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Holiday house tour to benefit the symphony

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Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Sharon Goeck and David Drake's home at 302 E. Van Buren Street in Janesville is part of the Symphony of Homes tour.

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Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Michele and Tom Baer's home at 3800 Spring Hill Drive in Janesville is part of the Symphony of Homes tour.

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Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Yo-Nai Dukunze's home at 1412 Ruger Avenue in Janesville is part of the Symphony of Homes tour.

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Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Cathy and Dick Easton's home at 1019 Park Ridge Road in Janesville is part of the Symphony of Homes tour.

Photo

Photo by Matthew Wisniewski

Veronica and Lloyd Smith's home at 202 Apache Drive in Janesville is part of the Symphony of Homes tour.

JANESVILLE — If Christmas is your favorite holiday, you can get into the spirit Saturday, Nov. 22, by touring five Janesville homes decorated for the season.

The houses are featured on this year’s Beloit Janesville Symphony Homes’ tour, a fundraiser for the orchestra.

In addition to various types of architecture, visitors will get to see homeowners’ collections and holiday decorations. Guests will have the option of indulging in a cup of coffee and baked treats at the Bakery Bistro, sponsored by Friends of the Symphony members, which will be set up in the Baer home on Spring Hill Drive.

The home of Sharon Goecks and David Drake at 302 E. Van Buren St. transports visitors to the late 1890s. It’s as though the home’s original owner and builder, businessman William H. Ashcraft, might answer the door after visitors ascend the staircase of the inviting front porch.

The home was one of the first in the city to have central heating fired by a coal boiler, Drake said.

Upon entering this 1892 Queen Anne home, visitors quickly realize the three-story home with more than 5,000 square feet features modern conveniences—an island in the remodeled kitchen, central vacuum, alarm, music and intercom system—while retaining the charm of its Victorian era.

“We love the house. It was just what we were looking for,” Goecks said.

She and 15-year companion Drake have lived in the house for 3 1/2 years.

The couple’s friend Jill Schultz, owner and operator of the local Cinnamon Stick Gift Shoppe, staged the house, offered decorating ideas and some of her own creations, Drake said.

She will donate $10 from each of her store items sold, Goecks said.

They include elaborate floral arrangements that adorn walls throughout the house, original prints by local artist Susan Sampson, and a 4-foot Victorian Santa in the parlor, where a pianist will perform on the 1940s Howard baby grand piano along with other musicians.

Another piece you won’t want to miss in the parlor is the oak fireplace with Italian hand-painted ceramic tile and the ceramic nativity set on its mantle. Next to the fireplace is a Victorian-themed Christmas tree, courtesy of Utzig Tannenbaum Acres. It is accented by a sleigh carrying a Victorian porcelain doll and is one of 11 Christmas trees in the house.

The lighted, garland-wrapped banister staircase leads guests to the second-floor Angel tree in the home’s sitting/reading area. Around the corner is a Santa Claus tree in the master bedroom, a 150-year-old trunk from Ireland full of teddy bears in the guest room, a snowman tree in the grandchildren’s bedroom, and Drake’s office in the old servants’ quarter, which showcases the home’s original pinewood floors.

Other collections of clocks, including those that play music, Precious Moments and Terry Redlin prints can be found throughout the house. Don’t miss the old buffet, transformed into a bathroom sink and complete with electrical chandeliers in the downstairs bathroom just off the kitchen. The dining room table, flanked by a village tree and train set, is set for six with Christmas china the couple bought from Carousel Consignments.

“We like to share and want to keep the historic nature of Janesville alive,’’ Drake said.

“We love to show the home,’’ Goecks said.

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Sharon Goecks and David Drake

Address: 302 E. Van Buren St., Janesville.

Highlights: Eleven Christmas trees decorated in different themes can be seen in this restored 1892 Queen Anne house.

Michele and Tom Baer

Address: 3800 Spring Hill Drive, Janesville.

Highlights: This 8,000 square-foot Georgian Colonial will house the Friends of the Symphony bakery bistro. Guests are encouraged to stop by for coffee, baked treats and music.

Yo-Nai Dukunze

Address: 1412 Ruger Ave., Janesville.

Highlights: This 1880s Greek Revival-Italianate house, listed in the National Register of Historic Places, has been completely restored over the past three years and will be decorated with a European Christmas theme.

Cathy and Dick Easton

Address: 1019 Park Ridge, Janesville.

Highlights: This 1970s ranch-style home will feature displays of 85-plus Department 56 snow village houses. Also, there will be a bouquet from Edible Arrangements for guests to taste some of the fruits available from this new business.

Veronica and Lloyd Smith

Address: 202 Apache Drive, Janesville.

Highlights: Decorated for Christmas with antiques, Oriental furniture and decorations from around the world, this home will showcase more than 50 Lladros figurines plus a collection of Santas and angels.

IF YOU GO

Who: Friends of the Symphony

What: 2008 Symphony of Homes, a fundraiser for the Beloit Janesville Symphony.

When: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Saturday, Nov. 22.

Where: Five Janesville homes.

Tickets: $20 each at the homes on the day of the event or in advance at these Janesville locations: all M&I Banks and Janesville Performing Arts Center Box Office, 408 S. Main St.; and at these Beloit locations: M&I Banks and Visit Beloit, 500 Public Ave.

Also featured: The Woman’s Club and its affiliates will have crafts and goodies available at 108 S. Jackson St. Visitors also will learn about what the clubs are doing and to view the holiday decorations at this historic 80-year-old building.