The Sixth Annual Christmas Homes Tour on Sunday, December 7, 2008 received an extra touch of Christmas from Mother Nature with cold temperatures and snow on the ground.  Intrepid visitors still enjoyed the beautiful homes and the exuberant singing of the Praise and Worship Team.   Judy Lewallen, Chair of the Tour, said, “We want to thank all those who came out on this cold day to participate in all our activities.  We especially want to thank our homeowners who have worked so hard and opened their homes.” 

The Alderson Presbyterian Church was warm and the singing was warmer as the Praise and Worship Team from the Federal Prison Camp welcomed visitors and the Christmas season.  The great acoustics of the Church enhanced their a cappella arrangements and reverberated when they used accompaniments.   

Frank and Louise Hizer welcomed visitors to their home with a host of carolers on their Victorian mantle and went a different kind of “green” with a green tree with green ribbon and green and silver ornaments in one room.  With the breakfast table near one fireplace set for tea, and cookies available in the kitchen, visitors wanted to just sit down and stay in that cozy environment. 

At the home of Rodger and Betty Thomas, where Betty is a breast cancer survivor, the family room tree celebrated with pink and white ornaments and pink ribbons.  Red was the dominant color on the huge tree in the formal living area and the warm golden color of the dining room enhanced the oak woodwork while touches of red evoked the season.  Of the family stockings hanging on the stair rail, the most unusual was Rodger’s—made of heavy workman’s canvas and hung with red suspenders. 

The home of Bill and JoAnna Jarvis sparkled with a huge tree in the entry hall. Its red and gold roping with seemingly thousands of lights and balls made it glow. The unusual design of the house with the dining room at the back of the entry hall reflected the Victorian emphasis on gracious entertaining and the Jarvis’ exemplified that as visitors were welcomed.  Granddaughter Callie Villars was a big help greeting visitors. Dozens of dolls had gathered in one bedroom and seemed to invite visitors to stay and play. 

The Christmas tree beside the colonnaded entry of the home of Cynthia Landrie, her daughter, Taylor, and partner, Vicky Bupuis was decorated with the many colors of the Christmas season.  The true meaning of Christmas was in evidence with a handsome nativity scene in the living room.  The dining room was so beautifully ready for Christmas dinner that visitors could almost smell the ham cooking in the kitchen.  Taylor’s Parisian theme white tree lit with white lights sported miniature Eiffel Towers, blue balls, crystal icicles, and other sparklers which brought a European touch to the decorations. 

The Hospitality House exemplified its name as Tina Marquart and Phil and Joan Taylor welcomed visitors to the old boarding house.  Hanging in the entry hall was a beautiful banner which said, “Glory to God” and featured a herald angel in billowy white silk holding a trumpet.  The banner was on loan from the Olympic View Community Church of the Brethern in Seattle, WA.  It was created in 1994, and John Crider, a specialist in the Drama Department of the University of Washington was responsible for the design.  Other decorations from the rustic such as dried orange slices and paper chains to the whimsical such as animated pink flamingos, decorated the rooms used by inmate families when visiting women at the Federal Prison Camp. 

The hot spiced cider and cookies provided by the Alderson Women’s Club and served by Bobby and Judy Hoover at the Depot were a welcome treat to warm the guests.   

One regular attendee said, “So, which houses are going to be on the tour next year?”