COVINGTON, Ga. — It’s that time of year! The Satsuki Garden Club Candlelight Tour of Homes is right around the corner!
The tour will take place in the downtown Covington area from 4-8 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 5. Five local homeowners will open their doors, and welcome with open arms, members of our community and neighboring friends.
“You cannot miss this tour," Connie Waller, chairperson of the 2019 tour, said.
All of the homes are within walking distance of one another, but the club has enlisted the help of the Downtown Trolley to ensure everyone feels comfortable and capable of following the tour path. In addition, the Arts Association of Newton County is providing entertainment intermittently at the homes and on the trolley.
What a great way to kick off the Christmas season!
Homes on the tour include: two on Floyd Street, the Waites House and the Wright-King House.
Lifelong Newton County resident Dr. Meredith Farrow (Johnson) and her husband, Eddie Johnson, have been lovingly renovating their home at 1167 Floyd St. NE since 2017, when Farrow’s family moved back to Newton County for her to practice gynecology with Dr. Cathy Larrimore.
Next door to the Johnsons, Dr. Josh King and his wife, Heather, found a historic jewel when they purchased the 1921 Wright house and began a renovation in 2017, which lasted a year. They are the first family to live in the home after two generations of the Wright family.
“I just knew this was my house. I used to walk by or sit at my friend’s house across the street and knew that the house was meant to be mine," Heather said. "I have not been disappointed. During renovation, someone called to tell me that they had the original house plans. I got them and have framed them to hang in the hall. What a treasure! We have changed very little in the structure of the house and incorporated the original colors inside the home, including in the dining room.”
At 3111 Conyers St. SE, artist Jodie Hutchens and her husband, John, found a wonderful 1948 brick cottage to meet their needs. The couple has been renovating the Tudor Revival since 2018; they have painted the brick, opened the front porch, added a swing and created an instant small-town feel.
The Bates-Terrell House at 2108 Monticello St. SW was built in 1904 by Covington’s first physician. Camie and Robert Meller are the fifth owners of the home and moved there in 2010. In a 2016 renovation, hand-hewn timbers were discovered under the porch and incorporated as a mantle displayed in their newly renovated kitchen.
Although newly built in 2014, Jean Ellen Anderson’s charming southern cottage at 2104 Monticello St. SW is the perfect complement to its turn of the century neighbors. Anderson has decorated the home to replicate the period.
In addition to these five homes, the Covington First United Methodist Church Sanctuary (1854) will be open for touring. The current building is modeled after a French Renaissance Cathedral and is the setting of many movies, including "A Man Called Peter," "In The Heat of the Night" and "The Vampire Diaries."
The tour will round out with a wonderful display of Christmas Nativities at the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints at 19235 Eagle Drive. In addition, live performances of the Nativity will be presented throughout the evening. Hot Chocolate and cookies will be served.
Tour participants are also invited for refreshments at the Southern Heartland Art Galley, located at 1132 Washington St. SW.
Tickets for this magnificent tour are $20 each and can be purchased from the following downtown businesses: A Bouquet By Betty, Ramsey Furniture Co. and Revolution Casual Living.
Megan Dial, owner of Revolution, is also inviting those touring to drop by her store on Dec. 5 for refreshments.
Sponsors for the 2019 Satsuki Tour include: United Bank of Covington, Newton Federal Bank, Newton County Convention and Visitor’s Bureau, Ginn Motors, Plain Nuts, Bread and Butter Bakery Cafe, Revolution Casual Living, City Pharmacy, Associated Printing Co., Mystic Grill and Your Pie.
For more information, go to satsukigardenclub@yahoo.comor or call Ginny Davidson, club secretary, at 678-342-6498.
