Holiday homes tour to feature Victorian "twin" home

Plans for the 27th annual Homes for the Holidays Tour, Dec 2 and 3, are nearly complete.

One of this year's tour homes is recognizable as one in a set of "twin" homes that grace the Victorian stretch of National Avenue in Fort Scott.

Amanda and Todd Ehrlich, 702 S. National Ave., have lived in their 1884 brick house for two years. Its architectural style is nearly, but not entirely, identical to that of its twin, which sits next door to the south.

The Ehrlichs' tour theme for their home is "Cherished Holiday Traditions of Hanukkah and Christmas."

The parlor features jeweled and beaded fruit decorations; the dining room is set with the Ehrlichs' holiday dishes. Three trees accent the home: a ten-foot live tree with gold decorations, a Victorian tree with lace, pearls, and crystals, and a gumdrop and candy tree in the nursery. Special collections include Depression glass and a variety of Santas. Since Todd is Jewish, the family celebrates both Hanukkah and Christmas. The foyer reflects their Jewish heritage with a menorah and dreidels on display.

The tour, Dec. 2 and 3, includes two older homes, one newer home, and a special addition this year, the Scottish Rite Temple.

Moonlight and Mistletoe, the special Friday evening tour on Dec. 1, features the 1879 Victorian home of Janet and Dave Irvin at 124 N. Eddy, in addition to the three tour homes. An extensive appetizer buffet and a glass of bubbly await each guest at the Irvin home. This tour is limited to 100 guests, and the ticket price is $20. This ticket can be used as admission to events on Saturday and Sunday.

Three other venues for the holiday weekend are The Stocking Stuffer at FSCC Arnold Arena, the holiday concerts at the Old Congregational Church, and Fort Scott National Historic Site.

The Stocking Stuffer, located at Arnold Arena on the Fort Scott Community College campus, offers a wide variety of crafts and gift items, in addition to baked goods and "Old Fort Barbecue." Holiday music will be presented at the 1873 Church. "A Christmas Ball" will occur at the National Historic Site.

Tickets are available at the door, at Country Cupboard, or at the Chamber of Commerce. The ticket price is $8. The homes will be open from 11 a.m. until 5 p.m. during the weekend.