Rutledge 2008 Countryside Christmas Tour of Homes kicks off this weekend

By Kathryn Purcell

Every two years around the holiday season, Rutledge residents open their doors, and homes, to the public, inviting Morgan County residents and tourists alike to experience the quaint, countryside charm that defines the city.

Luckily, 2008 is one of those years.

A biennial event, the Rutledge 2008 Countryside Christmas Tour of Homes is slated for this weekend.

In total, there are eight sites on the tour - five houses, two business and the headquarters of the Rutledge Garden Club, sponsor of the event. Further, proceeds from the tour go towards a project that members of the club deem worthy; revenues from the 2006 Countryside Christmas Tour of Homes went to the construction of the mural on the Wellness Center, readily visible to all those entering the city.

"We will decide as a group on how to use the money to benefit the town from this Tour," Rutledge Garden Club member and Tour of Homes coordinator Carol Altznauer said, in an e-mail. "We have discussed several projects that would be wonderful for Rutledge."

Started by Altznauer in 2005, the purpose of the Rutledge Garden Club "is to share gardening ideas and techniques, and to organize social activities that promote friendship among members," Altznauer said. The club grew from 13 members to its current 25...and a waiting list.

The idea for the Countryside Christmas Tour of Homes was born in 2006, "with the idea of promoting the town and friendly people of Rutledge," Altznauer said. "It was a huge success and we decided to do this every two years."

According to Altznauer, who worked with Rutledge Garden Club member Sheila Eidson on orchestrating the event, planning for the tour was a year-long process.

"We have worked on this project all year and are so excited to see all our hard work coming together to make this wonderful event," Altznauer said. "All of the girls play a part in making this Christmas Tour happen."

The Rutledge Garden Club-sponsored Rutledge 2008 Countryside Christmas Tour of Homes is set for this Friday, December 12 and Saturday, December 13, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. The Tour of Homes begins at the Rutledge Garden Club's headquarters, 120 East Main Street, where coffee and brownies will be served and tickets and maps will be waiting for tour participants.
Pre-sold tickets are $15, while tickets purchased the day of the event are $20. To purchase tickets in advance, mail a check to P.O. Box 67, Rutledge, GA 30663.

For more information, contact Altznauer at (706) 557-0046 or visit www.smallbutspecial.com.