By By Lisa Tindell
For more than 15 years homes and businesses across Atmore have been open for tours in anticipation of the holidays.
Levice Haney, a member of the Grand Ole Dames Garden Club, said the event is the biggest project of the club every year.
Haney said four homes will be joined by the Episcopal Church for the tour this year. The event is set for Dec. 6 from 1:30 p.m. until 5 p.m.
“The homes will be decorated for the holidays,” Haney said. “Each house looks different, but each one will be decorated nicely.”
Businesses included in the tour this year are Coley’s Petals and Parties at 301 N. Main St., Country Charms at 111 W. Ridgeley St., Cutie Pies at 115 N. Main St., and The Beans Store at 132 S. Main St.
Michael and Dawnetta Burns will open their home to the tour at 261 Lamb Dr. in the Nokomis community. The two-story, Creole-style home is decorated in a style recreating a French-country motif. Fresh florals with greenery will deck the home as a collection of Fitz and Floyd porcelain is highlight. An antique Italian nativity collection will be featured on a pre-antebellum sideboard. A collection of additional antiques will be displayed throughout the home. A collection of Christmas art created by Karen Morrow, a Louisiana artist, will also be displayed during the tour.
Haskell and Faye Dunn’s home at 403 S. Trammell St., is also included in the tour of homes this year.
A second Nokomis area home will be on the tour. David and Dannie Bradley at 1592 U.S. 31, have their home open for those who take part in the tour. The home was built in 2007-08 and the family moved in March of last year. The 4,000 square foot home features hardwood floors in rooms that vary in height from nine to 12 feet. The master bath is inviting with a custom built shower and separate whirlpool bath. A collection of antiques gathered for several years by the couple will be on display with antique clocks highlighting the collection. A 10-foot Christmas tree will greet visitors in the foyer with the formal dining room decorated with formal Christmas china on the dining table with a holiday centerpiece completing the decorations. The entire house is decorated with touches of Christmas all around, focusing on different themes in each room.
Chad and Suzanne Helton have agreed to show their home located at 500 S. Pensacola Ave. The home, circa 1918, is built on the craftsman-style design. The Helton’s have kept many of the original details of the home, even after a 2007 renovation project, with the hardwood floors, plaster walls and ceilings as well as windows, doors and trim remaining. The home boasts four bedrooms and three baths that have been updated to fit the needs of the owners. Formal living and dining rooms can be found at the home as well as an office and a breath-taking kitchen. Seasonal decorations include a traditional Christmas tree adorned with glittering silver and crystal ornaments. The children’s rooms include Christmas trees and decorations that reflect their personal taste and room d/cor. An array of wreaths and ribbons embellish the interior and exterior doors, along with poinsettias arranged throughout the home.
Tickets to the event are $10 each, Haney said. They will be available at each of the participating business or from any club member.