Palmerton Concourse Club's Christmas House Tour is back
MARY TOBIA/Special to the TIMES NEWS Ann Behler of Palmerton adjusts the wreath on her front door. Her home will be part of this weekend's Christmas House Tour. Ann and her husband Andy are the third owners of their home, which was built in 1918. Her husband, daughters and sisters will serve as tour guides for the home. The house tour begins at the Palmerton Community Center, 217 Franklin Ave., and is sponsored by the Palmerton Concourse Club.
Want to get some new ideas on decorating your home for the holidays?
Need a little nudge to get you in the spirit of Christmas?
Either way, attending the 2009 Palmerton Christmas House Tours will do the trick.
The tours will take place this Saturday, Dec. 5, from 1-6 p.m. and are sponsored by the Palmerton Concourse Club.
"We were looking for another fundraiser besides our basket spectacular and this year we were able to get volunteers to open their homes for the tour," said Lynda Buchfeller, home tour chairwoman. "That is why we had stopped it in 1991; because we couldn't get the homes."
That shouldn't be a problem this year, Buchfeller said.
"We are real excited about it this year," she said. "We have six club members who have opened their homes for us to see."
Thus far, 500 tickets have been printed for the event, said Buchfeller, who anticipates it will be a sell out.
Profits from the fundraiser will go back to the community, Buchfeller said.
The tours will start at the Palmerton Community Center at 217 Franklin Ave. Doors will open at 12:30 p.m.
Tickets cost $10 a person. A brochure map/guide to the six homes will be handed out. Ticket holders will be able to map out their own routes. Booties will be placed near the door of each home in case of in climate weather.
In case of very wet weather the Christmas House tour will be postponed to Sunday Dec. 6.
Members of the LEO club of the Palmerton Area High School have volunteered to be guides at each individual home.
Tour takers may end the tour by going back to the center for light refreshments and listen to the Ruby Red Hatters of Carbon County singing some mood setting Christmas Carols.
Club member Terry Scheckler designed and handcrafted a special gift for each of the homeowners who volunteered their home for the tour.
To coincide with the house tours and to help out with families who may not want to take younger children, Reading Escapades, located at 224 Delaware Ave. will be holding a Christmas Camp for children during the afternoon.
The cost is $10 and sign-ups are on a first call basis.
Register by calling (610) 826-7323 or e-mail at info@read2day.com.
Tickets for the Christmas House Tour can be purchased in advance at the Palmerton Library on Delaware Ave.
Along with the house tours, the Palmerton Concourse Club has one more community holiday event planned.
"This year we are having the Best Decorated House in the Borough contest," Buchfeller said. "We just want other towns to know how beautiful our homes are here and maybe they will come to see them."
On Saturday, Dec. 12 between 5-7 p.m., seven designated members of the club will drive up and down all the borough streets judging each decorated house.
First, second and third place winners will be announced by a tap on the door or a note on the door.
Winners will receive certificates donated by the Tru-Spa on Delaware Avenue, and the Fireline Hotel, just outside of Bowmanstown.
