TO THE EDITOR:

The 2008 Tour of Homes Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all who were involved for their dedicated hard work that resulted in making the Tour weekend a success in spite of inclement weather.

First, we would like to express humble appreciation to the homeowners who so graciously allowed visitors to tour their homes with wet feet and dripping umbrellas. We realize that you worked many long hours for weeks or months on end preparing your homes to be the showplaces that they, indeed were, for the viewing pleasure of the interested public.

Every single home or loft, and the dessert soiree venue, was immaculate, beyond beautiful, and each had its own unique story to tell. Once again, thank you from the bottoms of our hearts for your generosity. Without you, there would have been no Tour of Homes.

A huge thanks to all who served as hosts in the homes. The information that you provided made the Tour even more enjoyable and interesting. Also, thanks to the young ladies who dressed in period clothing. You added a very special touch.

The Tour cars, as always, were a big plus for the occasion. Visitors always comment on the organization of Washington's Tour, mainly because of the convenience of having the cars. Visitors are always so complimentary of the pleasant, accommodating drivers. We know that you put many miles on your cars and, considering the price of gasoline these days, your willingness was an extremely generous gesture.

The signage, identifying Tour locations was most helpful, as always. The Kiwanians did an excellent job with coordinating the Tour cars, as well as the signs. We are also grateful for the use of several church vans and drivers that assisted with carrying visitors to their desired destinations, especially those that involved more distance. Thanks also to the local law enforcement for their generous assistance.

To the Museum, the Toombs Home, and the Callaway Plantation, we express our gratitude for the part you played in making the Tour a diversified, educational, and enjoyable experience for our guests.

To the ladies of the Woman's Club who planned, decorated the clubhouse, and prepared a delicious sitdown meal, we owe a huge debt of gratitude. The meal was, as always, beautiful and delicious. A special touch was added this year in that each person that dined at the clubhouse received a lovely booklet that provided history of the Woman's Club and its beautiful building that is currently in the process of revitalization. The booklet also contained recipes that are used at the Tour luncheons. A special thanks goes out to the 4-H members and their adviser who acted as servers. You did a fabulous job!

The First United Methodist Church provided a delicious buffet meal prepared by the women of the church, and the Church of the Mediator also offered a light lunch. Thanks to both churches for your assistance with providing excellent food choices for our visitors.

To all the Bed and Breakfast facilities in the area and all restaurants and motels who so graciously catered to the needs of our guests, we appreciate you.

The Chamber of Commerce/ Welcome Center went above and beyond the call of duty as they constantly answered phones and fielded questions concerning the Tour. They graciously allowed us to sell tickets from their area during the days leading up to the Tour and on the Friday of the Tour. They were also instrumental in assisting with publicity in so many ways. We are so thankful for the wonderful relationship we have with them.

Once again, the Washington-Wilkes Elementary School allowed us to use their campus as headquarters for the Tour on Saturday. Guests were allowed to park there and it was used as a point of departure and return for Tour cars. We express our gratitude for this tremendous favor. Thanks to the ladies who spent their whole day there, distributing arm bands for those who had reserved tickets and selling tickets to those who had not.

A special thanks is extended to the local merchants who were willing to extend business hours to accommodate Tour guests.

A million thanks to our newspaper, The News-Reporter, for all they do for us. Each week prior to the Tour they featured one of the homes or lofts with pictures and detailed information about each. They also produced a beautiful insert in the paper just prior to the Tour and also printed additional inserts that were provided for all guests at the Chamber/Welcome Center and at headquarters. They have also been instrumental in assisting with the Tour web page.

Thanks to our local radio station for sharing information of our Tour.

What a wonderful presentation of "Fiddler on the Roof" by the Washington Little Theater group. Thank you for providing this fabulous entertainment for our guests and our local people. It was better than Broadway and was definitely a plus for the Tour weekend.

To the entire populace of Washington for sprucing up your property so that our guests could see what a truly beautiful town we have, thank you!

The Spring Tour of Homes, for many years, has been a highlight for the town of Washington as it was again this year. It took so many people to make the 2008 Tour a success and we are indebted to each of you and surely hope that we have not overlooked anyone.

When I moved here in 2003, I often heard the expression, "You must remember, this is Washington!" Now I know what it means. Even in terrible weather, everyone worked together to make the weekend a success.

THIS IS WASHINGTON!

DEAN MANSFIELD For the Tour Committee