By By Adam Prestridge
If the annual Grand Old Dames Garden Club Tour of Homes did not put you in the Christmas spirit, then you must be a Grinch.
Having the opportunity to tour these fine homes of our neighbors was quite a treat. Those who shared their homes with the community should be proud of themselves for doing great jobs in creating holiday magic in the comfort of their homes. Also, they should be even more pleased because the money raised through ticket sales will go to several deserving charities in the community that the garden club donates to. The Garden Club helps with food banks and other local projects.
While touring the homes, residents not only had the opportunity to see creative holiday decorations created by several talented residents, but they also got to meet many intriguing people with many stories to tell.
Atmore business owner Joyce Petty told her stories through her various Christmas trees. She had at least one tree in each room of her Lamb Drive home, each with a theme. Her home was very inviting.
Then there was Jerry and Faith Gehman's home located on Hwy. 31 west. It too was inviting and the couple had many stories to tell ranging from Faith's hand-stitched stockings to Jerry's extensive train collection. The couple's den was similar to Santa's workshop with all the handmade crafts, twinkling lights and, of course, Jerry's scaled train collection.
The outside of Conceta Nall's home located on Whippoorwill Lane was breathtaking. The eclectic Victorian home was a sight to be seen lit up with white lights and adorned by a huge wreath and several red bows. Even the sidewalk leading to the front door was a thing of beauty and inviting to say the least. The inside of the home was just as beautiful with antiques, stained glass and Christmas decorations from all over including huge pine combs from California.
The fourth house on the tour was Gene and Nancy Williams' beautiful, red brick home located on Nicole Avenue. From the time guests drove into the Williams' driveway, the home screamed "Merry Christmas." From the crafted Santa Claus on the front porch to the sheer beauty of the many Christmas decorations placed throughout the home, visitors received a real treat. Nearly 120 people walked through the doorway to the Williams' home Sunday afternoon, Nancy said. And from a personal standpoint, those visitors received a real treat, as did they with the other three homes included in this year's tour.
So if you missed this year's Christmas Tour of Homes, you missed a pleasurable glimpse into the holiday season quickly approaching. Thursday night, Santa will make it official as he visits Atmore for some hot cocoa and to take photos with local boys and girls. He will later help usher in the Christmas season officially in the annual Atmore Area Chamber of Commerce's Twilight Christmas parade Saturday evening at 5 p.m.
So don't miss out on all the excitement this holiday season in Atmore.
And if you happened to miss out on the Tour of Homes, each house is beautifully decorated on the outside. So take a ride with the family around town looking at Christmas lights and put those four homes on your list.
Make this Christmas a memorable one.
Adam Prestridge is publisher of The Atmore Advance. He can be reached at 368-2123.