Paul McGuffie is too humble to admit he has a knack for craftingChristmas cheer.

But the time and craftsmanship that each of his figures requiresis an indicator of his woodworking talent.

By the first of October, McGuffie has already begun stringinglights across handmade monuments in his front yard. Sometimes hebegins as soon as September.

The 76-year-old spends about 30 minutes a day “off and on”setting up his Christmas display outside his home in LincolnCounty.

“I start early because I don’t like to do too much at a time,”McGuffie said. “I get tired and quit and then start all over thenext day.”

By mid-December, the constant hum of a generator, which McGuffieemploys to keep the thousands of tiny bulbs ablaze, accompanies hisdisplay.

McGuffie and his wife Annell have been displaying theirextensive collection of Christmas decorations at their home at 799Marwood Loop for about 20 years. They have lived there for 39years.

Paul McGuffie purchased some of the items displayed in his yard.However, he drew, cut, painted and assembled most of the woodenfigures himself.

A large red sleigh and Santa Claus and a Nativity scene are someof his favorite pieces.

The couple takes pride in their display knowing that othersenjoy it.

At night passers-by slow their cars or even stop, enchanted bythe sudden luminosity.

“Sometimes we have people just drive up and sit there and lookfor a few minutes,” Annell McGuffie said.

At this time of year, the McGuffies have more to celebrate thanjust Christmas.

After just two weeks of radiation treatments, which he startedin October, Paul McGuffie’s doctors tell him he is now cancer free.He was diagnosed in August of this year with prostate cancer.

The couple celebrated 52 years of marriage on Friday, Dec. 22.They met at church in 1953 and married the following year.

Paul McGuffie retired after working for 35 years as a welder ata lawn mower plant. Annell retired after 25 years of service withKellwood Manufacturing.

Paul McGuffie will celebrate his seventy-seventh birthday onJan. 8, 2007.

The couple was also expecting their first great-grandchild thisweek.

They have two sons, Danny and Ricky, and four grandsons.

For the McGuffies, part of the fun of the display is givingtheir friends an excuse to stop by for a visit.

“We really enjoy having our friends and neighbors come by toeat, socialize and enjoy some goodies,” Annell McGuffie said.

After Christmas, Paul McGuffie will spend 3-4 daysdisassembling, packing and storing what took him several months toset up.

“It all comes down a lot quicker than it goes up,” he said.

His radiation slowed him down a bit this year, he said, but nextyear he hopes to make some additions and changes to hisdisplay.

“It keeps me active to do the lights and the other littlethings,” he said.