FOUR LANES END GARDEN CLUB
50th ANNIVERSARY HOLIDAY HOUSE TOUR AND TEA DELIGHTS THOUSANDS!
The 50th Annual Four Lanes End Garden Club Holiday House Tour and Tea was held on Thursday, November 19th to the delight of thousands of loyal repeat visitors to the community. This annual event has become a cherished holiday tradition for groups of family and friends and continues to draw a huge following year after year.
The private homes were decorated with specific themes conceived and carried out by club members. This included “A Victorian Christmas Party” designed by Chairpersons Connie-Jo Martinez & Jane Morris at 160 West Maple Avenue. This elegantly restored Victorian home was staged to recreate a festive Victorian party atmosphere complete with party popper decorations on the tree, a common holiday treat for children in the era. Lace fans and dried flower cones complemented the elegant angel tree topper, making a spectacular display that would herald the holidays in any Victorian parlor.
Floral arrangements featured roses in red, white and pink hues with dried hydrangeas heavily utilized, as was common in Victorian times. The kitchen display featured artful almond pinecones, spice cake houses and cupcake trees. The kitchen table arrangement was a spectacular array of anthurium, euonymus and curly willow set amid large and miniature white roses. The dining room sideboard and table was laden with sugared fruit and an innovative display of mums and roses arranged in a form resembling a luscious holiday cake.
Chairpersons Sonia Martini and Terri Doerschuck highlighted a lovely Arts and Crafts era home with “A Craftsman’s Christmas” theme utilizing wooden, hand made materials and color palates appropriate for the Arts and Crafts interior design period at 231 West Richardson Avenue. The gold, apple green, burgundy and white color scheme was inspired by the colors of the Tiffany style lighting fixture in the living room. The exterior swags and garlands were fabulously draped with many yards of apple green and gold mesh ribbon. Inventive kale topiaries and a dramatic exterior arrangement of Osage oranges and green glitter curly willow welcomed visitors upon arrival. Red roses, white orchards and white snap dragons were used in lovely arrangements in the living room along with a striking display of burgundy ginger stems and copper tubing. The tree featured adorable hand made wooden ornaments in animal shapes, popcorn balls, and a unique garland comprised of cinnamon sticks, cranberry and popcorn. A lavish kitchen display featured apple green spider mums, white astromeria, and unique kale that resembled creamy roses. Calla lilies were set in bowls among greenery, sparkle and candle light on the kitchen table creating a lovely vignette.
A Victorian mansion at 127 North Bellevue Avenue was the site of “A Collectible Christmas”, artfully put together by Chairpersons Kathy Barniskis and Jane McCleary. Rich floral color palates glowed against the gleaming woodwork throughout the house. The owner’s vast collection of glassware, plates, Byers Choice, musical instruments, Nutcracker and Santa figures were cleverly utilized as accents for spectacular floral displays of white roses, white spider mums, baby’s breath and gold pinecones. The tree was a splendid display of white musical instruments punctuated with burgundy and gold accents. Formal rooms held mass arrangements of pink and red roses, each display pulling colors from the interior design of each room. The kitchen display featured many collectibles and food related accents set amid floral and vegetable arrangements that included red carnations, white button mums, Osage oranges, lemons, limes, white daisies and greenery.
At 202 West Richardson Avenue, Chairpersons Sue Bonmer and Bernadette Rountree created a breezy, seaside atmosphere with “A Costal Christmas” theme presented in a lovely Victorian farmhouse style home. The tree featured whimsical seashells, starfish and other coastal accents in a beach inspired blue and white color scheme with subtle touches of gold. A lovely arrangement of yellow lilies and roses complemented the décor in the living room. The dining room provided a punch of color with red floral accents including poinsettias in a antique pine dry sink. Gerber daisies and holiday berries were set in an artful driftwood container. Berries and greenery complemented the numerous nautical antiques in the room. The kitchen was decorated creatively using seashells and starfish arranged in a whimsical coastal wreath and lighthouse forms. White roses in a silver vase sparkled in the setting. On the porch, Santa set sail in a kayak filled with holiday greenery in a fun display.
The Historic Langhorne Association appealed to the child in all with their theme “Toyland” on display at the Williamson Library. Chairpersons Amy Transue and Janet Maher amassed an impressive historical collection of period of toys that were showcased to perfection in the Victorian era brick mansion that serves as the headquarters for HLA. The tree was a child’s dream festooned with toys and Christmas treats. The display featured a running antique model train, antique dolls and time treasured Christmas toys like Lite-Bright.
At the Richardson House, Chairpersons Joann DiNunzio and Carmela Verderame created a lovely backdrop for the club’s 50th anniversary in the theme of “Golden Anniversary” with a tree awash in golden ornaments and ribbons in honor of the historic anniversary of the tour. Mantels and window ledges were accented with sparkling gold accessories and red flowers. Floral design workshops were presented by FLEGC members Joann DiNunzio, Becky Evinski, Phyllis Pace and Carmela Verderame. A bow making demonstration was held through out the day by Barbara Hefflefinger.
The American Legion Auxiliary served lunch from 11 to 2:30, which was a comfortable repast for visitors to refresh themselves during the Tour.
The Tea was presented at the elegant Middletown Country Club, which was decorated in the theme of “Golden Anniversary” in honor of the 50th anniversary of the tour. Chairpersons Rita Keenan and Peggy Dripps had the club glittering inside and out with golden decorations and fabulous floral arrangements on every table!
Entertainment was provided by the Philadelphia Biblical University Choir; Jamie Doerschuck on bass clarinet and piano and Anna Jones on baritone horn, Jim Wiley and the Barbershop Quartet; Brass Group from the Langhorne Methodist Church.
At the front end of the room, the Country Store had a wonderful variety of goods for sale just in time for holiday gift giving. Tour goers anxiously anticipate the new batch of hand made ornaments that are created by FLEGC members in the course of decorating each venue on the Tour. These unique ornaments are only available the year they are created, which results in an insatiable demand for these miniature works of art.
Visitors were also able to enjoy a gourmet buffet lunch and dinner presented by the Middletown Country Club with a menu that was created especially for the Tour.
This annual event not only provides an enjoyable holiday tradition for the community, but also provides the major funding for the Garden Club to beautify the town and to provide collage scholarships to local students majoring in horticultural or environmental studies.
The all day affair takes months of preparation and the dedication of the Committees in charge deserves recognition. They are Joann Dinunzio and Carmela Verderame, Chairpersons; Alice Prizer, tickets; Terri Doerschuck, publicity; Jean Noble, tour program; and Kathy Sheehan, Country Store.
View more pictures of this historic event:
http://s436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/terridoerschuck/Holiday%20House%2009/
http://s436.photobucket.com/albums/qq90/terridoerschuck/Holiday%20House%2009-2/