Rochester, MI – Tickets are now on sale for the Rochester area Holiday Home Tour sponsored by the Friends of the Rochester Hills Public Library. The home tour takes place on Sunday, November 13 from noon to 4 p.m.
Tour participants can visit five homes decorated lavishly for the holidays. Included on the tour are an in-town historic home, three beautiful neighborhood homes and a lovely condominium. All of the homes are accessible easily by car and have plenty of convenient on-street parking.
As always, the Friends have selected homes that will be of interest to the public both because of their holiday décor and for their unique architectural and/or decorating style. For example, a notable feature in one of the homes is a bar top with Detroit-area memorabilia seemingly floating in an epoxy resin. In another, the gourmet cook has framed menus from restaurants in France where she served as sous chef to several famous chefs. And in still another, there will be gold, cream and bronze Christmas décor, in some cases accentuated with orange, in every amazingly decorated room.
To enhance the holiday mood, entertainment is planned for each home. This includes violinists trained by Colleen King, Lauren Aiello on the harp, Carol Mason and the Classic Winds, Alice Peltier and the Dream On Barbershop Quartet and pianist Greg Tapner .
Early Holiday Fun Kick-Off
The November 13th date gives attendees an opportunity to start their holiday activities before the frantic rush and freezing temperatures set in. “Last year we made the decision to move the date of the home tour up so that it is almost a month earlier than in past years,” says Kathy Dorn, Friends president. “The idea is to be less ‘weather-dependent,’ I guess you’d call it.” And, according to Dorn, the idea worked well last year. The group received a great deal of feedback from attendees who were happy to kick off their holiday season a little sooner and be able to enjoy the tour before their schedules became too hectic.
Homes may be visited in any sequence, but visitors are encouraged to plan their day by using the map printed on their ticket. Bringing slippers along is suggested, as all will be asked to remove footwear as a courtesy to homeowners.
The generous homeowners who have agreed to share their homes with the public for this year’s tour include Barbara and James Blundo; Diane and Paul Haig; Michelle and Jeff Pittel; Mary Rosenbusch; and Janice and Andrew Watton.
Sponsors of the event who help to defray costs, enabling the Friends to donate all proceeds directly to the library, include Adams Cleaners, Inc; Balian Eye Center; Mr. Dick Bates; Capies Candies; Dillman & Upton; Final Touch Designs; George’s Coney Island; Gofrank & Mattina, PC; the Golden Eagle; Krazy Greek Restaurant; Lucido Jewelry; Lytle Pharmacy; Manny’s Liquor & Wine Store; Ron & Theresa Meegan; Millman-Derr Center for Eye Care, PC; Modern Art Jewelers; North Hill Marathon; Pixley Funeral Home; Rochester Hills Tire & Service; Talmer Bank; Paul VanRaaphorst, DDS; Janet Varner; and Yates Cider Mill.
Preview Party Adds to Festivities
The Home Tour is part of the Friends 50th Anniversary year celebration events. Adding to the festivities is the Home Tour Preview Party on November 9th, the Wednesday evening prior to the home tour. Individuals who purchase a special combination ticket will gather at Final Touch Designs, a new home and floral décor boutique recently opened in downtown Rochester, where they will meet the home owners who have graciously opened their homes for the tour. They will be invited to sample delectable cheese and wine, as well as luscious chocolates provided by Capies Candies, also a new business in town, located right next door to Final Touch Designs. Preview Party tickets include the home tour on Sunday.
Tickets for the Home Tour are $25 and may be purchased at the Friends Store in the library or at these additional locations: Dillman & Upton; Lytle Pharmacy; and Sharon’s Hallmark. A limited number of tickets for the Preview Party are available at the Friends Store. They are $50 and include admission to the Home Tour. Please note that payment for both the Home Tour and the Preview Party tickets must be cash or check only. For additional information, please contact the Friends at 248/650-7176.
About Tom and Ann Gendich