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Annual house tour takes place Sept. 13
Friday September 5 2008
By ADAM MARTIN-ROBBINS Banner Staff Writer
 
Ever drive by one of those rustic homes that dot Dufferin’s landscape or catch a glimpse of one Caledon’s majestic mansions while out for a bike ride and find yourself wanting to get a peek inside?
Next weekend’s Autumn House Tour lets you indulge your curiosity while supporting Headwaters Health Care Centre (HHCC).
That’s at least part of the reason Darlene Welsh picked up a ticket for the self-guided tour, which runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 13, and lets you view eight homes scattered throughout the Headwaters region, which includes Dufferin, Caledon and Simcoe.
“Number one, of course, is that the money goes to a good cause and I have a friend whose house in on the tour,” said Welsh. “(Plus) who doesn’t drive by an interesting house and wonder what it’s like inside?”
Welsh’s ticket purchase came with a bonus — she won a prize in the early-bird draw. And there’re plenty more prizes to be won, says Ann Davidson of the hospital auxiliary, which has been putting on the event for the past 14 years.
There will be raffles at each home for prizes ranging from an upholstered chair, to a framed Laura Berry print to spa and resort packages. The $30 ticket also includes a lunch at the Orangeville Agricultural Centre, a silent auction and a chance to win a door prize.
But the main attraction, of course, is the houses, explains Davidson.
“There’s a variety of homes,” she said. “We always try to get a wide selection of homes, some are in the country, some in town, some are historic while some have been modified by the homeowners to suit their lifestyle.”
This year’s selection includes a stone-fronted bungalow overlooking Island Lake that boasts spectacular gardens; a red board and batten house with a wrap-around porch set on 40 acres with access to walking trails; and a home decked out with an inlaid wooden floor in the entranceway, a double waterfall in the ensuite bathroom, a unique bar and custom kitchen.
The event is one of the hospital auxiliary’s main fundraisers, historically bringing in about $30,000 a year to help the hospital purchase equipment, said Davidson.
“It started out small and it’s just grown and grown,” she said, noting that at its peak the tour has drawn close to 800 participants.
Davidson attributes that success to a couple of factors.
“I think it’s the time of year — it’s a beautiful time of year to take a drive in the countryside (and) it appeals to men and women,” she says. “I think every year is different because the homes are different, so many people return year after year.”
Tickets for the house tour can be purchased at several Orangeville locations, including Booklore, Home Shop, Scotia Bank (on First Street), Pear Home, HHCC gift shop and Women’s Health Club. For those living outside Orangeville, tickets are available at Berney’s Pro Hardware in Caledon East, Forster’s Book Garden in Bolton, Renaissance in Erin, the Rosemont General Store in Rosemont, and Jelly Craft Bakery in Shelburne.
For more information, call 519-941-2410 or visit www.headwatershealth.ca.