Home Sweet Home

Symphony Guild fundraiser showcases homes

By Elizabeth Pannell

LITTLE ROCK — Showcasing the unusual is the theme of this year's Harmony of Homes tour.

The tour is the major fundraising event for the Hot Springs/Hot Springs Village Symphony Guild, and it will be held Monday, Oct. 6, in Hot Springs Village.

Publicity Chairwoman Joyce Feix said since the Guild's inception in 1985, it has contributed nearly $750,000 to support music education.

"The money has been used for supplies, equipment, scholarships for graduating seniors majoring in music and tuition scholarships for the Arkansas Youth Orchestra," Feix said.

Four homes will be showcased this year, two homes with mountain views and two homes on Lake Balboa.

The tour begins and ends at Ponce De Leon Center at 1105 DeSoto Blvd. Transportation to and from the homes is provided, and two sessions will be available - the morning session from 9-10:30 a.m. and the afternoon session from 1 -2:30 p.m.

Feix said the first home on the tour is the three-story, Old-World style home of Diane and Ellis Gibson.

"This home showcases museum-quality animal displays, which serve as the trophies of this professional, award-winning archer's conquests," Feix said. "TheGibson home is situated on 12 acres of mountainside, and the tumbled stone, old-town brick home focuses on the owner's lifestyle and love of nature."

The second home is the Europeaninfluenced home of Becky and Bill Roe.

"The home is in the center of four lots and capitalizes on the infinite view of the Ouachita Mountains," Feix said. "The stone exterior, double interior moldings, soaring ceilings and stainedglass artwork make this stunning-view home an exciting new experience."

Feix said the Lake Balboa home of Jackie and Todd Woods features an eclectic mix of colors, patterns, collections and whimsy.

"Their children's artwork, travel memorabilia and outdoor living punctuate this fun, guest-friendly home," Feix said.

The last home on display is the home of Betty and Kirk McKee and Feix said it offers visitors a history lesson with its family antiques and heirlooms.

"This home is nestled in an obscure cove of Lake Balboa and tucked in every corner hand-crafted niches accentuate vignettes of a myriad of collections," Feix said.

Tickets for the Symphony of Homes are $20 each and are available in Hot Springs at Verdigris and House to Home.

In Hot Springs Village tickets are available at The Dogwood Tree, The Woodlands and L.B.G. Enterprises. For more information call Ron or Kathy Rutherford at (501)922-2475.

Tri-Lakes, Pages 64 on 08/28/2008