Coming Events At Bronner's...

Department 56 Open House Event
with Artist Tom Bates
Fri. & Sat., Sept. 15/16; Sept.15: 6-8 p.m.; Sept. 16: 10 a.m., Noon and 1-3 p.m.
Village artist Tom Bates will greet guests, pose for photos, and sign Department 56 pieces purchased at Bronner’s during the event. Bates has been with the Department 56 creative team for six years. He has designed accessories and lighted houses for Christmas in the City, Seasons Bay, The Original Snow Village, and North Pole series. Celebrate Department 56 with Tom Bates.

Possible Dreams Event with Joe Walsmith
Friday & Saturday, October 6 & 7
Oct. 6: 4 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Oct. 7: noon to 4 p.m.
Meet Joe Walsmith, former president of Possible Dreams (now affiliated with Department 56). He will sign Possible Dreams purchases during the event.

Charming Tails Event with Dean Griff
Saturday, October 14; 1-4 p.m.
Enjoy the rare opportunity to meet Charming Tails creator Dean Griff, who will be greeting guests and signing Charming Tails figurines purchased at the event. Two special event pieces will be available. “Dairy Good Friends” will retail for $32, and “Believe – a Single Word Can Mean So Much” will retail for $28 and be accompanied by a lapel pin. Dean Griff’s Charming Tails collection started with a dozen designs. The collection has grown over the years and now includes over 300 designs, all made of resin. The designs have been produced as figurines, ornaments, water globes and lighted houses. All of the pieces feature woodland creatures in a whimsical outdoor setting.

Beer Stein Event with Rex Halfpenny
Saturday, Oct. 21; 11 a.m., 1 p.m. and 3 p.m.
Rex Halfpenny is publisher of the Michigan Beer Guide, founder of the Michigan Brewers Guild, a certified beer judge and district officer of the Master Brewers Association of the Americas. Hear Rex speak about beer steins and the history of beer.

Meet Wally Bronner
Sat. & Sun., Oct. 21 & 22, Nov. 11 & 12, and Dec. 2 & 3 - 1-4 p.m.
Meet originator Wally Bronner as he takes time to meet with guests, pose for photos and sign autographs. Wally will be happy to sign his new book, “A Picturesque Story of Bronner’s CHRISTmas Wonderland.” While you’re at Bronner’s, view the video presentation, “A Decorative Life: The Wally Bronner Story,” shown daily free of charge in Bronner’s program center.

Department 56™ Retirement Weekend
Fri. & Sat., November 3 & 4
Bronner’s will have a complete list of retired Department 56 pieces available for review. New village gift sets, Snowbabies, and special-edition Santas will also be available. Join us for Department 56’s retirement weekend.

Glassblowing and Painting Demonstration
Nov. 3-12, Mon.-Sat. - 9:30-11:30 a.m., 12:30-2 p.m., 3:30-5 p.m., 7-8 p.m., Sun. 12:30-6 p.m.
Thomas and Marlene Horn, artisan husband-and-wife team, will showcase their ornament-making talents. Thomas, a skilled glassblower, and Marlene, a talented painter, represent the Krebs Ornament Factory in Lauscha, Germany. The Horns will be delighted to sign any Krebs ornaments purchased at Bronner’s during their visit. Join the Horns at Bronner’s.

Cherished Teddies Event
with Priscilla & Glenn Hillman
Sat., Nov. 4 - 10 a.m.–Noon and 2-4 p.m.
Enjoy the rare opportunity to meet Cherished Teddies creator/artist Priscilla Hillman and her son, artist Glenn Hillman, who will be greeting guests and signing Cherished Teddies figurines purchased at the event. The event piece “Fran and Vinny: It’s Lovely Weather for a Sleigh Ride Together” will be available during the event for $35. In 1992 Priscilla submitted her drawings to Enesco and the Cherished Teddies collection was born. Glenn joined her in 1999 and has since designed many pieces in the collection.

Pam Chatley Ornament Artist Signing
Sat. & Sun., Nov. 4/5; Nov. 4: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.; Nov. 5: noon-5 p.m.
Meet Michigan artist Pam Chatley. Pam will gladly sign any of her whimsical, creative ornaments purchased November 4 or 5.

Connie Larsen Ornament Artist Signing
Thurs. & Fri., Nov. 9/10, 16/17, 30 & Dec. 1
10:30 a.m.-noon and 1-2:30 p.m.
Enjoy a unique opportunity to meet Bronner’s ornament artist Connie Larsen. She will sign or personalize any of her ornaments purchased during her appearances. Connie’s ornaments are exclusive to Bronner’s.

St. Nicholas: from Saint to Santa
Sat. & Sun., Nov. 11 & 12 - 2 & 3 p.m.
Join us as St. Nicholas tells the story of how he became Santa Claus. This half-hour performance, a tradition here at Bronner’s, involves audience participation. Don’t miss out on this memorable experience for children of all ages.

Fontanini Signing with Marco Fontanini
Fri. & Sat., Nov. 17 & 18, Nov. 17: 4-7 p.m.; Nov. 18: noon – 4 p.m.
Marco Fontanini, fourth-generation member of the House of Fontanini, will be happy to sign any Fontanini Nativity purchases made during the event as well as two Fontanini pieces from your personal collection. Join Marco Fontanini at Bronner’s.

Jacki Edwards Ornament Artist Signing
Sat.& Sun., Nov. 18 & 19, Nov. 18: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.; Nov. 19: noon-5 p.m.
Meet Clay Creations ornament artist Jacki Edwards at Bronner’s. Jacki will sign and personalize her ornaments during the event.

Ulrich Tendera Hummel Painter
Nov. 24-26, Nov. 24, & 25: 9:30-11:30 a.m., 12:30-2 p.m., 3:30-5 p.m., and 7-8 p.m.;
Nov. 26: 12:30-6 p.m.
Welcome M.I. Hummel artist Ulrich Tendera to Bronner’s. Ulrich will be happy to sign M.I. Hummel purchases made at Bronner’s during his appearance. If you would like to preorder a Hummel figurine for signing or shipment, please contact customer service at (989) 652-9931.

Santa Visits Daily
Nov. 24-Dec. 24: Mon.-Sat.: 10-11:30 a.m., 1-4:15 p.m., and 6-7:45 p.m.; Sun.: 1-6 p.m.
You want to see Santa? Bring your camera and your wish list to Bronner’s. Because Santa is so busy on Christmas Eve, his visiting hours will end at 3 p.m. Bronner’s closes at 4 p.m. on Christmas Eve. For groups of 25 or more, please phone (989) 652-9935, ext. 556.

Byer’s Choice Event
Saturday, Dec. 2 - 1 p.m.-3 p.m.
Stop in and pick up the special event Byer’s Choice caroler, “Partridge in a Pear Tree Santa,” at Bronner’s. The figurine will retail for $64.

Teresa Thibault Ornament Artist Signing
Dec. 8-10, Dec. 8 & 9: 10 a.m.-noon and 1-5 p.m.; Dec. 10: noon-5 p.m.
Meet Teresa Thibault, the artist behind the popular Heart Gifts line of ornaments. From inspirational to whimsical, Teresa’s ornaments make perfect gifts for everyone on your list … including yourself.

Precious Moments Company Doll Signing
Saturday, Dec. 16 - Time TBA
Linda Rick, Precious Moments Company’s nationally renowned doll designer, and Richard Hay, Precious Moments Company president, are teaming up with Bronner’s to create a fun-filled event just for you. They will be greeting guests and signing Precious Moments doll purchases.

Wally & Irene Sing-along
Friday & Saturday, Dec. 22 & 23, 1:30-2 p.m.
Join Wally and Irene Bronner as Wally leads everyone in singing a variety of favorite Christmas carols while Irene accompanies on an old-fashioned pump organ. Music is piped throughout the store. This is a great way to get into the Christmas spirit.

Silent Night Sing-along
Sunday, Dec. 24 - 3-3:15 p.m.
Join Wally Bronner and guest guitarist in the Silent Night Memorial Chapel as they lead everyone in singing “Silent Night.” This peaceful assembly is the perfect way to remember why we celebrate the Christmas season.

Watch this space every month for the results of our previous Question of the Quarter.

Due to a changeover in Bronner’s website, responses from the June Question of the Quarter are not accessible. We are repeating the question in this issue:

My First Experience with Bronner's was...

Click here to answer this quarter’s poll question.