Holiday house tours put on the welcome mat

Belleville News-Democrat

November 29, 2007

This weekend is the 'Super Tuesday' of Christmas house tours in the metro-east.

Owners of homes, churches and historic sites will open their doors to the public in Belleville, Okawville, Millstadt, Godfrey, Elsah, Ellis Grove, Prairie du Pont (North Dupo) and Valmeyer.

'I didn't know these tours were so popular,' said Gene Rodemich, whose cedar-sided cottage will be part of Millstadt Community Choir's third-annual Holiday Home Tour on Saturday.

The cottage's architectural features include gables and a steep-pitched roof. Inside, Gene and his wife, Denise, have decorated in a 'country Christmas' theme with hand-painted wooden ornaments and other decorations.

Denise has a snowman collection, and Gene provides plenty of poinsettias. He grows them from cuttings in his greenhouse next door.

'We have a couple of bay windows, and we have Christmas villages in them,' Gene said.

The other five homes on the Millstadt tour include two contemporary executive residences, two ranches and a 1920s brick bungalow that's been restored. Hours are 1 to 6 p.m. Saturday with tours beginning at Zion Evangelical Church.

Tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance at Millstadt IGA or by calling Diane Germann at 476-3257 or $15 on Saturday at Zion church.

People can sneak a peak at 7 p.m. Friday during the Holiday Home Evening Debut. The $40 cost includes tours of four homes Friday (the other two Saturday, if desired), appetizers, wine, beer, soft drinks and transportation.

Okawville

Okawville Chamber of Commerce and Heritage House Museum will present the annual Country Christmas Stroll and House Tour Saturday and Sunday.

People can view three homes, plus United Methodist Church and Zion United Church of Christ in Okawville and Zion's parsonage in Addieville from noon to 5 p.m. both days. Tickets cost $8 ($4 for ages 6 to 12).

Other activities in town include Breakfast with Santa, a Country Craft Fair, Festival of Trees, Christmas in the Barn, a flea market, horse-drawn surrey rides, shopping and tours of the historic Original Springs Hotel. For more information, call Okawville Chamber of Commerce at 243-5694 or visit the Web site at www.okawvillecc.com.

Valmeyer

The Valmeyer Music Boosters and Valmeyer Optimist Club are sponsoring a Candlelight House Tour with seven homes and a new daycare center, Daytime Discoveries, from 5:30 to 9:30 p.m. Saturday.

Tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance at First Bank or Mike's Convenience Store in Valmeyer or by calling Jennifer Seidler at 935-1818 or Gina Hefflinger at 935-0585 or $12 on tour night at Daytime Discoveries.

Prairie du Pont

A traditional St. Nicholas will greet visitors and share holiday treats with children at the candlelit Martin-Boismenue House State Historic Site in Prairie du Pont (North Dupo) on Saturday.

The log home was built as early as 1790, when the area was populated by French settlers. They knew St. Nicholas as a generous bishop who felt sorry for the poor, hungry and those who didn't have enough clothing to keep warm.

Hours are 2 to 4 p.m. Saturday. Admission is free. The home is at the intersection of Water and First streets, across from Prairie du Pont fire house. For more information, call 332-1782.

Belleville

Five historic homes and Trinity United Church of Christ in Belleville will be open this weekend for the first Home for the Holidays House Tour sponsored by the Citizens Reviving Historic Belleville group.

Hours are 4 to 8 p.m. Saturday and 2 to 6 p.m. Sunday. Tickets can be purchased for $10 in advance at Forgotten Treasures, Bronx Zoo Imports and Crystal & Spice Shoppe in Belleville or on tour day at Forgotten Treasures. Activities will include a silent auction at Trinity church (open to the public). For more information, visit the Web site at www.historicbelleville.com.

Godfrey

People can see a variety of decorating styles and Christmas collections Sunday during the Pride Inc. Holiday Home Tour in Godfrey and Alton.

Seven homes will be open from 3 to 7 p.m. Tickets can be purchased for $12 at local businesses listed on the Web site at www.prideincorporated.org or at homes on Sunday.

Trolley transportation is available through Pride for an additional $12. Tourgoers also are invited to a soup and pie supper at the United Methodist Village until 7:30 p.m. Sunday. The cost is $5.

Elsah

Seven homes will be open for viewing from 3 to 5:45 p.m. Saturday during the Village of Elsah's annual Home for the Holidays celebration. Tickets can be purchased for $15 at My Just Desserts or any bed and breakfast in town.

The public also is invited to join a candlelight caroling walk to the village Christmas tree, which will be lit at 6:30 p.m. Other afternoon activities include free horse-drawn trolley rides and shopping at Elsah's Holiday Shoppe for vintage Christmas decorations, cards, baked goods, candles and kettle corn. For more information, call 374-2821.

Ellis Grove

Pierre Menard Home State Historic Site will host a Christmas Open House from 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday after a hiatus of several years. The home was built about 1815 by a French Canadian entrepreneur who became Illinois' first lieutenant governor.

Visitors can see period Christmas decorations made of boxwood, greenery, ribbons and candles and taste gingerbread, hot mulled cider and madelines, a traditional French cookie. Pere Noel (Father Christmas) will make an appearance.

The home is off Illinois 3 in Ellis Grove, north of Chester. Admission is free. For more information, call 859-3031.

Contact reporter Teri Maddox at tmaddox@bnd.com or 345-7822, ext. 26.

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