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After touring the homes, Pasadena resident Margareth Weakley is ready to part with some dollars at the tour's boutique on Huntington Drive. (Courtesy photo / December 7, 2012) |
Dec. 1 and 2 marked the 45th annual Holiday Look In Home Tour of four lavishly decorated homes and one boutique. The five venues covered San Marino and South Pasadena. At $35 a ticket, the tour that draws hundreds of visitors is a major fundraiser for the 100-member Women's Committee of the Pasadena Symphony Assn. The organization's President Gloria Koeppel gently supervised homeowners, florists, vendors, patrons, friends and dozens of volunteers to put on the traditional home tour of all home tours.
Chairman Linda Willett and Vice Chairman Gerry Jackson unveiled a new feature of this year's tour—gourmet food trucks parked in front of the tour's no-ticket-needed boutique on Huntington Drive. On Dec. 2, the bright pink Fry Girl truck offered deep fried mac ‘n cheese balls at three for $6. The Paradise truck, going for a few less calories, featured fresh baked cookies.
But the boutique's hospitality room gave the trucks a run for their money. There, visitors indulged in Helen Grace Chocolates and coffee for free. The company donated 90 pounds of the chocolates for the weekend. Enjoying the candy was Karen Winheim from Lancaster. Coming to the home tour for 16 years, she brought daughter Leeana Taylor who, in turn, brought her daughter Sienna Taylor. Carol and Bob Connolly from Vista also appreciated a chance to relax in the hospitality room as did Patrick Montoya who ventured north from San Diego.
Pasadena resident Margareth Weakley didn't want to relax at the boutique, she wanted to shop. Catching her eye were the bejeweled Swarovski handbags from the Over the Top booth. Owner Christine Jones said that she and the other boutique vendors were donating 25% of their receipts in support of the Pasadena Symphony Assn.
A gardening lover, Weakley was impressed with the flowers and foliage that decorated the homes. She appreciated the magnolia leaves tied together to make garlands for the mantles. Some chandeliers were also decorated with the slender and shiny magnolia leaves. “You get wonderful ideas going to the homes,” said Weakley. “We are not voyeurs,” she assured. Accompanying Weakley was good friend Linda Daniels from Monrovia.
A hop, skip and a jump from the boutique is the residence of June and Merle Banta on Oxford Road in San Marino. Greeting visitors at the door was Pasadena resident Lynn Van Dam Cooper. Women's Committee vice president, Cooper is also is known for her house portraits and pen and ink drawings. For tour fans, Cooper described that the home's deed to the San Marino lot was a Christmas stocking present given by Merle to wife June in 1969. The Bantas then built their dream home assisted by architect Harlan Pedersen.
The home was built with the holidays in mind. A step-down living room features a grand piano and seating areas. The décor's red and green colors further the holiday design. Pasadena resident Maureen McGillan-Sklar admired the Christmas tree in the Banta's family room. Joining her was friend Patty Silversher of Glendale.
Also found at the Banta resident was Arcadia resident Marcia Throop. Husband George Throop owns the well-known hardware store in Pasadena. Marcia generously agreed to pose for a photo just outside the residence.
The three other homes on the tour were the Estes-Lindskog residence and the Offenhauser residence, both in South Pasadena. The remaining San Marino home was the Burge residence on Monterey Road.
Event net proceeds will help support the Pasadena Symphony and POPS concerts and education programs for children.
RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.
Chairman Linda Willett and Vice Chairman Gerry Jackson unveiled a new feature of this year's tour—gourmet food trucks parked in front of the tour's no-ticket-needed boutique on Huntington Drive. On Dec. 2, the bright pink Fry Girl truck offered deep fried mac ‘n cheese balls at three for $6. The Paradise truck, going for a few less calories, featured fresh baked cookies.
But the boutique's hospitality room gave the trucks a run for their money. There, visitors indulged in Helen Grace Chocolates and coffee for free. The company donated 90 pounds of the chocolates for the weekend. Enjoying the candy was Karen Winheim from Lancaster. Coming to the home tour for 16 years, she brought daughter Leeana Taylor who, in turn, brought her daughter Sienna Taylor. Carol and Bob Connolly from Vista also appreciated a chance to relax in the hospitality room as did Patrick Montoya who ventured north from San Diego.
Pasadena resident Margareth Weakley didn't want to relax at the boutique, she wanted to shop. Catching her eye were the bejeweled Swarovski handbags from the Over the Top booth. Owner Christine Jones said that she and the other boutique vendors were donating 25% of their receipts in support of the Pasadena Symphony Assn.
A gardening lover, Weakley was impressed with the flowers and foliage that decorated the homes. She appreciated the magnolia leaves tied together to make garlands for the mantles. Some chandeliers were also decorated with the slender and shiny magnolia leaves. “You get wonderful ideas going to the homes,” said Weakley. “We are not voyeurs,” she assured. Accompanying Weakley was good friend Linda Daniels from Monrovia.
A hop, skip and a jump from the boutique is the residence of June and Merle Banta on Oxford Road in San Marino. Greeting visitors at the door was Pasadena resident Lynn Van Dam Cooper. Women's Committee vice president, Cooper is also is known for her house portraits and pen and ink drawings. For tour fans, Cooper described that the home's deed to the San Marino lot was a Christmas stocking present given by Merle to wife June in 1969. The Bantas then built their dream home assisted by architect Harlan Pedersen.
The home was built with the holidays in mind. A step-down living room features a grand piano and seating areas. The décor's red and green colors further the holiday design. Pasadena resident Maureen McGillan-Sklar admired the Christmas tree in the Banta's family room. Joining her was friend Patty Silversher of Glendale.
Also found at the Banta resident was Arcadia resident Marcia Throop. Husband George Throop owns the well-known hardware store in Pasadena. Marcia generously agreed to pose for a photo just outside the residence.
The three other homes on the tour were the Estes-Lindskog residence and the Offenhauser residence, both in South Pasadena. The remaining San Marino home was the Burge residence on Monterey Road.
Event net proceeds will help support the Pasadena Symphony and POPS concerts and education programs for children.
RUTH SOWBY may be reached at ruthasowby@gmail.com.
