SUNLAND : Club Unites Tree Ornament Aficionados

Christmas is a yearlong state of mind for Rhonda Colgan of Sunland and other members of the Foothill Collectors for Keeps.

Among the 500 ornaments at Colgan’s home are 250 hand-crocheted pieces, a lighted miniature church and a replica of the Starship Enterprise complete with lights and the voice of Mr. Spock.

Colgan and her husband Pat have three Christmas trees, one festooned with 250 thimbles from Rhonda Colgan’s special collection.

Another tree is covered with store-bought ornaments, and a third, the family’s tallest at seven feet, is adorned with handmade ornaments.

“This doesn’t include the house decorations,” Rhonda Colgan said.

Colgan is a charter member of the Foothill collectors, whose ranks number about 60.

The idea was to form a club for people who, while they might still go kind of crazy over salt-and-pepper shakers or teddy bears, had a special place in their hearts for Christmas ornaments.

“I’m a garage sale junkie,” said Marie Thoman of Burbank, who has been collecting antique ornaments since 1977. “This is the first club I’ve ever joined.”