TO THE EDITOR:

What a great weekend we have just experienced in WashingtonWilkes! On behalf of the Washington Woman's Club, Kiwanis Club of Washington and the WashingtonWilkes Chamber of Commerce, we would like to thank the entire community for helping us pull together a very successful Spring Tour of Homes for 2006. This is certainly a spectacular way to showcase our wonderful town each year. There is no limit as to what we can do when we all work together and share our talents. All weekend we heard compliments over and over on our city and county.

We want to first begin our "thank yous" with the ten families who so graciously shared their homes. Without Tom and Barbara Chase; Jim and Jane Bundy; Kay and Jerry Robinson; Guillaume and Sokun Slama; Jeanne Davis-Blair; Debra Rainey; Jane and Smythe Newsome; Phil and Maggie Rothman; Ricky and Kathy Lindsey, and Cathy and Tom Overstreet, we could not have had a tour at all! There is no way to fully understand what an undertaking and expense this is for homeowners unless you have had your home on tour. This is truly a gift to our community and we thank all homeowners who have made this commitment both past and present.

To The News-Reporter, we thank you for the publicity from months back. The special articles written by Jane Newsome weekly were tremendous. A big thank you to Sparky Newsome for the creation of the website of wwtourofhomes.com. This really helped us attract visitors from near and far. The insert for visitors is always a great help for navigation and to learn the history of homes on tour. The publicity that local radio stations contributed was also appreciated. Carol Cartledge aired daily spots for us.

Another great signature of the Washington-Wilkes Tour were the smiling faces of Carolyn Reynolds, Polly Fievet, Pam Eaton Gale Seibert, Sharon Williamson and Debbie Jackson who greeted visitors all day from Friday afternoon through Sunday afternoon. These were Kiwanis members who directed guests to designated Tour Cars driven by 40 Kiwanians, Rotarians, Woman's Club family members and volunteers. Having the Tour Cars certainly moves multitudes around quickly, safely and easily.

Our city and county governments are to be commended for all the support they give to the tour each year. This help goes from city clean up to law enforcement and traffic safety. Another "thank you" goes to our hotels, motels and Bed and Breakfast Inns which allowed visitors to stay overnight and enjoy more of our event.

Who can forget the food? Some people wanted to stay just to experience more dining. Our local restaurants are wonderful and the addition of four special meals this year was a delight! Janet Burgess and Sharlene Anderson did a spectacular job with the luncheon at the Woman's Club. Club members prepared and assembled the luncheon with all proceeds going back into the Tour of Home Funds. Mary McPherson and other club members decorated the tables and mantles in a beautiful spring decor. Wilkes County 4-H members coordinated by Carol Jackson eloquently served the luncheon to guests. At the First United Methodist Church, a delicious Southern buffet was served by members of the church. This was coordinated by Julie Lewis and the Seekers Circle. John and Allie Via and ladies of the Church of the Mediator served a lovely tea to visitors.

Both Friday and Saturday evenings were ended with and elegant Dessert Soiree at Holly Court Inn. Laura Toburen was the "master" behind this affair and was assisted by Emilie Waters. A delightful assortment of chocolates , cookies and party foods were served and prepared by Woman's Club and Kiwanis members.

A new and most helpful face to the Tour this year was Kelli Thornton Tillman. Kelli is the new Administrative Assistant at the Chamber of Commerce. Kelli really handled tourists with Southern charm. She relied on a host of Chamber volunteers and Board members to help such as Sue Davidson, Kip Burke, Melissa Grant and Bill Boyd. Kelli is a Washington-Wilkes native who loves this community enough to come back home!

Did you notice all of the costumed Southern Belles and handsome gentlemen moving around town? These were local teens who gave up their Friday, Saturday and Sunday to delight and welcome guests.

Then there were literally hundreds of hosts and hostesses Scattered throughout the town to give a welcome and a little history at homes, museums and churches.

Friday and Saturday evening entertainment ranged from an organ recital at First Presbyterian Church to the production of The 1940s Radio Hour at the Washington Little Theater. This had an excellent local cast and was directed by Libby Foster. Debbie Wells and Company launched a new venture in an Art Show at The Livery. This was another great attraction.

A special thanks to all local merchants who opened both Saturday and some on Sunday afternoon to delight guests with new and different offerings. Many retailers reported that it was the best revenue producer in a long time.

The Robert Toombs Museum had a record number of guests and featured a living history presentation on the lawn.

Again, we appreciate and thank nearly 400 volunteers for helping us put our "best foot forward" for Spring 2006. Isn't it a great time to live in Washington-Wilkes?

2006 SPRING TOUR

OF HOMES COMMITTEE

Donna Hardy, Susan Branan, Dean Mansfield, Melissa Grant, Barbara Roberts, Rose Bennett,

Mary Craven, Bunny Gunby, Mark Waters, Kerry McAvoy,

Bill Steed, Bob Simmons,

Trevin Burriss