“Walk-Thru” of the Christmas House Tour – Part 2
December 3, 2009
Jon-Paul Wimer, Senior Journalist
As with all of the homes in the Christmas House Tour, some contain a rich history while others are in the process of creating one.
Come out Saturday, December 5 from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and explore wonderful houses with superb decorations during the Christmas House Tour for just $8 in advance and $10 the day of the event.
 Traveling to the North Side of Ellwood and heading up Bridge Street, you can visit the Houk home at 289 Ren Lee Avenue, Ellwood City, to see a very traditional house built in 1993. David and Doreen Houk enjoy this home with their two children Mathew and Larissa.
Amongst the many Christmas decorations, there will be a collection of Santa Clauses from various states. Doreen loves the numerous Santa Clauses they have obtained over the years because of their porcelain faces and cloth suits. There are Santa Clauses from Ocean City, Maryland - where the family usually travels - as well as from Ohio, Pennsylvania, and Florida.
Doreen’s favorite room in the house is one that will be visible during the House Tour – the family room. This room, which will be decorated in a very festive fashion, is extremely spacious and is the place where the family has all their holiday dinners.
 Heading away from Ellwood City toward Olde Stonewall Golf Club will lead you to Chapel Drive, where another house on the tour can be found. Originally an oldfarmhouse on unattended grounds, Rose and Dennis D'Angelo at 297 Chapel Drive, Ellwood City, began an extensiverenovation blending the old with the new in what is now the Chapel Valley Estate Bed and Breakfast.
The D’Angelos purchased the 10-acre land and farmhouse in 2003, and in just a year, began a three-phase renovation that took two years. The original structure was a two story, four bedroom farmhouse built in the 1890s. An outbuilding called a “summer kitchen” was adjacent to the farmhouse, and during renovation, the D’Angelos made use of the building and recycled the wood for the construction.
Those visiting this home will get to tour the bed and breakfast and see all the guest rooms and the carriage house. The wonderful landscape stone that surrounds the house is all natural from the ground around the home. There are beautiful hardwood floors, an artful tin ceiling, and Christmas decorations in every room.
 Another house on the tour can be found by taking Pine Hill Way, the street directly across from the entrance of Giant Eagle in Ellwood City. The 4300 square foot home at 111 Hemlock Way, Ellwood City, is owned by David and Beverly Annarumo and was constructed in 2001. The Annarumos moved into the house during the fall of 2008 with their daughters Jordan, 11, Sarah, 9, and Olyvia, 18 months, as well as their two dogs.
The finely decorated home has 17 rooms and five baths, including an apartment for Beverly’s mother. The home contains six decorated Christmas Trees, with two trees on the first floor, a small decorated tree in each of the children’s rooms, and a large tree in the apartment suite. A small collection of Santa Claus figurines add a final touch to the home’s decorations.
One of the most exciting aspects of the Annarumo home is a grand winding staircase that will catch your eye. Another exciting feature to the home is the large fireplace located in the family room. The fireplace takes up almost an entire wall, with the opening width measuring about six feet.
The proceeds from the Christmas House Tour benefit the Municipal Woman’s Club Gazebo Fund and Civic Projects. Tickets for the event are sponsored by ESB Bank.
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