40 years of Holiday in the Highlands

LOOKING BACK ON FOUR DECADES OF WONDER AND

Story

ELISSA CHUDWIN |

Whimsy

HIGHLANDS WOMEN’S LEAGUE

For 40 years, neighborhood families have meticulously rearranged their homes’ holiday décor and furniture for strangers to admire, all for the sake of charity. The Lake Highlands Women’s League organized the first Holiday in the Highlands in 1978, and there have been a few tweaks to the event over the years. The president of the league is no longer required to feature her home on the tour. Inclement weather in 2013 spurred the addition of evening hours. And the volunteers who guide visitors through each abode are called “docents” instead of “madams.” All things considered, the tour volunteer’s dedication hasn’t wavered, even when ice threatens to cancel the event entirely. With help from the league’s members, we’ve taken a look back at the past four decades to revisit the Holiday in the Highlands’ most memorable moments.

Best of the decades

1980s In 1985, Sally and Jim Nation opened the doors of their traditional brick home on Arbor Park Court to neighbors. Their daughters, Laura Crain and Christy Tobey, later joined the women’s league. Laura and her husband, Kelly, bought and remodeled the home, which now has a more modern look.

1990s When Sheryl and Bill Overstreet welcomed visitors into their Larchcrest home in 1991, it marked the first time a home was highlighted on the tour twice. The previous owner put the two-story traditional house on the tour five years prior.

2000s Accountant-turnedbuilder Diane Cheatham transformed 14 acres of unruly brush into the modern, sustainable and sophisticated subdivision Urban Reserve. She and her husband, Chuck, have owned two homes — featured in 2008 and 2014, respectively — on Vanguard Way. “The thing that most comes to mind about them is they are incredibly generous and continue to give back to women’s league over the years,” says Fran Beazley, this year’s home tour chair.

2010s The homes on Estate, Winding Ridge, Milltrail and Chiswell were lovely, but they weren’t the most memorable part of 2013’s home tour. “Icemageddon” raged right before the event, and women’s league members grappled with whether to cancel the tour. Their solution: host an evening tour the following week. All four homeowners agreed to keep their homes in pristine condition, and the Twilight Tour was deemed a success. “The houses look entirely different at night. There’s almost a magical quality about things lit up for the holiday season,” league member Robin Norcross says.

Behind-thescenes

Every year, two women volunteer as home tour co-chairs; they select the homes and plan the events. They always feature homes in both the Forest Meadow and Lake Highlands junior high schools’ attendance zones. Sometimes they begin sifting through homes as early as March. “That’s the trickiest part of being home tour chair because all these people give you houses to go look at,” says league member Beth Hanks, who chaired the tour in 2006.

Then, of course, there’s the home tour curse: when your child announces a wedding engagement after you accept co-chair duties. The curse has left several women to plan a wedding and the tour simultaneously.

Most memorable

There are a few things you can expect to see during Holiday in the Highlands, like immaculately clean houses and festive Christmas decorations. Every now and then, a home deviates from the norm. Enter the Trail Hill Drive house highlighted on the 2012 home tour. Its claim to fame? Taxidermy. Lots and lots of it.

Home tour etiquette

Do: Head to the tour between 2-4 p.m. when there’s no wait time.

Don’t: Attend the tour as soon as it opens, unless you don’t mind waiting in line.

Do: Ask the docents questions about the artwork, furniture and other décor.

Don’t: Open cabinets and closet doors. We hope that’s obvious.

Do: Be patient when the houses are crowded.

Don’t: Bring your camera, for the sake of homeowners’ privacy.

Do: Wear comfortable shoes. You’ll definitely hit 10,000 steps that day.

Don’t: Carry a large purse or tote. They can be inadvertent hazards to antiques and fragile decorations.

In Lake Highlands

Holiday Gifts Galore! We are stocked full for everyone on your list.

Featured item: Lake Highlands & Dallas Christmas Candles

Mon-Sat 9:30-5:30

10233 E. NW Hwy@Ferndale (next to Rooster’s) 214.553.8850 TheStoreinLH.com

WALTON’S GARDEN CENTER

Shop Walton’s today to create a sizzling home for the holidays! Christmas trees, decorations, grills and gifts for the indoors and out!

8652 Garland Rd. 214.321.2387

City View Antique Mall

Join us during our CHRISTMAS OPEN HOUSE Tuesday evening, Dec. 4th, from 6-9:30 p.m. for holiday food and spirits, as well as special sales throughout the store. Come meet the dealers & enjoy the festivities while shopping for the holidays!

6830 Walling Ln. (Skillman/Abrams) 214.752.3071 cityviewantiques.com Follow us on Facebook/Instagram