By Jessica Moore

Staff Writer

The Lewisburg Rotary Club is reviving an old-time tradition. For the first time in 13 years, there will be a Marshall County Christmas Tour of Homes.

In the past, a Christmas Tour of homes has been conducted by other local organizations. The idea for the fundraising event came to Rotarian Jean Griffin, who has always been a big fan of Christmas home tours, such as those conducted in nearby communities. She thought, "Why don't we do something like this here in Lewisburg?"

After extensive preparation, Griffin brought the idea to the Rotary board. It wasn't a hard decision to make -- everyone loved the idea. Volunteers from the Rotary Club as well as individuals, the InterACT Club, and the Sub-Deb Sorority have all signed up to help. Griffin also enlisted the help of her nephew Robert Farrar to help with the designing of flyers and brochures.

The Christmas Tour of Homes, to be held from 1 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 8, is just part of a fun-filled "I'll Be Home for Christmas" weekend, which includes Christmas at the Dixie and the Christmas Parade.

Save by buying tickets for the Christmas Tour of Homes in advance at First Farmers & Merchants Bank, First Commerce Bank, or Hairport Styling. Tickets may be purchased at each of the homes on the day of the event as well.

* The first stop on the tour is the home of Billy and Jennifer Osborne at 221 Creekside Drive. The Osborne home greets you like a friend with open arms. The home displays a combination of Billy's attention to detail in both quality and style of construction, and Jennifer's classical style of decorating. Upon entering the grand style arches through the front of the house, you are immediately taken by the customized flooring medallion in the foyer, consisting of seven types of hardwood. Moving forward, you look upward to a beautiful collection of paintings, highlighted by elegant framing. Customized drapery and plantation shutters extend a similar elegant framing concept to each window, looking out on the picturesque Saddle Creek Golf Course. Two grand fireplaces and custom cherry cabinetry in the living areas evoke the warmth that the home creates throughout. The must-see portion of the home is the enclosed porch which welcomes you to come take a seat by the majestic rock fireplace, overlooking beautiful flower gardens, a rock-lined pond, and the ever-changing seasonal views and rolling hills of the golf course.

What is not evident to the naked eye is the energy conservative approach taken to the 2007 structure by applying a customized insulation and conditioned crawl space alternative.

* Arriving at the home of Eddie and Donna Roberts, you approach a stately lodge-like exterior comprised of stone, brick and western cedar. The arched panel doorways and flickering gas lanterns beckon you to enter the open foyer with its grand wrought iron staircase. However, the story at 411 Creekside is not the house, but instead is the home created within. Upon entering Eddie's office it's clear that although much of his memorabilia is related to his 40 years as a Toyota dealer, his most proud accomplishment is his family. Their smiling faces fill the room along-side an Uttermost Family Connections sculpture, a gift from a dear friend who told Eddie it represented him carrying his family on his shoulders over the years. Donna says her decorating style is "family pieces, travel and junktique." The importance of family is evident throughout the home as their family heritage comes to life through heirlooms that tell the story of six generations. The highlight of the second floor lies secretly behind double doors in the room called Poppy's Palace, providing their grandchildren a small theater stage and playroom. The Roberts' favorite room is the Travel Hall which displays framed memorabilia from trips abroad. Authentic works of art purchased from a street artists, a menu from a favorite restaurant, maps, posters and brochures allow them to experience their trips over and over again. An expansive Western-cedar covered porch overlooks the golf course, providing a haven for quiet time at the end of the day to relax and enjoy the view

* Built in 1831, the house located at 1523 Cornersville Highway has come to be known as "The Moore House" because it was the home of Jack London Moore and Elsie Knight Moore for more than 74 years. In recent years the house was owned by Mr. and Mrs. Jim Bryan who named the property "Maple Winds." They added a chapel to the home and made it available to couples as a unique wedding site. In 2012, the house became the home of Billy and Kim Spivey and their lovely daughters. The main structure of the house still has the original roof. The "Moore" front-door knocker remains in the entry today. A beautiful stained glass window adorns the entry reflecting a blue heart shape at sunrise, which travels the length of the foyer. Massive bedrooms with stately fireplaces flank the foyer. Christmas melodies play on Billy's 1904 Victrola in the music room. The heart of the Spivey home in years past was known as the "Winter Kitchen". Directly to the back of the house the "Summer Kitchen" has now been transformed into a bedroom, however, a potato cellar still lies beneath the floor. The back porch and yard have a history of their own, with annual flowers changing with the seasons beside the old well and pump which are still operational. An 1885 dinner bell, which was used to call the workers from the fields for a noon-time meal, has been restored closer to the house and stands atop one of the original light posts from the Lewisburg Square.

* As you approach the home of Chris and Deborah Huber at 225 Oakwood Drive you see a mid-century ranch-style home. However, as you look closer there are many indications that it is significantly much more. Built in 1951, the original homeowners were George and Mary White. An active member of The Garden Club, Mary developed a blueprint for the botanical-like garden areas that still exist today. The Huber's addition of weeping mulberry and ornamental cherry trees compliment the original landscape. A brick pathway leads you to a double-door entry, behind which lies the unexpected. Chris notes, "We were green before green was cool!" He's referring to the fact that much of the furniture, architectural aspects of the home, and ornamental iron works in the back yard have been recycled from their original home, "Deborah's Catering," which the two owned and operated on West Church Street for many years. The original pine floors of the home have been brought back to life throughout the structure. Deborah's French provincial and eclectic taste in decorating tell the story of their travels, family heirlooms, and their immense love for a house which they have showcased by peeling back the layers to reflect the original heart of the home. Just steps away from the warm kitchen with built in coffee bar you find yourself transported to the islands as you peer through the windows of their beach-themed sun room to a magnificent pool and garden entertainment area. Don't miss the home addition, constructed of select pieces from the White family's farm house, which now provides a second kitchen and mother-in-law suite, a secluded oasis for lucky guests who are invited to experience the Huber's hospitality and one-of-a-kind home.

* In the historical downtown area of Lewisburg, at 224 3rd Avenue North, you will find the home of 4-Ever Flowers, owned and operated by Angie Binkley. Built in 1922, the house still retains many of its original features. Many Lewisburg residents will remember the home in the early 1960s as the Moss family home; in the later 1960s it housed the office of Binkley and Bigham Attorneys at Law; in the late 1970s it became the family home of Knox and Sarah Bigham; and finally was purchased by Angie Binkley in 2011 and transformed into a flower shop. The sun sparkles through the original glass windows and beveled front door. Lead-glass-enclosed bookcases still stand on both sides of the living room fireplace over which hang windows of matching design. The original hardwood floors, pocket doors, and heating registers remain throughout the house. In December the house becomes filled with a variety of Christmas arrangements, novelties, and aromas which invoke the Christmas spirit. Light breezes calm your senses on the wicker-filled L-shaped porch. As a special treat for the homes tour, Angie, her staff, and the Rotary members of Lewisburg invite you to sit a spell on the porch, sip some hot apple cider, nibble a Christmas cookie, and enjoy the surrounding architecture of some of Lewisburg's most beautiful churches.