For 62 years, the Kiwanis Club of Orangeburg has focused on projects that benefit the community. Through major fund-raisers -- including grilling steaks at the Orangeburg County Fair, the Rose Festival Walk-A-Thon and its annual Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes -- the Kiwanis Club has contributed greatly to a variety of projects for children and youth and made donations to a number of charitable organizations.

This year's Kiwanis Club Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes, which will be held Tuesday, Dec. 4, will feature six bea.jpgul and uniquely decorated homes on the tour.

"The upcoming Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes promises to be one of the most exciting holiday events taking place in Orangeburg County," said Janet Barrett, president-elect of the Kiwanis Club. "This fund-raiser for the Kiwanis Club is a fun way to usher the Christmas season in and offers an excellent opportunity for viewing some of the most bea.jpgully decorated homes in Orangeburg."

The tour of homes will be 4:30 to 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 and are available at the Orangeburg County Chamber of Commerce and the Orangeburg County Fine Arts Center.

The magic of Christmas will unfold at the homes of Mr. and Mrs. Mitchell Chapman, Dr. and Mrs. David Hutto, Mr. and Mrs. Rob Miller, Mr. and Dr. Stephen Peters and Mr. and Mrs. Lewis "Buster" Way and the bed and breakfast owned by Mr. and Mrs. Fred Holmes.

Mitchell and Jennifer Chapman

121 St. Julien Place

Jennifer Chapman, floral designer and event stylist for Flowers By Jennifer, has traveled throughout the Southeast, instilling her designs in businesses, homes, colleges and universities. Her unique work has been featured in the homes of hip-hop recording artist Ludacris, actress Cassi Davis and professional heavy-weight boxer Evander Holyfield.

It is only natural that the Chapmans' plantation home is uniquely bea.jpgul inside and out for the upcoming Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes. Located in Eddisto Plantation, the Chapman home will feature six Christmas trees adorned with over-sized bulbs in romantic earth tones.

"I incorporated faux peacock and pheasant feathers, along with glass beaded fruit ornaments and gold lame' fabric for a regal, yet festive, look," Jennifer said.

She added floral arrangements and wreaths adorned with twinkling lights and intricate fabrics throughout the 2,700 square-foot house.

"My husband, a counselor of honors students at South Carolina State University, and I greatly enjoy hosting parties for special occasions," Jennifer said. "We are delighted to be included on the Kiwanis Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes and extend a warm welcome to the tour guests."

Guests will be greeted by a candle-lined driveway and garlands of spruce, pine and cedar. Many other surprises await visitors at the Chapman home.

Fred and Rachelle Holmes

1170 Fischer St.

This is the first time Thee Matriarch has been featured on a tour of homes, and the owners of this lovely bed and breakfast are excited. The lovingly restored 100-year-old home will feature four elegantly decorated rooms downstairs and five rooms upstairs.

"Each room in Thee Matriarch has its own name and a different color scheme and theme," Rachelle said. "Floral designs and holiday decorations by Brenda Harley (of Devin's Flowers & Gifts) will inspire everyone to use creative expression in their own homes for the holidays."

Located in the heart of downtown Orangeburg between Captain D's and Rachelle's Island, Thee Matriarch epitomizes the beauty, charm and exquisite elegance of true southern hospitality. This bea.jpgully decorated home exudes the Christmas spirit, and the rich colors and decor will warm your heart.

"The delicious refreshments that we have prepared for the tour guests will help spread a little holiday cheer," Rachelle said. "We want people to feel like they are right at home and invite them to come and see what is inside this blessed holiday season."

David and Ann Hutto

4667 Columbia Road

The Huttos' are celebrating Christmas past and present in their 1820s home. Having survived storms, fires, a ransacking by Sherman's troops and the ravages of time, this home is steeped in history.

Moved to its present site in 1980, the house has been lovingly restored to blend the old with the new for contemporary living.

"After the home was moved to the present site, we had it raised up to accommodate a new first level," David said.

While he assisted his wife, Ann, with the holiday decorating, David acknowledged Ann is the talented decorator in the family.

"I do whatever she asks me to do," he said, chuckling.

One outstanding feature at the Hutto home is an elaborate Dickens' Village that portrays the joy associated with the Christmas season. David's toy Lionel train set, a gift from his childhood days, occupies a place of honor among the beautifully decorated Christmas trees and greenery.

"Christmas is our favorite time of the year, and we are delighted to open our home to the Kiwanis Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes," he said. "Our home truly is a place where we recognize the 'reason for the season.'"

Rob and Dee Anne Miller

165 Mount Hope Drive

The Miller family loves to open the doors of their home in Eddisto Plantation to family and friends during the Christmas holidays. Rob and Dee Anne believe Christmas is all about finding a childlike spirit, enjoying good food and remembering why we celebrate this glorious time of year.

Dee Anne fashions memories of her own childhood Christmases when decorating their home for the holiday season.

"My mother always made it special for me and my three brothers, no matter how tight her budget was," she said. "She thoroughly enjoyed the holidays and decorating our home, and I have inherited that trait."

Dee Anne said she enjoys putting a touch of holiday spirit in every room.

"The last gift my mother made for me before she passed away in 1998 is a hand-painted nativity scene that she worked on during the last year she was alive," she said. "It is appointed a very high place of honor in the decorating scheme."

Rob custom-designed the Miller home for his active, energetic family. Filled with simple ideas, the home is geared toward making Christmas a delightful time for the couple's three children.

"Whether it is reading the Christmas story in front of the glowing fireplace or a children's sleep over, there is a great deal of joy and living going on in this house all year long," Dee Anne said.

Tour guests can expect to see a majestic tree decorated with a collection of hand-blown ornaments of Santas, candies and nutcrackers. The dining room will feature Lennox China Eternal Christmas, and fresh greenery will be used throughout the house.

"We are happy to open the doors of our home for the tour of homes and hope that guests will experience a measure of the child-like spirit of Christmas," Dee Anne said.

Stephen and Angela Peters

951 Summer Creek Drive

The Peters' home is a beautiful contemporary brick home with breath-taking landscaping. The palm trees and swimming pool add a touch of elegance to the home built by Bonnie Antley.

Angela, a chemistry professor at Claflin University, said their home has become the holiday gathering place for their families.

"We hosted a family Thanksgiving dinner, and we plan to have everyone back for a Christmas dinner as well," she said. "We feel truly blessed that our new home has become the gathering place for family and friends during the holidays. And we are honored to be included on the Kiwanis Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes."

With its vaulted ceilings, open space and earthy color design, the Peters have lovingly decorated their home with poinsettias and other favorite decorations.

"We have recently purchased a copper portrait of the Last Supper that will be the focal point of the family room," Angela said. "We have displayed it over the mantle, and we are certain the intricate design with captivate our visitors."

Stephen, a motivational speaker, helped with the decorating, and Jennifer Chapman added the finishing touches. Pool-side decorations will be among those featured.

"We also have a 14-foot Christmas tree that has been uniquely decorated with reindeer and cupids," Angela said.

Buster and Debbie Way

620 Neeses Highway

You may experience the feeling of going back in time as you pass through the wrought iron gates and venture down the Ways' long driveway. But a few curves down the road, the Palm Beach-style home comes into view and reminds you it is the year 2007.

"Our house is situated on property that has been in my husband's family for many generations," Debbie said. "I love the country setting and being surrounded by nature and God's creatures.

"It is so peaceful here, it always feels like I'm on vacation."

Debbie combined whimsical and traditional decorations -- home-made green apple wreaths and an assortment of collectibles and candles for decorating the interior of the house. The assortment of outdoor decorations and luminaries confirm Christmas has truly arrived at this home.

"I think people will really enjoy following the pathway to the gazebo that features a live tree and lots of lights," Debbie said.

Buster, a farm equipment, tractor and irrigation salesman, said there will be a touch of Christmas in every room of the house.

"Debbie has set up displays of angels, snowmen and Santas," he said. "There are trees, poinsettias, wreaths, garlands, a manger scene and much more."

"And, I plan to serve assorted Christmas cookies to the Christmas Candlelight Tour of Homes guests," Debbie added.

T&D Features Writer Sonja Gleaton can be reached by e-mail at sgleaton@timesanddemocrat.com or by telephone at 803-533-5540. Discuss this and other stories online at TheTandD.com.

You must be logged in to comment.