What will you do on Christmas Holiday?

MIMI BROWN 26.NOV.09

It is time, once again, for the annual Teague Christmas Tour of Homes to benefit the Teague Volunteer Fire Department.

One of the exquisite homes on the tour of Christmas on Dobbs Drive will be the home of Eric and Sushma Walker and their two beautiful daughters. Eric Walker, the son of Benny and Rita Walker, lifetime natives of Teague, graduated from the University of Texas at Arlington where Eric and Sushma met. He has been a teacher and coach for 16 years and now is employed with Teague I.S.D.

Sushma Walker graduated from Sam Houston State University and moved to Teague in 1994, the year she married Eric. She is an IT Supervisor at Nucor Steele and mother to the couples daughters, Emily Walker, 14, an 8th grade cheerleader who is involved in athletics and Erica Walker, 10, who loves to sing. She sings in the choir at church, plays piano and basketball.

The Walkers built their three bedroom/2 bath home on Dobbs Drive in 1999. Don't miss seeing the Walker home all dressed up in its Christmas best. This year the tour will be held on December 5, 2009, 6:00 p.m. until 9:00 p.m., and will feature homes on Dobbs Drive across the loop from Brookshire Bros. It will include the homes of Brandon and Keitha Whitaker, where you can hear the wonderful music of Michelle Smith on the flute from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m., the always great "Country Christmas" sound of Shirley Jones, Stan Waldrip and Stacy Dodd; and 8:00 to 9:00 p.m. will feature the clarinet music of Mykle Ann Wright.

Drop into Christmas at the home of Eric and Sushma Walker where the sounds of a Christmas piano will fill the air with Christina Mims and her piano students as well as the incomparable Earle Wylie.

The beautiful and elegant home of Ernest and Mary Smith will feature the angelic harp music of Christina Copeland sponsored by Citizens National Bank of Teague.

Dobbs Drive will be closed off to regular vehicles and golf carts will be available for those who need them.

Because of the setting the tour will be extra special strolling along the beautifully decorated street, enjoying carolers, musicians, and the always popular hand bell choir. There will also be a live nativity at the end of the street with music from the Do-Re-Mi Children's Choir from the First United Methodist Church from 6:00 to 6:20 p.m. and the First Baptist Children's Choir at 6:20 to 6:40.

The First Baptist Church's Bell Choir will be performing their very special music from 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the home of Jerry and Janet Morris.

At 6:40 p.m. the Eighth Avenue Baptist Church Choir will be providing great Christmas music at the circle. Dr. E.V. Moore will be on hand at 7:00 p.m. with the wonderful St. James United Methodist Church Choir. Don't miss hearing the beautiful music of these two choirs.

Of course, it wouldn't be a Christmas Tour without Santa Claus! The jolly old gentleman will be at the home of Clint and Emily Evans on a fire truck. Photos of children with Santa will be available for only $2.00 and may be taken separately from the tour.

Coffee, hot chocolate, spiced tea and cookies will be served and spiced tea and hot chocolate mixes in jars will be available to purchase.

Parking will be in the Brookshire Bros. parking lot by the gas pumps and will be very easy for everyone including people who have trouble getting around. If you park at Brookshire Bros. you can take the shuttle van across to the tour and also ride in a golf cart to all of the activities and be taken back to your car whenever you are ready to leave.

Admission for this wonderful event is $10.00 for adults, or bring a new toy of comparable price. Children are free. Toys will be given to the fire department to be distributed to needy children. Tickets may be purchased at The Teague Chronicle or at the gate. No ticket is necessary if you do not wish to enter the homes.

All proceeds to benefit the Teague Volunteer Fire Department.

Because this is an outside event, it will be canceled if the weather is bad.

Come and enjoy the wonderful things that the tour has to offer and wish all the people that you might otherwise not see before Christmas, a Happy Holidays.