The second annual Christmas Tour of Homes will offer a memorable holiday event Dec. 6 [MONDAY]. Four beautifully decorated homes in the Ada area will be open from 5 to 8 p.m.
“Last year’s tour was so successful that we are pleased to once again offer this to our community,” said Cheryl Bell, coordinator of East Central University’s Child Care Resource & Referral Agency.
Proceeds from ticket sales benefit the children of Ada through Project Invest, a program of the Child Care Resource & Referral Agency and Smart Start South Central, which is designed to increase community awareness and support of local child care programs.
In addition to the home tour, complimentary hors d’oeuvres, prepared and served by Ada High School’s ProStart culinary arts students, will be available in the lobby of ECU’s Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center.
The tour will feature the homes of Ken and Johnnie Gandy, 1308 Kerr Research Dr.; Bill and Becky Hill, 1831 S. Broadway Ave.; Dwayne and Laverna Miles, 1010 Clemons Dr.; and Gary and Fonda Saunders, 1009 S.E. County Rd.
“We are very grateful for our homeowners who have graciously opened their homes for our community,” Bell said.
The Gandys’ home, completed in 2004, has an open floor plan, rock fireplace and an outdoor fire pit. It is surrounded by a wooded lot that gives it a ‘city in the country’ feel. One of the most noticeable details of the Hills’ 5,200 square-foot home is that it sits in the middle of 62 pecan trees on six and a half acres. It was built in 1992.
The Miles’ home features iron work reclaimed from homes in the Dallas area, Native American artwork and many items with unique stories. Built in 1998, the Saunders’ 5,000 square-foot, Victorian-style home has a wraparound porch, a spiral staircase and many other unique details.
Two ticket options are available. The $10 tickets allow participants to tour the homes on their own in any order between 5 and 8 p.m. The $15 tickets provide transportation to each home. Two departure times will be available this year for those wanting transportation. Buses will leave from the Hallie Brown Ford Fine Arts Center either at 5:15 p.m. or at 6:30 p.m.
Tickets will be available after 4:30 p.m. the day of the tour in the fine arts center’s lobby and at each of the homes that night. They also may be purchased in advance at the Ada Area Chamber of Commerce, 209 W. Main; Arvest Bank, 930 N. Country Club; or by calling ECU at 580-559-5873.
Ada has 26 child care centers and family child care homes that care for approximately 1,000 children each day while their parents work or attend school, Bell said. Funds raised from the tour will be used to provide grants to enhance the early learning experiences for Ada’s youngest citizens.
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Ken and Johnnie Gandy’s home, built in 2004 at 1308 Research Dr., has a ‘city in the country’ feel.
Bill and Becky Hill’s home at 1831 S. Broadway Ave. sits in the middle of 62 pecan trees on six and a half acres.
The home of Dwayne and Laverna Miles, 1010 Clemons Dr., includes many special touches, such as iron work reclaimed from homes in the Dallas area.
A wraparound porch highlights the 5,000 square-foot Victorian-style home built at1009 S.E. County Rd. by Gary and Fonda Saunders in 1998.