A Vintage Doll House is Magically Transformed to a Sparkling New Doll House for a Little Girl Soon to Receive it as a Gift

Touching the lives of many people in a suburban Connecticut community is a heart-warming true story of a decades old, but much treasured, doll house that had been aging idly without a little girl's care for years. The late Cliff Smith of Pompton Plains, NJ, had designed and constructed the two and a-half story doll house with meticulous care some 40 years ago. His wife, Doris Smith, furnished it and they presented it to their daughter who later passed it on to her daughter.

Eight years ago, Mrs. Smith, now 85, moved from her life-long home in New Jersey to her present home in Highland Hill Condominiums in Plantsville, a friendly village within the Town of Southington, CT. where the doll house continued to age in the solitude of the attic until a few months ago when she was with her neighbor, close friend and companion. Doris told Grace she had taken the doll house down to the garage but get herself to commit it to the trash but instead wondered how it might be cleaned up and given to a little girl who might not be likely to receive a doll house.

Through her neighbor, Janet Mellon, Director of Southington Community Services, was told the story and immediately loved the idea which was taken to local artist Mary DeCroce who was equally excited about redecorating and saving the house from a worse doom. DeCroce came up with another idea of offering it as an art project to the Art Club of Saint Dominic School where she is the art teacher. Principal Patricia M. Tiezzi enthusiastically endorsed the plan as did the 17 students in the Art Club. The doll house had some fixing up to do which was done by Mike Hodgins assisted by Dennis at the Calendar House Senior Center and given to DeCroce so that the refurbishing might be complete.

Five weeks later, on May 14, 2013, the Art Club of St. Dominic School and their art teacher, presented the almost magically transformed vintage doll house to Mellon.

The photo shows the students surrounding the new Magic Doll House with (L. to R.), Mellon and DeCroce standing on the left in the back. On the left, behind the kids are: (L. to R.), Tiezzi, Grace Fortunato and Doris Smith.

Magic Doll House Refurbished by the Art Club of
St. Dominic School
Photography courtesy of Paul Dinnean

The Art Club students listed by grade are:  3rd Grade—Anthony Penisse,  Olivia Textiera, Maddie Napierski, Grinffin Prushinski, Charlene Weavwer and Joshua Zatulski. 4th Grade:  Allison Rembish, Julia Panerella, Katie LaCluyze, Rachel Carbone and Sarah Sisto. 5th Grade: Olivia Bates, Isa Miani, Katie D’Agostino, Kate Hardy and Theresa Cusson.

At the presentation, the children proudly recited the story of the rebirth of the Magic Doll House from start to finish to Mellon and all gathered.

Mellon thanked the children and told them that their gift will be part of a special items auction following the Unique Boutique sale and Dinner on Monday evening, May 20th at the Aqua Turf. All proceeds of the event will be used to help the Southington Food Pantry buy food for our local hungry.

Doris felt joy to see her fairy tale wish come true and she brings a ray of sunshine as a volunteer worker at First Congregational Church, Bread for Life, Church Women United and Calendar House. She also visits shut-ins regularly and is the official Sunshine Lady at Highland Hill Condominiums.

Thanks to photographer Paul Dinnean who volunteered his services for the photos of the event.

Now, can you imagine the look on the face of the little girl who receives this sparkling new Magic Doll House, a gift of so many hearts.