By Shelley Smithssmith@salisburypost.com
There’s no place like home for the holidays, which is exactly why the Spencer Hometown Holidays and Community Appearance committees decided to hold the candlelit tour of homes.
Thursday night’s tour featured five homes, each with guided tours and plenty of Christmas cheer. One home featured more than eight fully, themed Christmas trees.
“This is the house of Christmas,” said Mary Lineberger, owner of the L.L. Lefler House at 413 S. Spencer Ave. “I love Christmas, so it is Christmas throughout.”
On the lawn, a snow machine produced falling snow, and the yard was lit with Christmas decorations.
Inside were Christmas trees in just about every corner, as well as original art by Lineberger, some featuring holiday themes.
The kitchen featured a tinsel tree decorated with retro ornaments and plenty of Coca-Cola memorabilia. On one wall hung an old metal Coca-Cola sign, on which Marty Lineberger used to go sledding on as a child. Around the sign was a large wreath.
“He very much enjoys his house,” said Lineberger’s mother, Ellene. “He always said when he was small he wanted an old house, and I love what he’s done with this one.”
The kitchen also features booth seating, and black and white tile flooring, resembling a soda shop.
“We had people posing in the booth because it reminded them of their time growing up,” said Ellene.
Also on the tour was the Freeman-Gosney House at 503 Fourth St., built in 1907. Owners Reid Walters and Lauren Raper completely renovated and restored the home, keeping original fixtures, molding and windows.
Walters and Raper revamped the colonial home to have a more retro feel. They also kept its history by adding period pieces, such as an antique dentist’s cabinet Walters bought at an auction.
Lynn Plummer, owner of the Robert Miller House at 405 S. Baldwin Ave., featured many natural elements.
An arch of magnolia leaves surrounded the front door, an idea Plummer thought of himself. On the formal dining room table and the kitchen table were holly branches, twigs and trees, giving the rooms a very earthy feel.
Although Plummer has only lived in the house since 2008, he has refinished all the floors and done some painting. It has a very cottage feel to it and was built in 1930.
A cozy two-story house decorated with collectibles such as wooden stoves, old documents and other historical finds is the Pettyman-Koontz House, at 405 S. Iredell Ave.
The house, built in 1913, is owned by Steve Huffman and Meg Snave, and features a front porch, back screened-in porch and deck. Huffman’s “He-Man Woman Hater’s Clubhouse,” which he added onto the property, was unfortunately not on the tour.
Original mantles and glass-paned doors are original to the home, while a pine floor was added earlier this year.
Last but not least on the tour is the Devereux House, at 749 Fourth St. The house was built in 1939 and is now owned by Robert and Beth Nance. They are only the third family to live in the house since it was built.
The house features art prints by local Spencer artist Betty Sedberry, as well as original oil paintings from the 1800s.
The couple completely renovated the home, including a custom bead board ceiling in the kitchen.
The home features a Christmas tree that belonged to Robert’s mother, which they put up every year and is the host to their daughter’s handmade crafty ornaments.
“He puts it up every year,” said Beth Nance. “It’s a tradition.”
A hospitality porch was located at the home of Joseph and Leslie Cataldo.
For more information on the Spencer Hometown Holidays Committee, visit www.spencerhometownholidays.com.