Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: SUNDAY, December 12, 1993 TAG: 9312130297
SECTION: CURRENT PAGE: NRV-3 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: JOANNE ANDERSON STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: LENGTH: Medium
The tour is an annual benefit for the Christmas Store.
The day's events begin with a holiday brunch at 11 a.m. at The Farmhouse Restaurant, which is donating part of the meal's price to the Christmas Store.
From noon to 3 p.m. and from 6 to 9 p.m., volunteer hostesses from local civic organizations will welcome guests at each house.
Cynthia Sterrett and Libby Meincke of Blacksburg and Andy Isenhour of Christiansburg have worked since early this year coordinating details for the tour.
Visitors to the hilltop Georgian home of Betty Thomas and Richard Yearwood in Diamond Pointe will be greeted in the soaring foyer by fresh greenery, streamers and magnolia leaves cascading down the two-story staircase railing. Rich burgundy from the Oriental rugs has been incorporated into the flower arrangements, and the arched bay windows wear oversize wreaths with candles.
You can probably follow your nose around the corner to Rodney and Laura Dunn's Colonial home, where freshly baked Hungarian pastries will be served. This family home features antiques, hand stenciling and Hungarian collectibles.
The Bell-Capozzi home in town has been transformed into the Evergreen Bed and Breakfast by Rocco and Barbara Bell-Capozzi. The turn-of-the-century house, with a 140-foot porch wrapping the brick exterior, is draped with garlands.
Teddy bears sit in most of the nooks and crannies of the mansion and perch in little wicker chairs in the third-floor bathroom.
Debbie Gerberich's taupe storybook cottage on Lester Street embraces an eclectic collection from her travels around the country. Family heirlooms mingle with flea-market finds and contemporary novelties. The Christiansburg native has decorated her small house with fresh greens and natural things, candlelight and a Christmas tree with gold ornaments.
The handmade bricks and Salem-green shutters of Nancy Showalter's Williamsburg-style house in Sherwood Forest create an inviting exterior enhanced inside with holiday shades of green and cream and ribbons of gold.
Place settings of Lenox Christmas holly china, white poinsettias and antiques are complemented by a floral centerpiece and the fireplace mantles' decorations by Bobby Roberts of Angle's Florist.
Crow's Nest Nursery gives two poinsettias to each home, and Heavener Hardware has supplied the wooden signs.
For more information, call Sterrett at 951-7484 or Isenhour at 382-8208.
\ '93 CHRISTMAS TOUR OF HOMES\ THURSDAY, DEC. 16\ \ TICKETS $10, may be purchased on buses or at homes.\ \ BRUNCH 11 a.m. at the Farmhouse Restaurant in Christiansburg, $8, advance reservations required, 951-7484 or 382-8208.\ \ TOURS Noon-3 p.m. and 6-9 p.m. Blacksburg Transit is providing free transportation at noon from Heironimus at University City Mall in Blacksburg and from The Farmhouse Restaurant. The evening tour buses depart at 6 p.m. from Kmart in Christiansburg and Heironimus in Blacksburg. Maps will be provided for those who buy tickets at a house.\ \ HOMES ON TOUR\ \ 365 Emerald Blvd., Diamond Pointe, home of Betty S. Thomas and Richard Yearwood.\ \ 65 Marquise Drive, Diamond Pointe, home of Rodney and Laura Dunn.\ \ 201 E. Main St., Evergreen Bed & Breakfast, home of Rocco and Barbara Bell-Capozzi.\ \ 114 Lester St. off Roanoke Street at Owens & Co., home of Debbie Gerberich.\ 735 Southview Terrace, left at end of Overhill Road off Roanoke Street, home of Nancy B. Showalter.
by CNB