BUENA VISTA -- Like any entrepreneur, Claude Motter is a visionary who has spotted a product with profit-making possibilities.

Since traveling earlier this year to the hills of Pennsylvania, Motter has one word for what could be the Next Big Thing.

Outhouses.

These aren't plastic portable toilets with chemical holding tanks.

Motter is talking about moon-in-the-door, wooden outhouses in one- and two-hole models to suit every customer's bottom line.

One of several prototypes sits in the comfortably cluttered yard of his mobile home on Cannon Range Road, ready for a customer to take the plunge into a time-proven product.

But Motter, a 71-year-old retired plumber who used an outhouse as a child, realizes he would be walking a thin line by marketing outhouses for their original use.

Instead, his functional outhouses are being marketed as decorative yard additions and handy storage sheds for tools and other items.

"It's a great place to put rakes and shovels and other yard tools," Motter said. "I'm even thinking of making a model with hinges on the seat box so people can store smaller tools where the waste used to go."

At $275 each for a single-hole model, Motter provides such detailed work as a seat cover and an individualized door handle made out of a bent tree branch.

"I'm just trying to see if there's a market here for outhouses for decorative uses," he said. "Of course, I won't be asking any questions about what somebody's going to use it for."

Although state and county health officials were taken by surprise at the question, most said outhouses were illegal, with the possible exception of those already in use.

"Septic codes made outhouses illegal years ago," said Carol Guizio, sanitary health inspector for the Atlantic County Health Department. "Then again, there would be the issue of whether it is grandfathered in."

Officials from the Cumberland County Health Department gave a similar answer, although one official said each municipality has codes regulating outdoor plumbing.

Vineland outlawed what city Health Director Louis Cresci called "tip privies" years ago, although self-contained portable toilets are legal.

While Motter is not marketing his outhouses for their original use, his feelings on the subject are not hard to discern.

"What upsets me is when somebody up north has a problem with outhouses and stops everybody from using them," he said. "If it's done right, there's nothing wrong with it."

Whatever the intended use for outhouses, Motter may be on to something in making the structures that were once ubiquitous in rural America.

He got the idea for building outhouses when he saw several rows of the privies for sale during a trip to New Holland, Pa.

Back home, he noticed no one was filling what could be a lucrative market niche.

And he is not alone.

A search of the Internet turns up several sights dedicated to outhouses, outhouse lore and outhouse memorabilia, including calendars featuring the outhouses of several regions of the country.

There's even the Outhouse Olympics, held each year at Penn's Store in Gravel Switch, Ky., where four-member crews pull and push outhouses over a 300-foot strip while one person takes his or her position on the throne.

The winning team is awarded the Crescent Moon Award, named for the moons carved in outhouse doors since medieval times when the lunar symbol marked an outhouse for use by women only.

Then there is the story of the late Massena "Andy" Gump, father of the portable toilet.

Gump started his business in California during the 1950s by building what was basically a wooden outhouse with a self-contained tank to help contractors meet new laws requiring toilets at construction sites.

He rented out the first five so fast he immediately built 40 more.

Today, Andy Gump, Inc. employs more than 100 people and rents portable toilets and shower trailers, including a portable VIP restroom, complete with flush toilets.

Motter's ambitions aren't that extensive.

"If I can sell enough so I can buy material in bulk to keep costs down, I'll be doing alright," Motter said. "I'm not looking to make it rich, but a little extra cash never hurts.

"Besides, nobody else's doing it around here," he added. "So I figured I'd try my hand at it."

BUENA VISTA -- It takes more than a little snow and a lot of rain to keep Santa and Mrs. Claus away from the annual holiday tree-lighting ceremony here.

The North Pole couple and their elves were the star attractions Friday night for the celebration at the Municipal Building, which attracted a crowd of about 125 people, said Mayor Chuck Chiarello.

The building was bathed in white icicle lights while the tree outside was illuminated by multicolored bulbs. Inside, decorations crafted by students at the Collings Lakes and Milanesi schools were on display. This was the township's fourth annual tree-lighting celebration.

Amid blaring sirens, Santa arrived on a fire truck during a short parade along Harding Highway. Participants included the Buena Vista EMS squad and state police as well as the township's five fire companies --Newtonville, Collings Lakes, Richland, East Vineland and Milmay.

Families also joined in a sing-along in the lobby, performing such classics as "Jingle Bells" and "Frosty the Snowman." The Bud Dennis Holiday Band also provided musical entertainment .

BUENA -- When Amy Collins first set foot into the J.P. Cleary Middle School library a year ago, she could hardly believe her eyes.

"This is the library?" she says, recalling her reaction. "You've got to be kidding me."

At about 1,232 square feet, the middle school library is smaller than the one at Collings Lakes Elementary-- one of four Buena Regional School District buildings feeding its students into the middle school.

No joke.

"I just expected it to be bigger and more well-equipped," said Collins, 33, a Collings Lakes resident. "They have computers and everything in that room, not just books. They're doing multiple things in this one room that's not very big at all."

The undersized library is just one of the catalysts for a proposed new middle school, says Superintendent Diane DeGiacomo.

Its ultimate size has yet to be determined.

One key reason: A demographics study that school officials had hoped would lead to more state funds and, thus, a new, bigger middle school, has left them empty-handed.

"It came back with really no change in numbers so it's not going to help us out, really," Business Administrator Tom Kearney said. "We were hoping to get additional funding, but that's not going to happen."

The district recently received results of the study, which found that 36 new housing units planned for the borough and Buena Vista are expected to bring the district about 32 additional students in kindergarten through 12th grade, Kearney said.

The study projects figures into the year 2006, DeGiacomo said.

Of those projected increases, only five students are expected to be of middle school age.

"In a 2,500-student enrollment (districtwide), that's not a significant increase, unfortunately," Kearney said.

DeGiacomo questions the findings, but said the school district ultimately must abide by them.

"That seems like a very low estimate to me, when you're building four-bedroom homes ... but we have to go by the statistics," she said.

Buena resident Judy Marandino refutes the notion of scant growth in the area and says the need for a bigger middle school is clear, pointing to rumors that roughly 40 acres of land near her Mattera Drive home are being purchased by a developer.

"There's so much open land around here that's getting purchased by developers that we'll need a new middle school," Marandino said. "It's frightening how quickly developers are snatching up the farmland."

The school district originally sought a 106,000-square-foot building for its new middle school, but then was surprised to learn the state wouldn't provide two-thirds of the funding. In response, the district crafted a scaled-down version measuring about 95,000 square feet that would retain a gym for community use, small-group instructional areas, two science labs, and separate cafeteria and auditorium.

But the state's model of what would be acceptable for two-thirds funding calls for about 78,000 square feet, DeGiacomo said. Local officials know that "is going to be too small for what we need," she said.

School board members are expected to decide between the three sizes at their next meeting, which is Tuesday night, and submit their final determination to the state Department of Education by January.

That should allow a bond referendum on the proposed school to occur in March, as was originally planned.

No final costs for the project has been set. Even a $19 million estimated price tag may no longer be certain, DeGiacomo said.

The district is open to creative solutions to keep down the cost. For instance, officials are willing to name portions of the new school -- such as a hallway or science lab -- in honor of benefactors who contribute to the project.

The state Department of Education, meanwhile, is waiting on the projected enrollment and schematic plan for the building "before determining a final cost we could reimburse," spokesman Jon Zlock said.

Local officials say they need a new school. In addition to inadequate library space, Cleary has no science labs and the cafeteria is also too small for students, DeGiacomo said. A 700-square-foot basement area is used for small-group instruction. Two substandard classrooms housed in an old locker room and old gym are used for special-education instruction.

Collins reasons the benefit of having a new middle school would be well worth any cost.

"Of course we don't want our taxes to go up," she said, "but at the same time, we need a new middle school."

VINELAND -- Flush with the spirit of giving, elves working for the Reindeer Brigade churned out packages of holiday goodies Sunday bound for America's armed forces overseas.

The assembly line snaked its way around the home of Reindeer Brigade founder Donnamarie Tarabbio. The local non-profit organization is dedicated to "bringing the holiday season to our armed forces," according to the logo on the 30-plus boxes that will be shipped out next week.

In the kitchen, Dee Hampton, 36, of Vineland carefully wrapped some of the more than 200 Christmas tree ornaments donated by local benefactors Bob and Rosalie Caterina.

In the adjoining living room, Assemblyman Nicholas Asselta, R-1, tossed bag after bag of Famous Amos chocolate chip cookies into rows of boxes, which were swelling rapidly with food items, and hygiene and paper products.

In a far corner, 10-year-olds Devoree Davis-Halter and Madeline Lagerholm stuffed miniature stockings with diverse gift packages made of bug repellent, gum and lotion.

Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, D-1, packed bottles of shampoo and conditioner, careful not to double up on one or the other, he said.

The destination of the care packages will be American troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, via the American Red Cross and United Service organizations.

The brigade is accepting donations for Christmas until Friday and will continue to accept donations through the year.

Support from the community has surpassed Tarabbio's wildest sugarplum dreams.

"I'd love to see more involvement, but the people who've participated have overwhelmed me," she said. "I think it's going to mean so much to the military families."

Packages were packed with everything from jewelry to schoolchildren's letters. Also included were Hanukkah cards, angel ornaments, magazines, Nature Valley granola bars and Tastykakes, among other treats.

Joe Hampton, president of the United Veterans Council in Vineland and a grandmaster elf, said the local show of support was "amazing." He added that he was excited to offer the troops "stuff from home."

Eleven-year-old Christopher Hampton's donation of toothpaste was not only to commemorate the efforts of his father, a Vietnam War veteran, but also to send a message to the acting soldiers.

"I'm proud of them for fighting for us,' he said.

BUENA VISTA -- The sight of the charred Christmas tree spoke a thousand words in what began as a tragic holiday tale.

"The Christmas tree was sitting there, it was all burnt, it was just sad," said Richland Fire Chief Anthony Monfredo, whose fire company was among several responding to the blaze that swept through a Main Avenue home Friday morning.

A faulty extension cord that set bedding in an upstairs bedroom ablaze is to blame, officials said. The fire left two families without a home.

In the aftermath, Barbara Robinson, 63, and her family -- including a 70-year-old diabetic husband -- now find themselves living in an Econo Lodge.

Three school-age foster children Robinson cared for have been removed and were turned over to the state Division of Youth and Family Services. One of the children had spent $200 the previous day on Christmas gifts -- all of which were lost.

"It's devastating. I don't know what to do," said Robinson from her township motel room.

But there may be a somewhat happy ending yet.

On Monday, township employees were gathering the family's measurements to donate articles of clothing. A food basket containing a canned ham, side dishes and holiday candies could also be on its way.

"Whatever we get we'll turn over to them absolutely," said Diane Morgan, Planning/Zoning Board secretary.

The township has a long history of giving.

Morgan masterminded Buena Vista's angel tree program, which is going on its fifth or sixth year in which township employees and local residents donate unwrapped new gifts to needy children here and in surrounding areas.

"This is something I like to do. This makes Christmas for me," said Morgan, who once struggled as a single mom with two young children. "Once I started to get back on my feet, I promised myself I'd give back."

"We have one of the best staffs for a small town who want to do stuff like this," Mayor Chuck Chiarello said.

The altruism extends beyond the four walls of the municipal building.

When Lynda Gazzara learned of the township's angel tree program, she decided to jump on the gift-giving bandwagon.

Since Black Friday, her Vineland real estate firm has been transformed into a gift-collection depot. A sign along the busy road beckons travelers: "Be an Angel. Gifts of love accepted here."

She's accumulated hundreds of diverse gifts from generous donors in the local area, which she dropped off with her agents Monday at the municipal building.

"I just don't want to see any kid go without," Gazzara said. "That just kills me."

Morgan will distribute the gifts to needy children Christmas Eve.

BUENA VISTA -- To call Peter and Mannetta Bylone doting grandparents would be an understatement.

When their son was assigned to military training in Kansas last month, the Bylones agreed to be parents once more -- to their 18-month-old grandson, Dylan.

It was a role they thought they'd abandoned years ago.

But with their son, Peter Jr., at Fort Leavenworth for six weeks -- and his wife, Alyson, stationed in Kuwait -- the remaining family members rallied to care for their youngest relative.

"Everyone was willing to help -- and you know you only get that from family," said Mannetta Bylone, 50. "All the generations are coming together to care for Dylan."

The story of the Bylones is increasingly common in today's military, which sometimes sends both parents to places that aren't suitable for children.

Though Mommy remains far from home, "Da-Da" returned this past weekend to the welcoming arms of his parents and the outstretched arms of the toddler who is famous for his hugs.

It's an ambivalent time for the Bylones, who are overjoyed by their son's return from training. Still, they wish their daughter-in-law was here and lament Dylan's inevitable departure.

"For me, any time I get to spend with my grandkids is a good thing," Mannetta Bylone said. "But the circumstances are not."

The changes began a year ago, when Peter Jr. and Alyson were stationed at Fort Rucker, Ala., where Dylan was born.

Alyson, 26, is a specialist with the Army National Guard. She was activated in early February and, for the next few months, managed to see Dylan only on weekends.

He was 10 months old when she left for Iraq. Alyson spent the summer in the scalding desert some 60 miles from Baghdad. She is presently stationed at Camp Spearhead in Kuwait.

"It was really hard to leave Dylan, but I wasn't the only parent leaving a small child behind," Alyson said via e-mail.

Life at Fort Rucker was vastly different for Peter Jr., an Army pilot, after his wife's abrupt departure.

"I was used to going to work, coming home, playing with him a bit, but doing what I had to do," he said. "I tried to maintain the same schedule, but he needed me a lot more than I anticipated.

"It was a whole new routine I had to get into."

Reprioritizing was the name of the single fatherhood game. That meant dropping off Dylan at day care each morning before Peter's 6 a.m. physical training and devoting time exclusively to his son at day's end.

Peter settled into the new routine until his training in Kansas. He was told that living conditions were not conducive to child rearing, nor did he want Dylan to experience the stress of adjusting to another day care.

That's when Grandma and Pop-Pop took over.

With a toddler in the house, Mannetta Bylone soon realized hours spent lounging in pajamas, reading the newspaper and doing the crossword puzzles were gone.

Instead, mornings began with waking Dylan, dressing him and preparing his items for the day. Next came dropping him off at the baby-sitter three times a week or at his great-grandparents' house. Then Mannetta headed to work as a municipal court clerk in Buena Vista.

"Every day it's, 'Oh, I thank God I made it to work,'" she said. "It's a totally different thing. I'm not holding the clock; he is."

Dylan's great-grandparents, Charles and Pearl Bylone of Buena Vista, assisted twice a week while Mannetta and Peter Sr. were working.

"We're alone now so we enjoy having the kids with us," said Charles Bylone, 80, who also cares for another great-grandchild. "We work together on it. We all enjoy the kids."

Dylan's aunt also pitched in with regular visits to the great-grandparents' home.

The family was told Alyson could return to the United States in April, but even that's uncertain. Despite tight family bonds, the separation of mother and child is very noticeable.

It is evident in the wet kisses Dylan heaps on the framed picture of his mother each night before bedtime, the word "Mommy" spoken over the telephone for the first time and the stuffed musical camel that buzzes with a famous Arabic love song -- Alyson's gift from Iraq.

"It breaks my heart," Alyson said via e-mail. "I love receiving photos of him -- I can't get enough -- but I hate seeing him grow up in pictures."

What keeps her going is "knowing the Army can't keep me forever. And with each day that goes by, we're all one day closer to getting home," she said.

Peter, meanwhile, will be returning to Fort Rucker with his son in January.

Her eyes swelling with tears, Mannetta says she'll miss her grandson's hugs the most.

"I don't know what we're going to do without this little guy," she said.