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The Arts Council (Victor Small House) will be the starting place for Tim’s Gift Inc. 2011 Holiday Home Tour. Kara Donatelli, director of the Sampson County Arts Council, and Dee Rackley, a dedicated volunteer at The Small House and Tim’s Gift Inc., have been supportive of this year’s tour. Teaming up to make the event successful shows the power of working together in unity within our communities. Tour-goers will enjoy light refreshments and entertainment from 2 until 5 p.m. at the Victor Small House. Local musicians and singers will usher in the Christmas spirit as people enjoy good food and fellowship. Tickets may be purchased on the day of the tour at The Victor Small House for $12. Anyone who buys a ticket prior to the tour (at Tim’s Gift, Learning Station, Small House, from Dee Rackley Amalie Williams, Judy Honeycutt, or Matthews Gifts) will only pay $10 and will have their name entered in a drawing for a basket filled with Christmas gifts (valued at $120.) Pre-purchased tickets will be shown at the door where you will fill out a form to enter your name in the drawing for the gift basket.

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The Wayne Hobbs’ home was built in 1998. The most outstanding feature is the woodwork. The home features two complete bedroom suites, an entertainment center, mantles, and tons of cabinets built by Wayne. An addition was later added to the detached garage for entertaining. Wayne and Cullen are collectors of classic cars. They will be displaying some of their cars during the tour to honor Tim Spell and his love of classic cars.

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The Kearns home. Helen Kearns said, ‘Christmas is always a special season for our family. My older son many years ago told me, ‘Mom you are the biggest kid in the house.’ I look forward to welcoming Tim’s Gift to our home. We will have Santa to greet you at the door. If anyone would like to bring a toy for one of the children of Tim’s Gift families, Santa will have a bag ready. Gingerbread Houses have always been a favorite challenge for me, so of course this year’s house will be on display. We look forward to sharing all of our Christmas treasures with you.’

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The Roberts home. Debbie Roberts said, ‘For many years this old house sat dark and empty. In 2003, we purchased our home from the Reynolds family who built it in the late 1930s. We saw the ‘R’ that Mr. Reynolds had placed on the outside chimney, thought it was a good omen, and it is still there. We always thought the house had potential and after some extensive repairs, we moved into the house in February 2004. We are proud of the fact this was the first house in Clinton to win the Mayor’s Community Appearance Award.’ Christmas is Debbie’s favorite time of the year and decorating is one of her true joys and pleasures. From nativity scenes and garland to trees, trees and more trees, she has a little bit of Christmas in every room. She like to showcase all the ornaments she has collected over the years each with a unique story. ‘People often express an interest in seeing our home and that is just one of the reasons Ivolunteer for the Christmas tour. More importantly, we are helping a worthwhile charity, Tim’s Gift, to raise money to buy items for hospice patients to meet their individual needs that insurance doesn’t cover.’

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First Baptist Church. A joy of the Christmas season is seeing God’s house dressed up in holiday attire. Each year of the tour, different churches have been featured on the Tim’s Gift Home Tour. Union Grove (where Becky and Tim were baptized and married) was featured the first year, Baptist Chapel (where The Precious Jewels sang for tour goers) last year, and First Baptist (Becky’s home church) this year. It is important to include God’s house as we celebrate the real reason for the season. People will have an opportunity to enter the beautifully decorated sanctuary and share quiet moments of reflection, remembrance, and rejoicing for the greatest gift ever given — Jesus,’ said Becky Spell.

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The Johnson house. ‘Tim’s Gift is such a worthy cause,’ noted Diane Johnson. ‘Dale and I are proud to be a part of the Holiday Home Tour this year and to support the work that Becky Spell and Tim’s Gift does in our community. We want to invite everyone to come share with us the beautiful Christmas season as we make new memories and at the same time support such a worthwhile endeavor that is truly of the spirit of Christmas by helping our fellowman.”