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 Six homeowners opened the doors of their beautiful
homes to share their Christmas spirit: Mary Pope, Dorothy Loveall,
Rick and LeeAnn Volle, Mike and Lynn Lakin, Richard and Jo
Rentmeister, Patrick and Jo Ellen Walsh.
St. Thomas Aquinas Catholic Church was open for the evening offering
Chili or Potato Soup, Relishes, Dessert & Drinks. A freewill
donation was accepted.
Mary’s home was built by Herb and Virginia Ayers in 1965-1966. Mary
and her late husband, Frank Pope, bought the home from Gordon Zelle
in 1991. Handcrafted furniture by Frank is featured throughout the
house as well as craft pieces that Mary has made herself.
Mary’s mom used to make quilts, also displayed in the house, and she
passed her love of sewing onto Mary. Last year from her enclosed
porch sewing room, Mary and her sister, Alice Lessen, made over 200
baby blankets. Mary said they give the blankets to families in need
and will continue to make them until they are no longer able.
Dorothy recently moved into her one bedroom “condo” at Vonderlieth
after her husband passed away. Dorothy feels like it is more of a
condo than an apartment because of the amenities that come with it:
help with the lawn and snow removal, for instance. Though smaller
than the 10-room home that she and her husband used to maintain,
Dorothy was happy to open her “condo” to share her Christmas trees,
snowmen, and Santa with those who wanted to stop in to see.
The original open house for the Volle house was
December 6th, 1912. The front doors are original and hold the name
plate that reads “George Volle.” Inside are two burning fire places
and furniture original to the Volle family. The Volle’s son shared
that it has taken two years to get the house the way the family
wanted it for the Tour of Homes. Mr. Volle agreed that the last week
had been a whirlwind of activity getting everything ready to share.
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Upon arriving at the Lakin house, built in 1872, one of four
young ladies offered a personal tour of the house. The house has been left in
its original old cottage condition. A majority of furniture in the home was
built by Lynn’s father, Robert Steele, or Mike. The girls were excited to share
that the three family cats had their own set of stairs and walkway around the
hallway ceiling that leads to the hole on the top of the bedroom closet, where
the cats spend much of their time.
The Rentmeisters built their home in 2011. Five boys helped fill the six-bedroom
house, all but one moved out now. Pictures of the family are displayed
throughout the house. This year the Rentmeisters chose to decorate with a
“Country Christmas” theme including the bedrooms, living room, dining room,
three and one-half baths, bar area, and family room downstairs.
Purchased in 2015, the Walsh home was built in 1990 for Chuck Fricke. Through
the home are quilt pieces made by Jo Ellen’s sister, Kay Meeker. The house has
three bedrooms, three baths, and a full finished basement. The house is shared
with miniature Yorkies Murphy, Mingus and a new baby Yorkie, who were not sure
so much company in their house was such a good idea.
The Tour of Homes was a success for all who shared and all who visited the
beautiful homes. Proceeds from the tour will go to benefit the Mount Pulaski
Courthouse Foundation. The Mount Pulaski Courthouse Foundation is a nonprofit
organization established in 2011 to help preserve the State Historic Courthouse
where Abraham Lincoln once served as a lawyer.
[Lisa Ramlow] |
