A Happy and Joyful Holiday House Tour

A Happy and Joyful Holiday House Tour

Not only did we come from this year’s Candlelight Holiday Tour with visions of sugar plums, we even had visions of flamingos! or those of you who braved the snow, the evening was a magical experience. We are ever so grateful to the homeowners who willingly opened their doors and their hearts to our appreciative patrons. This year’s tour proved to be historic, as we crossed the Gay Street Bridge to Phoenixville’s North Side and were able to view the treasures up there as well as the incredible Franklin
Commons complex. The timing was perfect, as Franklin Commons received first place this year from Philadelphia Business Journal for Best Mixed Use and we couldn’t be happier or prouder! How convenient that our own Mayor Scoda was hosting in a lovely
home just down the street so he could be there for the presentation during the tour.
Rich in Civil War history, Phoenixville’s North Side is full of hidden gems just waiting to be shown. Those who braved the  elements this year were treated to homes with great beauty and diverse settings all over town. Our loyal group of hosts and hostesses were there in force greeting patrons and guiding them through the homes and even helped with shoveling and setting up of luminaries. The Jaycees hosted over at Franklin Commons, and all of the businesses in Franklin Commons were there to let visitors see firsthand their great new location. St. Peters Episcopal Church had been on our original tour in 2001, and it was wonderful to have them back on the tour again. And then there was Phoenix Hose, Hook & Ladder No. 1 in all its glory. The members were there giving tours of this historic facility while ballroom dancing was demonstrated on the stage by Phoenix Ballroom. Oh, to do the Tango like that! The fire hall looked warm, inviting, and festive. It was heartwarming to see the patrons
sitting at the beautifully decorated tables planning out their tour from the map inside the program. On a personal note, my admiration and respect for those courageous firemen who protect us has grown by leaps and bounds as we worked with them on this project. And also our dedicated police force who made sure we were protected that evening. And speaking of the printed program, it was by far our best ever, and we are grateful to the area businesses who supported us so much. Our advertising revenue surpassed last year, and this tour proves to be recession-proof again.
We are excited about next year’s tour already. It will be our tenth and we’ll be pulling out all the stops. Thank you, dear Phoenixville, for supporting us so well. We do this because we love you and you have shown that you love us back. Our loyal committee, only nine members strong, works very hard to give you this evening out and I want to thank each of them by name: Joan Beregi, my Co-Chair, Connie Bretz, Margaret Howard, Sheila Klement, Maureen Maksimoski, Suzanne McGinley, Betty Miles, Sandra Zimmermann. They do all of the work, trust me! They are incredible and I am honored and proud to call them
my friends. Thanks, guys. And thank you again, Phoenixville. See you on next year’s tour!
Love, Jan Swarr