Sponsor gearing up for Holiday Home Tour

By: Gene O. Morris

05.26.09 - The 2009 Holiday Home Tour is six months away, but planning has already begun.

"We're starting early in order to make this year's tour a very special occasion," said Mary Seybold, the director of housing for the McCook Economic Development Corp." "We have already selected the date -- Saturday, Dec. 5 -- and are now actively seeking homes, volunteers and sponsors."

This year marks a renewal of the Holiday Home Tour, which was held annually in 2005, 2006 and 2007. Plans call for this year's tour to be combined with the brunch at the McCook Christian Church. "The brunch will take place at the church, starting at 11 a.m. For several years people have had to choose between attending the Holiday Home Tour or attending the event at the church which features more than 30 unique Christmas table settings ranging from 100 year old family heirlooms to the latest in holiday trends so we decided to collaborate and make it possible for people to enjoy both events. Participants can purchase tickets, pick up their program guides and enjoy a wonderful brunch prior to the tour that begins at 1 p.m.," Seybold said.

"The Holiday Home Tour is a wonderful tradition for several reasons," Seybold said. "The tour showcases McCook homes and holiday traditions, and serves as a fund-raiser for Homebuyer Education classes and the Purchase-Rehab-Resale program."

Denise Ringenberg, who formerly served as housing director, launched the Holiday Home event in 2005 with tours of the homes of Jerda Garey, John Kugler, Renalle and Bob Loshbaugh and Becky and Kirk Kilpatrick. The tour in 2006 featured the homes of Stacie and Jeff Shaddock, Dr. Toby and Elise Free, Karen Hartman and the late U.S. Sen. George W. Norris. In 2007, for the 125th anniversary of McCook's founding, the tour spotlighted six homes. Featured up and down Norris Avenue and on East First were the residences of John Clapp, Ron and Missy Nelson, Tor and Holly Olson, Rob and Cherri Putz and Gary and Barb Wiemers, as well as the boyhood home of U.S. Sen. Ben Nelson.

"A lot of planning and preparation is required for a successful Holiday Home Tour," Seybold said, encouraging anyone with an interest in helping to contact her. "We will need up to a dozen sponsors and 60 to 70 volunteers," she said. "It's not yet summer, but we need to get started now to put together a great tour."

Seybold invites anyone with suggestions to contact her. She may be reached by phone at 340-5316 or 345-1200, or by e-mail at .