Joomla Login LightBox powered by WowJoomla.com

Follow Us

More News Headlines

Current Poll

Now that not wearing your seatbelt is a primary charge, will that change whether or not you will wear a seat belt?

	yes
	no

Touring Paola's featured holiday attractions

News

Written by Kevin Gray

Wednesday, 10 December 2008 15:01

The 2008 Paola Christmas Homes Tour Saturday began for most participants at the Ursuline Boutique.

With the pending move of the Ursuline Sisters to Kentucky, this was the last boutique, a tradition that attracted shoppers and well-wishers from many miles away.

Both Becky Bright and Beverly Clemens of Paola, holding boxes containing gifts to purchase, said it was a sad day.

“I went to school here, you know, so it’s sad. Hopefully, something good will happen,” Clemens said.

“And we’ll miss the boutique,” Bright added.

Rows upon rows of tables with Christmas gifts — everything from baked goods to handmade ornaments to table decorations — flew off of tables and into plastic sacks.

“I’ve already taken several sacks out to my car,” said Jolene Moriconi of Paola. Jolene was also sad to see the Sisters leaving and wanted to spend more time in the Mother House at the boutique.

Many shoppers stopped to visit with the Sisters who sat in the entrance foyer or who busily helped where they could.

Sister Celine Leeker hugged and reminisced with friends Judy Glynn and Karen Rieger from Kansas City, who have made the boutique an annual tradition.

“We come every year. The Ursulines hold a special place in our hearts. They’ve always supported us, and we support them,” Rieger said.

Jean Raab of Shawnee Mission makes it a point to hit the boutique every year.

“I was on the first faculty at Lakemary Center from 1969 to 1972. I married, raised a family, and went back to teaching in Shawnee. My kindergarten teacher is still here, so I wanted to see her. I wanted to see the Sisters.

I remember fishing in the pond over at Lakemary. There are some good memories down here,” Raab said.

Helen Scott, who works in the Ursuline library, brought more ornaments for sale to place on trees in the Wicker Room.

“We’re about all sold out in the library, so we knew the Wicker Room was still very busy,” she said.

Baked goods were sold in the basement hallways, and visitors could grab lunch in the dining room.

Handmade ornaments, fabric gifts and an array of bargains were found on the main floor.

Erin Lyon, director of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Miami County, was volunteering and felt the same sadness expressed by other shoppers.

“This tradition is strong. A lot of ladies have been coming to this boutique for so many years,” Lyon said.

Two raffle drums brimming with entries, perhaps the most popular stop at the boutique, were carefully watched by Sisters Rita Redwood and Susanne Bauer. Three quilts, one with the names of each Ursuline sister, and a cross-stitched framed picture were being raffled.

From the Ursuline Boutique, the obvious next stop on the 11th Annual Christmas Homes Tour was Ernie and Debbie Marmon’s home at 610 East Wea. Both Debbie and Ernie, like other homeowners on the tour, were available to help with guided tours and to answer questions.

Equally helpful at each stop were members of the Shamrock Study Club and the Paola Tourism Group, who hosted the tour.

Adding a nice touch at the Marmon home were sisters Samantha and Morgan Isabell of Parker. Samantha aided her guitar-playing sister by holding the song book.

Ernie Marmon explained how he had three sets of the original blueprints, three sets of original specs, and all the bills of sale for work done to his house.

“Mr. William Lewis, the first owner, was a banker, and he saved every document. We even have his 1912 safe in the basement,” Ernie said.

Other homes on the tour included John and Teresa Reese at 29850 Lone Star Road, Kevin and Shannon Barbour at 24062 St. Andrews Court, and Denis and Colleen Kurtenbach at 108 E. Kaskaskia St.

A stretch limo sat in front of the Kurtenbach home. Listening to Judy Miller from the Shamrock Study Club explain the home’s history were the limo riders: Angie Hoskins, Joanne Hoskins, Julie Hoskins, Mary Beth Guy, Linda Sullivan, Kathy Auten, Ruth Everhart, and Bonnie Jensen.

“We’ve done this tour since its inception. We always make it a whole day, starting at the Ursuline boutique and thought taking a limo was a fun idea,” Jensen said. “We meet for breakfast, bring food to snack on, and do lunch.”

In addition to the homes and Ursuline, the First Presbyterian Church at 110 E. Peoria St. opened its doors for tours. Church organist Gail Jones played Christmas music in the sanctuary most of the morning. Church member Verla Thomas offered Fruit of the Spirit note cards as a church fund-raiser.

“I painted the pictures on the cards, and the printing is free, so all proceeds will go to the church,” Thomas said.

The Shamrock Study Club felt good about the 2008 turnout according to Chair Shirley Ferley, who also worked with Carol Everhart, Paola Chamber of Commerce director.

“This was our third year. We learned a lot of good lessons the second year. For example, last year we had all brand new homes. A variety of homes, new and old, is better,” she said. “This was good for Paola. Some ladies from Topeka heard about the tour on travelkansas.com. They pick a different homes tour each year and really liked Paola’s offerings.”

Set as favorite

Bookmark

Email This

Trackback(0)

TrackBack URI for this entry