HOMES FOR THE HOLIDAYS CHRISTMAS HOUSE TOUR

Gilford, NH (November 4, 2010) - Belknap Landscape Company Inc. (BLC) is the Lakes Region’s premier landscape design-build firm, providing an unmatched scope of landcare services to area residential and commercial clients throughout all four seasons. Continuing a track record of community service, Belknap Landscape contacted the Opechee Garden Club (OGC) to see what support could be provided for the upcoming Dec 4-5 Homes for the Holidays House Tour of five Gilford residences and, this year, the Belknap Mill.

The Historic Belknap Mill donated space for the December 4th and 5th Tour, in conjunction with the annual Festival of the Trees, showcasing the architecture of the 1823 mill structure, a building designated as the Official Meetinghouse of New Hampshire. The Mill will be dressed with candlelight and greens and is the venue for the Just Love to Sing choral group, in period costumes on Saturday at 1:00 pm. There will also be a fresh greens boutique, a tempting raffle, Mill tours and a Holiday Bazaar on Sunday. Additional entertainment from a Grammy winning guitarist will be provided and light refreshments round out this holiday event. A complete holiday experience worth the trip from anywhere! Tickets $10 available at the door on tour days.

“OGC Past President and this year’s Co-Chair for the Tour Sandy Gove gave us a warm welcome” said Hayden McLaughlin “The Club needed help decorating the exterior of the Mill. Hanging the holiday wreath at the mill this afternoon, along with placing barrels & hemlock trees is a nice compliment to the Mill decorations and the Tour.” Adding, “This not to be missed event supports the Opechee Garden Club scholarships and community projects including horticultural, conservation, and environmental projects, consistent with our company’s community service efforts.”

This week Jonathan Marchant of the BLC Enhancement Division cleared the old planters in front of the Mill’s front door in preparation for their replacement, courtesy Opechee Garden Club, who covered the cost of the whiskey barrels and BLC, who is doing the planting plus providing the Hemlocks as a courtesy to the Mill.

The Homes for the Holidays House Tour is on December 4th and 5th from 10AM - 4PM. A self-guided tour of Mill and five Lakes Region NH homes, offering a wonderful variety of homes from a Grand Victorian to a prestigious island artist's retreat, waterfront home building for entertaining, a farm built for the VP of a major soft drink company, and home presenting the spirit of family-all festively decorated for the holidays each boasting a special theme. For more information please dial 603-524-8813 or go to opecheegardenclub@yahoo.com