When the Christmas lights are turned on tonight at 2131 Old Riley Street in Orangeburg, it will be the 50th consecutive year that Mr. and Mrs. Julian (Evelyn) Stroman have shared their Yuletide yard creations.

Hand-crafted creations include camels, carolers, sheep, a Nativity scene, a winter wonderland and Santa.

For five decades, this generous couple has carefully combined both the secular and non-secular aspects of the Christmas season to create memorable experiences for a lifetime.

The Stromans have placed the centerpiece of their lives in the center of their grounds.

The manger scene.

According to Mr. Stroman, this is one of the original pieces of his collection.

"This was my dream," says the Orangeburg Department of Public Utilities retiree. "This was a dream I had in my mind as a kid growing up in Bowman."

He explains how it all came to fruition:

"When I was 16 and got my driver's license, my dad drove me to Dukes-Harley Funeral Home and I started there.

"They had a small, four-piece manger scene. I lived at the funeral home when we got married, and later moved to Chestnut Street."

And that is where his dream became a reality.

The year was 1958.

Karen Stroman (Miller) was born to the couple.

According to Mr. Stroman, Evelyn saw plans for a manger scene advertised in a magazine.

She ordered it.

The rest is history.

"When we bought a house on Chestnut (Street), he put up a few pieces -- it was small that year."

Then in 1967, the Stroman family moved into their current residence on Old Riley Street.

"There it really came to mind what I wanted to do," says Stroman, "the rolling lot was perfect!"

Over the years, pieces have been added, repaired and replaced.

Today, the menagerie includes 150 sheep, six cows and five camels "grazing" on three different makeshift pastures.

All surround the Christ child in the cradle.

And some 25 years ago, Santa appeared on the scene.

While Mr. Stroman handcrafted most of his work himself, this labor of love requires some outside assistance.

"My fellas from the store help put them out," says Mrs. Stroman, who owns Orangeburg Plumbing.

And her husband is quick to give credit to Levi Boyd and the late Bobbie Wolfe for their help.

Just like Santa, the Stromans begin preparations in late September -- reworking and rewiring. A fun time.

"It used to be a fun time going into the basement as he painted," Mrs. Stroman said.

Both agree they get their satisfaction from seeing people enjoy themselves, from hearing the comments of people that come by, from the calls and cards.

"This was my dream."

And 2008 is the golden anniversary of that dream.

Look for the star.

T&D Correspondent Rendy Boland can be reached with comments or story ideas by phone at 803-535-2222. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

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