Christmas Tour of Homes to benefit scholarship fund
An annual tour that features West Lake homes decorated for the holidays will raise funds for a local childrens' charity.
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Joy Askin and her children Regan, 10, and Franklin, 7, stand in front of their West Lake home, which is on this year's West Lake Christmas Tour of Homes.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"We have five homes that we are featuring this year," said Mary Ann Williams, a member of the West Lake Garden Club, which is sponsoring the event. "The homes are beautiful and eclectic. All of the homes are very unique in their own design."
On Dec. 4, the club will play host to a Christmas Tour of Homes fund-raiser from 1 to 5 p.m. to benefit the Columbia County Foundation for Children scholarship fund. Tickets cost $15.
Money raised from the event, Williams said, will provide scholarships for children to attend a technical school, receive clothes and supplies, and sponsor field trips for less-fortunate children.
Williams said one of the homes featured this year belongs to Frank and Joy Askin, who live on Spyglass Road. The home, Mrs. Askin said, features an imported mantel and bar from Europe.
The fireplace mantel, which came from London, is another feature of the Askins' home.
Photo by Jim Blaylock
"Every room is very special and unique with the history of the house," she said, adding that she enjoys decorating each year and hopes visitors will feel welcome when they visit her home. "The mantel in the family room is a massive piece of work that is hand-carved and was taken out of a room that belonged to Sir Walter Raleigh and Queen Elizabeth in London. We also have a hand-carved bar from London upstairs in our recreation room that makes you feel like you are in a tavern or pub."
In addition to the tour, Williams said ticket holders will be eligible to win a drawing worth several hundred dollars from Carpenter's Art Gallery Inc. in Augusta.
For more information, call Williams at 651-1892 or Deenie Barksdale at 868-6164.
The Askins' home in West Lake subdivision features a hand-carved bar the home's previous owner purchased in England. Mrs. Askin said every room in the house is unique and that she loves decorating the rooms every year.
Photo by Jim Blaylock