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There's No Place Like Homes For The Holiday Tour

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By BARBARA ROUTEN

Tribune correspondent

Published: January 7, 2009

LITHIA - The Brandon Service League's 16th annual Holiday Home Tour was a big success, said Candy Jackson, first vice president of the league and former tour chairwoman. Hundreds of men, women and children visited the ornamented houses, owned by Lithia residents John and Ellen Matheson and Valrico residents Scott and Chris Etherington and Dave and Monica Cox.

Why did these families open their homes to strangers?

Friends talked them into it, said Chris Etherington, adding that, "first and foremost, it's for a good cause."

Etherington's husband, Scott, said they entertain a lot, and their home was built to accommodate crowds. "We bought this house and liked it because of its flow," he said. He agreed that the primary reason was to help "raise a lot of money for charity."

The family worked for two and a half months decorating for the tour. "I'm not going to take it down," joked Chris. "I'm going to add Valentine's decorations and Easter eggs."

Monica Cox said she has a set of cousins who put her to shame. They open their Lenoir, Tenn., house to the public from Thanksgiving to New Year's. Their guest registry logged 1,200 visitors one year.

With such role models in the family, Cox and her husband, an Air Force major who moved to Valrico 18 months ago, were quick to say yes when asked.

Hostesses from the Brandon Service League served as docents in each room of each house, explaining the history or unique qualities of the rooms and decorations.

Glenda Thurow, a 72-year-old league member and past president, pointed out subtle accessories in one of the Coxes' rooms. A white-fur-trimmed red coat was slung over the back of an oversized chair, and round, wire-rimmed glasses, Christmas DVDs and a large bowl of popcorn lay on an ottoman. They gave the impression that Santa Claus would plop back down in his seat any minute, ready to relax after a long night's work.

Every penny of the league's Holiday Home Tour goes to charity, Thurow said.

"Our other fundraiser, the Spring Jamboree, brings in money to run the club. Any extra also goes to charity - after all," she said, "'Service' is our middle name."

To learn more about the Brandon Service League, visit www.bsl.cc.

Pony Cars Are Cruisers Of The Month

APOLLO BEACH - Spectators at the Sun City Center Roamin' Oldies Car Club chose 1965 Mustangs as Cruiser of the Month for November and December.

Sun City Center residents Robert and Marie Swiatkowski's GT350 fastback coupe earned the distinction in November; Sun City Center residents Stuart and Arlene Gibson's convertible won it in December.

"The original Mustang was available with a variety of body styles, power trains and options," said Paul Courter, publicity chairman for the club. "Swiatkowski's GT350 appealed to performance buffs with a 350-horsepower V8. The Gibson Mustang has an inline six-cylinder engine and about every option that was offered by Ford, including air-conditioning."

The club meets from 6 to 9 p.m. the first Thursday of each month at Cherry's Bar & Grill, 6186 U.S. 41 N., Apollo Beach.

For information, contact Chet Grochowski at (813) 842-1511.

Food, Fantasy, Fashion

SUN CITY CENTER - The General Federation of Women's Club's Sun City Center Woman's Club invites the public to a Fantastic Style Show, including lunch by Mary Stewart, at noon Feb. 13 at Community Hall, 1910 S. Pebble Beach Blvd.

Apparel from Dillards will be modeled by members of the club, "who represent all sizes and shapes," said publicity chairwoman Monica McPhillips.

Tables will be decorated with a theme. Guests will cast votes for the most interesting tables, and winners will be announced at the show.

Tickets are $25 and available from 9 a.m. to noon Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays at the ticket kiosk in the Atrium Building, 945 N. Course Lane.

For information, call Angela Wallace, (813) 642-0212.

Field Of Honor Salutes Military

TAMPA - The public is invited to attend a Field of Honor Ceremony, sponsored quarterly by the Hillsborough Veterans Council, at 10 a.m. Saturday at the Veterans Memorial Museum and Park, 2601 U.S. 301 N., Tampa.

Members of Vietnam Veterans of America Tampa Bay Chapter 787 will read the names of all individuals in the armed services who have died in Iraq or Afghanistan within the last three months. They also will place a flag for each in the field, adding to the more than 4,000 flags already there.

Send news and photos of community interest to Barbara Routen at The Tampa Tribune, 505 W. Robertson St., Brandon FL 33511, e-mail neighbors@tampabay .rr.com or call (813) 657-4531.

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