Nutcrackers add to Springfield man’s holiday season

While Santa Claus is the main man this time of year, the Nutcracker gets his fair share of the spotlight.

For Adam Goode, the title character from the popular Christmas-themed ballet “The Nutcracker” defines the season.

Since age 9, the recent Springfield transplant has celebrated the holidays with his growing collection of 65 Nutcrackers, which are displayed at The Colonial Manor Bed & Breakfast, 3774 Urbana Rd., which his family took over in 2017.

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From pop culture figures like Mickey Mouse and Indiana Jones to college mascots and countless other guises, Nutcrackers aren’t confined to the ballet stage. They can be found in homes among trees, garland and other decorations.

“I love that every year my parents ask me what I want for Christmas and I tell them a Nutcracker, and they answer, ‘yes, but what do you want,’” Goode said, smiling.

Originally from Anaheim, Calif., Goode told siblings he imagined Nutcrackers as toys that came alive at night, like out of “Toy Story.” It was a cartoon version of the character that clinched his interest.

“I liked how he would save the girl and my love for Nutcrackers grew even more,” Goode said.

That coupled with the desire to start a collection of something began the journey. Besides Nutcracker figures, Goode has received themed ornament, metal figures and other themed items.

Among his standout Nutcrackers are one that is dressed like Santa in tropical clothing holding a pineapple. Another is themed for Brigham Young University; Goode will attend Brigham Young University-Idaho in January.

There’s even a female Nutracker.

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Two Nutcrackers are his favorites: one is a fisherman and the other dressed in military uniform. These are tributes to his grandfathers, who both passed away in 2010 and reflected their lives and interests.

“I like that each one tells a different story,” said Debbie Goode, who encourages her son’s collecting. “It’s fun to see things he was into over the years, like cowboys at one time or a pirate for when he was into ‘Pirates of the Caribbean,’ a lot of what represents him.”

Recently when Colonial Manor was a stop on the annual WASSO Holiday Tour of Homes, the Nutcracker collection added to the holiday décor and ambiance.

But like Santa, Adam Goode’s Nutcrackers disappear after the holidays, stored away until next year.

Yet eyes will always be open for the next addition to the collection. Goode hopes to find a wife someday who supports the interest as he plans on continuing it.

Debbie Goode said her dream is to take Adam to Germany, home of the Nutcracker.

“That would be cool,” Adam said, flashing a grin as wide as the smile on one of his figures.

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