Beautiful homes to be on display

Some of Springville’s most beautiful homes will be decked out in Christmas decorations galore and open to the public for viewing during the Porterville Zonta Club’s 21st annual Christmas Home Tour.

The tour features six homes, ranging from a small, 600-squarefoot bungalow to a 5,000-square-foot estate. Also on the tour is a visit to an artisan boutique at the White Barn at Springville Ranch, where one can find an array of unique Christmas gifts from 20 vendors.

Refreshments will also be served at the boutique.

The tour takes place Saturday, Dec. 1. A $25 donation is asked for each tour ticket, which includes a booklet describing each home and a map to the six homes and boutique.

“There are ideas for everyone on this tour,” said Rene Sprague, home tour coordinator. “This is a good place to get inspired by other people’s decorations. There’s something for everybody.”

One of the homes that participants can visit is the home of Steven and Donna Ball.

As people arrive, they are greeted by landscaping that includes natural rocks and boulders along the path leading to the red door of the home. Once inside, an enormous stone fireplace can be seen. Children’s bedrooms are adorned with toys, dolls and tea sets.

On the property is Steve Ball’s Deer Creek GalleryandFrameShop — one that resembles a cozy cottage in the forest. But the adventure does not stop there. A 1965 Airstream trailer has been transformed into a traveling and fishing lodge.

Tom and Theresa Allison’s French-formal estate is also on the tour.

The home includes everything from a dazzling water feature at the entrance to a gallery consisting of fine art. Past the living room, family room and kitchen, French doors lead to a covered breakfast area surrounded by a French raised garden overlooking the valley.

The Allison girls’ ballet room, a balcony for formal and informal parties, a must-see master suite and bath, master private patio, a media room and a private apartment above the garage are included in the home tour.

Also on the tour are the homes of Ev Mackey and Janice Mc Intire; Montie Montana Jr. and Jo Benson; David and Joanne Ploneis; and Dennis and Cece Townsend — each one offering something unique.

The Mackey-Mc Intire home has photography exhibits. Sitting on the banks of the Graham Creek, the home is a gardener’s paradise, with abundant wildlife, garden paths and fountains.

Montana and Benson, owner and operator of Buffalo Bill’s Wild West Show, offer a glimpse into the old West.

While visiting the home, people can find endorsement memorabilia of western movie star Montie Montana Sr. and the lasso he used in several Rose Parade appearances.

Other decor includes childhood saddles, a buffalo head mounted on the living room wall and a loft where grandchildren sleep and play. Two authentic Indian headdresses and many props used in the movies and on television are also on display. Outside, one can find a wraparound porch overlooking a pond, a teepee and a stagecoach used in John Candy’s movie, “Wagon’s East.”

In the Ploneis’ home, visitors can find more than 300 Santa Clauses and hundreds of Beanie Babies. The home is the perfect retreat for Santa, as it has a backyard featuring a lattice gazebo, fire pit and a path leading to the Tule River.

Another home is a small bungalow sitting on a boulder and tucked into the woods. A patio surrounds the home. Out on the gardens, a fallen branch serves as a table and a rope swing from a tree is perfect for swinging into the river on a hot day. The home blends modern living with nature.

Participants are asked to wear flat shoes. Shoe covers will be provided at each home to help protect the flooring. Anyone with high heels will be asked to remove the shoes before putting on the shoe covers. Cameras, pets and smoking will not be allowed in the homes. Children are welcome to attend but each child must have a ticket.

Bathrooms are available only at the White Barn.

The boutique is open from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The homes can be visited in any order between the hours of noon and 4 p.m.

The tour benefits the club in advancing the political, economic, social and educational status ofwomenworldwide through service and advocacy by providing local scholarships and literacy programs and supporting community events, such as Link to Life, Relay for Life, Breast Cancer Awareness, Habitat for Humanity, Helping Hands, Casa de Hogar Orphanage andotherprograms. For more information, call Karen Rappleye at 310-0584.

Tickets are $25 and available at several locations, including: 

 Bank of the Sierra, 90 N. Main St. and 1498 W. Olive Ave. 
 Lindgren’s Jewelry, 181 N. Main St. 
 Olson Computer Services, 767 N. Porter Road. 
 The Flower Mill, 619 N. Main St. 
 The Patton House, 35680 Highway 190, Springville. 
 And on Dec.1atThe White Barn at Springville Ranch, 36400 Highway 190, Springville.

Contact Esther Avila at 784-5000, Ext. 1045. Follow her on Twitter@Avila_recorder.