Annual Christmas Tour of Homes will open homes, lofts, attractions

Visitors to the annual Christmas Tour of Homes will have the opportunity to visit decorated homes such as the home of Mark and Emilie Waters on East Robert Toombs Avenue.

The Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation will have its annual Christmas Tour of Homes this weekend offering a varied selection of homes decorated for the holidays. The tour begins Friday evening, December 7, featuring three homes and finished with an additional three homes on Saturday. Other attractions and events coincide throughout the weekend.

On Friday evening tourists may stroll three blocks of East Robert Toombs Avenue to see the homes of Buzzy and Jo Randall, Rosemary Hopkins, and Mark and Emilie Waters. There are two other special venues to enjoy that evening as well. The Washington Historical Museum will have an exhibit, "Covering Time with Quilts and Coverlets," and the Church of the Mediator will present songs of the season to help set the mood of this special holiday time.

On Saturday tourists may visit three homes on Alexander Avenue - the Barksdale-Thomas-Wagner house that is under renovation; Holly Court, the home of Maggie and Phil Rothman; and the Lindsey home which features some wonderful southern art. On The Square tourists can visit the renovated lofts of John Horton and Rita Bell Horton; Steven Saunders and Linda Ludwig-Saunders; and that of Tim and Deanne Crook and Doug and Elyse Giles. All of these attractions are within walking distance of headquarters at the Chamber of Commerce.

The country homes on tour this year are those of Diana Blackburn, Kettle Creek; and the home of Dawn and John Howard, the Hardin-Howard Plantation House. The historic Jackson Chapel A.M.E. Church, 1867, which has just received a historical marker from the Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation, invites tourists to enjoy refreshments while touring the sanctuary.

Other special events of the day are at the Robert Toombs House where the characters from A Christmas Carol will present scenes in each room from Ebenezer Scrooge's life. This ongoing presentation will delight visitors from 10 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Those who have purchased tickets to the colonial dinner are also invited to a champagne reception at the Court Street Livery as guests of the Washington-Wilkes Historical Foundation. There will be a jazz trio and an artist's marketplace to enjoy early in the evening.

Visitors are encouraged to explore all the shops in town, enjoy lunch in one of the many restaurants or at the Women's Club where lunch will be offered to benefit the Washington- Wilkes 2008 Relay for Life.

Additional information may be obtained by calling toll free 877- 221-7689 or 706-678-500l.

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