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Christmas memories

See larger Merle Harris and two of her Cabbage Patch Kids from her prized doll collection. They are all on display in Merle Harris' apartment. At 91, Harris' knack for decorating and collecting comes to life in her holiday decor at Lely Manorcare. Laura Pacter

Merle Harris and two of her Cabbage Patch Kids from her prized doll collection. They are all on display in Merle Harris' apartment. At 91, Harris' knack for decorating and collecting comes to life in her holiday decor at Lely Manorcare. Laura Pacter

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  • Turning pages of her history, Merle Harris, a resident of Lely Manorcare, was one of the first settlers to move to Everglades City with her family. She fondly reminisces on Christmas spent with her husband of 69 years, Palmer Harris, as she looked back on her 50th wedding anniversary album. Her husband passed away this year, so this will be her first Christmas without him. Laura Pacter
  • Merle Harris and two of her Cabbage Patch Kids from her prized doll collection. They are all on display in Merle Harris' apartment. At 91, Harris' knack for decorating and collecting comes to life in her holiday decor at Lely Manorcare. Laura Pacter
  • Merle Harris, handmade many of her ornaments on her Christmas tree. At 90 years old, she set up her festive tree inside her apartment, with ornaments she created in plastic canvas, or cross stitched over her lifetime to celebrate Christmas throughout the years. Laura Pacter
  • An avid doll collector, some of Merle Harris's dolls came as Christmas gifts over the years. Her collection includes detailed dolls dressed in traditional hand-quilted Seminole attire. 'I'd have to go deep into the swamp to get some of these,' says Harris as she points to some of her dolls she purchased directly from Seminole Indians in the Everglades. Laura Pacter
  • Merle Harris lights her manger display in her apartment at Lely Manorcare. Laura Pacter

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