Plans set for April Tour of Homes

Published 6:00 am Monday, March 8, 2004

Chamber of commerce officials say plans for the annual Tour ofHomes have been finalized and they are looking for an exciting andunusual event this year.

“It’s going to be a great tour,” said Rita Rich, long-time eventchairwoman.

The 2004 Tour of Homes is scheduled for Saturday, April 24, from10 a.m. to 4 p.m. The theme this year is “Classic Styles withContemporary Flair.”

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Rich said the tour usually features a variety of older homes,newer homes, and some in between, as well as homes of differentsizes. However, this year’s tour includes larger homes.

“Every home is a mansion,” Rich said. “Literally, they’re thatlarge that they could be called a mansion.”

Homes on this year’s tour include:

* Kathy Behan’s residence on Kraner Lane.

* Paul and Myrtle Cartwright’s home on Old Red Star Road.

* The Betty Langston home on Natchez Avenue, and

* Cortez and Barbara Byrd’s two-story lodge in the Heuck’sRetreat area.

In addition to the four homes, the Inez will be part of thetour.

“We’re doing that because it’s celebrating 100 years,” Richsaid.

Rich said the Inez has been on the tour as a business in thepast.

However, three apartments will be open for visitors this year.The three apartments belong to Edna Sones, Aileen Burton andRoberta Johnston.

“They are beautiful apartments. They will be as interesting asthe lofts last year,” Rich said, referring to two downtown loftapartments featured on the 2003 tour.

Also on the tour will be the Antique Nook, owned by Becky VaughnFurlow. The shop is located in the Heuck’s Retreat area.

Tour tickets will again be $10, which Rich indicated was a gooddeal.

“In most places, you’d pay $15 just to go in one home,” Richsaid. “These are all showcase homes; there’s that muchquality.”

This year’s tour is dedicated to Tom Moak for his years ofservice to the chamber and the community. Moak has for yearsconducted walking tours of the city’s Victorian District.

“He is like a walking encyclopedia of the history of Brookhavenand Lincoln County,” Rich said.

The Master Gardeners will again conduct the Garden Extravaganza.It will be located in Railroad Park across from the chamberoffices, Rich said.

Kenny Goza, 2004 chamber of commerce president, was lookingforward to a good tour. He commended Rich and homeowners for theirpreparations.

“I think they’ve done a stellar job in planning this event,”Goza said. “They’ve got some great homes and some great places tovisit.”