The Home Tour, August 3, 2006
Here is another blog sent to me from Eydie about the North Lake Tahoe Historical Society's 33rd annual home tour. Thanks Eydie for another great report. If you'd like to send in a blog, just e-mail me at klarsen@rgj.com.
The North Lake Tahoe Historical Society presents its 33rd annual home tour. About 400 people participate. I am lucky. My close friends and neighbors are chairpersons. Margy and Jim Arthur and Lois and Andy Skaff have devoted an enormous amount of their time to make this event happen.
Every year different houses are chosen. A shuttle takes us from the Homewood parking lot to our first two stops.
Fleur du Lac, the Flower of the Lake, is the name given to the property by Henry J. Kaiser in 1938. It practically screams out Godfather! Many of the stars actually lived on the estate grounds during the filming which was set in the 1930's. How many times we pass the front gate and wonder what lies beyond. Now I know. The Clubhouse is the only original building on the property. The adjoining boathouse is still in use. There are 22 lavish new or totally remodeled homes on the property today. If you are contemplating living in the neighborhood, be prepared to pay between two and eight million. The view alone is undoubtedly worth it!
We move on. The next bus stop is the Simmonds Home. Built in 1941-1942, it sits by an inlet leading to Lake Tahoe. The front reminds me of an old style ranch house. A large stone porch leads to the entrance. Inside, there is wood paneling and narrow hallways. A private beach beckons to the Lake.
We are on our own for the next stop. The Mennick Home was built for entertaining during the Squaw Valley Olympics in 1960. First up is the huge stone courtyard. Wood beam ceilings meander throughout the home. It feels like you are in a Swiss Village. Of course, there is the view of the Lake.
Speaking of views, our next stop has them too. The Shepherd Home has two wrap-around decks. Even the master bedroom has views of the Lake. It's something no one gets tired of seeing. The stairway mural is not to be missed. But my favorite is the elk above the fireplace. On one side is the elk's head and on the other is the elk's butt. That is different. The contractor of the Shepherd House was instrumental in starting the Concours d'Elegance which is in its 34th year.
I expected to see a log home and I was not disappointed. The Skaff Home is made totally out of logs that were milled in Canada and shipped to Tahoma. Assembly was by number. Imagine putting an entire house together by numbers. Andy Skaff, the current owner paints his surroundings and does a beautiful job of it.
Are we hungry and thirsty yet? The last home on the tour is the Lonergan Home. It's original name, the Adjidaumo Lodge, comes from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha. It was the name of the red squirrel. The Lodge's history dates back to 1899 when the twenty-two year old governor of Nevada built his summer estate there to afford him views of his beloved Nevada.
The first structure we pass is a guesthouse that was a former barn. It is adorable. The main structure is vintage 1926-1930. One side houses the family room and bedrooms. On the other side is an enormous modern kitchen.
Once you stop gawking at the gorgeous scenery, the olfactory nerves kick in. Under white tents are the most delicious hors d'oeurvres, sandwiches, dips, fruit, cheese, and those impossible-to-pass-up desserts. All of this was prepared and served by Tahoe's own local caterer Marlies, Your Personal Chef. .
I'm not the wine connoisseur in the family, my son-in-law is. I just know what I like and I like the wine I had. Kent Rosenblum of Rosenblum Cellars personally provided the glasses of white and red wines.
Could anything be more perfect? The weather cooperated. With food in one hand, wine in the other, and a feast for the eyes on the Lake, it was the most idyllic setting.
Reno has its Hot August Nights, Tahoe has its Concours d' Elegance and North Lake Tahoe has its Home Tour. It seems we enjoy the beauty of the old but the conveniences of the new. These homes are an excellent blend. All are occupied and meticulously decorated to reflect their period of history.
I've included five photos.
1.The Fleur du Lac Clubhouse.
2. Inside the Clubhouse where much of the action in the Godfather 11 movie took place. Just visualize the characters in their tender moments.
3. The tranquil scene taken from the Adjidaumo Lodge. Note the sailboat enjoying the serenity.
4.Our chairpersons, Margy and Lois. Applause, applause.
5. Five of the people who helped put this event together.
Marge Hartsfield, Sue De Voe, Dick Lonergan, Mary Lonergan and Margy Arthur.
More applause please and our heartfelt thanks for a job well done. I can't wait for the next one.
The North Lake Tahoe Historical Society presents its 33rd annual home tour. About 400 people participate. I am lucky. My close friends and neighbors are chairpersons. Margy and Jim Arthur and Lois and Andy Skaff have devoted an enormous amount of their time to make this event happen.
Every year different houses are chosen. A shuttle takes us from the Homewood parking lot to our first two stops.
Fleur du Lac, the Flower of the Lake, is the name given to the property by Henry J. Kaiser in 1938. It practically screams out Godfather! Many of the stars actually lived on the estate grounds during the filming which was set in the 1930's. How many times we pass the front gate and wonder what lies beyond. Now I know. The Clubhouse is the only original building on the property. The adjoining boathouse is still in use. There are 22 lavish new or totally remodeled homes on the property today. If you are contemplating living in the neighborhood, be prepared to pay between two and eight million. The view alone is undoubtedly worth it!
We move on. The next bus stop is the Simmonds Home. Built in 1941-1942, it sits by an inlet leading to Lake Tahoe. The front reminds me of an old style ranch house. A large stone porch leads to the entrance. Inside, there is wood paneling and narrow hallways. A private beach beckons to the Lake.
We are on our own for the next stop. The Mennick Home was built for entertaining during the Squaw Valley Olympics in 1960. First up is the huge stone courtyard. Wood beam ceilings meander throughout the home. It feels like you are in a Swiss Village. Of course, there is the view of the Lake.
Speaking of views, our next stop has them too. The Shepherd Home has two wrap-around decks. Even the master bedroom has views of the Lake. It's something no one gets tired of seeing. The stairway mural is not to be missed. But my favorite is the elk above the fireplace. On one side is the elk's head and on the other is the elk's butt. That is different. The contractor of the Shepherd House was instrumental in starting the Concours d'Elegance which is in its 34th year.
I expected to see a log home and I was not disappointed. The Skaff Home is made totally out of logs that were milled in Canada and shipped to Tahoma. Assembly was by number. Imagine putting an entire house together by numbers. Andy Skaff, the current owner paints his surroundings and does a beautiful job of it.
Are we hungry and thirsty yet? The last home on the tour is the Lonergan Home. It's original name, the Adjidaumo Lodge, comes from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow's Song of Hiawatha. It was the name of the red squirrel. The Lodge's history dates back to 1899 when the twenty-two year old governor of Nevada built his summer estate there to afford him views of his beloved Nevada.
The first structure we pass is a guesthouse that was a former barn. It is adorable. The main structure is vintage 1926-1930. One side houses the family room and bedrooms. On the other side is an enormous modern kitchen.
Once you stop gawking at the gorgeous scenery, the olfactory nerves kick in. Under white tents are the most delicious hors d'oeurvres, sandwiches, dips, fruit, cheese, and those impossible-to-pass-up desserts. All of this was prepared and served by Tahoe's own local caterer Marlies, Your Personal Chef. .
I'm not the wine connoisseur in the family, my son-in-law is. I just know what I like and I like the wine I had. Kent Rosenblum of Rosenblum Cellars personally provided the glasses of white and red wines.
Could anything be more perfect? The weather cooperated. With food in one hand, wine in the other, and a feast for the eyes on the Lake, it was the most idyllic setting.
Reno has its Hot August Nights, Tahoe has its Concours d' Elegance and North Lake Tahoe has its Home Tour. It seems we enjoy the beauty of the old but the conveniences of the new. These homes are an excellent blend. All are occupied and meticulously decorated to reflect their period of history.
I've included five photos.
1.The Fleur du Lac Clubhouse.
2. Inside the Clubhouse where much of the action in the Godfather 11 movie took place. Just visualize the characters in their tender moments.
3. The tranquil scene taken from the Adjidaumo Lodge. Note the sailboat enjoying the serenity.
4.Our chairpersons, Margy and Lois. Applause, applause.
5. Five of the people who helped put this event together.
Marge Hartsfield, Sue De Voe, Dick Lonergan, Mary Lonergan and Margy Arthur.
More applause please and our heartfelt thanks for a job well done. I can't wait for the next one.
posted by Kristin Larsen at
1:50 PM
1 Comments:
I didn't know about this. Makes me want to attend next year. I really enjoyed reading about the home tour.
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