It took the better part of 30 years of being cajoled about participating, but this is the Christmas Joan Firley's Jefferson City showcase home will be featured on the Heisinger Bluffs Ladies' Auxiliary holiday tour.
"They've asked every year, I think," Firley said Tuesday of her friends in the auxiliary who are staging the 24th annual version of the popular Christmastime event from 1-5 p.m. Sunday. "It just seemed like the right year because all of my kids are coming home this year to enjoy it, too," Firley said while conducting a private walk-through of all three floors of her Country Club Drive residence.
It features five individually-themed Christmas trees, the three glass-fronted cabinets jammed with Goebel Hummel figurines, dozens of Nutcrackers and assorted pyramids. Many of the collectibles are cherished memories of long-ago family trips to Germany.
Firley is one of Jefferson City's most acclaimed hostesses and collectors of original art. Her Christmas decorations are positioned from foyer to pool room, and from parlor to kitchen, to create seasonal spaces sure to captivate each visitor.
Hundreds of people are expected to visit Firley's home and five others gaily adorned, as well as the Immanuel Lutheran Church at Honey Creek, each brightened with personal touches for the Christmas holidays.
The Ladies Auxiliary conceived the tour and has been organizing and managing it all these years with 100 percent of the profits benefiting the residents of Heisinger Bluffs, said one of those organizers, JoAnn Kiesling.
Organizers began planning for this year's tour in August, said Ashley Drewel, the health services counselor at Heisinger Bluffs and the coordinator of what she calls "a pretty big event." The members of the auxiliary, led this year by president Ruth Ann Klatt, Linda Smith, JoAnn Strobel and many others "start working on this project in August, maybe earlier," Drewel said.
The homes on the 2016 tour, with a thumbnail sketch of the Yule decor in each:
Sarah Beck home, 2800 Honey Creek Road. "A winter wonderland describes this country farm home that is beautifully decorated throughout, includes one room of nothing but Snow Village pieces."
Immanuel Lutheran Church and School, 8231 Tanner Bridge Road. "The Old Founder's Room will be decorated with several 'theme' trees: German, Old Fashioned, Chrismons (religious symbols). The Maker's Dozen will perform 1:30-2 p.m. The pre-school children will present their Christmas program at 4 p.m.
Floyd and Loretta Siebeneck Home, 9922 Tanner Bridge Road. "See an antique Murphy bed at this home and an upside down MU tree fully decorated, Hallmark and baseball collectibles. This home is decorated from one end to the other."
Mike and Jonie Henderson home, 1215 Moreland Ave. "The Christmas edition of next year's City Magazine will feature this 1927 home. The dining room is decorated in the 1940s and 1950s era. The living room features all Santa Clauses. Old Christmas collectibles are in every room."
Joan Firley home, 3329 Country Club Drive. "This authentic French provincial home is decorated with man, many trees. Lots of Hummel figurines and Nutcrackers brought from Germany are part of the decoration in this home."
Chaplain Jim and Cindy Mueller home, 1314 W. Main St. "Located behind St. Joseph's Bluffs, this was home for the priests. Chaplain Jim serves residents of St. Joseph's and Heisinger Bluffs. A real treat is going to MiMa and PaPa's home to see the gingerbread men, Nativity scenes and the Christmas wreaths in the windows."
G.H. Dulle home, owned by Edith Vogel and Rose Mengwasser, 800 St. Mary's Blvd. "pre-Civil War home. All the rooms in this old German brick home are beautifully decorated."
The first floor of the St. Joseph Bluffs facility, 1306 W. Main St., also will be featured on the tour, each decorated in Christmas finery by residents and staff.
From 3-6 p.m. Sunday, the dining room at the Heisinger Bluffs independent living facility, 1002 W. Main St., will host a Christmas reception, Drewel said.
Drewel may be contacted for details about the Christmas Tour of Homes, at 573-636-6288, or [email protected].