[ back ]
Westgate Home & Garden Tour gives peek into neighborhood
(by Sean Lehosit, Westside Editor - May 22, 2012)
Westgate is a close knit community that celebrates its people, history and interests.
On June 9, nine residents will share their homes with visitors and give a peek into the neighborhood.
The Westgate Home & Garden Tour showcases a variety of gardens, architecture and decorating styles, said Debbie Maddox, tour chairman.
According to Mari Ann Binder Futty, president of the Westgate Neighborhood Association (WNA), the goal is to educate visitors about the community and entice prospective residents.
“Once people actually see it and meet some of the residents, they understand why we are so proud of the neighborhood,” said Futty, adding some people have a bad perception of the area, a perception they want to change.
Visitors are provided a tour program, including a map of participating residences. Guests are allowed to choose their own routes. The program lists each home’s features, including unique architecture, descriptions of gardens and furnishing.
While the program guides the visitor, volunteers and homeowners will be in each house to answer questions and give directions.
Futty said the oldest house was built in 1926 and two of the newest were erected in 1947.
From Cape Cod to Dutch Colonial Revival – the tour hosts many examples of historical architecture. One home is fully furnished and decorated in line with 1940s styling.
While residences have been renovated or remodeled, some still posseses original ceramic tile roofing and copper gutters.
Eight of the nine tour stops have gardens. Futty said there is a medicinal herb garden, a culinary garden, organic vegetable garden and one home features espaliered trees, including apple varieties native to Ohio.
According to Futty, there is a feeling of pride during the tour for everyone, seeing people coming in and hearing their complimentary words about the homes, residents and neighborhood.
“It’s a great day for the volunteers and the residents to see the neighborhood through the eyes of the wonderful tour guests who know what a gem Westgate is,” Futty said.
Last year the WNA sold more than 200 tickets.
All proceeds go toward projects like its annual neighborhood Halloween event and the “Westgate Book,” slated to publish later this year. Futty said they used previous tour revenue to pay for community signage and the production of a neighborhood video.
The Westgate Home & Garden Tour is June 9 from 2 – 6 p.m. Registration is at the Parkview United Methodist Church, 344 S. Algonquin Ave. Tickets are $10 in advance and $12 the day of the tour.
Tickets are available at Haldeman Cleaners, 3115 W. Broad St. and Gearhart’s True Value Hardware Store, 2885 W. Broad St. They can be purchased online at www.westgateneighbors.org.
[ back ]
