2010 Tour homes were simply inspiring

By Lynn Brazen and Jean Lomax
Photos by Sandi Smalley
Choosing homes to be featured on the Big Canoe Chapel Women’s Guild Annual Tour of Homes involves the right combination of location, traffic flow, available parking, timing and the ever-important willingness of homeowners. This year’s Tour of Homes Selection Committee, comprised of Anne Pennington, Jane Wyeth, Amanda Woerheide and Judy Lacey, worked closely with the Tour co-chairs and the transportation committee chairs to choose four simply inspiring homes that exemplify the diversity and beauty of Big Canoe.

The 2010 Tour of Homes Selection Committee

Working on the Home Selection Committee are (l to r) Judy Lacey, Jane Wyeth, Anne Pennington, and Amanda Woerheide. The Committee is looking forward to announcing this year's home selections.

The Billie Ann and Ken Rice property on Hyacinth Hill is the fifth house they have built in Big Canoe. More about the home on Hyacinth Hill A visit with Billie Ann and Ken Rice
Debbie and Jay Goldman found the perfect weekend home on Sinti Trail in Choctaw Village. More about the home on Sinti Trail A visit with Debbie and Jay Goldman
Wendy Woodall found that building her home on Cherokee Trail presented an interesting challenge: More about the home on Cherokee Trail. A visit with Wendy Woodall
For Lane and Clark Howard, their home on McElroy Mountain Drive is a quick and easy getaway. More about the home on McElroy Mountain. A visit with Lane and Clark Howard

Homeowners' dedication to the Tour and its purpose
Having a home on the Tour is always a unique experience for home owners. Families who have opened their homes in the past have their own stories to tell. Nancy and Bob Ayres’ home was on the tour in 2008. At the time, Nancy and Bob were transitioning from part-time to full-time residents and had not met many people in Big Canoe. They now count many of the hostesses and their spouses as good friends. As Nancy explains, “You cannot experience the Tour as a homeowner and not feel the generosity and community teamwork of Big Canoe residents.”

Syl and Gordon Harnesberger moved into their house on Summit Drive just two months before it was featured on the 2007 Tour. Despite the rush to get everything ready, Syl describes the tour weekend as “wonderful.” She enjoyed talking to people about the decisions and choices she had made throughout the building process, and Gordon was delighted to demonstrate the velocity of his media room sound system. “It's a lot of fun having folks come through your home, appreciating what you've done and (knowing) that you're helping the local charities,” says Syl.

In 2001 Beth and Rob Hampel’s home was on the Tour. It was the year after their move from Iowa. The Tour was held on Memorial Day weekend that year, and the Hampels always honor the Vets with flags. That year Beth had a dear friend make a USA quilt to sit on her new front porch for the weekend. It now hangs in a place of honor. “We found that a house is a house, but the people of Big Canoe are friends,” says Beth. “I'm still meeting people that say, ‘Oh, I know you, you were on the Tour!’"

Everyone associated with the Tour appreciates that the homeowners will be very busy between now and the end of April. Their commitment to the Tour and the programs it supports is evident, and we hope “simply inspiring” to all those who will visit.