"Christmas in Paradise" is This Year's Punta Gorda Garden Club's Holly Days Home Tour December 5-6

Punta Gorda Garden Club's Holly Day Tour 2013 Pool Home Photo

There will be something old and something new in this year's Holly Days Home Tour sponsored by the Punta Gorda Garden Club.  Two of the homes herald from the early part of the twentieth century while the other two homes on the tour were built very recently.  The varied options have given the Garden Club an opportunity to work their unique magic in a variety of ways as they have been doing in Punta Gorda for twenty years.  The Club's annual event. started in 1992 with only one year missed due to Hurricane Charley in 2004, celebrates its 20th anniversary this year with "Christmas in Paradise" on December 5 and 6.  

The tour, a highpoint of Punta Gorda's yuletide season will showcase four homes as well as the historic Methodist Church at 507 W. Marion Ave, all decorated for Christmas by the club using mainly natural products created by members. Featured homes include:

 213 Durrance St.(owner: Tom Poole) A Florida vernacular frame house built around 1920.  The house as built likely had a screened porch  later enclosed with multiple windows.  

359 Gill St. (Owners:Heather and William McGill)

The Curry family built this house in 1919. The house was constructed of wood with a gable front and wing-shaped roof.  The original back porch was later enclosed to extend the home.   Former residents included judges, teachers, attorneys and the superintendent of schools.

433 W. Ann St. (Owners: Elaine LaWell and Charles Marlow)

This 2013 Arthur Rutenberg Home was built in 2013 modified to blend with the historic character of the District. A porch was added and the garage was moved to the side, adding three arched windows to the front elevation.

 800 W. Marion Ave (Owners:  Katrin and Justin Gerow)

Slightly removed from the historic district, the modern house on 800 W. Marion appears to be a Bauhaus inspired design.  It was designed by Mark Sultana of Sarasota and completed this year to the LEED standard for sustainable design and construction.

The tour can be started at any of the locations including the church. 

Tickets are $15,  proceeds going to the PGGC Scholarship and Community Projects Fund.  Advanced tickets are available from all Garden Club members, at the Charlotte Chamber at the Freeman House or at 2702 Tamiami Trail in Port Charlotte or from the Punta Gorda Chamber on Marion Ave.  Refreshments and a Poinsettia sale will be available in the Fellowship Hall of the First United Methodist Church.  For more information: (941) 575-4653 or visit www.pggc.org.