This spring, Holly Creek Retirement Community in Centennial was abuzz with creativity as residents embraced a sweet seasonal tradition: the annual Peeps Diorama Contest. This year’s theme was classic TV shows, and while the event drew plenty of charming entries, it was a nostalgic and meticulously-crafted recreation of Little House on the Prairie that took top honors.
Resident votes determined the winning entry and the winning team was comprised of residents Betty Detweiler, Mary Harr, Jolee Rossing and Holly Creek team members. Together, they brought Laura Ingalls Wilder’s world to life in marshmallow form—and had a lot of fun along the way.
“I could just picture the inside of the cabin and all those little bonnets,” said Betty, who has lived at Holly Creek for only four months but already feels right at home. “The Peeps contest is a blast because it gets everybody thinking back on shows we loved and lets us use the creative side of our brains.”
The team collaborated on every detail of their diorama, from handcrafted props to painted backgrounds. What started as a fun idea soon became a labor of love, with each woman contributing her unique talents. Competition was tough, and other entries included The Peep-Stones; a second Little Peeps on the Prairie; MASH; The Carol Peepet Show; The Lone Ranger; The Twilight Zone; and The Mupeep Show.
The team’s attention to detail made their Little House on the Prairie scene stand out. Betty sewed miniature bonnets and clothes, experimented with multiple quilts, and even hand-braided a rug like those Caroline Ingalls crafted in the show. “I made three versions of the quilt before I got the size right,” she laughed. “It was also fun making the bonnets—even if sewing them on the machine was a bit of a challenge!”
Detty Detweiler’s handmade bonnets
Peeps sleeping under their handmade quilt
Pa peeps playing his fiddle
The winning 2025 Peeps Diorama, Little House on the Prairie
Team member Jolee Rossing, a graphic designer, handled the background and constructed the firewood pile from corrugated cardboard, creatively painted to look like real logs. “We tried using actual sticks, but they didn’t quite work. Jolee came up with the painted cardboard idea, and it looked great,” said Betty.
Mary Harr led the digital side, designing signs and creating tiny books (including a Bible).
“It really was a team effort,” said Betty. “Everyone pitched in to make it special.”
The finished scene depicted a cozy cabin interior, complete with a handmade table, bed, pillows, and Pa’s iconic fiddle. “The violin was the last thing we added,” Betty said. “There was more we could do, but we were starting to reach the point of it being too cluttered.”
Beyond the fun of crafting, the project helped forge deeper connections. “We all got together to put everything in its place and just laughed and enjoyed each other’s company,” said Betty.
Though this was Betty’s first time participating in the Peeps contest, she said she would “definitely” do it again. “Coming up with the concept and creating it with friends was the most fun.”
Originally from Colorado, Betty and her husband Ken moved to Holly Creek in part because of a longtime friend. “Mary and I go way back—our daughters were in the same first grade class, and we were homeroom mothers together,” she said. “She suggested Holly Creek, and we visited for three years before finally moving in.”
Now settled into a cottage home, Betty appreciates the welcoming atmosphere and close-knit community. “The people here are amazing. It’s like walking through high school and saying hello to all your friends,” she said. “We feel safe and secure here, and our children don’t have to worry about us.”
Hosting holidays in their new home has also been a joy. “We had 11 people over for Easter this year,” Betty shared. “The cottage homes are the perfect size for that.”
As for the winning diorama, it found a second life in the hands of a granddaughter, who now plays with the detailed scene. “That made me so happy,” said Betty. “It’s still bringing joy.”
From its tiny hand-sewn bonnets to its lovingly painted firewood, the Little House on the Prairie diorama was a standout—not just because it won, but because it brought friends together and sparked creativity and community. “It was so much fun,” said Betty. “And we’re already looking forward to doing it again next year.”
