2005 Year in Review

Coming Home For The Holidays

Pat and Doug Cassens - 408 South Heaton

Tonia and Mark Ernst - 510 East Main Street

Marcia and Evan Haag - 307 West South Street

Diane and Leon Lange - 15439-D Henry Road

Pat McGarvey - 305 East Main Street

Glenna and Michael Rodts - 9669 Garden Plain Road

Sara and Kelvin Tenboer - 307 South Orange Street

The annual “Coming Home For the Holidays” Bazaar and home tour sponsored by the Morrison United Methodist Church, 200 West Lincolnway, Morrison will be held Saturday, November 19.

Crafts, homemade jams, pickles, pies, mixes, candles, cookies and pet treats will be featured at the bazaar which begins at 8:30 a.m. and is open until 2 p.m. Lunch will be served from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.

Seven homes will be featured in the Home Tour, which runs from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. Tickets will be sold at the church. Homes included in the tour are:

Pat and Doug Cassens, 408 South Heaton Street: This charming home will be decorated for Christmas. On display will be a Colonial Christmas Village and a collection of Santa Clauses either made or purchased by Pat. There will also be a decorated Christmas tree in each room to put you in the holiday mood.

Tonia and Mark Ernst, 510 East Main Street: This house was built in the early 1900’s. According to documents in the Whiteside County Recorder’s office, probably between 1902 and 1910. The home is believed to have been built by Charles W. Fitzgerald, Morrison’s first pharmacist. The three-bedroom home stayed in the Fitzgerald family until 1976 when it was purchased and divided into two apartments. Ernst’s purchased the property in August 2003. In a little less than five days the two-apartment rental property was transformed back into a single-family dwelling. The original hardwood floors have been refinished and columns were discovered hiding behind a wall dividing the two apartments. The home will be decorated for the Christmas season. Come see the Christmas trees, all 10 of them. Each one has its own unique theme, including one hanging from an old gas light fixture on the entryway ceiling.

Marcia and Evan Haag, 307 West South Street: This home was purchased in 1972 at an estate auction. It was the first time the Haags’ had ever bought anything at an auction. The home was built around 1928. The entire home has been remodeled and redecorated, the original woodwork stripped and re-stained in some rooms. The family room was added in the 1980’s and is probably the Haag’s most favorite room in the house. It overlooks the large backyard that is complete with vegetable garden, several flower gardens, and a beautiful waterfall and two ponds. Weather permitting, the ponds and waterfall may still be operating. The home is furnished with many antiques and will be decorated for fall.

Diane and Leon Lange, 15439 Henry Road: This condo is furnished in the arts and crafts period with a hint of Frank Lloyd Wright architectural designs, combined with a nautical theme. There are several stained glass pieces made by the owner himself throughout the condo. As you enter, notice the stained glass side light window with the Iris design and the stair railing made from oak, milled from their previous acreage accented with stained glass inserts and lights. The hall and dining room light panels were all designed and made by the owner, as well as the two stained glass inserts in the kitchen cabinets. The basement is completely furnished with a North woods moose look.

Pat McGarvey, 305 East Morris Street: According to the “People, Post Cards and Views of Morrison,” this house was the residence of Mr. and Mrs. William Tuller from 1900-1927. It is assumed that they built the house at the turn of the century and that they were the first occupants. It is unknown when the house became apartments, but the breezeway and garage were added in 1975. Pat and her mom purchased the home 10 years ago. It was two apartments at that time and remains so with the only change being a removed door and removed extra meters. This Victorian home has a beautiful open staircase, and features pocket doors, 10-foot ceilings and a brick, gas fireplace. Pat has made many improvements to the home while trying to maintain as much of the old charm as she could. The stained glass windows are originals. The porch and balcony have been redone. The house will be decorated for Christmas.

Glenna and Michael Rodts, 9669 Garden Plain Road: This home is located 4.2 miles west of Morrison on Garden Plain Road. You will definitely have the impression of celebrating “Christmas in the Country” as you tour this home. It features country décor, hardwood floors and handmade Amish furniture. You will find old fashioned Santas throughout the home, lots of gingerbread men in the kitchen and “The Reason for the Season” in the sunroom that stretches across the back of the home. The furnished basement is a bit more playful, featuring snowmen in all shapes and sizes.

Sara and Kelvin Tenboer, 307 South Orange Street: The current owners purchased this home in 1988. The house was built in 1875. It is a two-story home with an open stairway and vestibule with pillars leading into the living room, which has its original woodwork. The kitchen has cherry cupboards and has an eating area that was formerly a porch. There is a display of Department 56 Snow Villages in the kitchen. The formal dining room is off the kitchen. Two full baths have been remodeled and the five bedrooms upstairs have also been remodeled. The basement has been furnished as a recreation room. The home will be decorated for fall.

by Dawn Zuidema, theCity1.com
November 18, 2005