Betty Dessert, second from right, of Montville aka the Head Elf, shares a laugh with 11-month-old Gannon Sawyer, right, of Uncasville, as she leads a tour of her decorated home on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. Dessert states this year her home as 52,064 bulbs. She has been collecting Christmas items for 57 years and this is the 26th year her home has been open to the public. She accepts donations which this year will benefit the Montville High School Band and the Jimmy Fund. Her husband Chuck Orr, left, aka Santa, greets the children. Betty Dessert begins decorating her home in August, and has everything taken down by February. (Tim Martin/The Day)
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The exterior of a home located at 59 Sharp Hill Road in Montville, owned by Betty Dessert and her husband Chuck Orr on Sunday, Dec. 11, 2016. Dessert states this year her home has 52,064 bulbs. She has been collecting Christmas items for 57 years and this is the 26th year her home has been open to the public. She accepts donations which this year will benefit the Montville High School Band and the Jimmy Fund. Betty Dessert begins decorating her home in August, and has everything taken down by February. (Tim Martin/The Day)
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