It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas for five locally decorated homes in the Barrie area. All five are part of the May Court Club's annual Homes for the Holidays tour and they will be decorated to the hilt by professional designers and florists. It’s the best way to see the latest in holiday decorating trends.
“We offer a large variety of homes to tour in 2019 including a stunning historic farmhouse, a modern enclave in Barrie, a waterfront dream in Shanty Bay, a cottage luxury home and a spacious calming retreat in Horseshoe,” said May Court member Marianne Schall. “The tour is designed to be driven in one day or can be enjoyed over both days. It’s incredibly organized. Our volunteers are in the homes for safety and to direct the flow.”
The tour is a major fundraiser for the club which has donated $2, 657,485.80 to the community over the past 50 years. This year, members have supported nutrition in 28 Catholic and Public schools ($12,000), helped with the capital campaign ($10,000) of the David Busby Centre expansion, the capital campaign of the Women & Children's Shelter ($10,000) to replace the aged elevator, provided a May Court Scholarship for 10 students as well as helped Grove Park, Gilda's Club, Habitat for Humanity, Deaf Access Barrie and many more organizations that affect men, women and children.
“We had 23 agencies apply this year and they all have a special project,” said Schall.
Projects can be big or small. One new organization to Barrie received $1,000 for Christmas, Easter and summer events to help seniors who have fallen through the cracks.
Schall, who has been a member of the club for the past 10 years, said it tends to attract a mix of retired people, some newly retired, business owners, and newcomers to the city. All are looking to be part of an organization that gives to others and May Court Club fits the bill in a unique way. Of the 123 members, approximately 80 are actively involved.
It takes about a year to plan and prepare for this event. The tour’s five homes are professionally decorated to celebrate the season by Barrie's Garden Centre, Bradford Greenhouses Garden Gallery, Inhabit Interiors and Design with Forgather Floral Co, Inspiring Interior Solutions with Ego's Garden Centre and Dwellings with Rural Roots Flower Co.
The tour takes place on Nov. 16-17. It also features a Tea Room/Unique Boutique of one-of-a-kind, hand-crafted items made by members and Friends of May Court at the new clubhouse at the Heights of Horseshoe. It is included in the $35 ticket. Tickets are available at multiple retail outlets including the May Court Shop, Barrie's non-profit charitable ladies consignment shop located at 54B Maple Ave. Tickets can also be purchased on-line at www.BarrieMayCourtClub.ca.
