SPENCER — Snowmen make Vickie Holtz happy. In fact the little spherical figures are scattered throughout her home.
She’s never counted how many are in her collection, but it will be on display during the Spencer Candlelight Tour of Homes.
Holtz volunteered on the tour last year, but it is the first time her home, which she rents, will be on the tour. The Everhart house is located at 111 Second St. Holtz has lived in the home since 2003.
Holtz even has a snowman Christmas tree, which contains many decorations that were given to her by students, teachers, friends and familly.
Holtz was a teacher’s assistant and bus driver for 15 years.
The home was originally built between 1926-1929 for George Raymond Everhart. After a 1939 fire destroyed the original two-story frame home, it was rebuilt as one level.
Five generations of Everharts started their married lives in the home.
When asked to describe her home this holiday season, Holtz said it’s just fun.
“I wanted it to be magical,” she said.
She decorates her home every year and decided this year she’d decorate and let someone else enjoy it as well.
Jonnette Powell and daughter Sheila Powell Hooper are newcomers to the tour this year as well.
Powell lives in the Sigman-Brandt home at 500 South Rowan Ave.
The home was built between 1915-1919 and is situated on a corner lot. The original owner, C.A. Sigman, was an engineer. The house then went to Sigman’s son, Roy Sigman, who was a cleaner and presser. Another homeowner, Gordon Brandt, was a grocer. He even sold groceries in the basement.
Powell has lived in the home since 1992. The home features multiple marble tiled fireplaces from the living room to the bedrooms. Powell had decorated the fireplace mantles in different Christmas and holiday themes.
She’s even taken her holiday decorating outside with touches of red and green on the wraparound porch.
The home is also decorated with the Powell’s treasures she’s collected on trips.
“I’m looking forward to it. It’s a real honor to be asked. I enjoy Spencer. I love its people and I want to share my home with them,” Powell said.
The tour is from 6 p.m.-9 p.m. Thursday. Tickets are $15 per person and are available at the following:
• Debbie Barnhardt Jewelers, 314 South Salisbury Ave., Spencer
• Green Goat Gallery, 516 South Salisbury Ave., Spencer
• Salisbury-Rowan County Convention and Visitors Bureau, 204 East Innes St., Suite 120, Salisbury
All of the homes will be decorated for the holidays. Visitors may begin the tour at any home. The tickets include a tour booklet with a map of each location and a brief history of each home.
The following homes are included in the tour:
• Marty Lineberger, 413 South Spencer Ave.
• Jonnette Powell, 500 South Rowan Ave.
• Vickie Holtz, 111 Second St.
• Bob & Gini Oswald, 410 Seventh St.
• Reid Walters & Lauren Raper, 503 Fourth St.
• Central United Methodist Church, 302 South Rowan Ave.
• Barbara Lomax for the homeowner, 800 Second St.