City shines for Tour of Homes
The 80th Annual Holly Springs Tour of Homes was enjoyed by pilgrims and local guests and volunteers this past weekend.
Mayor Kelvin Buck, in opening ceremonies for the Tour of Homes Friday, welcomed guests and praised the “wonderful occasion.”
“I am tremendously proud of our community and glad to see so many people come to Holly Springs to see our city shine,” Buck said.
Trina Strickland, president of the Holly Springs Garden Club, welcomed guests and introduced Rev. William S. Banks, pastor of Anderson Chapel CME Church, who said a prayer, and Annie Moffitt, who led the Pledge of Allegiance and sang “Mine Eyes Have Seen the Glory” (“Battle Hymn of the Republic”).
Co-chairs of the Tour of Historic Homes this year were Nancy Jones (mother of the queen, Mary Neely Jones) and Suzanne Lefever (mother of the queen’s escort, Mitchell Lafever).
Presenting the colors this year were members of the Oxford High School Color Guard, Marine Corps Jr. ROTC, Carter Hillmer, Lawson Brines, Elle Purdon and Shanitra Bowen.
Family gatherings
There were some out-of-town guests who created a family gathering at the pilgrimage. Of note was the family of Alice Bell, who moved to Holly Springs in 1946 and left in 1991, according to Frances Buchanan.
About 25 members of the Alice Bell family attended a Sunday brunch at Montrose – invited by Helen Hopkins of Phoenix, Ariz., a daughter of Bell, and Helen’s two sons, Elliott from Phoenix, and Frank from New York City, and Bell’s daughter Alice Totten from Moss Point.
Bell was a long-time principal at Holly Springs Elementary School.
Buchanan’s daughter Alice from Auburn, Ala., also came home.
“A lot of people came home and enjoyed this visit – in a way a family reunion,” Buchanan said.
Cemetery tour and cast of characters
The cast of re-enactors of famous characters who once played prominent roles in the history of Holly Springs attended events at Montrose and also joined the Hill Crest Cemetery tour which drew an attendance of about 111 guests.
Kevin Cavender played Civil War surgeon Dr. Peel (Sept. 30, 1832 - Jan. 5, 1903); Bruce McMillan played Rev. Ingraham (Jan. 26, 1809 - Dec. 18, 1860); Phil Knecht played William Henry Coxe; Sarah Taylor played Sherwood Bonner; Libba Smith played Yellow Fever martyr Sister Corinthia; Steven Smith played Gen. Walthall; Art Collins played Judge Trotter; John Stuber played Gen. Absolom West; and Lisa Shaw played Our Charlie and the little girl buried in the window grave.
“It’s usually the most popular event,” said Amanda Knecht. “People just love going through there.”
Sherry Childers and Trina Strickland organized the cast of characters.
“It’s a joy to do it with them (the characters),” Childers said. “They are so kind to do it.”
Strickland said tour buses were down this year, but there were good crowds Friday and Saturday. Montrose Under The Moonlight Saturday night was well-attended, and the Sunday brunch sold out, she said.
Three churches participated this year. Anderson Chapel CME, Asbury United Methodist and Christ Episcopal opened for the festivities.
Nancy Jones estimated about 450 guests, close to the same as last year, toured the historic homes – Cuffawa, Finley Place, Montrose, Wynne House and Walthall.
“Basically, it was a good year,” Jones said. “The weather was great. I appreciate everyone’s participation and I look forward to an even better year next year.”