Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 110, No. 145, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 25, 2013 Page: 3 of 29
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Denton Record-Chronicle
LOCAL/STATE
Wednesday, December 25, 2013
3A
Insurance bill means
last ride for ‘Trainman'
By Nanette Light
The Dallas Morning News
RICHARDSON - In his 81
years, Joel Occhiuzzo has been a
traveling band leader, an Army
sergeant, a chef and a car sales-
man.
But for the past 13 years, he’s
been best known as “Joel the
Trainman.”
From Thanksgiving through
New Year’s Day, his Richardson
backyard is aglow with lights
when he opens his annual Holi-
day Express Riding Train from 6
to 10 p.m. each night, olfering
free rides to children and adults.
But this year, he says, will be
his last ride.
“As far as I know, right now,
Jan. lis the end,” Occhiuzzo said.
“After that, everything is for
“It just went around that little
tree. That was it. It was hyster-
ical,” said Combiths, whose two
sons saw the train and lights
from across Duck Creek Linear
Park when Occhiuzzo first
opened the express.
Combiths’ 13-year-old
daughter, Rachel, first rode the
train when she was 2 years old.
Since then, the mother and
daughter have been back every
year.
“It’s just so joyful here,” said
Rachel Combiths as she took a
break from the cold to huddle
around a fire in Occhiuzzo’s
home. “I love seeing the lights,
and sometimes Joel lets me
drive.”
The mother-daughter duo is
among a crew of volunteers who
routinely help Occhiuzzo drive
the train and manage the line of
guests each evening. Afterward,
they gather in Occhiuzzo’s kitch-
en for a cup of hot chocolate and
a slice of cake.
“Joel is such a sweetheart.
How could you not want to
help?” Frances Combiths said.
Some, such as Ken Southard
and John Hamulak, also help
Occhiuzzo throughout the year
with setup, repairs and storage
of the decorations.
The volunteer crew of me-
chanics and engineers formed
five years ago after Southard, a
chemist with an interest in me-
chanics, brought his grandchil-
dren to ride the train.
Business window broken in
dispute, owner says
A local businessman is blam-
ing a broken window at his Den-
ton business on a dispute, ac-
cording to police reports.
The Lewisville man told
Denton police Monday that the
front window of his business
was broken. He said he believes
the culprits are people he knows
who have a beef with him.
Damage estimates for the
window were not available.
Other reports
700 block of Londonder-
ry Lane — A 26-year-old Sun-
nyvale woman reported that her
vehicle was stolen from a Den-
ton parking lot sometime be-
tween 1 and 6 a.m. Monday. The
type of vehicle taken was not list-
ed, but police reports list the val-
ue at more than $20,000.
5200 block of Interstate
BLOTTER
35W — A 34-year-old man
who had been swerving in and
out of lanes on Interstate 35W
was arrested on a charge of be-
ing intoxicated on prescription
medicine, police reports state.
According to reports, Den-
ton police officers were dis-
patched on reports of a reckless
driver and found the man
speeding and swerving. He was
stopped in the 2300 block of
I-35E and arrested on charges of
driving while intoxicated on a
substance other than alcohol
and unlawful carrying of a
weapon, police said.
5000 block of Teasley
Lane — Counterfeit money was
passed at a nail salon about 7
p.m. Monday, police said. Re-
ports show an employee of the
business reported being given
some counterfeit bills for pay-
ment. The customer left the
scene before police arrived.
1100 block of Cordell
Street — A thief jumped a
fence, broke into a storage shed
and took several power tools
from a property in the 1100 block
of Cordell Street, police said.
The theft occurred overnight
Sunday into Monday, according
to reports.
Roundup
From 7 a.m. Monday to 7
a.m. Tuesday:
■ Denton police posted 13
reports online.
Other reports weren’t avail-
able due to early deadlines for
the Christmas holiday.
— Megan Gray
Denton County Crime Stoppers will
pay a reward of up to $1000 for
information leading to an arrest in
these or other crimes. Callers will
remain anonymous. Call
1-800-388-TIPS (8477). Reach the
Denton police narcotics tip line at
940-565-5801
sale.”
This includes the approxi-
mately 132-foot track, about
50,000 Christmas lights, deco-
rations and the wooden seven-
car train valued at about
$70,000.
In November, Occhiuzzo re-
ceived notice that his home-
owners insurance, which also
covered the train, would not be
renewed.
His new homeowner’s insur-
ance policy is about 50 percent
more expensive and does not
cover the train.
To open this year, he scram-
bled to purchase event insur-
ance for almost $2,000 to cover
the train’s 30-day operation.
The expense is on top of an
average electric bill of $1,200
and an additional $6,000 he
spends to repair, maintain and
update the train and outdoor
display.
He does not charge money
for the ride around his yard.
When expenses rose three years
ago, Occhiuzzo set up a dona-
tion box at the entrance.
“I could afford what we were
doing, but not once [the insur-
ance] hit,” Occhiuzzo told The
Dallas Morning News. “You’ve
got to laugh about this, you real-
ly do. In the beginning, I cried
about it. It choked me up. I’m
just trying to do something for
kids.”
On a recent evening, Occhi-
uzzo sat perched in a fisherman’s
swivel chair — his version of a
conductor’s seat — as he guided
the 46-foot-long train around
his backyard.
Twinkling Christmas lights
and blow-up characters set the
backdrop as the wooden loco-
motive rounded the comer, tot-
ing six parents and children in
its back sleigh car.
As Occhiuzzo waved to on-
lookers, a spotlight caught his
face, lighting a smile.
“That smile is one of my fa-
vorite moments. It never gets
old,” said his friend, Frances
Combiths of Garland.
Occhiuzzo said he never in-
tended for the train to reach its
current size, nor did he intend
for anyone to ride it.
The original four-car train
was to be a display in the yard. It
was 6 feet long and constmcted
to circle the Yaupon holly tree in
the center of his yard.
It took more than four min-
utes to circle the tree.
Now, it takes 45 seconds to
circle his entire yard.
Denton
Record-Chronicle
Published daily by Denton Publishing Co.
a subsidiary of
A.H. Belo Corporation
www.ahbelo.com NYSE symbol: AHC
314 E. Hickory St., Denton, TX 76201
(UPS PS 154000)
E-mail: drc@dentonrc.com
HOW TO REACH US
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Periodicals posted paid at Denton, TX
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Carriers are independent contractors
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RETAIL DISPLAY ADVERTISING &
PREPRINTED INSERTS
Retail Advertising..................940-566-6858
1 (gnjwi kecur'il-t Hi mmole
MEDIA COMPANY
in Memory of W.O. Bishop and Rita Bfe. ’
1 " W.O. Bishop 02/21/1929 - 11/18/2013
Rita Bishop 08/30/1930 - 10/31/2011
Our First Christmas Together In Heaven
We see the countless Christmas trees
Around the world below
With tiny lights like Heaven’s stairs,
Reflecting on the snow.
The sight is so spectacular,
Please wipe away the tears,
For we are spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.
We hear the many Christmas songs
That people hold so dear
But the sounds of music can’t compare
With the Christmas choir up here.
We have no words to tell you,
The joy their voices bring,
For it is beyond description,
To hear the angels sing.
We know how much you miss us,
We see the pain inside your heart.
But we are not so far away,
We really aren’t apart.
So be happy for us, dear ones,
You know we hold you dear.
And be glad we are spending Christmas
With Jesus Christ this year.
We sent you each a special gift,
From our heavenly home above,
We sent you each a memory
Of our undying love.
After all, love is a gift more precious
Than pure gold. It was always most important
In the stories Jesus told.
Please love and keep each other,
As our Father said to do.
For we can’t count the blessing or love
He has for each of you.
So have a Merry Christmas and
Wipe away those tears,
Remember we are spending Christmas with
Jesus Christ this year.
_____________ CXi.
DOORBUSTER 20^ OFF
REGULAR & SALE PRICES
SELECT ITEMS FOR HER, HIM & KIDS
DOORBUSTER 19.99
SWEATERS
Reg. $75, after 1 pm: 24.99
Only at Macy's.
From Club Room in
merino wool/acrylic.
I ★WebID 943793.
DOORBUSTER
50% OFF
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37.50-44.50.
Reg. $79-$89,
after 1pm: 49.99.
Comfort
selections.
DOORBUSTER 39.99
LUXURIOUS CASHMERE
Reg. $195. after 1 pm:
super buy 49.99.
Only at Macy's.
Club Room sweaters.
★ WebID 977902.
DOORBUSTER 29.99
GIAN I BERNINI
Reg. $89, after 1 pm: 44.50,
Only at Macy's.
Circle Signature
crossbody bags.
★WebID 505465,
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DOORBUSTER 14.99
YOUR CHOICE
Reg. $44-$49.
Style & Co. jeans or
Style & Co. Sport
sweatshirt. Misses & petites.
Women's prices slightly
higher.
0
ft
DOORBUSTER
BUY 3, GET 3 FREE
FAMOUS MAKER PANTIES
Doorbuster 8.50-S12 ea. + 3 free,
Reg. 8.50-S12 ea., after 1pm:
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DOORBUSTER 59.99
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after 1 pm: 69.99.
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count cotton/polyester
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DOORBUSTER 40% OFF
SINGLE SERVE, COFFEE, TEA
AND ESPRESSO MAKERS
Doorbuster 17.99-767.99.
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★WebID
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VALID ALL DAY THURSDAY cannot be used on doorbusters or deals of the day
★macys wowi $10 off
no
OFF
ALL SALE &
CLEARANCE
APPAREL
AND SELECT
HOME ITEMS!
Also excludes: Everyday Values (EDV), specials, super buys, furniture, mattresses, floor coverings,
rugs, electrics/electronics, cosmetics/fragrances, athletic shoes for him, her & kids, gift cards, jewelry
trunk shows, previous purchases, special orders, selected licensed depts., special purchases, services,
macys.com. Cannot be combined with any savings pass/coupon, extra discount or credit offer, except
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shown on receipt. When you return an item, you forfeit the savings allocated to that item. This
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YOUR PURCHASE OF $25 OR MORE.
VALID ALL DAY THURSDAY 12/26/13. LIMIT ONE PER CUSTOMER.
★
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the magic of
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OR, USE THIS PASS
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DISCOUNT DOES NOT
APPLY TO DOORBUSTERS
ffl'P Mi
Fine jewelry doorbusters are only at stores that carry fine jewelry. > REG. & ORIG. PRICES ARE OFFERING PRICES AND SAVINGS MAY NOT BE BASED ON ACTUAL SALES. SOME ORIG. PRICES NOT IN EFFECT
DURING THE PAST 90 DAYS. ONE DAY SALE PRICES IN EFFECT 12/26/13. MERCHANDISE WILL BE ON SALE AT THESE & OTHER SALE PRICES THROUGH 1/4/14, EXCEPT AS NOTED, intermediate price reductions
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box at MACYS.COM to order. N3111284. _
OPEN A MACY'S ACCOUNT FOR EXTRA 20% SAVINGS THE FIRST 2 DAYS, UP TO $100, WITH MORE REWARDS TO COME. Macy's credit card is available subject to credit approval; new
account savings valid the day your account is opened and the next day; excludes services, selected licensed departments, gift cards, restaurants, gourmet food & wine. The new account savings
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Cobb, Dawn. Denton Record-Chronicle (Denton, Tex.), Vol. 110, No. 145, Ed. 1 Wednesday, December 25, 2013, newspaper, December 25, 2013; Denton, Texas. (https://texashistory.unt.edu/ark:/67531/metapth1103037/m1/3/: accessed July 16, 2024), University of North Texas Libraries, The Portal to Texas History, https://texashistory.unt.edu.; .