Hometown Hero: Robin Forgie

Robin Forgie loved Christmas as a child and all of the decorations that came with it. She couldn’t wait to decorate her Fenton home for the holidays when she purchased it 31 years ago.

She started with a few Christmas decorations, but that didn't satisfy her.

She began to expand to the other holidays. She and her husband, Jerry, decorated for Halloween, then Thanksgiving...and Easter. Also, Valentine’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and patriotic themes for the summer.

“People stop by and ask what’s wrong if we don’t decorate,” said Forgie. “So many people have come by to tell us how much they appreciate the decorations for each holiday and how much they look forward to them.”

Forgie was a homeroom mom at for almost a decade. The holiday decorations for her home began to expand once her kids were out of school.

“I couldn’t stand to part with my kids’ old Halloween costumes and masks and that is how the Halloween creatures came about,” she said.

Sometimes the decorations even come to life. One Halloween night Forgie dressed to the hilt as a witch. Jerry hooked up a fogger and a strobe light and then Forgie hid on the porch ready to scare trick-or-treaters.

“She was so excited to be able to jump out and scare kids and only about ten trick-or-treaters came by the entire night,” Jerry said.

Forgie said she would try the stunt again, but would love to hide inside a coffin and jump out.

Forgie decorates the inside and outside of her home. It takes about two weeks to decorate for Halloween and Christmas. She added that many people don’t know she and her husband decorate the back of their house just as much as they do the front.

Neighbor Steve Lomason said not only do the Forgies decorations bring joy to the neighborhood, but the couple is also always willing to lend a helping hand. He recalled a night when his basement flooded and the Forgies came over without hesitation to help.

“I know their decorations are definitely a conversation piece and people love seeing them," he said.

Forgie said she wouldn’t be able to bring light to all of her ideas without Jerry.

“He is the mastermind behind all of the electrical hookups, cords and wires; he builds anything I ask him to," she said.

He is frequently asked if the electric bill is a lot higher during Christmas.

“I just laugh when I tell them that we decorate for so many holidays that I really don’t know the difference," Jerry said.

Forgie begins decorating for Christmas after Halloween, but the lights don't come on until Thanksgiving night.

She said the most difficult holiday to decorate for is Thanksgiving.

“There’s not that much out there for Thanksgiving; it’s kind of overlooked.” Forgie added, “Besides, it’s not like they sell lit up turkeys or pilgrim people.”

Fenton resident Geri Geske thinks the Forgie’s decorations are beautiful and bring people from all over to the community.

“Their holiday decorations add aesthetics to the community and are very inviting.” Geske said. “I bring my grandkids by their house all the time and I also take any visitors we have to go and see the Forgie’s decorations.”

Geske has known Forgie for twelve years and describes her as a warm, caring, all-american girl. “She is always looking out for others and no one is a stranger to her.”

Forgie said, “People will drive by and holler and cars will stop and pull over.

“We simply do this for our love of the holidays and for others to enjoy.”

Forgie has some added help from her grandkids who may one day take over the decorating. “They know where every item goes and they don't like it if we try to rearrange decorations.”

The Forgie’s plan to continue to decorate for any occassion they can and help add smiles to the community.

To enjoy the Forgie’s creations, take a drive by 893 North LeRoy Street.

You can read about other Hometown Heroes here.