WSS holiday tour set

By Debbie Schwarz Simpson
Register-Herald Reporter

WHITE SULPHUR SPRINGS December 03, 2008 08:44 pm

— Themed “A Glimpse of Christmas on Main Street,” a walking tour of renovated homes and an historic church is slated for Saturday in the Spa City.
The Old White Garden Club is sponsoring the Yuletide event. President Peggy Bland is the coordinator.
Featured on the tour will be the home which housed the medical practice of the late Dr. Lawrence Abbott, now the property of his daughter, Linda Ahlers; the former Hall’s Pharmacy, presently owned by Mrs. William Preston; the vintage home which originally housed the medical practice for two country doctors and is home to Lesia Campbell Interiors; a renovated farm house, relocated from Monroe County to the resort village, which serves as offices for the John Bell Co. Inc.; and First Presbyterian Church which was given a facelift following a devastating fire in 1992.
The church, which will be the site for light refreshments, can trace its roots to 1915 when the congregation met at the Amusu Theater on Main Street.
A Chrismon tree will be on display and there will be a table of crafts, created by the church members, for sale at the church, located on West Main Street.
According to Bland, the upcoming open house is an opportunity to showcase the homes which have been renovated, as well as to thank the owners for their preservation efforts on Main Street.
“We also invite everyone to visit establishments open for business during the homes tour,” Bland said.
The tours, which will be self-guided, are set for 2 to 5 p.m. There will be signage on the lawn of each home which will have a section featuring Yuletide decorations.
Tickets, at $5 per person, are available from members of the Old White Garden Club or can be purchased at the door of the homes featured on the tour.