Randy Hartman collects the ornaments sold by The Alpena News.

Each year, The News comes out with a new ornament depicting a Northeast Michigan landmark or celebrating the area’s history. Previous years’ bulbs have featured Island Park and remembered the lumbering heritage of the area.

Hartman, 66, grew up in Alpena and said he started collecting the ornaments when he saw an advertisement in the paper more than a decade ago.

“I seen an advertisement in the paper and I went down and I bought (it) and made sure I had one ever since,” Hartman said.

News Photo by Alyssa Ochss Randy Hartman’s Alpena News Christmas bulb collection is seen in his Alpena home on Friday. The ornaments range in theme and change each year.

If there was one he didn’t have, he made sure to go down to The News offices in downtown Alpena to purchase it.

“There was some I didn’t have, so I went down to the office and got some that I didn’t have,” Hartman said. “But, now, when they come out, right away (I go get one.)”

Hartman said he realized he had a collection after about four years of buying them. The ornaments sit on a golf ball display case in his house.

However, ornaments are not the only things he and his wife collect. He has a collection of 52 Department 56 Santa Clauses and the entire 36-piece New England village from the same company. He sets the village up every year on a special table and cloth made for it.

Hartman and his wife decorate for every season inside and outside their house.

Right now, they have Halloween decorations up in their front yard and figurines in the house to prepare for the festivities.

The whole neighborhood participates in Christmas activities by hosting a bonfire and having Santa Claus pass out candy canes to everyone, Hartman said.

Once Hartman is ready, he said he plans on giving the ornaments to the Besser Museum for Northeast Michigan — if they don’t already have the collection.

“I’ve been thinking about maybe at some point maybe donating them to the museum when it’s the time,” Hartman said. “Unless, of course, the family wants them. But, if they show no interest, I just want them to be some place where they don’t get broke, because I know you can’t replace them.”

The News’ 2020 bulb, featuring the dark skies preserve at Rockport State Recreation Area, goes on sale on Monday, and Hartman said he plans on getting that one, as well.