The Fourth Annual Christmas House Tours will be Friday evening, December 6 from 5 -9 p.m. There will be four homes and a museum featured this year, and the Train Depot will be hosting a Festival of Trees during the tour. Organizations can sign up to decorate a tree, and patrons will vote on the “best dressed” tree during the House Tour. The winner will receive $100 to donate to a local charity.
Bonnie Swyter, a former member of the PRO Board, organized the first Christmas House Tour. She is still assisting the PRO Promotions Committee with details this year.
The homes will be featured in the Parsons Advocate throughout the month of November. This week’s feature describes a home on Billings Avenue owned by Louetta Mason Sponaugle.
The Mason house was built around 1900-1902 and was originally owned by Jacob A. Long. Long sold the property to Annie B. Davis, and in 1911, the Davis family sold it to N. B. Miller. The next owners were Delbert Arbogast and then N. A. Sidwell. In 1946, the property was purchased by Zelan D. and Pauline Sherman. The Shermans lived in the house for over 30 years and raised their children there.
In 1977, the property was purchased and subdivided by A and A Construction. The house currently sits on .72 acres. It was purchased at that time by the Allen and Louetta Mason family. The current owners have owned this home for 42 years. Throughout this time, it has been the gathering place for family get-togethers during both happy and sad times.
According to Sponaugle, “it is with great pleasure to show my home for the PRO Christmas House Tour. It is not just a house; it is a family, welcoming, comfortable home to live in.”
Tickets for the House Tour can be purchased at various businesses in town and at the PRO office in City Hall or from any PRO Board Member.
