STELLARTON
With the various trees, garlands, wreaths and lights that adorn Jane Taylor’s house in Stellarton, it scintillates with holiday cheer – and the decorations for outside haven’t even all been put up yet.
Taylor’s house is getting into the spirit early, as one of four homes involved in this year’s upcoming Christmas House Tour.
The Dec. 3 tour is one of many fundraisers held throughout the year for the Earth Animal Respite Centre (ARC), featuring homes from the Pictou County area, including Taylor’s in Stellarton, and homes in Churchville and Trenton.
Taylor said her love of animals inspired her the most to break out the lights and decorations. Taylor said she enjoys decorating her home, and that if someone can raise some money for a good cause from her house being decorated for the holiday season so early, all the better.
Although this is the first one she’s doing for Earth ARC, this is not the first tour Taylor is participating in. In previous years, she has hosted home tours for the Hospital Auxiliary and other organizations in Pictou County.
“There’s a push to get it done early, so it’s nice to get motivated to get Christmas decorating checked off your list,” noted Stacey Pitts, a volunteer with Earth ARC.
“I can go ahead and do the rest of the stuff I need to do for Christmas,” added Taylor.
The tour will showcase the Christmas decorating efforts of each homeowner, with guests being driven to each home and brought to The Bistro in New Glasgow for tea, coffee and sweets when the tour wraps up.
“Guests can wander the houses, and also be toured around, depending on the wishes of each homeowner,” said Pitts, describing how the tour will work. “It’s a great time for mothers and daughters to get together, and get ideas for decorating their own homes.”
This year marks the fourth year of the Christmas House Tour, and all the profits from the event will go to support the many expenses at the animal shelter near Four Mile Brook, which supports and cares for 25 horses, and an assortment of Guinea hens, cats, goats and ducks – among others.
Pitts said Earth ARC fundraises throughout the year, and needs to do so, being a non-profit primarily run by a modest number of dedicated volunteers.
Funds raised go toward the costs of special care, and the assortment of expenses Earth ARC incurs in its operation, including power, water, veterinarian bills, hoof care for horses, feed for animals and other necessities.
Pitts said she expects to sell a lot of tickets, noting that every year about 60-120 tickets are sold and that she expects that, or more, this year.
WANT TO GO?
Tickets are $13 per person for the Christmas House Tour, and are available at the following locations
– The homes of any of the homeowners involved in the tour
– Big Al’s Convenience in New Glasgow
– Gig’s Pizza in Alma
– Ryte Stop in Lyons Brook
– Woody’s Variety in Pictou.
