“Improving The Community One Project At A Time” PO Box 117 -  Alderson W Va.  24910 Made with Xara © Alderson Main Street 2013 OLD AND NEW(ER) HOUSES ON ALDERSON HOMES TOUR Among the houses on the Christmas Homes Tour in Alderson on Sunday, December 4 from 1-5 p.m. are a  Victorian farm house built in 1900 and a ranch style house built circa 1945. The oldest house on the tour is the Victorian farm house built in 1900 on what was then the outskirts of Alderson.  By the 1950’s, the farm still consisted of almost 40 acres on which a variety of animals and crops were raised.  Originally one of a row of 3 farmhouses, there are now only two left. The third one burned and was replaced by the  charming cottage in which Bill and Frances Simmons now live.  Now owned and occupied by Billy Joe and Amanda Thomas and their children, the wrap-around front porch of the  house mimics the curvature of the first and second stories. The view from the glass doors in the kitchen through  the woods and down toward Muddy Creek is stunning. The Thomas’ only recently acquired the house but have  quickly turned it into a home. Decorating to a theme of a primitive, traditional Christmas, the real tree in the family room will display a variety of  family ornaments. Guests may not want to leave the kitchen where the Heavenly Loaves Bakery from Fairlea will  be providing mini cinnamon rolls and hot chocolate. The beautiful wood work of the central stair hall will provide a  back drop for the decorating skills of Jane Bennett and Peggy Elkins of Jane’s Primitives and Gifts.  The daughter will have her own purple cupcake tree and the boys, who are Marshall University fans, will use that  theme for their tree. With lots of natural greenery and beautiful bows, all that will be needed is a few snowflakes to  turn this home into a Christmas card fantasy. Built circa 1945, the home of Jim and Donna Eskins was once a very small house sitting in a cornfield. It was  purchased by Don and Lota Bice from J. M. Alderson in 1946. Over the years, the Bices added to the original  property and to the house. Purchased by the Eskins’ in 2009, the house was remodeled and now provides  gracious space to display Donna’s family furniture and mother’s paintings. The male influence is prevalent in the sunken family room which is dominated by  Muddy Creek Mountain stone surrounding a warm stove, knotty pine walls, and animal  trophies collected by Jim. Christmas, however, has found its way into this room with  ornaments hanging from antlers and other sparkling decorations. One bedroom will  feature 1950’s ornaments while the guest bedroom and spacious bath will be  highlighted by a tree graced by red birds and other touches of red. Guests will imagine  how cozy it would be to sit down and have a cup of tea or watch the big game in this lovely home.  (Click on photo for larger view)   Other activities in Alderson on Sunday, December 4 from 1-5 will be a model train show at City Hall; a bazaar, a $5  soup, sandwich, and dessert lunch, and the music of a famous local choir at the Johnson Memorial United  Methodist Church; and shopping. The $10 tickets for the Christmas Homes Tour will be available starting at 12:30  p.m. at the Historic 1896 C&O Depot. This event is sponsored by Alderson Main Street and the proceeds will go  toward Main Street Projects.