THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, November 27, 1994 TAG: 9411240087
SECTION: HOME & GARDEN PAGE: G2 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: Karen Santos
LENGTH: Long : 190 lines
HEARTS TURN toward home during the holidays, but many eyes turn toward home tours. The seasonal excitement builds when you put on some walking shoes and tour lavishly decorated homes.
From traditional to modern, the decorations are sure to inspire ideas for your own abode. Most tour organizers welcome note-taking and many sell crafts and decorations, but they generally request that cameras be left at home. For the sake of your feet and the floors, wear flat shoes.
Tours begin Friday, and some continue into the first of the year. Here's a list of this year's tours.
Friday and Saturday
Holly Homes Tour. 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Friday, 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday. The 16th year of the tour which benefits Children's Hospital of the King's Daughters. This year will feature five beautiful homes.
The Bishop residence, 1405 S. Veaux Loop
The Gibbons residence, 1413 S. Veaux Loop
The Fewell residence, 1561 Bordeaux Place
The Dodson residence, 1510 Norway Court
Holiday House, built especially for this event, 1544 Bordeaux Place.
Special features will include a tea, held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Friday at Lafayette Shores Clubhouse, Norway Place. Available for purchasing at the Holiday House will be handmade items, gifts and holiday decorations, and baked goods.
Tickets: $12. Can be purchased through Norfolk City Union of the King's Daughters, 668-7098, or any home on the tour. Tour begins at the Bishop Residence.
Saturday
The Women's Club of South Norfolk Christmas Open House Tour. 5 to 9 p.m. Begins at South Norfolk Congregational Christian Church, 1030 Jackson Ave., Chesapeake. Two trolleys will pick up visitors and transport them from house to house and will run continuously from the church.
The home of Steve and Brenda Taylor, located on Park Avenue. This house was built in 1920 by George Lafayette Grimes, the first contractor in South Norfolk. He built the home for his daughter, Hilda Starboard.
The home of Tommy and Barbara Peele on Holly Avenue. Started in 1922 and finished in 1923. Built by hand by Curtis L. Williams. The home is owned by his daughter, Josie Williams White.
The home of Jim and Nancy Baker, built in 1918 on Chesapeake Avenue.
The home of James and Kay O'Carroll, built in 1922 or 1923 on D Street. The O'Carroll's are the third owners.
Refreshments and entertainment will be provided at the church, and there will be crafts for sale.
Tickets: $5, available at the door or in advance by calling 545-2581, 545-3433. Proceeds go to the 1995 Oscar Smith High school Scholarship Fund.
Old Fashioned Holidays Home and Flower Show. 1 to 5 p.m. Sterling Point and Green Pine Garden Clubs of Portsmouth are co-sponsoring five homes. Included are:
Dr. and Mrs. D.B. Chouch, 3221 High Point Drive
Mr. and Mrs. Harley Pruitt, 4106 Manchester Road
Mr. and Mrs. Stanley Dobson, 4201 Manchester Road
Mr. and Mrs. W.A. Murden Jr., 4401 Faigle Road
Mrs. G.E. Benzie, 2604 Sterling Point Drive
Tickets: $7 advance, $8 at the door, $3 for individual homes. Horticulture and Educational exhibits will be shown at St. Andrew Lutheran Church, 4811 High St., Portsmouth. For advance tickets: 484-4827, 483-3992, 484-1312, 483-4841.
Refreshments will be served. Craft and holiday items will be on sale.
Saturday and next Sunday
Suffolk-Nansemond Historical Society 18th Annual Candlelight Tour. 3 to 7 p.m. both days.
Riddick's Folly, circa 1837, 510 N. Main St.
Canady home, circa 1878, 305 Western Ave.
VanLandingham home, circa 1927, 423 North Broad St.
Ellison home, circa 1933, 537 W. Riverview Drive
Godwin-Frohman home, circa 1936, 717 W. Riverview Drive
Birdsong Carriage House, circa 1922, 805 Riverview Drive
Block ticket: $10, single house, $4. Carriage rides, $2.50. Advance tickets available at Riddick's Folly or The Willows or, for tickets by mail, contact Betsy Brothers, 539-6312. Desserts may be purchased as Riddick's Folly. For more information 539-6312, 934-3797.
Next Sunday
Plantation Christmas. 1 to 4 p.m.
Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach.
Take a trip back in time strolling through a beautiful historic site ``decked'' in holiday finery.
Free. Refreshments. Music performed by Armed Forces School of Music Brass Ensemble.
Dec. 10 and 11
Edenton Historical Commission Christmas Candlelight Tour, Edenton, N.C. 4 to 8 p.m. Dec. 10 and 1 to 5 p.m. Dec. 11. A tour of 13 homes beautifully decorated.
A Colonial Revival style double-pile house owned by Susan and Charlie Creighton, East Water Street.
A Colonial Revival, believed started in the 1820s and expanded in the 1880s, is the home of Deanna and Jim Chesson, East Water Street.
Victorian-style 1879 home on King Street. Owned by Lindsay and Allen Hornthal.
Brick home, 1900, with Neo-classic and Tudor touches and a distinctive corner tower. MaryAnn Coffey and Murphy Moss, East King Street.
Built in 1864 on East King Street is the home of Pam and Mark Blizzard.
A second story added in 1904 to the Frank Wood Building was originally a men's social club, East King Street. Rei Shapter.
``The Homestead'' owned by Frances and Ross Inglis is a 1771 example of double-porch design believed brought to the Carolinas from the West Indies. Located on Colonial Square.
``Pembroke Hall,'' 1850, landmark Greek Revival home overlooking Edenton Bay. Owned by Sharon and Jerry Smith on West King Street.
``The Old Ice House'' owned by Heather Totten on Blount Street.
A 1895 Queen Anne-style residence owned by April Lane on South Granville Street.
Victorian, 1890's home with enclosed second-story porch on West Queen Street, owned by Edwin Taylor.
``Wessington,'' a 1850 French-style villa on West King Street, owned by Anne Graham Rowe.
``The Castle'' owned by Marilyn Miller and Greg Haden on Yeopim Road is a '90s dream house with towers and European exterior decor.
Tickets: $15 for both days. Available from the Edenton Historical Commission, P.O. Box 4741, Edenton, N.C. 27932, (919) 482-2637; and the Chowan Arts Council, 101 Court St., Edenton, N.C. 27932, (919) 482-8214.
Also the annual Groaning Board will be from 1 to 5 p.m. both days at the James Iredell House. The annual Wassail Bowl will be from 1 to 5 p.m. at the Cupola House. Free.
Dec. 11
Pilmoor United Methodist Church Fifth Annual Christmas Tour of Homes, Currituck, N.C. 2 to 6 p.m. Five homes, door prizes at each house. Included are:
Mrs. Laura Lee Hopkins
Mrs. Caroline Gallimore
Mr. and Mrs. Roy Swindell
Mr. and Mrs. Daniel Lindsey
The Rev. and Mrs. Steve McElroy
Tickets and maps: $5, may be purchased at church or from members. Refreshments will be served.
Riverwalk Holiday Homes, Chesapeake. 2 to 6 p.m. Flat shoes only.
Kathy and Kevin Prendergast, 200 Marina Reach
Janette and Scott Crumley, 715 River Strand
Sharon and Phillip Price, 809 Loch Island Drive
Joan and Bill Ohrnberger, 801 River Strand
Tickets: $8 advance, $10 at tour. Tickets available at Ann's Hallmark Shop and Kirby's Office Supply at Great Bridge Shopping Center; Confetti and Mail Werks, Woodford Square; Van Beek's Deli at Greenbrier Station. Central meeting place and parking for trolley service: River Crest Community Center, 1001 River Walk Parkway
Refreshments, displays, demonstrations, confections. Music. Gum Tree Farm Living Nativity at Georgian Manor.
Holiday Homes Tour, Elizabeth City, N.C. 4 to 7 p.m. Sponsored by The Mount Hermon United Methodist Church Women.
Jack and Dona Yunker, 1029 Simpson Ditch Road
Jeffrey Rogerson, 593 Ownley Road
Carnell and Janet Berry, 699 Okisko Road
Greg and Terrie Gregory, 638 Okisko Road
Bobby and Annette Gregory, 491 Okisko Road
Tickets: $5, available at Jeffrey's Greenworld and Florist, Wood's Automotive and The Style Center or call 264-3639.
Hampton Holly Days Homes Tour. 12:30 to 5:30 p.m. The tour begins with a trolley ride from the settlers Landing Road Parking Garage to the homes. Houses include:
R.F. Altemus, 164 Columbia Ave.
Dr and Mrs. Stephen L. Moore, 813 Park Ave.
Mr. and Ms. Robert S. Claiborne, 624 Bridge St.
Mr. and Mrs. Don R. Cochran, 4604 Victoria Blvd.
Mr. and Mrs. J.D. Hay, 4605 Victoria Blvd.
Tickets: $8 advance, $10 day of tour. Tickets available at Hampton Visitors Center, 727-1102, many downtown Hampton stores or the Hampton Frolics office, 727-6429.
Tour concludes with an optional stop at the Charles Taylor Arts Center, Victoria Blvd. Light refreshments will be served.
Dec. 18
'Twas the Night Before Christmas Holiday Open House. Noon to 5 p.m.
Hunter House Victorian Museum, 240 W. Freemason St., Norfolk.
Admission: $1. Enjoy costume interpreters, music, traditional trimmings.
Jan. 6
Twelfth Night Celebration. 6 to 8:30 p.m.
Francis Land House, 3131 Virginia Beach Blvd., Virginia Beach.
Re-live an 18th-century Twelfth Night, the traditional close to the holiday season. Dance with the Williamsburg Heritage Dance Ensemble and enjoy music of the Cavalier Consort and meet the ``Francis Land Family.''
Tickets: $2.50 adults, $1 children, ages 6 to 18. ILLUSTRATION: Photo
The Bells Island home of Mr. and Mrs. Roy Swindell on the Currituck
Sound in North Carolina will be part of the Pilmoor United Methodist
Church Fifth Annual Christmas Tour of Homes.
Photo by MOTOYA NAKAMURA, Staff
Five homes in the Lafayette Shores section of Norfolk will be open
for the Holly Homes Tour, including the Bishop residence at 1405 S.
Veaux Loop.
by CNB