Beautiful music was played by pianist Hanna Carruthers in the living room of Watch Hill Bed & Breakfast during the first night of the Chantry Island Cham-bettes Christmas Tour of Homes that took place November 17 and 18.
Hub Staff
From a collection of nutcrackers and Christmas decorations to holiday music played on a grand piano, the Christmas spirit was apparent throughout the six homes featured on the Chantry Island Cham-bettes Christmas Tour of Homes November 17 and 18.
With 1,090 ticket holders, 2017 saw the event meet its ninth year with record attendance. This year the tour raised funds the Saugeen Memorial Hospital Foundation (SMHF), Caitlyn Cobean’s Community Crusaders (CCCC) and other community endeavours.
Tour Chair, Cham-bette Martha Bennett, said that the committee puts in hours of work and starts planning the tour six months in advance. The Cham-bettes pulled double duty this year as they styled two of the homes featured on the tour. “Our decorator Cham-bettes did a wonderful job and I think they enjoyed it very much,” said Bennett. “I think the week before the tour everyone gets a little frazzled but it all works out as the feedback from the folks touring is so positive,” she said.
With groups of friends making the tour an annual tradition many attendees choose to ride in style, from limousines to chartering buses. “I think our ladies on the bus and touring in limos have a wonderful time and make it a ladies night out,” said Bennett.
The Christmas Tour of Homes Committee would like the to thank the designers involved in the making each home beautiful, as well as the home owners themselves. “While there are many beautiful homes in Saugeen Shores it takes a very special person to allow over a thousand people through your home,” said Bennett.
She had a long list of people to thank including Tour attendees who waited in the busy line-ups on the Friday night. ”We needed to give people time inside the home to enjoy the decorating and ambiance which would have been spoiled it you have too many people in a home at one time.” Bennett went onto thank The Wismer House, and Outlaw Brew Co. for their after-hours mingling and the luncheon put on by the ladies at the United Church.
“We can’t forget our volunteers for the homes, which was over 100 people and from different groups such as the Town’s Heritage Committee, Rotary, Marine Heritage, Saugeen Memorial [Hospital] Foundation, as well as Cham-bettes and members of CCCC,” said Bennett.
Designer Kerri Hardman had two homes on the tour. The Hardman homes also featured two prize packs that were raffled off, with funds going toward Caitlyn Cobean’s Community Crusaders.
Seasonal inspiration from the Oscroft home on Huron Street in Southampton.
Watch Hill, which had been recently redecorated by Carla Pavlov of CR Designs, saw the Christmas spirit sprinkled throughout the home with help from Sarah Taylor of Serendipity Flowers, and photographs from Carol Norris of The Light House Gallery. On location during the first night of the tour, November 17, was Sarah Taylor (left) and Carla Pavlov.
A monochromatic theme was showcased throughout the first floor of the Haessler hom which was designed by Kaitlyn Shular of K-Interiors with items from Barebirch from Owen Sound and Bayberry’s of High Street in Southampton.
With six homes to tour, many had to line up to enter.
