Homes for Christmas
Junior Ocieleta Club’s 28th annual Christmas Home Tour is scheduled for Saturday, December 3, 2011.
By: Carol Beck-Round | Category: Special Interest | Issue: November 2011
Junior Ocieleta Club members are excited about hosting their 28th annual Christmas Home Tour. (Top row, L to R): Jessica Wilbourn, Heather Isaacs, Ashlee Roberts, Kristin Roseberry, Theresa Ellis, (Bottom row, L to R) Cheri Peters, Marisa Littlefield, Amy Neely, Emily Brown, Becca Cox and Lindsey Black.
In a Claremore tradition dating back to 1983, the Junior Ocieleta Club will host its annual Christmas Home Tour on Saturday, December 3, 2011. The 28th tour will feature four residential homes, as well as a craft show with a number of crafters and a wine festival located at the Elks Lodge, 1820 Summit Drive on Highway 88. This is the second year that the craft show will feature local wineries. Both the home tour and craft show will run from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Homes on this year’s tour include: Charles and Julie Bowers, 7045 E. Courtney Lane; Denise and Brad Smallwood, 13155 E. 500 Rd.; Mary Jo Masterson, 1609 NE Oakridge Dr.; and Amy and Ryan Neely, 8094 Forrest Glenn Rd.
“We will also have a Habitat for Humanity home that is currently under construction, located at 910 W. 6th St., included on the tour,” says Savannah Haddock, publicity chair.
Junior Ocieleta is comprised of young women who work together to raise funds for different charity needs. “Through our Christmas Home Tour and craft show, we have been able to assist many charity organizations,” says Haddock. “One hundred percent of the proceeds from the tour go to help fund Claremore community projects, including Big Brothers and Big Sisters, CASA, Claremore Public Schools Foundation, Safenet Services, Bit by Bit, the Manger, and Friends of the Library.”
This event continues to grow in popularity, drawing 500 to 700 people every year. “All homes have been decorated for the holidays according to the personalities of each individual family and are sure to inspire the Christmas spirit in tour attendees,” adds Haddock.
Members of the Junior Ocieleta Club are present at each home to welcome individuals, families, groups, and even bus tours and to answer any questions. Large groups and bus tours should call in advance for accommodations. Tickets are $10 and will be available at any of the homes the day of the tour.
Tickets can also be purchased in advance after November 12 from any Junior Ocieleta member or at the following locations: Belvidere Mansion, Claremore Chamber of Commerce, Floral Creations, Gripado’s Deli, Hoovers’ Have All Mall, J&J Pharmacy, Hudson-Metcalf Antique Mall, Lilack Salon, The Nut House, The Pink House, RCB Bank (all three Claremore locations), and Uniquely Susie’s. Tickets may also be purchased at the homes and the craft show the day of the tour. “We encourage early ticket purchase to reduce wait time at homes,” Haddock adds.
The craft and wine festival held in conjunction with the tour is free of charge, with a non-perishable canned food item welcomed as a donation at the door. Booths will feature items such as Christmas decorations, gift items, wooden crafts, handmade jewelry, baked goods, ornaments, home accessories, refurbished furniture and much more. “There will be carolers throughout the day as well as a few other special features to be announced later in November,” Haddock adds. “And it’s a great time to get started on your holiday shopping and decorating.”
Sponsors of the annual event to date include RCB Bank, Elks Lodge, Community Home Health, Lilack Salon, Neely Insurance & Financial Services, Crumpton Aviation, Rogers County Abstract, Melton Sales, Walmart and Sander’s Concrete Construction.
For more information, visit www.joclaremore.com or search Junior Ocieleta Christmas Home Tour on Facebook.
For more information, contact
Junior Ocieleta Club
(918) 343-6816
www.joclaremore.com
About Author Carol Beck-Round
After 30 years in public school education, Carol Round retired and moved from Grand Lake to Claremore, Oklahoma in 2005, where she writes a weekly faith-based column which runs in 14 Oklahoma newspapers as well as several national and international publications. Three volumes of her columns have been compiled into collections: A Matter of Faith, Faith Matters and by FAITH alone. She has also written Journaling with Jesus: How to Draw Closer to God and a companion workbook, The 40-Day Challenge. This past year she has written three children’s books, a series called Nana’s 3 Jars, to teach children about the value of giving, saving and spending money. All of Carol’s books are available through Amazon. In addition to writing her weekly column, authoring books and speaking to women’s groups, she writes for Value News. She also blogs regularly at www.carolaround.com. When she is not writing or speaking, she loves spending time with her three grandchildren, working in her flowerbeds, shooting photos, volunteering at her church or going on mission trips overseas, and hiking. She is also an avid reader and loves working crosswords and trying to solve Sudoku puzzles.
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