Participants tour a St. Marys residence as part of the annual Chamber of Commerce House Tours and Holiday Mixer.

By Amy Cherry
Daily Press Staff

    As part of the area’s Christmas festivities, the St. Marys Area Chamber of Commerce is hosting their fourth annual Advent Christmas Workshop on Sat., Dec. 6 and Christmas House Tours and Holiday Mixer on Sun., Dec. 7. 

Saturday’s festivities include Breakfast with Santa from 9-11 a.m. at the Sacred Heart Activity Center. Tickets for the event are available for both adult and children, with the menu consisting of French toast sticks, scrambled eggs,

sausage, cinnamon bread, coffee and juice.

    Sally Wilson, executive director of the Chamber, encourages participants to purchase tickets in advance to allot for an accurate count of breakfasts. She noted that a limited number will also be available at the door. Last year Chamber volunteers served approximately 200 breakfasts.

    During the workshop, children can have their photos taken with Santa by Beimel Photographics and make a fleece holiday pillow, both for a small fee.

    Wal-Mart is donating sugar cookies for children to decorate while they can also pick from an assortment of craft projects including key rings, gingerbread boxes, Christmas banners and faux stained glass ornaments.

    The workshop is sponsored by Allstate Insurance/Beimel and Gerg Agency, Morgan AM&T and St. Marys Pharmacy.

    Four new homes are being featured in the house tours including those belonging to Dr. Ted and Heidi Eshbach on South Ridge Rd., Dave and Suzy Saline on Church St., the Gausman home owned by Chris and Ruth Ann Wachter on N. Michael St. and

the Benson Home owned by Wayne and Patricia Wickett on Brusselles St.

    “This is the best group of houses we’ve had. It is really an interesting tour  with all four of the houses being very unique,” Wilson said.

    Participants should arrive at Gunner’s parking lot by 12:45 p.m., with tours departing at 1 p.m. Deadline for reservations for the tour are Wed., Dec. 3 or until sold out.

    A holiday mixer is scheduled at Gunner’s from 3:30-5:30 p.m., following the tours.  The menu will consist of assorted appetizers, Christmas tortellini soup, Holiday strawberry salad, assorted desert bar, hot apple cider, hot chocolate and coffee.

    WIlson noted those wishing to reserve tickets in groups should notify the Chamber when purchasing tickets. She added that tickets will likely sell out quickly as in years past.

    A total of 100 tickets are available, with each bus carrying groups of 25 people each.