The December 14 Sippican Woman’s Club Holiday House Tour is an annual tradition built on the organization’s goal of giving scholarships to qualifying high school graduates. It is no small task. From deploying a small army of docents – club members who assist participating homeowners in guiding visitors through their open houses – to the decorating of the club’s headquarters at the Handy Tavern, and the myriad of other details, the SWC annual event is a well-oiled machine with esprit de corps. After all, one of the criteria for becoming a club member is working the annual event.
With everyone in place, and despite dire weather predictions, it was a splendid day for both club members and the public who enjoyed touring antique homes in the community. Longtime club member Pam Norweb said the event had never been canceled due to weather.
“Not even the year there was no electricity and a snowstorm!” said Norweb.
The Handy Tavern was the stepping off point for the tour where club member M. J. Wheeler managed the registration table. Wheeler said that last year the club gave $13,000 in scholarships to about 25 graduates from schools that serve the town of Marion. She noted that once a student has been granted a scholarship, they could re-apply in subsequent years.
In a corner of the tavern stood one of several lush seasonal displays: a Christmas tree decorated with the portraits and biographies of the 2019 recipients. The clever use of pictures and ribbons demonstrated not only the talents of the club members, but their desire to make young people their focus. Hanging behind the tree, framing its resplendence, were graduation gowns.
Four private homes were featured this year along with other venues such as the Sippican Historical Society, the Beverly Yacht Club, and the Marion Art Center. Also partnering in the day-long event were the Marion Congregational Church and St. Gabriel’s Episcopal Church.
House touring can be a tiring activity. Respite could be found in the warm confines of the Marion Congregational Church community center where a sumptuous luncheon menu included warm chicken salad, hot cocoa, and coffee, followed by cheesecakes drizzled with blueberry sauce. Those who were looking for a unique homemade gift could buy cookies placed in decorative gift boxes.
Church member and one of the Cookie-Walk organizers, Susan Barkhouse, said that church members made all the cookies and that there were over 25 varieties to choose from.
Barbara Shingleton’s Point Road home is a family compound, which she and her family have updated just enough to make it convenient for modern-day living. The property includes a second structure, one that is used by visiting grandchildren and has been designed to blend seamlessly into the existing landscape and the original homestead built in 1912. Displayed on a table in this building were uniquely crafted oyster shell trees whose smooth inner surfaces sparkled.
Shingleton pointed out the ornaments on a Christmas tree located in the heart of the main home, a large open plan kitchen and living space that looks out on marshes. The ornaments are all original handcrafted miniature works of art depicting children’s characters such as Cinderella, Nutcrackers, or historical figures such as George Washington.
Nearby on Cross Road, Mary Jane McCoy, homeowner and artist, not only opened her exquisitely decorated home, but also her second-floor art studio. Works of art were available for purchase.
Back in the village, people could also shop at the MAC where a pop-up holiday shop included finely crafted jewelry, accessories, and of course, wall art.
Two village homes were open to the tour located on Pleasant and South Street.
Bonnie and Paul Tavares’ 1791 antique Cape is also the location of one of the first schoolhouses in town. A first-floor room holds pride of place as the schoolroom. It is nearly untouched by time, – it does not have electricity. On the second floor, a very short bench was originally used in the schoolroom.
Nancy Hunter Denney’s South Street home shone brilliantly with glass ornaments punctuated on the first floor with floral arrangements she artfully created. Denney used fresh cranberries in the vases to hold the floral elements in place. Money raised from the sale of the arrangements was earmarked for the scholarship fund, she said. On the second floor, one of the bedrooms featured a Christmas tree decorated from floor to ceiling with ornaments from the White House. One of Denney’s daughters works in the Senate.
Later in the afternoon as the touring wound down, folks could warm up and get a bite to replenish their holiday spirits at the Sugar Plum Tea held in the Parish Hall of St. Gabriel’s Church part of the ticket price.
To learn more about the Sippican Woman’s Club, visit sippicanwomansclub.org.
By Marilou Newell