Durand Improvement Group prepares for Dazzle Day, brings back 'Christmas Walk' tour of homes

The Durand Improvement Group again organized a Christmas Walk as a part of the Dazzle Day activities on Saturday, November 29.
Three homes will be featured on this year's Christmas Walk, including the Richard and Sandi Anderson residence at 927 E. Prospect Street; Bill and and Sarah Bauer residence at W2595 Don Bauer Lane; and Andy Lee and Tiffany Garner's residence at 607 1st Avenue. The walk will be held from 12 p.m. to 3 p.m., and tickets will be sold at the Masonic Community Center from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. or until sold out.
Sandi Anderson said she decided to be a part of this year's tour since she puts work into decorating every year, and not many people see it.
"I figured, why not," she said.
Anderson said when she was younger, she liked goofy, whimsical decorations like moose, frogs, flamingos, and other wacky items.
"I've gone more primitive with my decorations now," she said. "I like homemade and vintage items."
To appeal to her past and present self, Anderson decorates the tree upstairs with what she calls a primitive theme, and takes to the bright, whimsical look for her tree downstairs.
"My house is kind of country-themed, and I make my own decorations so it all fits together," she said.
Anderson said she has always enjoyed Christmas, and decorating for the holiday.
"I have a lot of unique items that I've made myself or had someone make for me from my idea," she said.
Anderson said her favorite piece is her ladder with denim stockings.
"I just think it's fun to do something in the house that you can take down after a while so it's not so busy-looking all the time," she said.
Anderson's home has a total of four trees: one in each of the kids' rooms, one in the living room, and one in the basement. She said she typically starts decorating on Thanksgiving, but this year she started November 4 to be prepared for the tour.
Sarah Bauer said she also typically starts decorating right after Thanksgiving, but she started earlier this month this year.
Bauer has a total of six trees in her home this year.
"We always have a tree on the porch, in the living room, and upstairs," she said. "This year we have three extras."
Bauer said her kitchen was just remodeled, so she took the opportunity to decorate that space, too.
"We just have so much Christmas stuff," she said. "We inherited a bunch from my husband's father when he passed away, and I have a lot from when I was a child."
Bauer said they usually have one traditional tree, one family tree with the kids' ornaments as well as her and her husband's childhood ornaments, and a themed tree upstairs. The tree upstairs this year has a Red Sox theme.
Bauer said her "green room" is her favorite area.
"The room has all original furniture from when my husband's grandparents established the home in 1921," she said.
Bauer said she has always had such great memories decorating for Christmas.
"I love Christmas, and it's my husband's favorite holiday season, so we always decorate," she said. "It's something we enjoy doing with the kids."
Bauer said she thinks the master bedroom will stand out to visitors, as it showcases an old stained glass window above the bed.
Tiffany Garner said when she bought her house two years ago, she couldn't wait to decorate for Christmas.
"It's a 1920s house with a lot of character," she said. "I always do a lot of decorating for Christmas."
Garner said she would describe her theme as traditional or old-fashioned.
"I have multiple nativity sets," she said. "I try to stick with stuff that goes with the age of the house."
Garner has three trees, two smaller and one real, average sized tree.
"Most of my decorations are just things I've collected, but some are newly purchased," she said.
Garner said the nativities are her favorite, and she has three sets.
"I also have a five-year-old who likes to change things around," she said.
Garner said Christmas is her favorite holiday of the year, and had planned to be a part of the tour last year. Due to lack of interest, there was no Christmas Walk last year.
"I've always enjoyed going on the tour before, and I was told my house was on it several years ago when the hospital auxiliary participated."
Garner said she typically begins decorating the first week of December, then leaves decorations up through her birthday in the first part of January.
Durand Dazzle Day will include new additions this year, as well as the traditional events. Grand Marshals Wayne and Pat Miller, along with the Durand Royalty, and Santa and Mrs. Claus, will be seen around town at various places.
All day family fun will be available in Downtown Durand, beginning at 11 a.m. with the usual DIG fundraising action and vendors at the Durand Masonic Community Center.
Great specials will be offered at local businesses, and Durand Dollars will be given away as prizes in the newest addition to Dazzle Day, the Snowman Mission.
The community will also be decorated, and talents will be showcased at the Christmas Tree Decorating Contest, held at the sand lot near The Hair Hut. Memorial Park will have carriage and trolley rides, an exotic animal viewing zoo, and a marshmallow roast.
The grand illuminated parade will begin at 6 p.m. with after glow entertainment, parade awards, and Santa and Mrs. Claus on the Old Courthouse Museum steps.
Be sure to check out the area decorated business windows and drive by Santa's Dear Farm at Tarrant Park.
For more information, visit DIG's Facebook page, or www.durandimprovementgroup.org.