Published: November 28, 2008 03:45 pm      

Homes bedecked for holiday

Visitors invited to enjoy scents, scenes of Christmas

DANVILLE — Even Scrooge would come away humming a Christmas tune after taking the Danville Holiday Tour of Homes, which will be next weekend.

Seven very different style homes, each elaborately decorated for Christmas, will be featured on the tour.

All proceeds from this event will benefit the American Diabetes Association. According to its statistics, 24 million Americans have diabetes, and 4 million are undiagnosed. About 5,000 people living in Vermilion County have diabetes.

Chittick Family Eye Care is the major sponsor of the Tour of Homes.

Chris Fitzsimmons, chair of the tour, said, “We are pleased to offer seven very different and beautifully decorated homes for the tour this year. I want to thank our sponsor, Chittick Family Eye Care, and the Danville residents who were so kind to open their homes to the public in support of the Diabetes Association.”

THE WANDSES

Gene and Carolyn Wands, 214 W. Harrison

Dozens of red roses and thousands of Christmas lights make Gene and Carolyn’s Shepherds Inn Bed and Breakfast extra special for the holiday tour.

“I love red roses,” Carolyn said, “and Anker Florist will fill our home with real roses for our guests to enjoy.”

Also, it’s worth a drive by the Shepherds Inn after dark to view the thousands of outdoor Christmas lights. They illuminate the wrought iron fence and the figurines in the yard, and large, lit-up wreaths adorn the outside of the windows all around the house.

“Christmas is our favorite time of the year because it celebrates the birthday of Christ,” Carolyn said, “and it’s our joy to share this season with everyone who comes to visit.”

The Wandses started decorating their three-story bed and breakfast in October in order to have everything in place for the tour of homes.

Carolyn and Gene have decorated all three levels of their home with a variety of themed trees, including a nutcracker tree, a copper and gold tree, candy cane and snowman trees, and a special English countryside tree for Gene. A real sleigh from the 1880s will be parked under the outside canopy of the home.

The Wandses love lights and have adorned each of their seven 9-foot trees with 12 strands of lights. They also have a very special tree with olive wood and Hebron handblown glass ornaments that they purchased on one of their many trips to Israel.

Their 3,800-square-foot home’s history and architectural features are interesting. Frank and Blanche Butterworth built the house in 1904 in the Arts and Crafts tradition. It was one of several built in this area of Danville in the early 1900s. In the foyer there are pictures of the Von Trapp family, who have visited the home several times.

The Wandses have filled their home with antiques that Gene has restored, and these pieces reflect much of what they enjoy: family, traveling and collecting.

THE PHILLIPSES

Pat and Andrew Phillips, 110 Payne Ave.

This house, which was a Renaissance Danville project, was built around 1903. The Phillipses bought it when it was an abandoned two-flat house, because they felt it had a lot of character just waiting to be revealed.

Some of the many renovations included new heating and cooling, new wiring, uncovering and refinishing hardwood floors, and reconfiguring some rooms. The second floor of the house was totally changed, with ceilings raised and vaulted, new insulation and drywall, and a new spacious bath with walk-in shower that preserves the character of the old room, but with all new fixtures and tile.

The Christmas decorations have accumulated during the years, thanks to Pat’s insatiable appetite for all things Christmas. They include many cherished, inherited items from parents and grandparents. With a few new things added, Pat’s ornaments have been redistributed as her decorating needs have increased from four to seven trees.

On the exterior of the house, the front porch balusters and roofline fascia boards are made from Schlarman High School’s (Pat’s alma mater) old gymnasium bleachers. The AMBUCS are acting as room hosts for this stop on the tour.

THE GARVERS

Dave and Carol Garver, 112 Pine St.

Carol and Dave welcome guests to their 1905 “Classic Revival” home. Since moving here in July 2007, they have kept busy making this historic house into a home. The three-story, square brick structure was completely restored by Renaissance Danville.

The Garvers love Christmas and enjoy decorating. A few of their special features are Carol’s collection of nativity scenes from around the world, a quilt room with handmade quilt-pattern ornaments, and a teacup tree. A 9 ½-foot Christmas tree greets guests when they enter the house.

The large house is perfect for entertaining family and friends. Carol uses the third story for her art studio and what she calls “Grandma’s playroom,” and Dave enjoys his library and workroom in the basement.

Because several members of the family have had diabetes, the Garvers are especially pleased to play a part in supporting the American Diabetes Association.

Parking for the downtown house tours is available in the Genealogical Society lot at the corner of North and Pine streets.

THE DIELS

Ron and Marla Diel, 2419 Perrysville Road

This home was built in 1961. Marla’s family was the second owner when they purchased it in 1980. Ron and Marla have been celebrating Christmas, other holidays, and special occasions in the home since 1988.

Several decorated trees and wreaths are on display for the enjoyment of the Diel family and all of the guests on the holiday tour.

JAY HEIN

Jay Hein, 3602 Bayview Drive

Jay and Dino and Mia (his dogs) welcome guests to their home in Bayview Estates, which offers a spectacular view of Lake Vermilion during all four seasons. Their home is located on 4 acres that are beautifully landscaped.

The Christmas season has always been important to the Hein family. Jay’s mother, Maggie, always loved this time of year and loved giving to others. Jay has always purchased a flocked tree from Bob’s Market as a family tradition. He feels fortunate to have so many friends who have helped to decorate his home for this holiday tour.

THE AUTORS

Steve and Renee Autor, 2800 Strawberry Cove.

This home is located in Autor’s First Addition on Lake Vermilion. They named the street Strawberry Cove to commemorate Strawberry Island, which has been only partially visible since the lake was raised several years ago.

The house was built in 2001 by Drake Homes of Charleston.

Christmas is a special time in the Autor household. Renee decorates all three levels of their house with Christmas trees, wreaths, garlands, and lots of Hallmark decorations — mixing family antiques with new purchases. The living room features a huge tree in gold, silver and sage green. The family room displays a pencil tree with numerous Hallmark ornaments, each with its own special meaning. There are also many unique antiques to enjoy at this stop on the tour.

Parking at the house is limited, so people are advised to carpool. There will be parking and a shuttle bus service available at the Elite Style and Color Beauty Salon, 2A North Shore Terrace.

THE SLUITERS

Al and Pat Sluiter, 2315 N. Vermilion St.

With the help of some very special friends, Pat has decorated this 1890s home of her dreams to reflect the warm and elegant style of that period. The two-story home has four fireplaces that have been converted to burn gas.

Pat has collected antique furniture, replicas, pictures, china and accessories for the past 20 years in anticipation of furnishing a home like this. She has a special showing of china teacups and saucers displayed at the end of the front entrance hallway.

Pat has decorated each bedroom for Christmas with visiting family members in mind. Over the past nine years, Pat and Al have been blessed with four grandchildren, which prompted her to decorate a classic Winnie the Pooh nursery, complete with a tree in the same theme.

The Sluiters have decorated nine trees for the tour, using her collection of special ornaments. Some were gifts, some are very old, and some are works of art.

Al’s study on the first floor of the home has some special memorabilia from the Medieval period in history. Over the fireplace is a reproduction of the sword used in Kevin Costner’s “Robin Hood, Prince of Thieves” movie production. In one corner of the room stands a full suit of armor that was custom-built so that Al can actually wear it.

COMING UP

The Holiday Tour of Homes will be held from 2-6 p.m. Dec. 7.

Tickets cost $10 and are available at Berry’s Garden Center, Blooms and Bows florist (Westville), Charlotte’s, Chittick Family Eye Care, Creative Designs, Danville Gardens, Dave’s Flower Garden, Dena’s Hallmark, Dillman Eye Care Associates, First Midwest Bank, Shick Office Supply Co. and Waldenbooks.

Tickets also will be available at each home on the day of the tour.

To purchase a ticket in advance or make a donation to the American Diabetes Association, contact Chris Fitzsimmons at 497-1037 or 267-3220.