Vet Builds Huge Nativity Scene: Vincent Didonato Of Philadelphia, a Veteran of World War II, puts finishing touches on his huge nativity Panorama which he conceived and began building while recovering from war wounds in army hospitals. Besides showing the birth of Christ, the Panorama includes the town of Bethlehem, adjoining village and countryside, and 2,900 figures of people and animals. Mr Didonato hand-carved most of the figures himself, according to the veteran, the panorama contains straw from the crib of the manger in Bethlehem, wood from the Altar of the Chapel in Monte Cassino Abbey, Italy, soil from North Africa, and grass from Belgium. In addition, he used every conceivable material in his project, including bottles, pencils, buttons, paper clips, lipstick holders, and bottle tops. the unusual scene in on display here under the sponsorship of the Philadelphia Junior Chamber of commerce.
Photo measures 8 x 10.25 inches.
Photo is dated --none.
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