Holiday House Tour: a spectacular event
by Maxine Maddox Dornemann
A “Currier & Ives” image is one of the
best descriptions of this year’s annual Holiday House Tour, which
focused on the historic section of Chestnut Hill adjacent to the Morris
Arboretum. Friday’s snow was an unplanned bit of decoration that
added to the festivities.
Three residences on Meadowbrook Lane, one on Wheelpump Lane, plus the
main entrance at Gates Hall (the offices of the Morris Arboretum), were
decorated by local garden clubs and decorators to make it one of the most
beautiful tours ever. The trolley ride from the parking lot through the
Arboretum set the stage for this special holiday event.
For the first time, local garden clubs were asked to participate.
• The Wissahickon Garden Club, under the leadership of Sandy Greenwood
and Cindy Afleck, decorated the Hirshorn home on Wheelpump Lane (the home’s
movie theater was a wonderful hit). Pam Waters was the house captain for
the home.
• The Garden Club of Philadelphia, under the leadership of Liz
Tyson and Star Osborne, designed the indoor decorations for the Lamb home,
with Tom McDevitt of the Flower Shop at Springhouse decorating the outside.
Rebecca Anwar served as house captain.
• LeRoy LaBold transformed the inside and outside of the Daddario
Home. Taddy Dawson served as the house captain.
• Jane Piotrowski, Pam Waters and Mary Ellen Rayden, of The Three
Graces Design Team, decorated and hosted in the Blake home, with Mark
Pettaruti of Botanical Expressions designing the outside.
• Sandy Selke, from Diane Bryman Accents, and Pam Waters designed
the main entrance and dining room of Gates Hall, with Mark Pettaruti decorating
the outside. Anne Wilcox and staff from the Arboretum served as hostesses.
Virginia Mallory, Betsy and Bob Lukens, Carol Tyler, and Dana Klein also
helped guide visitors through the homes.
The Morris Arboretum invited the participants to visit the Holiday Garden
Rail to top off the day of adventure and beauty. Chestnut Hill Health
Systems co-sponsored the event and came through at the last moment to
provide more foot coverings when the supply ran out.
Jane Piotrowski designed the promotional flyer and the booklet describing
each home. Carolyn King and Janine Dwyer took charge of the advertisements,
with Carolyn King securing the homes.
Leigh Filippini arranged to have singers from Springside School, under
the direction of Dale Lower, entertain during the afternoon. The girls
sang holiday music while strolling along Meadowbrook Lane and at the various
homes.
Carol Haussermann, Bright Judson, Kari Ghezarian, Mitch Melton and Lou
Aiello checked people in and sold tickets.
Suzanne Lentz had a tent in which a variety of greens could be purchased
by those participants who were inspired to go home with amaryllis, wreaths
and roping to transform their own homes. The Chestnut Hill Coffee Company
provided hot apple cider and coffee.
The hundreds of people who attended all agreed that it was an exceptionally
delicious day in Chestnut Hill.
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