that she had an entire Dickens village and Mary Jane asked if she would like to team up for this year.

"It all started with the Dickens carolers and kind of exploded," Kekes laughed. "I found an old baby buggy with a parasol on it and I started collecting dolls. I was thrifting all year and I had over 100, with all donations to go to Annandale House. Over 40 dolls were adopted during the open house weekend."

Mary Jane found lots of end tables and coffee tables in thrift stores, which she and Kathy used to make the snowy mountain for their village. The room also includes her considerable collection of tea pots.

"I have about 200 teapots, but they wouldn't all fit," Kekes said. "There are about 150 there. I started packing them up and boxing them in October."

Volunteer decorators started their work at the beginning of November, giving them three weeks to complete the task, and they needed every minute to execute their ideas.

"You have to have a vision and be able to explain it," Kekes said. "I've known Suzanne for years, but I just met Kathy and we hit it off. She's just a gem to work with. I've been so lucky, they were both so good and so creative."