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Home for the holidays
Annual tour raises funds for Health Share
Friday, Dec. 5, 2008
 Click here to enlarge this photo Staff photos by REID SILVERMAN
A sitting area in the Tsirigotis home has been decorated for weeks for the season and for the upcoming Health Share Holiday Home Tour.
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It's an event that celebrates the beauty of the season – the decorated trees, the greenery on mantels, the candles, the glitter, the shine. But the 14th Annual Health Share Holiday Home Tour that will take participants through seven of the county's homes decorated for the season is being presented Dec. 7 as a way to raise funds for an issue that isn't so beautiful – the need that some in the community have for basic health care and medicine.
"Yes, we've seen an increase over the past year," said Lucy Barbour, a board member with Health Share, of the requests for assistance from the nonprofit.
Health Share provides access to primary health care and funding for prescription medications to uninsured and underinsured adult residents in need in St. Mary's County. As a grassroots initiative without federal, state or local funding, the group has helped thousands of individuals since it began in 1991.
"They are the working poor. They make too much for public assistance," Barbour said last week.
Every year, a collection of residents with notable residences open their homes for public tours to raise funds for Health Share's mission.
This year's tour features properties that are "unusual and different," Barbour said. "We try to get a mix every year."
The tour includes three homes on the water, the home and art studio of a well-known artist, Carolyn Egeli, three in Hilton Ridge at two sites and one home at the back end of Flat Iron Farm. A new feature to the tour this year is the inclusion of a few silent auction items at some of the homes.
"It's a fabulous tour. We've tried keep it geographically tight," Barbour said.
Charlene and Nick Tsirigotis' home, which is located off Flat Iron Farm Lane, is one of this year's featured homes. Charlene is the owner of the Apple Basket in Laurel Grove. "I love to decorate for Christmas, and I have a lot of collections," she said. The home features about seven decorated trees, she said.
In fact, Tsirigotis' home has been decorated for several weeks already. It took her two days, she said, "Of course, every night, I kind of add a little bit."
SUSAN CRATON
Information for the following description of this year's tour was provided by tour organizers with Health Share.
Peace of Glebe
Directions to the home of David Urbani and Carolyn Egeli: from the intersection of Route 5 south and Route 249 at Callaway, turn onto Route 249 toward Valley Lee. Proceed 3.7 miles and turn right onto Glebe Lane, which is a gravel drive, go 0.5 miles then turn right at 44930 Glebe Road.
"Peace of Glebe" is beautifully situated on Herring Creek in Valley Lee. In 1975, Carolyn Egeli, well known local artist, asked her brother, B.J., to design and build a 19th-century Southern Maryland farmhouse. While B.J. wanted to go with a Georgian Colonial style, they compromised and the result was a Georgian farmhouse, which often fools visitors into thinking it is much older. More recent additions have created a sprawling two-story home featuring long porches. Carolyn's art studio opening, off the living room, offers an inviting environment for happy gatherings and easy country living on the water.
Coade Point
Directions to the home of Mike and Nancy Williams: from Glebe Lane turn left back onto Route 249 and go 0.3 miles. Turn right onto Drayden Road (Valley Lee firehouse) and go 1.9 miles turning right onto Cherryfield Road. Go 2.4 miles and turn left onto Cherryfield Lane, which is a gravel drive, go 0.4 miles, turning left at 46438 Coade Point.
The riverside home of Mike and Nancy Williams is set on a magnificent point of land at the mouth of Carthagena Creek where it meets the St. Mary's River. Water views are captured from sunrise to sunset. The stone-faced colonial home is warmly decorated and accented with Nancy's needlework. Christmas is a festive occasion in the Williams' home.
The house is filled with trees and every room is decorated with the numerous collections Nancy has gathered over the years. Music is in the air, fires crackling in the fireplace, garlands galore and family and friends gathered together. The Williams' home exudes "home for the holidays."
Carthagena Landing
Directions to the home of C.C. and Woody Meinhardt: leaving Cherryfield Lane, turn right back onto Cherryfield Road. Turn right back onto Drayden Road, going 0.7 miles and turning right onto Windmill Point Road, going 1.1 miles to a "T" and make a right onto a gravel drive going 0.2 miles turning left at brick gate posts into 17934 Windmill Point Road.
Carthagena Landing was built in 2006 on the land tract known as "Carthagena" overlooking Carthagena Creek. This three-story southern colonial was built by Paragon Properties of Leonardtown. Double front porches and porches on the back make it easy to take in all the beautiful scenery surrounding this home. Upon entering the home, the warmth of the Royal Brazilian flooring and traditional styling, welcomes visitors.
Under the guidance of a master carpenter, Keith Hammett, the carpentry work throughout this home is worth noting. The Meinhardts love spending time with their family and special friends. Their Christmas is very traditional with trees decorated with ornaments collected over the years. Poinsettias and garlands abound throughout the home. Silent auction items are available at this site.
Tsirigotis residence
Directions to the home of Nick and Charlene Tsirigotis: leave Windmill Point Road going back to Drayden Road.Turn left onto Drayden Road and go 1.5 miles to a right onto Flat Iron Road. Go 2.4 miles turn left Flat Iron Farm Lane and proceed through the arch and through stable area, taking an immediate left after last stable onto 45846 Highway to Heaven Lane.
The home of Nick and Charlene Tsirigotis, owners of the Apple Basket store in Laurel Grove, is situated among horse pastures on 10 acres off Flat Iron Road. The 8,000-square-foot transitional-style home built in 2007 by the family includes an impressive cook's kitchen, great room, sun room, tavern room and gorgeous master suite.
The decorating includes antique furniture and collections of Flow Blue China, Transfer Ware, Ironstone China, German Canisters, hand-held mirrors and other memorabilia. The Tsirigotis family celebrates the holidays with Christmas trees in each room of the main level of the home. A decorated antique sled will be at this site for silent auction bidders.
Andreoli residence
Directions to the home of Tony and Patty Andreoli: go back to Flat Iron Road and turn left. Proceed to traffic light on Route 5 south and turn right. Continue on Route 5 south going 1.6 miles to a left at Hilton Ridge Estates onto Hilton Ridge Drive going 0.2 miles to 46468 Hilton Ridge Drive on left.
The home of Tony and Patty Andreoli, built in 2000, is a two-story traditional, sitting on two acres in Hilton Ridge Estates. With two children and too many family pets to mention, nothing in the home is off-limits or irreplaceable. Wood floors, sisal rugs and slip-covered furniture, keep things simple and easy to care for. Antique white walls allow color to be added seasonally. Antique furnishings, flea market finds and recycled pieces personalize the home. Architectural elements are a favorite, adding texture and interest. White linens with floral accents recall a casual garden-style master bedroom. Chipped paint, bead board and apple green walls add informal chic to the dining room (which is used for all meals.) Old urns and glass candlesticks grace the fireplace mantel. A fresh Christmas tree lights the family room and holds much anticipation.
Andreoli cottage
Directions to the home of Joyce Hudson: the Andreoli Cottage is right beside the Andreoli home – 46464 Hilton Ridge Drive.
The cottage of Joyce Hudson, only built this year, is comfortable and charming. A neutral palette makes her home light and airy creating a feeling of openness. Natural elements such as wicker, shells and greenery help bring the outdoors in.
Whimsical touches, such as a vintage garden trellis turned headboard or an old bird bath filled with candles, also fill her home. Vintage chandeliers add glamour, while the brick floor in the sun room keeps things rustic. Vintage-style cabinets, subway tile, casement windows and wood floors lend the new cottage vintage charm. Glass-topped tables are a favorite spot for showcasing family photos and collectibles. Mirrors and glass are plentiful as they reflect light and all things beautiful.
Tart residence
Directions to the home of David and Sheryl Tart: turn right on Hilton Ridge Drive (toward main entrance where visitors entered subdivision) go 0.2 miles and turn right onto Renaissance Court, going to the end to turn right at house 20490 Renaissance Court.
Located in Hilton Ridge Estates in Park Hall, the Tart home has undergone two stylish additions since its inception in 1999. The real drama lies in its decor. Custom draperies, meticulously designed slip-covered furniture and a stunning farm table made with salvaged materials, showcase the owner's passion and creativity for vintage furnishings.
With every corner you turn, visitors can't help but feel they are part of a stylish magazine spread. Yet, this home is designed and decorated around an active family of five and a thriving local business. Chandeliers mixed with warm leather furniture and pops of color make this house the ultimate inspiration of how to design and decorate with local resources and craftsmanship.
