Oskaloosa Tour of Homes raises money for those in need
People meeting before and after their Tour of Homes at the First Presbyterian Church in Oskaloosa
This years tour of homes featured 3 local residents homes. They have all worked hard for months to prepare for the day when their homes were opened up to share with the community to help support those in need.
I had the opportunity to tag along with Merle Mann, one of the founders of the Tour of Homes on Sunday. Mann explained to me that about 20 years ago, the College Avenue Friends Church started this as an event within their own church. It was a simple get to know each other time plus helped to raise funds for good causes.
The church started it back up again, and it was kind of forgotten to only invite the church members. The original 5 homes once again played host, this time to the Oskaloosa Community as a whole. And as many things go, it grows and becomes larger than one might ever expect.
Mann explained that there is always a host church for the tour. The host church has coffee and cookies and provides a place to get to know each other and for fellowship during the event. Last year was probably the biggest year so far for the tour with the event selling around 130 tickets. Oskaloosa Area Association of Churches helps to support the event as well.
Our first stop was at the home of Jeff & Ruthi Rogers. Homes could be visited in any order, this just happened to be the nearest location for the start of our tour.
The home of Jeff & Ruthi Rogers decorated for the Tour of Homes 2010
Jeff and Ruthi purchased their home in 2000. Their house has had a major renovation with the home being gutted and walls and stairways moved, and a master bedroom and office area added on. Nearly 5 years later they added on the family room. The latest expansion 2 years ago was a pantry and mud room.
The aim of their home is to make everyone feel as comfortable as possible so sitting and talking is a pleasure.
Ruthi is known for her cooking and hosts a show on local MCG called Cooking At The Vault. Ruthi says she loves doing the show, and if you have missed her episodes you can buy them at the Book Vault in downtown Oskaloosa. They are now into their 2nd season of the show, and the season finale is going to be an Iron Chef style cook off with the students from Indian Hills.
The home of Judy Belzer was looking like a warm country Christmas for the Tour of Homes 2010
Our next stop on the Tour took us to the home of Judy Belzer. When you enter her home one of the first things you will notice is the antique table and chairs that belonged to Judy’s grandparents.
Judy’s home was once a part of a small farm of 18 acres, and it’s heritage can be traced to 1846. A chicken house and small barn still stand in what is now the back yard.
The current home, believed to be built in the late 1920’s, now occupies the lot.
Judy has a collection of P. Buckley Moss prints and has decorated her home in the traditional Christmas nature. The decor fits very well with her home.
It was a 3 generation day at Judy’s home. She had her Mom and Daughter in attendance for the day with her, making the day extra special for them as a family.
Judy says this was her first year, and when she first agreed to it, she thought she had a lot of time to prepare. A good chuckle tells the story of how fast a year can go by.
The Wizard of Oz helps make Jack and Cathy Griffis home even more magical for the Tour of Homes 2010
The last home on our tour belongs to Jack & Cathy Griffis. Their home was built in 1913 and was featured in the local news of the day as one of the homes built the previous year. They have lived at their Craftsman style bungalow since 1985 when they moved to Oskaloosa.
Cathy enjoys collecting Wizard of Oz , many of those treasures you will find in an upstairs room and in colonnades in the living room. Another favorite for her to collect is Dept. 56 Silhouette. You will find these white porcelain figurines in a corner cabinet in the dining room.
Cathy told me this was her first year as a host home on the Tour, and said she would probably do it again if asked. “It was a lot of fun, but a lot of work” Cathy said. She said she doesn’t normally have this much Christmas stuff in her house, but she stated that she likes the look of it and will probably have to do it every year now.
One of the things that stands out with Jack and Cathy’s house is the character of the home. The home is nearly 100 years old, and is very well kept. As with all older homes there is much in the way of repair, but the uniqueness of a home of that period is never easy to duplicate.
The afternoon came to an end at The First Presbyterian Church for fellowship, coffee and goodies. There were many decorated tree’s and display’s of wonderful quilts to be seen by all.
I want to thank Merle Mann for the tour of the homes, and to each home owner for allowing me in to take pictures of their wonderful homes. If you are interested in having your home added to the Tour next year, you can contact Merle Mann at 673-7740.
