Norcross sponsors Holiday Tour Of Homes

Date: 12/7/2009

EAST LONGMEADOW - On Dec. 12 from 10:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. a once in a lifetime array of East Longmeadow homes is on the scheduled Homes for the Holidays Tour. The tour will start at the historic Norcross Center at 89 Maple St., where tickets and programs will be available.

Features of the tour will be the imposing home of the Burke family on Prospect Street which was built in 1917 by the owner of the then based Fisk Tire Company of Chicopee. Located on a hill with spectacular views, it epitomizes the luxury of 20th century country life, now adapted for the best of modern living. This is a first time public opportunity to see this three story house all decorated for the holiday season.

The Burt House on Chestnut Street, the oldest home in town, is on the tour and features over 12 hand blown windows, a great room with cooking fireplace with three others built around a central chimney and a Civil War "Underground Railway" stairway. The owners are Megan and Christopher Boino. It is an early Georgian style house with all the handcrafted features of a 1700s house. New owners in 2007, the couple have three children and a grandmother who revel in the antiquity and Boino is finding new facts about the Burt family as he further researches details of the well documented 1720 house.

Another antique colonial is on Hampden Road and was built in 1802 and recently acquired by Heather Wasilewski and David Lieber. Features are a center hall with a curved staircase, a large living room, dining room and study. They are discovering new features of the house and researching its history. It will be decorated with natural greens and candles.

From the old to the new is the charming home of Dan and Nina Dirico on Millbrook Drive. Guests will be greeted by a Christmas tree in the foyer and another in the living room. Featured in the den is Dan's collection of golf memorabilia, reflecting his career as a golf-pro where they find evening relaxation. Nina's collection of Santas will be on display.

Representing a contemporary style of living and architecture is the home of Ruth Buffington and Jim Bremer on Prospect Street. It was built in 1971 and the couple have placed emphasis on landscaping of a down hillside lot with three stone wall terraces accented by original wood construction garden trellises and arbors built by Bremer. The interior is inviting with original art created by Buffington, Bremer and their friends. A lower level features a studio/workshop.

Completing the tour is a model one bedroom suite with living room at the new Bluebird Estates Retirement Center on Apple Blossom Lane at the site of the old Bluebird Acres Orchard and Farm on Parker Street. Refreshments will be served here.

This facility is available with a non-purchase feature which provides safe independent living for the elderly and not so frail elderly with all amenities including three meals, housekeeping, laundry, transportation, on-site activities and frequent entertainment.

To complete the tour visitors are invited to drop into the two bedroom apartment at number 108, the home of Dean and Merle Safford, who are spending their last years in their beloved East Longmeadow. Here, Dean enjoys a safe, worry free life style and feeds the birds, plays bingo and watches TV while Merle is taking a respite from a lifetime of cooking and working in real estate to spend her time writing and researching the history of her town. She also continues to be involved in activities at the Norcross Center on Maple Street.

Price of tickets is $15 with proceeds to be used for a new roof on the Carriage House, home of the Feffer Art Center on the property. The house and the museum and Commission House next door will be open.