Communities, Features, Latest Edition, Ovid

The Meridian Weekly – December 12, 2021

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Cover Photo: Zell Family Christmas 2021

You can view the display at 8295 W. Simpson Rd., Ovid. Please drive by, enjoy, and donate

Submitted by Sharon Zell

This year’s display I believe will be year 10. This is a true family display. It started with a Nativity display and angels that my dad, David Zell, built around 50 years ago. “Every year my mom, Sharon Zell, spends endless hours going light by light to repair any strings that have quit working. She also spends many hours helping to set up the rest of the display rain, shine or snow. Nicole and I have slowly added more lights and decorations every year,” explained Troy Zell.

Most of the displays are homemade, including plywood handpainted cut outs and PVC Christmas trees. There are close to 40,000 LED lights, 42 floodlights and over a mile and a quarter of extension cords in the display. There are almost 100 manhours that go into putting the display together every year.

This year the family decided to raise money for a charity. Troy was born with club feet and Crippled Children’s Foundation helped his parents pay for his casts and braces during my childhood. Troy contacted Mott Children Hospital and they have a fund named Pediatric Orthopedic Patient Care Fund. It provides support for needed items to under or uninsured orthopedic patients. Troy will match dollar for dollar up to $250.00 with all money going to Mott. There is a mailbox on the sign on the East side of the driveway to drop any donation off.