Event offers look at Christmas decorating in area homes

WINTERSVILLE -- Those who enjoy seeing the various ways their friends or family members have decorated their homes for Christmas should be interested in a Dec. 9 event in which about a dozen homeowners will be offering visitors the opportunity to see their own choices in holiday themes.

Joel John, owner of Exquisite Creations by Joel, said he works to change up the residences featured in the Hopes for Hope Tour for a Cure, a fundraiser for the Trinity Emergency Assistance Relief Fund at Trinity Health System's Teramana Cancer Center.

The fund is used to aid financially struggling patients at the center in various ways.

John said he launched the self-guided tour following the death of his grandfather, Mike Hornyak, to cancer in 2016.

He said since then a number of new homes have been added to the event, which will be held from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m.

John said during those hours, participants will be able to visit up to 11 homes between Hopedale and Mingo Junction in addition to the Jefferson County Historical Association's museum in Steubenville.

He said they may stop at as many as they like and at each one they make, they will receive a chance in a drawing for a $100 gift certificate for his store.

Tickets for the tour may be purchased there in advance for $20 or $30 on the day of the event.

Each participant will be asked to sign a liability waiver for the homeowners' protection and will be given a wristband, to identify them to the homeowners, as well as a list of the participating addresses.

This year's participants include Rich and Toni Heavilin of Heavilin Drive, Hopedale; Dustin and Nicole Heavilin, also of Heavilin Drive; John and Janet Bendle of state Route 43, Richmond; Jamie and Lori Connor of Morningside Drive, Wintersville; Hayden Christoff of Bantam Ridge Road, Wintersville; Ben Bowers of county Road 26, Wintersville; Bonnie Jenkins of Parkview Drive, Wintersville; Ron and Emma Ferguson of Cara Place, Wintersville; Bobby Ferguson of Hiddenwood Drive, Wintersville; Don and Dian Thomas of Helenka Drive, Mingo Junction (only available until 4 p.m.); Kristina Vodvarka and Dakota Stone of Opal Boulevard, Steubenville; and the Jefferson County Historical Association Museum on Franklin Avenue in Steubenville.

John said the exterior lights for each home will be on and a purple ribbon, representing the fight against cancer, will be displayed prominently outside.

He said the event will be held in any weather unless a weather advisory should be issued.

John said, "We have a nice mix this year, including a rustic farmhouse and a house that's as modern as you can get. I'm so happy we have such a variety of sizes and styles."

He said the tour allows people to see the variety of ways that fellow community members decorate for the holidays.

John said over the years, homeowners have showcased one or more rooms, with styles ranging from simple to elegant, and decorations including brightly colored ornaments that were common in the 1940s or country-style wreaths and other hand-made decorations.

"I go around and see everything the day before," he explained, adding he welcomes others who are interested in opening their homes to visitors to register to participate in next year's tour.

"I start planning now for next year," said John, who can be reached at (740) 275-4380.

John said many of the homes have been suggested by friends and family members.

He said in recruiting homeowners for the first year, "It took not a lot of convincing, surprisingly."

John said feedback he's received from past participants has indicated "The people who go on the tour are kind and respectful."

He said while the tour can serve as a source of ideas for other homeowners, some participants simply enjoy seeing what others have done to celebrate the season.

"They appreciate the effort put into it. And it brings back memories for some of them," said John.