Nevada County Picayune and Gurdon Times Newspaper Archive

Gurdon readies for 'Tour of Homes'

The annual "Tour of Homes," sponsored by the Clark County Extension Homemakers Club, will take place from 1-5 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 5.

There is a $5 tour fee, which EHC gives the majority of to the DeGray Campus of the Arkansas Sheriff's Youth Ranches.

EHC member Elizabeth Wilson said Tuesday, "Last year, we gave 80 percent of what we took in to the youth ranches. This tour gives people a chance to get out and see some really nice homes on a Sunday afternoon and to do something for a very good cause to help others."

This year's tour takes onlookers to five places: Eddie and Peggy Wells, 171 Parr Road, Gurdon; Dennis and Dianne Jones, 98 Amber Lane, Gurdon; Gary and Wendy Plyler, 2131 Smithton Road, Gurdon; John and Renee Pace, 101 Stone Street, Gurdon; and the Presbyterian Church, 206 Main Street, Gurdon.

Instructions from Wilson on the tour route are as follows: Go to Gurdon. Follow Main Street (not Highway 53) from Smith's Hometown Market (located on Highway 53) away from town 8/10ths of a mile. Turn left at Stone Road.

Tour John and Renee Pace's home. Retrace route to stop sign at Smith's Hometown Market intersection and bear right toward Gurdon to the Presbyterian Church on Main Street (Highway 53 N). Continue on Highway 53 N. to Highway 67. Take a right at the stop sign and travel 8/10 of a mile on Highway 67. Turn left off Highway 67 North onto Highway 53 North. Travel 2.3 miles to Parr Road and turn right. Stay on Parr Road to Eddie and Peggy Wells' log home. When touring the homes of Eddie and Peggy Wells, and Dennis and Dianne Jones, be sure to exit Highway 53 onto Parr Road. This will be a one-way loop during the afternoon of the Gurdon tour.

Continue from the Wells' home around the pond to the Jones's home. Continue on the loop to return to Highway 53. Turn left and retrace route to Highway 67. Turn left at stop sign onto Highway 67 North. Travel 2.3 miles to Smithton Road. Turn left and travel 6/10 of a mile to Gary and Wendy Plyler's log home.

On Tuesday, Nov. 23, a partial tour was provided. The log home of Eddie and Peggy Wells and the home of Dennis and Dianne Jones were visited.

As to the Wells home, Eddie described the structure as "log all the way with a wrap around porch."

"It is 2,000 square feet and has three bedrooms," Wells said. "We finished in June of 2003 and moved in then. My favorite parts are the fireplace and five-acre pond. This place sits on 60 acres, most of it woods. About five acres are cleared for living on."

Peggy, who was just getting started on her seasonal decorations with a wreath, said her aunt talked her into being on the tour, after explaining it was for a good cause.

"This home is our retirement present to each other," she said. "I am retired from teaching elementary school in Pulaski County."

Eddie said he retired as an engineering manager for Entergy.

"This is our retirement place and the two bedrooms upstairs are small, just for small visits from others. We have our big bedroom downstairs. All the rock on the walls and fireplace come from Hollywood, Arkansas, about 20 miles from here."

EHC Wilson added, "Look for their Christmas tree upstairs, visible from all locations, but out of the way when they have guests over during the holidays. Peggy said she especially enjoys sitting on the porch to watch geese at the pond and the woods that are filled with deer and other wildlife."

The Tuesday night tour, in the rain, continued around the pond to the Jones's home. Dianne and Dennis welcomed the tourists to their home at 98 Amber Lane. Dennis said it is approximately 1,500 square feet, and has two bedrooms and a study. It will be their first Christmas in the retirement dream house, as they moved in this past summer in June.

Dennis and Dianne both said the livingroom is their favorite part of the house. There are five acres around the home, mostly open. One thing Dianne loves to display is clocks. She even has a "cuckoo," that goes about 20 "cuckoos."

"We were asked to be in the tour of homes," Mrs. Jones said. "We hope it helps someone."

They have a one-story home, with a porch around front and one off to the side. One porch overlooks the pond.

"We do enjoy viewing the pond. There are lots of fish in there and Dennis does enjoy the fishing. We throw them back, unless there is a fish fry."

Dennis is a pastor at Okolona Baptist Church and recently retired from the Law Enforcement Academy. Dianne is an elementary school teacher at Harmony Grove School in Camden.

"I like the study in the house," Dennis said. "I love Civil War things and I have them, along with blue and gray colors, in the study, with a door on it. It is a nice place to go."

Wilson said, "Dianne's love of flowers and Victorian decor are seen throughout the home. Be sure to check out the Snow-babies collected over the years. Everyone enjoys the quiet, peacefulness of their home. Being around Dianne's family is a happiness they consider and unexpected bonus at this time of life."

Earlier in the week, Wilson made it by Gary and Wendy Plyler for a tour at 2131 Smithton Road.

Wilson wrote, "Beautiful views are always possible from the recently built log home of Gary and Wendy Plyler. Sitting in the middle of 28-acres in the moon valley, the house features real log railing on the wrap-around porches and stairway inside.

"Completed in the spring of this year, a touch of Southwest decor helps create the lodge-like feel of the home. The ceiling in the great room spans 22-feet high and has a massive rock fireplace flanked by two picture windows.

"The kitchen, with its knotty pine cabinets, contributes well to the home's rustic look. The master bedroom and bath is located just off the great room. Two bedrooms with full baths are located upstairs, on either side of the loft area, which overlooks the great room below. As the family celebrates its first Christmas season in their new home, they extend a warm welcome to all who may stop by for a little holiday cheer."