BOTKINS — In an attempt to unify and beautify the Botkins community, the Botkins Beautification Club holds an annual Christmas Tour of Homes.
In it’s 10th year, the event showcases five homes around Botkins.
“We strive for a range of homes – new larger homes, and traditional three-bedroom ranch styles homes – So people can get ideas about all different types,” said Botkins Beautification Club Event Coordinator Nancy Stutsman. “We want people thinking, ‘Oh I could do that in my home’.”
The event will be held on Sunday, Dec. 4 from 3-5:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 for adults, children are free, and can be purchased at Ask Amy Staging, 212 W. State St., Country Lane, 17009 Heiland-Kies Road, Finishing Touches, 231 S. Main St., and Jenny’s Designs, 305 E. State St.
The homes on the tour are that of Dan and Amy Brearly, Matt and Tina Flora, Cort and Jenny Weatherhead, Brett and Katy Zimpfer, and Bob and Jenni Doseck.
This year is the Doseck’s first Christmas in their brand new home on Lock Two Road.
“When we started building our new home two to three years ago they asked us if we’d like to be a part of it, so we always knew our first Christmas in the house we would participate,” Jenni said.
They hope to bring a little beauty to Botkins by being a part of the event. They started hauling in decorations on Nov. 13 and had 11 trees up in the first week, and have more to go.
“I’ve gone to about the past seven and knew I couldn’t say no when other people are so generous to open up their homes each year,” Jenni said.
If you stop at all five homes and four businesses you will be entered to win a door prize. Each year they give away a gift certificate to a different local business.
Each year they make around $500 from the event, Stutsman said, and it is used for Beautification Club projects throughout the village. In the past they have used the money to purchase flowers to plant around town, and they used some of the funds in the construction of the Veteran’s Memorial Park.
This year they hope to use the funds to purchase more Christmas decorations and banners.
“It’s a lot of work to ask of the homeowners to get ready, but once the day of the event comes It’s so rewarding to see how excited the homeowners are, and the visitors to each home,” Stutsman said. “We want to unify and beautify, and this does both for our community.”
