THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1994, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Wednesday, December 7, 1994 TAG: 9412060146
SECTION: ISLE OF WIGHT CITIZEN PAGE: 07 EDITION: FINAL
SOURCE: BY ALLISON T. WILLIAMS, STAFF WRITER
DATELINE: WINDSOR LENGTH: Medium: 64 lines
For a sneak peek at the town's new library, as well as a look at some beautiful homes, go on the Fifth Annual Windsor Christmas House Tour this weekend.
The Woman's Club of Windsor's four-home tour in southern Isle of Wight County will kick off with refreshments served in the new Windsor library at 18 Duke Street. It will be open thoughout the hours of the tour, 1 to 5 p.m. Saturday and Sunday.
The library, newest branch of the Walter Cecil Rawls Library, is slated to open officially Jan. 7.
The library has become one of the Woman's Club's chief projects in recent years, said Mary Lee Willis, the organization's reporter. Earlier this year, the club donated $3,000, which was used to purchase library shelves.
``We support a lot of other things but this is our big project,'' said Willis. ``The library still needs so many things.''
Blocks of tickets for all four homes cost $5 and can be purchased in advance from Farmers Bank of Windsor. People not wanting to go on the entire tour can pay $2 at the door of the homes they visit.
This year's tour, in order of the stops, includes:
Brenda and Dave Hodgson's house, which is the only one on the tour located in town. Visitors will enjoy what Brenda describes as the couple's ``eclectic blend of antiques, collectibles and organized clutter,'' and the Christmas trees brightening up every room for the holiday.
DIRECTIONS: From Suffolk, take US Route 460 West into Windsor. Turn right on Church Street, left on Duke Street and right on Virginia Avenue. The Hodgsons live at 4 Virginia Ave.
Dan and Sherry Atwood's home, which is filled with family antiques, such as a Madame Alexander doll, needlework made by her grandmother and a pie chest built by her great-grandfather.
DIRECTIONS: Return to the Church Street/Route 460 stoplight and cross the intersection onto S. Court Street, which turns into Buckhorn Drive. Drive 4.3 miles, then turn right on Old Myrtle Road. The Atwoods live at 10213 Old Myrtle Road, where that road intersects with Joyners Bridge Road.
Howard and Debi Bradshaw's home, which reveals Debi's talent an an artist. Her touch is evident throughout the couple's log cabin home near Carrsville. She has painted wisteria on her bedroom walls and decorated with original paintings.
DIRECTIONS: Turn right on Joyners Bridge Road and follow it 6.2 miles, then turn right on Holly Run Drive and travel .3 miles. The Bradshaws live at 28470 Holly Run Drive.
Sharon and Tommy Harrell's home in Blackwater Point, where visitors will be greeted at the front door by a menagerie of fuzzy, fat teddy bears. The house at 1181 Old Oak Lane is filled with the couple's many unusual collections, including sewing bobbins, stuffed animals and Franklin Mint model cars.
DIRECTIONS: Continue on Holly Run Drive for another .3 mile, turn left onto U.S. Route 258 and follow 1.3 miles. Then turn right on Joyners Bridge Road and follow it for 1.4 miles; turn left on Hunt Club Road and go one mile; and turn right onto Old Oak Lane. The Harrells live in the first house on the left at 1181 Old Oak Lane. MEMO: For more information, call Suzanne Woodard at 562-6912.
by CNB