The Sugar Plum Tour drew a record crowd of 1,000 people Sunday afternoon to tour beautiful Akron area homes decked out in their holiday finest. Chair Debbie Zarconi, assisted by Vice Chair Tia Stathopolous, planned the tour benefiting the Gay Community Endowment Fund of the Akron Community Foundation. Zarconi said the fund has raised more than $1 million for GLBT programs and services.
Stathopolous said the Sugar Plum Tour is a team effort as she thanked volunteers, sponsors and homeowners Gregory Hall and Matthew Culler, Brad and Amy Bowers, Brian Reeder and Terri Nass Reeder, Greg Downey and Bill and Lynne Dowling for opening their homes. Santa Claus, portrayed by Larry Pietro, passed out candy to good boys and girls.
At the Reeder home, tree ornaments depicted their family history, and 7-year-old Nikky was delighted to show guests a snow village that he helped assemble. Nikky and the family dog, Peanut, greeted Kathie Fellows and her son Brad as they admired the snow babies on display. Friends Janis Worley, Cara Staley, David Jesse and Steve Williams assisted with the crowd.
A passionate collector, Downey was thrilled to show visitors his Hallmark ornaments, Boyd’s bears, and a Dept. 56 scene of New York City. Dick and Pat Kemph and Carl and Dana Humphreys liked the antiques and quilts at the Dowling home, which is based on an 1820s Connecticut Federal Style.
Ken Ditlevson admired a New Orleans tree, while Allison Millham liked the Don Drumm pewter crib set and the Russian icons at the home of Hall and Culler. Out on the patio Eric Eisenloffel and his son Tom served punch and cookies around a roaring fire to Wayne and Susan Greene.
Joseph Chiofolo admired the stone work and Donna Webb liked the built-in pizza oven at the Bowers home, while Linda Santschi and Elizabeth Berka loved the great room. Neighbors Chip and Laura Billow Preston said the family loves to entertain as they directed guests to the wine cellar and tasting room.
Joel and Paul Testa opened their Northside Lofts for the Patrons Party, and Dante Boccuzzi’s DBA restaurant provided food and beverages. Terry Rastetter, Joe Rohr and Rob Schultz enjoyed chocolate martinis, and Chef Dan Soza kept busy cooking mushroom risotto. General Manager Cynthia Bailey invited guests to the penthouse for dessert, and Megan and Julie Oliver, with family dogs Flex and Diesel, greeted tours of the lofts.
Enjoying the party were Mark Williams and Brian Elter, Eric and Marlene Czetli, Rick Krochka, Steve Schmidt, Eric Jones, Larry Pentecost, Patty Dill, Jim Simon, Craig Libman, Cindy Christman and Jon Fiume.
