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The Society’s 15th
Annual Holiday House Tour was held on a cold and snowy Sunday afternoon in
early December. The tour included six historically and/or architecturally
significant homes decorated for the holiday season. The old Islip Movie
theatre, which stands on Main Street, was a unique stop on the tour this
year. One brave
Model ‘A’ Ford Club
member made an appearance with his antique car. The other club members
did not participate due to the inclement weather.
Once again, all of the homes
were beautifully decorated for the holidays and were ready to be admired
by one and all. The Artonio home was decorated with a full French Country
flair. The mantel shimmered silver and gold. The European inspired
gardens are sure to be beautiful when spring arrives. As you entered the
Atwood home, you were surrounded by 18th and 19th
century American antiques. The Goltz home, which was named Middle
Plantation, had featured original handcrafted molding and beautiful glass
door knobs. Two Marines flanked either side of the hand crafted front
door at the Raynor home. This was the oldest home on the tour, built in
1824, and featured a magnificent tree in the dining room adorned with food
glass ornaments and a chef hat.
As you walked up the long
drive to the Koerner home, the 119th New York Military
Encampment Group had set up camp. The re-enactors kept warm by the fire as
they sipped hot turkey soup. The Koerner home is small in size but is
enriched with much history. This is why three generations have called
this house a home. A charming cottage style home owned by the Farrer
family is nestled behind a very large and beautiful, blue spruce pine
tree. The homeowners have updated a sun porch off the kitchen, renovated a
bathroom on the second floor and replaced the front porch flooring with
gorgeous Brazilian rosewood called Ipe. The Islip Movie Theatre, which
stood on Main Street for sixty years, had its last curtain call in 2006.
A dedicated group of individuals volunteered their time to help save the
theatre from being torn down. It operated as a Performing Arts Center but
has recently closed and once again the building is in jeopardy. We hope
that the community pitches in, once again, to save this historic jewel.
After touring all of the
wonderful homes, theatre and church, the tour participants were invited to
a reception. The aroma of warm drinks and homemade cookies filled the
air. The reception hall was decorated for the holiday with wreaths,
poinsettias and holly. The beautiful voices of the Twin County Chorus of
Sweet Adelines could be heard upon entering the Sanctuary. Our auction
was a smashing success with lots of great prizes that were donated by our
members and the local merchants. The Society would like to thank the
United Methodist Church of Islip for once again doing an outstanding job
hosting our Holiday House Tour reception.
In keeping with the Holiday
spirit for the 15th year in a row, the Society sponsored a toy
collection drive for the United States Marine Corps’
“Toys for Tots”
program. As a result, the collection was a success as tour participants
and members filled bins with toys for needy children in our community.
Thank you to everyone who purchased new toys for this worthwhile cause.
The success of the Holiday
House Tour depends heavily on the commitment and dedication of the many
volunteers who help us stage Islip’s very own holiday spectacular. The
Society wishes to thank: the tour guides for working with both the
homeowners and tour participants to insure a smooth flow through the
houses; the reception area hostesses for their excellent work at getting
the hall ready and keeping our guests happy by filling the cookie baskets
and having warm drinks flowing; the Town of Islip for having the rotunda
beautifully decorated inside and out for our use; local artist Karen
Schill for the wonderful pen and ink drawings that are given to the
homeowners as gifts; Lori Zegel, proprietor of
Nook & Cranny
Gifts & Collectibles
for selling our Holiday House Tour tickets. Lastly, the Society thanks
its members whose financial support made the tour possible. If you would
like to become more involved, why not volunteer your time and join the
Holiday House Tour Committee? We will meet and start planning the 16th
Annual Holiday House Tour in early summer.
**Please consider having
your home showcased on our 16th Annual Holiday House
Tour. The tour is our main fundraiser and it is truly a wonderful
way to start the holiday season!
~Margaret
Nocera
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