St. Thomas Holiday Tour Of Homes Feature 2nd And 3rd Homes

St. Thomas Aquinas Academy’s highly anticipated Holiday Tour of Homes is returning this year! It is scheduled for Friday, Dec. 1, and Saturday, Dec. 2nd, and features five area homes.  This event gives the community an opportunity to view the homes decorated for the Christmas season and get in the holiday spirit.  Each home varies in style, decor, and architecture. They each have their personal charm, making them unique reflections of their family. 

The 2nd home featured is the “The Farmhouse” Guest Cottage.  Relax and recharge with the whole family at this beautiful country estate.  This unique and peaceful property is just minutes from shopping and restaurants, yet maintains the quiet charm and rural feel that is quintessential Wisconsin.  Enjoy the tranquil view of a sunrise while horses pasture out back or deer browsing at the forest edge in the waning hours of daylight.  Children and pets will appreciate the fresh air, freedom to roam and safety provided by the fenced in backyard.

The third home is the Peters Residence on Westwood Lane. Early in 2017, in love with their neighborhood but having outgrown the space, the Peters family decided to add-on and completely renovate their existing 2002 quad level Stratford home.  Relying heavily on a nearly 20-year career as a structural engineer, Jeff acted as architect, builder and construction manager while Michelle worked closely on interior design. Keeping only the original 3-bedrooms of the modular floor plan, the renovation proceeded in a hybrid style that might only be called “industrial craftsman” and the resulting home is truly “one-of-kind”.  The addition doubled the available living space, adding a pair of bathrooms, sprawling family room, a new kitchen with vaulted timber great room along with a master bedroom suite.  The repurposed space includes a home gym, foyer, walk-in pantry, bathroom and home office. Key design features include the use of structural glued laminated timber throughout, coffered ceilings, cantilevered decks, murphy beds, pass thru cabinetry, home bar, built in aquarium, dog wash and dumb waiter.  The renovation was completed with new outdoor living space, landscaping, wood fiber siding, seamless gutters and stunning front entry.  

This annual event features five local homes on tour this year and one additional stop and open to public, on Saturday at Holy Family Parish Hall on Taylor Street from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. 

Academy students and families are offering a Chili Lunch and Dessert for purchase to eat there or take home. The Cavvie’s Craft Corner Shoppe will offer handmade goodies. There will be a gift wrapping service, and an assortment of cookie trays and sweets to buy for your loved ones at home. 

Santa will be stopping by to visit 11a.m. - 2 p.m., Katie Hass Photography will be there to capture those moments digitally for a donation of canned foods for our local pantries. Children will be able to mix up some magic reindeer food to take home with them. 

The Holiday Tour of Homes has again teamed up with several local businesses to enhance the experience of tour.

Along the trail that leads from home to home, participants are encouraged to stop in to find that hard to find gift for family and co-workers. Featuring this week, Goose & Gander Finery in Dunlap Square in Marinette. Special discounts are available with your Tour of Homes ticket.  

Sponsors and local realtors, Kelley Balzola and Dawn Hayes of Weichert Realty of Marinette can help people find or sell their home.

Marinette Holiday Inn Express & Suites located on 2601 Roosevelt Road, Marinette. The newly built hotels grand opening will be Nov. 20. Call and reserve a room at 715-504-8100. 

Tickets can be purchased at Peshtigo National Bank in Peshtigo and Marinette locations, both St. Thomas Aquinas Academy Elementary and Middle/High School campus or at the homes and Parish Hall on event dates.

Tickets are $25. A booklet with ticket and map will be provided at purchase. If questions please call the high school office at 715-735-7481.