Holy Trinity Catholic School plans fundraising Christmas Tour of Homes

Holy Trinity Cath-olic School’s Annual Christ-mas Tour of Homes fundraiser will be held on Saturday, Dec. 2, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Tickets are on sale now in the Holy Trinity Parish Office and will also be available the day of the event at Holy Trinity. Tickets are $20 each.
A Craft & Vendor Fair will also take place at the school from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Everyone is welcome, admission is free.
There are 25 vendors expected, with a great variety of items for all those on your Christmas list.
This year the Christmas Tour of Homes will be featuring six unique homes. The homes will highlight an array of decorations from rustic modern to Victorian.
“We are so appreciative that the homeowners have graciously allowed all the tour-goers into their homes during this holiday season,” organizers said.
Homes on the tour will include:
• Darnell and Tiffany Higgins, at 1277 Simmons Ave. S.E.
• Jeff and Helen Trandall, 638 Oregon Ave. S.E.
• Jonathan and Callee Wachter, 1940 Riverview Drive
• Justin and Becky Picek, 1280 McDonald Drive
• Elite Development home by Alex Kopfmann & Mike Keleher, 433 26th St. S.E.
• Kevin Tompkins and Scott Dorwart,  the Octagon House, 605 Third St. S.W.
More information about each home follows:

Darnell & Tiffany Higgins                                                                                                  1277 Simmons Ave. S.E.
Darnell and Tiffany Higgins have been in their home for six years. They have completely remodeled the home. Christmas villages will be featured throughout. They have several trees displayed that include a snowman tree along with a tree for the outdoorsman.
The Higgins also have a great outdoor lighted display you won’t want to miss once the sun goes down!

Jeff and Helen Trandall
638 Oregon Ave. S.E.

If you love classic, Victorian charm, this home will be at the top of your list. Jeff and Helen Trandall invite you to see their beautiful home! This 100-year-old home takes you to a different place in time, reminiscent of days gone by.
The yuletide décor lends itself to the Victorian style of rich florals — roses, hydrangeas and poinsettias. Helen decided to decorate it as if it were still in that era, with traditional holiday elegance. Original woodwork and floors, along with vintage lighting, add to the charm and warmth of that era which adds a festive atmosphere to the home.

Elite Development home by Alex Kopfmann & Mike Keleher
433 26th St SE
This year we have a brand new townhome on the tour courtesy of Alex Kopfmann and Mike Keleher of Elite Development. This home has rustic modern finishes. If you like the styling of Joanna Gaines, this is the home for you!
The great room on the main floor hosts a grand fireplace, which can also be seen from the second story loft. The main Christmas tree will have this year’s hottest trend — buffalo check decorations. The upper level bedrooms will be staged for a boy and girl featuring a tree in each room. The home will have furnishing and accent pieces compliments of Unclaimed Freight of Huron. Co-Development director, Taunya Martin, has staged the home.
Jonathan and Callee Wachter
1940 Riverview Drive
The Wachters of Huron have called 1940 Riverview Drive home for five years. “When we moved in, the Christmas season was upon us, so for us, it is a very special time to spend together at home,” says Callee.
“We had only one infant five years ago and now our house is blessed by two more children. Due to that change, our house has changed over many times as children have shifted rooms and needs. With three kids, our house is very ‘lived in’ with a toy in practically every room.”
The family room, open to the dining area and kitchen, features a nutcracker collection.
Jonathan performed in The Nutcracker with the San Francisco Ballet as a youth and shared the story with the whole family.  You will see Nutcrackers scattered throughout the family room.
“They are a favorite toy for our oldest two,” says Callee. Vintage accents and tartan plaids are used on the fireplace wall as the focus for the room.    
A family favorite at Christmastime is the “Tree Room.”
“We didn’t have much furniture when we moved in, so this was the fun Christmas hub for our young family,” says Callee.
This room is filled with old-fashioned Christmas Spirit, including the O scale electric train that circles the tree. The hodgepodge of ornaments includes those that the children have made, ornaments brought home from the couple’s time while working at Disney World or family trips. (Instead of collecting large mementos while traveling, they acquire a Christmas ornament from each place they visit.)   
The sitting room’s focus is on the true meaning of Christmas, reflecting on the birth of Christ. In this room you will find their nativity displayed. This is the “pretty room.” In fact, it is the only room in the house that doesn’t have a toy in it.
The nursery has a vintage feel mixed with ladylike femininity. A New Orleans-southern garden theme was created for the youngest, 6-month-old Wachter.  
Other features include a Coca-Cola themed bathroom, a master bedroom with chandelier and crown molding, and a compact kid’s room that doubles for both sleep and play.

Justin and Becky Picek
1280 McDonald Drive
The Picek’s blue ranch will catch your eye as you drive down McDonald Drive.
This home will be a favorite for fireplace lovers with a gorgeous wood burning fireplace for all those cold winter nights.
The Piecek’s children have two great areas for play — the toy room and game room, each featuring a Christmas tree. Owen and Levi’s room has a unique accent wall with pallet wood along with an outdoorsman theme. You won’t want to miss the animated Hallmark collection starring Snoopy!

Kevin Tompkins and Scott Dorwart
605 Third St. S.W.
Have you driven by the octagon house on Third Street and wondered what it looked like on the inside?
The owners have graciously opened the doors for tour-goers to see all of the unique attributes of this historical home.
Did you know it’s registered on the State and National Historical registry?
Some of the fun facts about the home are that it has 37 windows, 16 doors, two staircases — one for servants and one for the homeowners — and servants’ quarters.
The first floor exterior walls are poured concrete stamped to look like brick. Since purchasing the home, the two have updated the plumbing, electrical and HVAC. They were also able to replace all the windows and shingles with a grant through the Deadwood Historical Society fund.
The tin ceiling in the entryway and upper hallway was salvaged from Kevin’s high school in Woonsocket before it was torn down, and the wrought iron face came from the De Smet cemetery. This home is truly a treat to see!

Courtesy photos

Justin and Becky Picek pose with their children in front of the fireplace at their home, 1280 McDonald Dr. They will be among six homes on the upcoming Holy Trinity Catholic School fundraising Christmas Tour of Homes planned Dec. 2.
Jonathan and Callee Wachter are shown with their children at their home located at 1940 Riverview Dr.
Darnell and Tiffany Higgins stand by the decorated Christmas tree in their home at 1277 Simmons Ave. S.E.
This beautiful tree is located  in the 100-year-old home of Jeff and Helen Trandall, located at 638 Oregon Ave. S.E.