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Highland historic tour a holiday hit

John Renick (right) gives a tour of the Church of the Ascension during the Highlands Historic District Holiday House Tour in Middletown Sunday evening, December 6, 2009. The event also included six historic homes in the neighborhood. Contributed photo by Jessica Uttinger

Jessica Uttinger/Contributing photographer John Renick (right) gives a tour of the Church of the Ascension during the Highlands Historic District Holiday House Tour in Middletown Sunday evening, December 6, 2009. The event also included six historic homes in the neighborhood. Contributed photo by Jessica Uttinger

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Community members tour the 2700 Superior Avenue home during the Highlands Historic District Holiday House Tour in Middletown Sunday evening, December 6, 2009. The event included six historic homes to be toured and one church in the neighborhood. Photo by Jessica Uttinger, contributing photographer

Jessica Uttinger/Contributing photographer Community members tour the 2700 Superior Avenue home during the Highlands Historic District Holiday House Tour in Middletown Sunday evening, December 6, 2009. The event included six historic homes to be toured and one church in the neighborhood. Photo by Jessica Uttinger, contributing photographer

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By Lindsey Hilty, Staff Writer 11:05 PM Sunday, December 6, 2009

MIDDLETOWN — Luminaries and Christmas lights brightened homes in the newly formed Highland Historic district Sunday, Dec. 6.

The Holiday House Tour was the first of its kind and attracted hundreds of spectators, committee member Kay Langdon said.

“These houses are such an important part of Middletown history,” she said.

The house tour surrounded the Church of the Ascension on McGee Avenue, built in 1929.

A recently formed historic district, Highland is the second recognized in Middletown, organizers said. The tour highlighted six homes in the neighborhood, which was founded in the 1890s.

One hostess, Sondra Ross, said the neighborhood is special because no two homes are alike. She and her husband Fred Ross decorated their 1942 brick home to highlight their Jewish faith and heritage. Neighbor Meg Hammis of Connections to Quality designed a display of blue and white for Israel along with other Jewish symbols.

“I think (the tour is) representing neighborhoods coming back together again — neighbors who are proud of where they are living and neighbors helping neighbors,” Hammis said.

Peggy and Jim Trimble opened their 1927 English Tudor home. They said decorating was a process from keeping the cat from eating the poinsettias to getting a giant live Christmas tree to fit.

“We started early, and I had a lot of unfinished projects in every room for a while,” Peggy Trimble said. “We had 40 years worth of decorations that I used a little here and there. This year, I used everything I ever had all in the same year.”

Helen Stevens-Gleason of Middletown said she was impressed with the displays.

“I think it’s wonderful,” she said. “The houses are just so welcoming and beautifully decorated for the season. I think we need to appreciate our historical homes.”

After touring homes in Hamilton for its annual Christmas Walk in German Village, Marie Pence of Germantown said she headed to Middletown.

“Everything I’ve seen has been great — gorgeous,” she said. “I like to see the houses and what everybody does. I guess I’m nosey.”

Contact this reporter at (513) 755-5067 or lhilty@coxohio.com.

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What a friendly way to spend an evening in MIddletown. My thanks to all of the homeowners that participated in this open house. It's nice to see what can happen when people do something besides complain about this town.

kennethb.
5:24 PM, 12/7/2009

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I agree. I've been getting a little tired of the same few musty smelling old houses of previous christmas tours. All of the homes last night were beautifully decorated, and had a warmth that has been missing from the Main Street Tour. Having a chance to learn how our Jewish neighbors celebrate the season was great, and the white house with the star was to-die-for! My family enjoys attending the Christmas home tours and will continue, but the MainStreet tour needs to sit-up and take notice!

jmd
2:52 PM, 12/7/2009

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The Main Street Tour is going to have to step it up after this! No longer will a wreath on the front door and a Christmas tree in the parlor make up for the maze of cold, barren, unfinished rooms we've experienced on previous "christmas tours"! These homes were all so warm and inviting, and the decorations were just beautiful. If you weren't in the Christmas mood before you attended this tour, you sure were afterwards. The only thing missing was the carriage rides. Just my opinion of course.

just my opinion
2:23 PM, 12/7/2009

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The antique cars were a nice touch. I must say, this group of homeowners put on an exceptionally nice tour. I applaud all of the homeowners, and everyone involved in putting this together. It was a wonderful family night out, and a reminder that there are still things we can take pride in in Middletown.

MiddyPride
1:56 PM, 12/7/2009

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I loved the Jewish house! Wish I had taken my kids along. What a great learing experience this would have been for them. I hope they have this again. Thank you to all of the home owners!

KatysMom
1:45 PM, 12/7/2009

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