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ALDERSON MAIN STREET
POST OFFICE BOX 117
ALDERSON, WEST VIRGINIA 24910
TELEPHONE (304) 445-7242
Date:
November 14, 2011
For Immediate Release
Contact: Margaret Hambrick
304-445-7242
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.
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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.
(see photo below)
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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.
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