BY GIANNI UBRIACO
For the past 30 years, the Elizabeth Fry Chapter, IODE, has
hosted its popular tour of homes to help raise money for good
causes.
This year the women's charitable organization will be
presenting its annual tour  Wednesday, Sept. 13  from
1 to 8:30 pm.
"Our mission is to improve the quality of life for children
and youth and those in need through education, citizenship and
services programs," explains tour committee member Marjorie
McIvor.
"All our money we raise goes to local charities, but we
never just hand out the money.
It has to be something tangible."
In the past, the money generated has been used to buy various
things such as  a computer for Habitat for Humanity and a
clothes dryer  for Samaritan House.
McIvor, who is also secretary of the 24-member chapter, said
she hopes to sell all of the 700 tickets.
The $20 tickets, which cover a tour of four different homes,
can be  purchased at A Touch of Class, Forget-Me-Not
Flowers, Barry Downe Paint and  Wallpaper, Lougheed
Flowers, Helvi's Flower House, and Charm Plus.
One of the homes on the tour belongs to Terry Vendetti and
John Robert in Skead.
 The lakeside heritage home was built back in 1920 by
the owner of  the Spanish Lumber Mill.
Vendetti and Robert purchased the all-wooden home four years
ago.
"I enjoy the views, the sounds, and the water," says
Vendetti, who works for Surface Design and Décor. "It's very
nostalgic with all the wood."
The outside of the home is stained a caramel apple colour
and includes a cozy patio area, a bunkie for overnight guests,
a gazebo change room, and a decorative garden shed that
includes  an original outhouse, as well as beautiful
gardens.
Meanwhile, inside there are original pine walls and maple
floors. The owners have decorated tastefully with their
treasures and antiques.
"It's totally different from any of the other houses we've
had on the tour;  certainly any of the others we have on
this tour," says McIvor. "I think people will go through it and
get a lot of new ideas."
For example, there's shutters used as a headboard in the
bedroom, a chair back with a partial seat for a shelf in the
bathroom, and a towel bar with S hooks for mugs in the kitchen.
There's a worldly feel to the house as well as the dining
room table came from a cottage in Long Lake, while the chairs
came from Scotland.
"It's full of the most interesting things you've ever seen
in your life," says McIvor. "It's a lovely piece of property."
The other three homes are a 100-year-old duplex owned by Cathie Davidson  and Gerry Butler in Sudbury; a completely redecorated and redesigned home owned by Barb and Bryan Grace in Hanmer; and a townhouse owned by Sheila and Chucker Ross.
