Jill Shirley poses with a part of her front yard Thanksgiving display. (Gary Landers photo) | ZOOM |

        OXFORD TOWNSHIP — Lawrence and Jill Shirley's front yard plays host to an ever-changing tableau in the fall.

        These days, passers-by view a whimsical Thanksgiving display, complete with teepee and Indian maiden, stuffed animals in peasant attire driving a wagon, and a giant turkey. The piece de resistance is a cooking pot steaming away over lively flames.

        “We always decorate for Halloween,” Mrs. Shirley said. “This just grew out of our Halloween display. We had the witch's cauldron, which we turned into the Pilgrims' kettle, and used the fog machine.”

        “Our witch babe became the Indian babe,” her husband added.
       

Going all-out
               This is the second year the family has gone all-out for Thanksgiving. They are well-known in the area for their elaborate seasonal arrangements, which include Christmas, Easter, Memorial Day and Independence Day decorating. While other homes might already sport Christmas lights and wreaths, the Shirleys don't believe in rushing things.

        “We like to emphasize holidays that other people don't do,” Mrs. Shirley said.

        The displays, which are like outdoor stage sets, come naturally to Mr. Shirley, who has a theater arts background from the University of Cincinnati and Ohio University. But although he devises the designs and materials, putting the displays together is a project that involves their children Davy, 10, and Ariel, 8.

        “We do it for our children and for the children in the community,” he said. “That's our mission statement. What's great for our kids is doing this every year, they learn how to use tools. They're very confident.”

        The displays are never finished. Each evening the family tweaks something here, adds something there. Mr. Shirley hopes to add a rooftop element to next year's Thanksgiving scene.

        In years past, Mrs. Shirley said, their displays were sometimes vandalized by Miami University students.

        But more recently a campus newspaper wrote about the family's displays and the community spirit that inspires them.

        “I think the word has gone out that our displays are off-limits to fraternity pranks,” she said. “Now they just come and look, or honk as they drive by.”

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