Gingerbread House 2004
Church with Working Carillon
The year 2004 started it all, but no one seemed to know why. A review of family history for this period did not reveal any event or occurence that triggered a decade of gingerbread house building. There was speculation that it was a project to use up the old Halloween candy. It is also possible that there was a molasses mark down at Roundy’s that triggered an inventory buildup of molasses. The only way to get rid of it was to bake gingerbread.
The 2004 Gingerbread project is a church with working carillon. The original design specifications are lost, however recollection has it that the carillon was designed first, then the church was thrown in for good measure. It seems that someone had a bunch of little jingly bells rolling around in a drawer and it was decided that they be used to build a grand carillon.
Through intricate craftsmanship the carillon system was made useable. The bells were rung by sticking a small bell ring jingler though the openings. An experienced carillon master soon learned to use both hands and a foot to sound out joyous overtures. The sound was acceptable for off the shelf bells. We thought of commissioning a proper set of bells from Whitechapel Bell Foundry in London, but the time to cast these did not work with our timeline.
Using the fine acoustics of this carillon and bell tower, Liam composed a Wagner like dity, “Ride of the Gingerbread Men”.