By TOM LAVIS
TLAVIS@TRIBDEM.COM
Select homes in Berlin are decked out in lights and holiday decorations as homeowners gear up for a Home Tour and Bazaar on Saturday and Sunday.
The event is sponsored by the Pius Spring Women’s Club of Berlin, a nonprofit organization that supports a variety of community initiatives.
Club members have collaborated with four homeowners to decorate for Christmas. Tours will begin at the Community Building at 700 North St. from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 to 4 p.m. Sunday.
Participants will be charged $10 for the tour.
“What’s different about the homes on our tour is we don’t rely on professional decorators or florists to help design the layouts,” said Debbie Boyer, club spokeswoman. “After people see the decorations, they are inspired to go home and decorate their homes.”
The tour focuses on the residences of Larry and Sharon Ashbrook, David and Cindy Flamm, George and Susan Walker and the Ziegler family.
Visitors are provided transportation, and guests are guided on a walking tour through each home.
The bazaar will be held at the community building during the same hours as the tour. Twenty-nine vendors featuring a variety of arts and crafts will be on hand for those who wish to shop.
“They will be selling such wares as jewelry, woodcrafts, food baskets, Christmas items, candles, paintings and embroidered items,” Boyer said.
An a la carte lunch also will be available.
Cindy Flamm worked with four club members, family and friends to incorporate nature and a little bit of country into her decorating theme.
“I call it outdoorsy natural,” Flamm said.
Also on display will be some items from the family’s former maple sugar camp. Throughout the home are many of the Flamm’s family treasures and antiques.
At the Ashbrook home, guests will experience the aroma of cinnamon and gingerbread and discover the sounds of Christmas carols.
This home shows no scars from a devastating fire in 2006.
The formal living room and dining room, which will be set for Christmas dinner, are done in shades of red and gold.
Americana is the theme at the Walker residence. Buntings and greens adorn the windows and railing along their front porch. The front bay window is lit with lanterns and candles.
Upon entering the home, visitors will find Santa hats, filled with holiday treats, adorning the dining room chairs. The room is adorned with Santas of different sizes and shapes.
The Ziegler family likes to preserve its heritage by passing traditions down through the generations.
As people enter the Ziegler kitchen, they will hear about the foods the family serves on Christmas Eve. In the dining room, the table is set for the traditional Christmas Eve dinner. This simple setting represents the tradition of a generation ago – very simple but meaningful.
The tours are held every two years, and Boyer said it is the club’s largest fundraiser.
“We can generate thousands of dollars that is used for the good of the community,” she said.
Yule event
What: Pius Spring Women’s Club of Berlin Home Tour and Bazaar.
Where: Four borough homes.
When: Saturday and Sunday.
Tickets: From any club member or at Berlin community building, 700 North St.
Cost: $10.
