BEDFORD — The Lawrence County Cancer Patient Services Christmas Tour of Homes will take tour-goers back in time as three homes more than 100 years old are on this year's tour. In addition, two newer construction homes won't disappoint tour-goers looking for decorating ideas.
LCCPS assists cancer patients who live in Lawrence County. The all-volunteer group assists with medical supplies and equipment, food supplements and provides cheer baskets and gas cards. Volunteers also provide transportation to medical appointments.
The tour is Sunday. The Times-Mail got a sneak peek of three homes that will be open for the tour.
Grant home
Justin and Elizabeth Grant see themselves as caretakers of a piece of Bedford history.
Their home at 1212 15th St., built in 1870, is one of the city's oldest homes. Carefully restored by the home's two previous owners — the Ratliffs and the Shamloos — the Grants were so taken by the home they moved from Bloomington for the chance to live in a one-of-a-kind home.
They view their role, not just as homeowners, but as preserving history and maintaining it for generations to come.
Standing in the home's large living rooms, with large doorways opening it to the foyer and parlor, Justin Grant explained the couple had no plans to move when the house popped up on social media.
He showed Elizabeth photos of the house, and they were more than intrigued. They made an appointment to see the house and knew it was for them.
"It fits our style perfectly," said Justin. "It added 30 minutes to my commute, but we feel lucky to live in this house."
The couple has a large collection of antique pieces that look like they have been a part of the house for years. In addition, Justin collects Japanese art and military artifacts that are on display in the home. The couple credits the previous owners for doing extensive restoration on the house. The main floor boasts five fireplaces, all with original tiles. The large front door still has its original glass and lock system, including bells attached to the top.
To prepare for the tour, the couple researched Victorian Christmas decorating and added many touches that would have been found in a Victorian home.
Elizabeth dried slices of citrus fruit, which she used in decorating. The dining room centerpiece features a pineapple surrounded with citrus fruit pierced with whole cloves. Justin described its as "subdued Victorian."
Since moving in, the couple painted the home's exterior and made some internal upgrades, but mostly have left it as it was when they bought it. The couple said they hope by opening their home to the community that others will see the value in saving historic homes.
"We live here, but this house belongs to Bedford and belongs to the past," said Elizabeth. "It would be selfish if we didn't let others see the past of Bedford."
Williams home
John Jr. and Tracy Williams bought their home at 1504 14th St., 20 years ago. The Arts and Crafts style home is bold and stately, from its limestone exterior and carved details to its interior dark wood wainscoting, the grand foyer, pocket doors and large staircase.
Tracy, who always admired the character of older homes, said it has been a labor of love as the couple gradually worked on the house over two decades. They replaced the home's 52 windows, removed carpet and wallpaper, refinished the hardwood floors and updated the kitchen and bathrooms, but those changes were made in keeping with the home's history and architecture.
"I didn't want to give a 100-year-old lady a face lift," she said. "We want the house to look like it should."
Fortunately, the house made that easy. The bathrooms had the original subway tile and original light fixtures, the hardwood floors were in good shape and the previous owners had left the woodwork with ebony inlay in tact.
The home's builder was from Chicago, and Tracy said she has been told that there is a replica of their home in Chicago. The home was built in the early 1900s.
Tracy loves decorating for Christmas, and it shows. Lights and wreaths adorn the outside and inside, the dining room is set with Spode china and gold chargers; small wreaths are hung on the back of each chair. A large tree is tucked beside the staircase and stockings and lighted garland adorn the fireplace mantle. In the kitchen is a display of gingerbread houses that family members made.
Tracy said her family has loved living in the older home and has made many wonderful memories there.
"We are borrowing her, and one day, want the next generation and another family to enjoy it and love it as much as we do," she said.
Getting a home ready for a tour is lot of work, but Tracy said she wanted to help LCCPS. Her father, Bob Faubion, died at the age of 46 from multiple myeloma. Tracy was a junior in college when she drove to Indianapolis on a December day to be with her father for his last days.
"That's what this is about, honoring all the people going through cancer; if by doing this we can lighten their load just a little bit, it's worth it," she said.
Brumbaugh home
A large collection of Santas is showcased throughout the home of Ken and Donna Brumbaugh, from small Santas in a china cabinet to a large Santa that stretches more than 6 feet tall, and finally an animated Santa soaking his feet after a long night delivering toys.
The Brumbaughs' home on Fellowship Drive is the newest of the homes on tour. As a longtime member of LCCPS, Brumbaugh had no qualms getting ready for the tour, despite her busy catering service.
Besides loving Christmas, Ken is very patriotic, which he displays with a patriotic tree in the dining room. The living room tree is decorated with handmade ornaments, and the couple has ceramic trees that belonged to Ken's mother. An avid woodworker, Ken also has a tree with wooden ornaments he made.
The couple has lived in the home about a year and designed the home so they could "age in place." The doorways are wider, there are no steps and the master bathroom is very large with a walk-in shower. The home may be new, but Donna has one decoration that she always puts out. A small centerpiece tree fashioned out of aluminum foil and a coat hanger sits on the kitchen table.
"I made that the year we got married 56 years ago," she said.
Christmas home tour
The tour is a self-driving tour; no buses are running. Organizers encourage tour-goers to carpool; to make carpooling easier, the tour starts at Garden Villa on Norton Lane where refreshments will be served, door prizes given away and tour tickets will be sold.
The houses on the tour:
• Tracy and John Williams, 1504 14th St.
• Elizabeth and Justin Grant, 1212 15th St.
• Jim and Becky Buher, 1401 Lincoln Ave.
• Ken and Donna Brumbaugh, 621 Fellowship Drive
• Tim and Jonetta Orender, 3 Hillcrest Circle
Tickets are $15 and available at Copy Trolley, corner of 16th and M streets, and Twelve Months of Christmas on the Bedford square. Tickets also will be sold at the homes.
The homes will be open from 2-8 p.m. Sunday with Garden Villa open from 2-6 p.m.
Tour-goers can visit the homes in any order and should start the tour by 6 p.m. to visit all the homes by 8 p.m.
