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St. Mary’s Episcopal Church in Blowing Rock Sponsors 54th Annual Tour of Homes July 27

May 25, 2012. The 54th annual Tour of Homes sponsored by St. Mary of the Hills Episcopal Parish in Blowing Rock will be held on Friday, July 27 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., beginning at the church at Main and Chestnut Streets. Featured this year are the homes of Tony and Debbie di Santi, Dr. Cynthia Payne, Anne Smart, Susie Greene and Richard and Carrie Malloy.

Transportation is provided, with the last car leaving at 3 p.m.; the houses are open until 5 p.m. Tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce on Park Avenue in downtown Blowing Rock, at St. Mary’s prior to the tour and at the church on tour day. All proceeds go to support community projects and organizations such as Hospitality House, Hospice, Blowing Rock Fire and Rescue and the Blowing Rock Library.

“The congregation at St. Mary’s is proud of the community support generated by this project for over half a century,” said Bo Henderson, chair of this year’s tour. “It has become a major event in our region, and we are excited about this year’s collection of lovely homes, all of which have unique design features that everyone will enjoy.”

Susie Greene and Will Merrill are serving as co-chairs of the tour.

Other activities offered at the church the day of the tour include box lunches served by the choir; a silent auction; a bazaar featuring St. Mary’s cookbooks, aprons, baked goods and note cards; and Timeless Treasures which will feature original art and other special items. Parking will be available in the deck at Wallingford Street and Laurel Lane, next to the Blowing Rock Art and History Museum and restrooms are located along the tour route.

The annual Patron’s Party, which traditionally precedes the tour, will be held July 12 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. at Golden Hill, the home of tour chair Bo Henderson and Ed Springs in Blowing Rock. The event is black tie optional and food will be provided by the Gideon Ridge Inn and the Bistro Roca in Blowing Rock. Tickets are $150 per person and are available at the church or by mail, with enclosed check made out to St. Mary of the Hills – Patron’s Party, at P.O. Box 1882, Blowing Rock, NC 28605. Katy Thompson and Patsy Turner are co-chairing the event. All proceeds will go to fund community outreach programs.