Inspiring holiday décor - Altrusa Tour of Homes
The home of David and Karen Hall all decked out for the Altrusa Tour of Homes. -All SVT Photos by Tami Stevenson
By Tami Stevenson
The Altrusa Tour of Homes 2023 was a delightful expedition touring some of Suwannee County’s beautifully preserved and restored private homes decked out for the holidays. Five homes and one church were showcased this year and each had a unique story and decor to share.
THE RICE HOME
The home of John & Debbie Rice was built in the 1930’s, with hardwood floors and beautiful crown moulding. In order to preserve its history, they have not made any changes to the house.
“So it may seem outdated, but it’s just the way we like it,” said Debbie Rice.
Debbie’s mother, Geri LaRose, purchased the home in 2013 and said it was the nicest home she had ever lived in. It sits on two lots, right in town, and has a large back yard. Their home is filled with wonderful antiques and as one would expect, marvelous paintings by artist John Rice. The Rice’s also own and operate Frame Shop & Gallery in Live Oak and are an integral part of the community.
Visitors to the Rice home entering and exiting. -SVT Photo
One of the rooms in the Rice home featuring an antique piano and paintings by John Rice -SVT Photo
THE McGLOTHLIN HOME
Holden and Sydney McGlothlin’s craftsman style home in Live Oak, was built in 1926. They purchased it in 2022 and although they did some remodeling, said it was very important to them to keep the history of the house as well. Speaking of history, the McGlothlin’s brought some history of their own.
Displayed on the wall next to the antique armoire wardrobe built by Holden’s great, great grandfather, is a telephone most would only see in a museum. It was actually used by his family and handed down to him. He said he remembers his grandmother telling him about using the phone and how there were party lines back then. After winding it up, when you got on the line, there may have been someone else talking. If it was an emergency, you would ask the parties talking if they would hang up and allow you to make a phone call. They also have a beautiful baby crib built by his great, great, great, great grandfather they brought with them to their new home as well. Although Sydney is expecting, Holden said they will only use the crib briefly for photos.
The McGlothlin Home -SVT Photo
Inside the McGlothlin home, family heirlooms! -SVT Photo
The McGlothlin cradle built by Holden’s great, great, great, great grandfather. -SVT Photo
THE HOME OF PATTY GIANESKIS
The house, located in Advent Christian Village and built in the 1980’s, was beautifully decorated for Christmas. Over the decades Patty Gianeskis and her husband remodeled a few times which resulted in the home being more than one and a half times larger than its original size. Since her husband was a teenager, he had a dream of owning a grand piano and having it in his living room. He made that dream come true!
Another interesting display in her home, along with the wonderful Christmas decor, was the Vida Quilt. In her guest bedroom, Patty had an article displayed at the foot of the bed telling how the beautiful, satin quilt that adorned the bed was made by Vida Mae Massengill. Vida Mae moved to Advent Christian Village during the second half of the twentieth century. She was a skilled seamstress and volunteered at The Rustic Shop. One day she found a donated box filled with pieces of embroidered satin fabric that appeared to be the remnants of a lingerie factory. She decided to make a hand-sewn quilt out of the fabric and worked on it for months. Vida was nearly 100 years old when she completed the quilt. Patty fell in love with the one-of-a-kind heirloom and so her husband bought it for her. Patty said in the article that Vida’s quilt and the story behind it will keep her memory alive for many years.
Since Mr. Gianeskis was a teenager, he had a dream of owning a grand piano and having it in his living room. He made that dream come true! -SVT Photo
Patty Gianeskis’ Vida quilt. -SVT Photo
THE HOME OF DAVID AND KAREN HALL
From happy snowmen that greeted visitors as they walked up to their front door, in Advent Christian Village, to gingerbread men in the kitchen, a masked Santa lying in the spare bedroom waiting to surprise unsuspecting visitors - to a beautiful nativity scene in the dining room - Karen and David Hall’s home was creatively decorated for Christmas. Visitors couldn’t help but leave inspired, with plenty of ideas to decorate their own homes. Even the kitchen cupboard doors were beautifully decorated with embellished ribbon to match the kitchen’s gingerbread theme, along with a hint of the refreshing aroma of ginger.
The house was built in 2007. The Halls, originally from West Virginia, moved to ACV in 2019. Karen is a retired teacher and David worked in the coal mining industry as a service engineer for many years until he finally became a nurse before retiring. David said when they lived in West Virginia, they had a Florida room. Now that they live in Florida, they call this one their West Virginia room. Decked with purple and gold, David made sure everyone knew they are big West Virginia fans.
He has a corner, in the West Virginia room, honoring the history of the state and the coal mining industry. He talked about the brutal West Virginia Mine Wars (1912-1921) and the infamous Battle of Blair Mountain (1921). According to nps.gov, it was, “…the largest battle in the history of the labor movement in the United States and became the largest insurrection on U.S. soil since the American Civil War.”
The Halls also have cherished family heirlooms they brought with them from West Virginia. In one corner sits a working victrola from Karen’s grandmother, the dining room table and hutch were also passed to her from her grandmother. In the spare bedroom where the masked Santa lies, is a rocking chair made by her great grandfather. Even the nativity scene was made by her cousins and given to them as a wedding gift.
The home of David and Karen Hall all decked out for the Altrusa Tour of Homes
David and Karen Hall’s spare bedroom with a masked Santa in the bed, notice the underwear hanging out of the dresser drawer! -SVT Photo
Dave Hall’s West Virginia history corner that featured the West Virginia Mine Wars and other memorabilia. -SVT Photo
Nativity scene at the Hall home, made by her cousins as a wedding gift. -SVT Photo
The rocking chair was made by Karen Hall’s great grandfather. -SVT Photo
The gingerbread man overseeing the kitchen affairs at the Hall home. -SVT Photo
LIVE OAK CHURCH OF GOD
The Live Oak Church of God was also on the tour:
The current sanctuary, located on Highway 129, was built in the late 1980’s. The church was first organized in 1919, in the Old Salem community, which was approximately eight miles southwest of Live Oak. During the early 2000’s they added a gymnasium and have various ministries for the entire family. The Christmas decorations are constructed and put out for display each year by a crew of members.
HOME OF TIM & LISA SMITH
Tim and Lisa Smith have lived in their home on County Road 49 for 33 years. They put a lot of love into their home with upgrades and remodeling over the years, making it into the home they love where beautiful memories were made.
The Christmas decorations reflect Lisa’s love for Maine, which was where she grew up. The Smith’s hope the flocked trees and “frosty’ decor leave visitors feeling cozy and frosty, like the state she is from.
The Altrusa International, Inc. of Live Oak committee would like to thank each of the families that opened up their homes this year for the Christmas Tour of Homes. Through this and other fundraising events they are able to give needed money to help support many of the agencies and organizations in the community. They currently give their time and monetary support to organizations including Advent Christian Village Youth Development Training, Vivid Visions, Haven Hospice, Suwannee Health Department, Pregnancy Care Center and Suwannee Valley Humane Society. They also provide scholarships to Advent Christian Village Youth Leadership, RIVEROAK Technical College and Suwannee County Schools.
If anyone would like more information or open their home for the 2024 Altrusa Tour of Homes, please email Sharon Jordan:
