Holiday Lights - Mozelle Blankenship's Nutcracker collection presented by Wal-Mart.
Everybody is familiar with the traditional toy soldier nutcracker, but Statesboro's Mozelle Blankenship has nutcrackers like most have never seen.
They're on the shelves, mantles, tables and display stands. They're on a Christmas tree and tucked inside curio cabinets. Most are versions of the traditional tin soldier, but others stand out in her vast collection of about 200.
There is the Queen of Hearts, a few Santas, a cowboy, snowmen and even a bunny nutcracker. Mingling with a host of traditional nutcrackers are four Wizard of Oz nutcrackers – Dorothy, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow.
"I started years ago and people kept buying me nutcrackers as gifts," Blankenship said. Her late husband, former Bulloch County Magistrate Judge Carroll Blankenship bought her first and continued the tradition as years went by.
"I just enjoy them," she said, talking about how she has help from family getting the heavy boxes down from the attic each year. "I have little ones, middle sized ones and bog ones."
A "big one" sits in the corner, and plays the Nutcracker song (from the classic play "The Nutcracker"). And a sparkling Christmas tree is adorned with tiny nutcracker ornaments.
Most of the collection is made of wood, but "my favorite one is tin," she said.
"I've got some funny looking ones, some look sad, some look mad," she said, sharing pie and mulled cider with guests who admired her collection. "I try to find ones that are a little more unusual than the last one."
She wants a soldier nutcracker, but the only one she could find is in the tan, Desert Storm military uniform. "I want one is green fatigues," she said.
Blankenship enjoys visitors and welcomes people to come see her nutcracker collection. However, "please call first," she said.
Blankenship said anyone who wants to see the collection in person can call 764-3967.
Look for a new Holiday Lights video celebrating the Christmas season each Monday through December 17.