From unique homes to magnificent domiciles, gorgeous gardens to sundaes at a historic hotel, winning custom gift baskets to the opportunity to purchase beautiful plants and stunning roses for spring gardens, new and exciting pleasures await you at the Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group's 26th Annual Homes & Gardens of Santa Paula Tour.

The Tour will be held Saturday, April 25th from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

According to Marilyn Harvey, Hospice Board Vice President/Tour Chairwoman, “This year's tour has lots of contrasts, a new hillside home,” custom designed by noted plant growers Dianne and Dudley Davis, “a stately Victorian,” full of surprises owned by Billie Ann Moore, “a vintage home with a modern remodel” demonstrating the talents of owners and interior design/architectural team of Susan and John Kulwiec, “and the storied historic Glen Tavern Inn,” restored to its former glory by Rosanna and Tom Jennett.

“I know,” Harvey noted, “there is something for everyone.”

And that includes herself: “It's exciting to see what people have done to improve their homes and it's always fun to see a home that's fresh and new. I always look for ideas that I can adapt to my own decorating style … and where else can you go to get decorating ideas at this price?”

A bonus is the ice cream sundaes served at the Glen Tavern Inn/Ironhorse Restaurant: “I love the sundaes, and they're included in the price of the tour ticket. What a bargain!”

A bargain indeed: tickets cost only $15 in advance and $20 at the door on Tour Day.

Harvey expects the Spring Plant Sale - a Tour tradition - to again be a sell out: “We know gardeners will find bedding plants, vegetables and spring flowers for their yards,” at reasonable prices, courtesy of DoRight's Plant Growers, owned by Dianne and Dudley Davis.

The Plant Sale will be held on the wide expanse of lawn at the Glen Tavern Inn, one of only three Ventura County buildings listed on the National Historic Registry.

A new tradition is being launched for the 26th annual tour: “We chose Saturday so that people could spend more time touring the homes,” said Harvey, and “church-goers won't have to choose between their services and the home tour.”

All tour proceeds benefit the always-free services provided by the non-profit Santa Clara Valley Hospice/Home Support Group.

Advance tickets at $15 each (remember, tickets will be $20 “At the door” on Tour Day) are available in Santa Paula: Santa Paula Times (944 E. Main St.), Chamber of Commerce, (South Paseo, 926 E. Main, Unit C), John Nichols Gallery (916 E. Main St.), Glen Tavern Inn (134 N. Mill St.), Heritage Hardware (Vons Shopping Center, 568 W. Main St.), Hospice Office (133 N. Mill St.).

In Fillmore: Mirage (508 Santa Clara St.).

In Ventura: Lautzenhauser's Hallmark, (Montalvo Square 1730 S. Victoria).

Advance tickets at $15 each are also available by mail: make checks payable to SCV Hospice/Home Support Group, PO Box 365, Santa Paula, CA 93061. Please enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope.
Call the SCVHHSG office at 525-1333 for more information.