Pius Spring Woman's Club Home Tour set for this weekend in Berlin
BERLIN ― The Pius Spring Woman's Club in Berlin will hold its Christmas Bazaar and Home Tour with the theme "Christmas for Togetherness" this weekend from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. Sunday.
The tour begins at the Berlin Community Building with transportation provided from there to three Christmas-decorated homes. There will also be vendors at the community building for the bazaar. Lunch is available Saturday.
Home tour tickets can be picked up from members or the community building that day.
The Pius Spring Woman's Club is a civic organization, donating most of its profits back to the community. This fundraiser enables the club to support and contribute to many local charities and events.
"Browse among the vendors, enjoy a bite of lunch and let us transport you to these three beautifully decorated, Christmas-themed exquisite homes," said Leanne Calvert, chairwoman for publicity for the women's club. "We hold this tour every other year in the community of Berlin to showcase some of our town's most unique places of residences and at the same raise money for charity so we can support local causes. Come enjoy a preview of Christmas and make memories along the way."
Landis House
Bradley and Bret Landis are the fourth owners of this English country-style home on a secluded lot in Berlin.
Originally, the Taylor family of Berlin built this home on 702 Division St., in 1939 after adopting blueprints from an article in Better Homes and Gardens when a series of articles were published on house plans called "Buildcost Gardened Homeplans." This gray limestone home hidden away from mainstream traffic has been admired by many.
This holiday season, "all that glitters is gold" in the formal living room, where gingerbread men accent the warm and inviting kitchen. Visitors to this stately home will appreciate and love the seasonal greens throughout this historic property.
Petro House
The two-story home of Samuel and Julie Petro is located outside of Berlin on MacDonaldton Road in a country setting enhanced by landscaping.
The couple built their home on land once used as housing for miners working in the mine known as the "Shaft" for a local coal company. The Petros have found miners' tags (like identification tags) on the property. As visitors come up the driveway and look to the left, they will see what is thought to be the last remaining original company house still standing. Samuel's grandmother purchased the land from the mining company when the mine closed.
The Petros are descendants of immigrants, who were members of the Russian Orthodox Church. The couple continues many of the Christmas traditions of their ancestors, which will be highlighted as part of the tour of the home. A Russian Orthodox Church member will be present at the home to answer any questions regarding the holiday traditions.
Saylor House
824 Maple Street is a uniquely designed home that is a "Picker's" delight.
Ruth Alice Saylor designed the house with the needs of her husband, the late Terry Saylor, in mind with wheelchair accessibility. It has two kitchens, two living rooms and a separate entrance.
It is filled with finds from many sources. Whether it be thrifting, yard "saleing," flea marketing or roadside trash finding, visitors will find it here.
The journey will start in the driveway with a tree-adorned truck. As one enters the foyer, he or she will notice the ceramic tree forest. The trees continue throughout the house with many different themes. Some are recently "picked" but many items are from childhood.
The great room is also unique with a 14-foot island, a floor-to-ceiling fieldstone fireplace and unusual lighting. Visitors will see an old box that housed cow "chop" (or chopped corn feed) in the Saylor barn. It has been transformed back to its original state of a dowry chest. Visitors can come and decide what they prefer – the old from the 1700s or the new from the thrift store, yard sales and flea markets.
Berlin Area Historical Society open
In addition to the house tour this weekend, the Berlin Area Historical Society invites everyone to visit the Heritage Haus, located on the corner of Main and Vine streets, next to the Pious Spring.
The log structure that forms the earliest portion of the house was built in 1798. The Berlin Area Historical Society purchased the Pious Spring lot, including the house, in 1988. The home is completely furnished, including a pioneer room, a Victorian living room and a 1950s kitchen. The home is now adorned for Christmas with period decorations.
This article originally appeared on The Daily American: Berlin's bazaar and home tour event this weekend
