At Antoinette's this became a real issue. During the winter of 1996, Deanna was joined by her 80 year old father Fred who only planned to stay the winter. Well, Fred stayed 7 years.

      To keep himself busy he built his first wooden boat model in the winter of 1996. It was so big, Deanna decided to put it above the mantel in the Filomena Suite. The guests loved the ship and appreciated the workmanship of this senior citizen.

      Since his first model, Fred has expanded to more ships and dollhouses of all kinds. Fred constructs all his models in the Antonio Suite or Fred's "Clubhouse" on the third floor. Deanna calls these owners quarters the "Anne Frank Attic" as a result of her Dad moving in on her and taking half her living space.

      Fred's models expanded and during the summer of 1999, all these models were moved to the front porch for the summer visitors. To Fred's amazement, these dollhouses became a stopping point for the visitors passing by the house, horse and buggies and the Cape May trolleys. Forget about Antoinette's Lord's Prayer that took her 2 years, or Deanna's handmade lampshades. Fred's models became a tourist attraction and it wasn't planned.

      Fred continued to make his wooden models till 2000. Its' wonderful that he found a way to enjoy his senior years and share them with the visitors of Cape May. Later that year, Fred relocated to the cottage behind Antoinette's where all his wants and needs were on the first floor. Since he barely had any vision left, he was unable to continue making his models. However, he still enjoyed visiting the front porch to chat with the locals and the visitors.

      In 2003, Fred moved back to his daughter's house in North Jersey where he once raised his own family. In July 2004,We lost Fred at the age of 88, We all miss him but we are proud of all his work. Don't forget to stop by and enjoy them too if you pass 717 Washington Street in Cape May. Fred would just love sharing them with you.