The Fayetteville First United Methodist Church will hold its Annual Christmas Home Tour this Saturday and Sunday, Dec. 6 and 7.

Among the homes that can be visited are those of Dennis and Becky Davenport on Reynolds Place, and Phil and Bonnie Smelly on Broadmoor Drive. Their homes are pictured with this article. Other homes on this tour are those of Dan and Cindy Smith on Bernhard Road and John and Laura Ryckeley on Annelle Park Drive. Also available on the tour is the business of Diane Reeves on South Glynn Street.

The Davenport home exemplifies the look of the old plantation houses of the Cane River country in Louisiana. The main level, with 10-foot ceilings, offers circulation between room. Touring this home will give you the feeling of an old-fashioned Christmas.

Looking at the home of the Smelly's might remind you of FDR's "Little Whitehouse." If you need an idea for decorating your Christmas tree a little different this year, you don't want to miss this home.

A tree in nearly every room with such names as Gingerbread, Just for us Girls, A Happy Birthday, Nature, Las Vegas and Tropical Island will fill your head with may unique ideas.

Visitors on the tour this weekend will enter the Smith home through a beautiful wrought iron and brick gate. This classic plantation home is tranquilly nestled in the middle of 7.5 acres of a native hardwood forest.

There are many custom features in this 12,000 square foot home such as unique art and antiques collected over the years. An array of animal mounts reflects Dan's hunting passion for conservation.

The Ryckeley house is home for the couple and their three daughters. An artfully decorated entry hall with a domed ceiling opens to a sophisticated dining room. The cathedral ceiling living room houses an impressive old-world stone fireplace.

Outside the terrace level verandas have dining areas, hammocks, a fire-pit and a heated granite swimming pool.

Dressed up for the holidays, the business office of Diane Reeves has the period look of an early 1900's residence. The main level has 10-foot ceilings with period-wide baseboards. Windows have wide window seats, with a wide fluted trim and upper sash with period vertical dividers.

The floors at the entrance and in the lower halls are tongue and groove Southern Yellow Pine. The columned rocking chair porch is brick and wraps around two sides of the front of the building.

Tickets are $15 per person and can be purchased at the church office at 175 East Lanier Avenue.

While on the tour, the church requests that there be no smoking, no children under the age of 12, no cameras or cell phones.

If you wish to participate in the Silent Auction only, the purchase of a ticket is not required. A sealed-bid auction will take place in the Fellowship Hall which faces the Old Courthouse on Lee Street. Winners will be notified by Sunday night, Dec. 7, and the items will be available for pick up on Monday, Dec. 8.

For information call 770-461-4313 or 770-461-1519

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