Spruced up for season
For 25 years, the Butler County Symphony Association has organized what has become a family tradition for many: the Holiday Tour of Homes.
“This event is one of the main fundraisers for the Symphony Association, and proceeds benefit the general fund which assists in providing funding for special guest performers and special programming,” said Sue Morrow, one of this year's house tour chairmen.
“Like most arts organizations, our ticket sales only cover about 30 percent of our costs. Events like the house and garden tour, along with the generosity of individuals and businesses, help us to continue to share our gift of music,” said Connie Downs, association publicity chairman.
This year's tour from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6 features six area homes and includes a reception at the First English Lutheran Church on North Main Street.
The owners of two of the homes gave a preview of what tour visitors might find.
Descending Linda and Ron Vodenichar's driveway at 206 Seminole Trail, one instantly is aware the spirit of Christmas is present in this home.
The outdoor décor is not only fun but also preserves community history.
“People who shopped at the costume shop on Route 8 in Middlesex might recognize some of the pieces which were a part of the store's holiday display,” Linda said.
Ron wanted to preserve history and community memories and chose to restore the Santa and reindeer to put them on display outdoors for all to enjoy, she said.
The front door is flanked by a set of brightly colored nutcrackers. The brightness continues as the door swings open to an expansive first level that boasts an open floor plan and unique ceilings.
“There were plans when we built, but we tweaked them significantly,” said Linda, who is employed in real estate.
The 6,000 square feet of living space includes five bedrooms, four fireplaces, several living areas and five baths.
“I wanted an open feel, so the ceilings were raised and the windows were broadened and French doors were installed,” she said.
The home launched four daughters who will descend along with 11 grandchildren for the holidays, and the Vodenichars are equipped and eagerly waiting for another season of making memories.
To the right of the foyer is the master suite and the Santa room.
The Santa room features a collection of some 30 Santas reflecting the family's heritage and the members' passions which include their family, golf and other sports memorabilia.
“During most of the year this is my office; during the holiday it is our Santa Room. The babies just love it,” Linda said.
One of the Vodenichars' daughters lives in Rwanda, and a Santa with an African theme sits proudly on a shelf.
This fun room is ideal for entertaining the couple's grandchildren and also features a German Santa's elves workshop depicting busy elves making toys.
Next to the Santa room is the master suite which boasts an immense sleigh bed.
Corner windows with plantation shutters flank it. Smooth, dark hand-scraped oak flooring gives the room a warm feel.“This room is just perfect for us and was perfect for being away from the noise of the kids upstairs,” Linda said.The room has a mammoth walk-in closet complete with built-in ironing board. A sizable Jacuzzi is a special feature of the master bathroom.From the foyer, one can walk straight into the living room which boasts 18-foot ceilings. A main focal point of the room is a 12-foot mirror above the fireplace.“We wanted this space to be light and bright, so the mirror was installed,” she said. The reflection in the mirror provides a wash of light to the area.An antique Chickering piano is a beautiful accent to this space.“We have had guests from all over the world who have played this piano. One of our guests from Scotland played a violin on the catwalk and said the acoustics in this room were perfect,” said Linda.The Christmas arrangements are a mix of glitz and shine combined with more natural elements such as vines and feathers.To the left of the foyer, the formal dining room is furnished with antiques and a table that seats 12. It is nicely decorated with a Nativity and greens bringing this room into the theme of the season.A wooden, garland- graced staircase leads up to the second story which features three attractive bedrooms.“This is the only area that we carpeted,” she said as she led the way to a catwalk which features a view to the living room below.To the right is a sage green bedroom with a beautiful four-poster bed. Across the hall is a room with a crib and some of Linda's treasures.“This is the baby's room. We always have space for them when they come home. It is such a happy time when we are all back together,” she said.The room is home to Linda's mother's sewing machine on which her mother sewed many of Linda's clothes as a child.“This is one of the most special things I have from my mother,” she said.Another family heirloom, a light green compact secretary, also enjoys a place of honor watching over the next generation. The Nativity set in this room came from the Vodenichar daughter who lives in Rwanda.A Jack-and-Jill bathroom connects the baby's room to a sitting room with a bump-up bedroom.The handcrafted and hand-painted nutcracker collection is on display in this room reflecting once again the family and its interests in the themed holiday battalion.“This room has been a perfect for the foreign exchange students that Ron and I hosted,” said Linda. The couple has hosted Rotary students from several countries.Descending from the upper level, a huge painting of a saint fills the space at the landing.“This painting was done by my brother who produced shows in Pittsburgh. It sat for years in my mom's garage, and when we built this house, I knew exactly where it would fit,” Linda said. The painting was actually part of a set from a play staged nearly 30 years ago.The second floor opens up to a sitting room/library of sorts that is just outside of the final bedroom on the tour.To the right of the library is a gym that features fatheads of the colleges their four daughters attended.The lower level bedroom is called the “Clemente Room” and features interesting baseball memorabilia Ron collected.The mission style bedroom décor is oak in a medium stain with tight clean lines.A full bath with ceramic tile completes the suite aspect of this lower region.The lower living area opens out into the playing quarters. This lounge area, done in earth tones and Old World charm, features a 125-gallon saltwater fish tank and a double-sided fireplace.
In the family's quest to preserve the history around them, the gas fireplace was constructed from Belgian blocks that were originally from the Mexican War Street area in Pittsburgh. The view outside the window boasts a water feature with a waterfall and a koi pond.“Ron loves combining our history with the history of our community,” said Linda.The seating area features a home theater system with retractable screen masked by a wooden valance.“We enjoy spending time with the family watching Steeler games, other sporting events and movies down here,” she said. The far wall is decorated with sports memorabilia Ron enjoys collecting.French doors offer an easy exit to the stone patio complete with seating and a fire pit.On the other side of the fireplace is a wooden bump-up that features several bold oak pub tables and also serves as a dance floor.“When we finished the basement, I wanted a space that would be fun where we could entertain with our family and friends,” Linda said.The party area's charm is evidenced by the 12-foot dark wood wet bar and European style molding and columns. A vintage functional Coke machine is often drafted back into service during family parties. Wooden laminate flooring gives a rich feel to this fun space.Returning up the steps, guests will find a large gourmet kitchen just off the dining room.Double ovens, custom wood white cabinetry and granite countertops complete this functional family space.“Morning sun floods in the room, and it is one of my favorite places to be,” Linda explained.This expansive area includes a breakfast nook which overlooks the wooded backyard and the deck that runs the length of the house.Another pair of functioning nutcrackers guards the table. “Ron rescued these from another local business that was closing,” she said.A gathering room with a touch of African décor serves as the TV room. On the wall hangs a mirror with a frame made from wooden printing blocks from an African newspaper.“Now that our kids are grown, we want to continue to incorporate their lives into the home,” she said.A North Pole Christmas tree is bedecked with ornaments documenting treasured family memories. An entertainment center which serves as a base for the television also doubles as a wine rack.The Vodenichars' love of the season is evident throughout the thoughtful attention to their home. Touring this home can't help but get you into the spirit of the season.
For a second house on the tour, location, location, location, as Realtors say, is the key, and it truly unlocks the secret to this lovely semi-secluded hideaway owned by Rhett and Jill Walls at 899 Rockdale Road.The homestead at Meadow Rock Farm was built in 1995 and served as the residence for the Walls family until 2007. It then became an organic farm until 2011 and is now available as a vacation rental.“We have hosted a variety of celebrations including graduation and birthday parties, plus business meetings, memorial services, corporate retreats, and overnight accommodations,” said Jill. The space offers luxury accommodations with rustic, eclectic décor.“It is a custom timber frame and made of white, red and pin oak beams. Since the house is a true timber frame, all of the beams are created with only wood joinery and secured with hardwood pegs,” explained Rhett. The beams are a highlight of the house, creating large open spaces.The house features a great room and dining area with a fireplace made with Maryland flagstone on the first floor.Much of the wood for the home came from the trees on the property: wild cherry kitchen cabinets, maple and ash doors and oak trim, Jill said.The cedar exterior of the house compliments the woodland setting and gardens creating a restful setting.“There are extensive gardens which include roses, perennials, and a kitchen herb garden,” she said.A spacious kitchen includes a commercial range and a 2-inch-thick walnut bar top which had been in storage since the Depression.“We would like to become an educational retreat and offer a variety of classes, such as hearth bread baking,” Jill said of their future plans for the rental and the reason for the spacious kitchen and dining areas.Filled with country antiques, Meadow Rock has six bedrooms and a third- floor loft. There are three fireplaces and a wood fired bread/pizza oven.Many of the furnishings were acquired on Craigslist. Some local antiques find places of honor in the home.Hanging in the dining room is a 1920s wooden bobsled that was built by Rhett's grandfather, Floyd Walls, whose son Wayne, used it as child.A large unique chunk of glass has a special place on the hearth in the living room.“The glass is from the old Franklin Glass Plant in Butler. They were tearing down the factory and Rhett found it in the rubble,” said Jill.“The fireplace in the master bedroom is made of pink marble from the Koch estate (formerly the Phillips estate) in downtown Butler,” she said.“It is a joy to decorate this home for the holidays. We can't wait for you to come and visit and share in the warmth of the season,” she added.
The other four homes on the Butler County Symphony Association's Holiday Tour of Homes include those of:Thomas and Penny Wippenbeck, 235 Robinson Run Road.Repurposing is a theme throughout this ranch home designed in the style of Frank Lloyd Wright. Several doors and floors were salvaged from a school while the trim and mantel are crafted from trees felled to make space for the house, and a counter top was a discard that the couple gave new purpose.Ken and Sandra Protzman-Cook, 123 Seneca Drive.Family history and treasures fill this home. It boasts family heirlooms throughout and features a studio and comfy family room. The claw foot table which has been in the family for six generations will be set with Royal Albert china. A vast collection of dynamite boxes and unique Christmas trees will be on display.Evan and Theresa Christon, 223 Seminole Trail.This home will feature a large collection of Christmas trees, more than 72 ranging in size from two inches to 12 feet with specialty themes and decorations reflecting the family's interests.Bob and Shirley Horner, 137 New Haven Lane (Crown Point).The four-season condo is perfect for the Horners who split their time between Pennsylvania and Florida. A wood-burning fireplace and sunroom provide the perfect remedy to a long winter day. A unique elephant collection featuring items from around the world will be on display at this home.A cookie reception will be at First English Lutheran Church at 241 N. Main St. First English Lutheran hosted the reception for the first Symphony House Tour in 1990, so it is fitting the symphony association should again share this day with the church on the 25th anniversary of Holiday Tour of Homes.This year's cookie reception at the church runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Dec. 6.
<b>WHAT: </b>Butler County Symphony Association's 25th Holiday Tour of Homes<b>WHEN: </b>10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Dec. 6<b>WHERE:</b> Locations around Butler<b>TICKETS: </b>$15 in advance at the symphony office, 259 S. Main St.; May's Music Shoppe; and Meridian Gift Shop, and on the day of the tour from any of the homes.<b>INFO: </b>Visit www.butlersymphony.org or call 724-283-1402
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