By Heather Collins
Classic toy shop Kits & Kaboodle will celebrate Indiana’s bicentennial by displaying ornaments from each of the state’s 92 counties.
Teneen Dobbs, owner of Kits & Kaboodle, and her employees sent out 92 blank gingerbread, snowman or deer ornaments to be decorated by residents of each county or by people with ties to the communities.
Each ornament represents something special or unique about each county.
For example, the Carroll County decorators transformed their deer ornament into a pig. According to pork.org, Carroll County ranks No. 57 on the list of America’s Top 100 Pig Counties, the top ranking of all counties in Indiana.
“They’re coming from all parts, and they all look so different,” Dobbs said. “We love that.”
The ornaments will be displayed throughout the store through December.
A local shop founded in the 1970s, Kits & Kaboodle offers a range of toys and games for children at all developmental stages and for adults. This year, Dobbs said popular holiday gifts include Crazy Aaron’s Thinking Putty, Happy Salmon, Calico Critters and Slapzi.
In addition to the 92-county ornament display, Kits & Kaboodle has partnered with Gigi’s Cupcakes for a bicentennial event from 2 to 4 p.m. Dec. 10 at Gigi’s Cupcakes, 2454 E. 146th St. in Cool Creek Commons, just a few doors down from Kits & Kaboodle. The event will feature a live character actor representing William Hendricks, Indiana’s governor when Indiana gained statehood.
Kits & Kaboodle is open 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. Mondays through Saturdays and noon to 5 p.m. on Sundays. For more, visit kitsandkaboodletoys.com or follow Kits & Kaboodle Classic Toys on Facebook.
