CHRISTMAS WINDOWS ANIMATED WITH CHEER

Charles Hutson and his crew of designer elves had to work late Wednesday.

"It was almost all night," admitted Hutson, who worked into the wee hours to prepare the annual Hutson Furniture Christmas window for the crowds who gather there each year to view the spectacle on Thanksgiving Day.

Technical difficulties necessitated the unexpected overtime, said Hutson.

But, Thursday's crowds were not disappointed as they watched the displays in action. The window this year depicted a Burlington Northern freight train making its way through downtown Cape Girardeau, and other trains winding their way through the western town of Silverado, Colo.

"There's something new and something old in the 33rd annual window display this year," said Hutson. "We revived one of our favorite windows of the past, and added a few changes."

"We've taken some liberties in changing Main Street a bit," said Hutson. "Included in the layout are two new businesses from Spanish Street -- BMW Motorcycles and Mollies Cafe & Bar -- and the addition of Port Cape Restaurant from Water St."

This marks the third time that the Silverton setting has been used. The Silverton display was first used in 1989, and was so popular it was brought back two years later, and again this year. Added to the scene this year are a tram that runs between the mountains, and an artist's rendition of Cape Girardeau's Main Street.

Animated holiday window scenes are also featured at three other Cape Girardeau businesses -- Furniture Fair, 1 N. Main; Sample Carpet, 401 N. Clark and Broadway Medical Equipment, 734 Broadway.

"It's Santa's Candyland at Furniture Fair," said Chris Hutson. "We have Santa and his elves working in a holiday candyland with a bulldozer, loading candy onto the back of truck, which will deliver candy to children throughout the world."

This season marks the 15th year for a Christmas window display at Furniture Fair.

The 1993 window is the fifth for Sample Carpet, which moved during the past year from downtown Cape Girardeau to its new location at 401 N. Clark.

"We've added to our display each year," said Doyle Sample. "This year's theme is Santa's Doll Workshop."

The scene is a group of carolers outside the workshop window, serenading Santa and Rudolph, with a backdrop of elves at work. Included in the scene is a large display of porcelain dolls.

The theme is also Santa's Workshop at Broadway Medical Equipment, featuring Santa, Mrs. Claus and the elves, all hard at work. This marks the third year for a holiday display at Broadway Equipment.

But Hutson Furniture is the dean of Christmas windows in Cape Girardeau.

"During the first 29 years we had never had the same design or theme twice," said Hutson. "Every year it gets tougher trying to dream up a new scene."

Last year's theme was a historic one -- the Choo-Chew Grill, a former Cape Girardeau Restaurant.

"This year, we have recycled one of our favorites," said Hutson. "We vacationed in the Rocky Mountains a number of times, and have grown to like that area."

The original scene included eight electric trains running on three tracks through mountains and around the make-believe town. The trains carried the name of the original train which ran through Silverton in the early 1900s, the Denver Rio Grande Railroad.

This year's scene, says Hutson, includes two more trains and the tram. While the trains are running, Santa Claus flies overhead in his sleigh.