A festive fundraiser: Silverton residents share holiday settings

By Kathy Cook Hunter

The Holiday Tour of Homes is the star of this year’s holiday season in Silverton.

The Silverton Hospital Auxiliary is sponsoring the tour from noon to 4 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 17 as a fundraiser for its annual gift to the hospital.

The Holiday Tour of Homes provides an opportunity to see the inside some of Silverton’s new and historic homes as well as gathering ideas for holiday decorating.

Although it is only Kim and Ryan Doud’s second Christmas in their new home, the family of four is ready for visitors.

A highlight, Kim Doud said, will be the tree in the living room, visible as one enters the house and adjacent to the kitchen-dining area.

“Our main focus is in this room This is where I do a ‘picture perfect’ setting,” Kim  said. “Upstairs is the informal room where our family does things together, such as recreation or making paper chains. We’ll have the Lionel electric train going near the tree.”

The Fifties-era train has been in her family for three generations.

“I fulfill my dreams in our formal room, while the upstairs is where there’s a family feeling.”

Christmas decorating is her hobby.

“I completely enjoy picking a theme for each year, and there’s a specific feel from year-to-year,” she said. “Last year’s tree was all red and silver, for instance.” She likes to “layer” by adding items to what she already has, and she’s a great one for shopping for décor and fabric swatches at the after-Christmas sales.

“I do enjoy being able to transform things for the holidays, and really, any time of the year. I change the master bathroom and the bedroom. It gives me such a holiday feeling to wake up to it,” she said.

Edward Adams House, a bed and breakfast, is another tour site. The Victorian home decorated in soft elegance has an emphasis on creamy ivory tones.

“We keep it simple,” said co-owner Jim Bressi.

“We had guests close to Christmas last year who said they like how simple our holiday décor is.”

“We’ll have clear simple lights and garland on the tree,” Nancy Korda elaborated. “Greens on the mantel, a wreath next to the front door, and of course the lights on our gazebo will be on.”

Because they are a guesthouse, they always present holiday foods such as fruits, nuts, cookies and port wine in the dining room. Most of the B&B will be open to tour visitors.

At Steve and Mary Way’s house overlooking Silverton and Mount Angel, the highlight of the home, their view, is always there.

“We have a unique view from the upper and lower stories,” Mary Way said. Her hope is the view, the decorated tree, a coffee table floral arrangement and handmade stockings hanging from the mantel will lend a relaxing, welcoming atmosphere that gives guests a holiday feeling on the main level.

Downstairs, a second holiday tree with a rustic feeling reigns. It features a Lionel train, circa 1956, from Steve Way’s childhood. What’s exciting about Christmas, Mary said, is “the sense of community. You see people, get together with family and friends. I love giving gifts and shopping for them. Christmas reminds you of what’s really important in terms of community.”

Well worth the drive, Connie and Howard Hinsdale’s country home on Abiqua Creek borders a frosty scene outside as it showcases items derived from their travels, special occasions and family heirlooms. “All of them have significance,” Connie Hinsdale said. Look for a tall tree featuring gold balls, birds, musical instruments, miniature wine bottles, frosted fruit clusters and ribbon streamers. A collection of nativity scenes is displayed in three rooms, and a sled, circa mid-1800s and belonging to Howard Hinsdale’s grandfather, perches above the entry. A lighted tree studded with red birds sits outside the kitchen window. Both trees were purchased from local tree farms.

The tour ends at Silverton Inn & Suites where refreshments will be served. Names will be drawn for eight gift baskets. One need not be present to win. Light savories and beverages will fill the refreshment bill.

“We encourage people to go downtown, have dinner and go shopping afterward,” Schmidt said. “Men will enjoy the social part or might choose to meet their wives for dinner. It’s a wonderful way to wrap up a day in Silverton.”