Seasons of Sharing, a legacy of caring

Tour of Homes will reach the million dollar mark in 2011

Ann Owens (left) and Rosemary Richie are co-chairing the 23rd Annual Tour of Homes, Seasons of Sharing. (Photo by Lassie Dye)

By Jean Lomax and Karen Santucci

Friday, May 20 and Saturday, May 21, 2011 will mark the 23rd consecutive year Big Canoe residents have opened their homes and hearts to friends, neighbors and visitors for the Big Canoe Chapel Women’s Guild Tour of Homes.

For years, an exciting party and auction celebrates the Tour of Homes and in 2011, this very special event will be held on May 14.

Each year the tour brings new ideas and new challenges. The 2011 co-chairs, Rosemary Richie and Ann Owens, are excited to see ideas come to fruition and are ready to deal with the inevitable challenges.

Do these May dates seem later than usual?

Ann Owens explained, “Easter is late in 2011 and is followed almost immediately by Mother’s Day in early May. We wanted to avoid both those weekends and felt that early April was just too soon. By choosing the Saturday after Mother’s Day (May 14) for the Special Event and the weekend of May 20-21 for the Tour, we believe we have chosen dates which will suit everyone.”

Million Dollar Milestone
As in past years, the Tour of Homes is sponsored by the Chapel Women’s Guild as part of their mission to promote activities benefiting those in need in surrounding areas.

The 2011 Tour of Homes is expected to break a significant milestone. When every raised dollar is counted, it is anticipated the proceeds from the 2011 Tour of Homes, combined with the funds raised from the previous 22 annual events, will exceed $1,000,000. That’s One Million caring dollars for neighbors in need!

We also have more than one million hours given in volunteer time, further confirming the Tour of Homes’ mission of sharing. What a wonderful achievement! Thank you Big Canoe residents, friends, families, visitors and event sponsors. Your generosity has placed this monumental milestone clearly within our reach.

Seasons of Sharing
Rosemary and Ann chose Seasons of Sharing as their theme for 2011. As Rosemary explained, “While we who live in Big Canoe get to enjoy the beauty of all the seasons, generational poverty and child abuse know no season. They flourish during all seasons, all throughout the year. It is our responsibility to do our very best to assuage the pain and damages evoked by these circumstances."

There are 25 Tour of Homes committees, consisting of new and returning volunteers. The women (and men too!) are already working with Rosemary and Ann to gather new ideas for our wonderful May events. Sue Leonard serves as their able assistant to keep track of all the exciting things happening, and there are a lot of surprises planned.

Volunteers are welcome to join in the planning and fun. Contact Rosemary (706) 579-2457 or Ann (706) 268-1957 and share your ideas and willing hands while meeting and making new friends.

This year, Alice Eachus and Nancy Bickley are co-chairing the Springtime Marketplace and promise very special new venues to highlight the arts, handcrafted works, flowers, and even fresh produce!

Co-chairs for the Book Nook, Cathy Smith and Glenda Molton, have signed on for another year, as have Collectors’ Corner co-chairs, Verna Rauschenberg and Patsy Wohlwend. As you clean closets before the holidays, keep the Book Nook and Collectors’ Corner in mind. Books and gently-used collectables are always appreciated and are gathered all year long. We have plenty of storage space!

Monetary gifts can be given in memory or in honor of a loved one through Angels in the Woods.

Visit the Guild’s glass showcase in the postal facility for the Tour of Homes Honor Roll of Chairs. Every one of them would love your support and volunteer spirit.

Over the next several months, Tour of Homes stories and updates will be shared with you. As the seasons change from fall through winter, and finally spring arrives, we hope you will be part of the $1,000,000 celebration. These are truly Seasons for Sharing.