Victorian style on display at Dickens of a Christmas

In 1922 John Skelly, founder of Combustion Engineering, commissioned architect Frederick Geffen, to build a 2 1/2-story Georgian style home in Monongahela.

Recently awarded landmark status by the Washington Historic and Landmark Foundation, the home will be one of seven homes featured on the second annual Monongahela Women's Club Holiday Tour, Saturday, Dec. 1.

Seven homes and the First Presbyterian Church of Monongahela will be decorated in Victorian holiday splendor in conjunction with the Dickens Christmas Celebration this Friday and Saturday.

The self-guided tour will show homes built in the Victorian Era as well as newer homes decorated in a Country Victorian Style.

Each home will offer its own style and personality to the tour. Marcia Barna's home will be decorated in a Country Victorian style and she will incorporate live music performed by her piano students.

The Skelly Home, now owned by Dr. Harry Miale, is decorated in the style of the 1920s, but many of the objects in the house show Miale's personality.

Growing up and attending schools in Monongahela, Miale became a teacher and principal. Along with his many antiques he has added school memorabilia.

There is a kitchen table made from locker room benches from Mon Valley Catholic High School. Children used to play school on an old slate blackboard. One item filled with memories is an old bench, which sat outside a principal's office where children sat and waited their fate.

"Many of us spent many hours on that bench, including me," joked Miale.

Others houses on the tour include one built at the turn of the 20th century and one built in at the height of the Victorian era in 1860.

Elaine Amos, daughter and son-in-law Bethany and Greg Beal have transformed their home into a winter wonderland.

Decorated with more than 13 holiday trees by Bethany, the Victorian mansion is alight with holiday cheer. Themed rooms include a poinsettia tree and room, Precious Moments and snowmen.

Built in 1860 for the Hodgson family, much of the original wood trim dates back to the original owners. Even the white picket fence, which surrounds the home, is hand cut from an original picket found in the attic by the former owners.

Brian Charlton, historian, will lead the tour at the First Presbyterian Church of Monongahela. Built by architect John Blythe in a gothic style, the church holds architectural value as well as historical value.

The congregation joined together in 1784 with the church established in 1807. Charlton will conduct the tour of the church with a step back in history of the people of the town and church.

Barna said she hopes the tour will encourage others to participate in future years and hopes it gives people ideas on decorating.

"Did you ever see a home and think to yourself, I wish I could do something like that in my home. We hope to encourage others to decorate for the holidays," said Barna.

In addition to admiring the holiday decorations, Barna said the decorations on her mantel and chandelier will be for sale.

Florist designer, "Fields of Heather" in Charleroi, will decorate Barna's home. The arrangement will be for sale and Fields of Heather will be available to decorate interested homeowners houses for the holidays.

Tickets for the tour can be purchased at Elaine's Beauty Salon or Monongahela Music Store. Tickets for the house tour are $10 and proceeds will go to the Mon Valley Women's Shelter.

For more information about the tour call (724) 310-3333.

Olde towne weekend

Along with the house tour, the weekend celebration sponsored by the Monongahela Chamber of Commerce will include entertainment, a bazaar, train display, ball and tea, tree decorating, horse-drawn carriage rides, and more.

"It is a two-day event that is very well-received," said Chamber President Teresa Cypher.

Friday evening will begin at 6 p.m. with a candlelight stroll of costumed Victorian char-acters along luminaria-lit sidewalks. A town crier will announce the arrival of the 19th-century characters as they make their way to the Chess Park Gazebo.

There, Father Christmas and the yule tree will arrive by horse-drawn carriage. Cypher said the community's children will decorate the giant evergreen for the holiday season.

At the gazebo, old-time Christmas carols will be sung by the Toy Drum Trio and the Monongahela Elementary All- Star Children's Choir.

McDonald's will offer hot chocolate, coffee, mulled cider and warm muffins, said Cypher.

The Monongahela Women's Club have available an assortment of Christmas goodies, including fudge, chocolate-covered pretzels and peanut brittle.

Cypher said 15 downtown merchants plan to decorate their shops in the Victorian theme and rename them in Olde English for the day. She said the shop owners will also participate in a "Tiny Tim" promotion, which will include a grand prize giveaway.

Businesses participating in the promotion include The Herbe Shoppe (The Glass Onion Shop), Ye Olde Blooms and Buds (Crall's Flower Shop), Ye Olde Remedy Shoppe (Span & Taylor Drug Store), Ye Olde Wiggery Shoppe (Elaine's Styling Salon), Shoppe of Mirth and Merriment (Mary Berry's Salt Box), Dorothea's Couturier (Dorothea's Boutique), The Loaf and Ladle (Mon City Food Mart), Sentiment Station (Hi There Hallmark), Ye Olde Bake Shoppe (Keystone Bakery), Ye Olde Coffee House (McDonald's), Ye Olde Apothecary (Monongahela Antiques), Ye Olde Curiosity Shoppe (Collectiques), The Fezziwig House (Monongahela Historical Society) and Mrs. Malaprop's Place (Yesterday's Best).

Shoppes will open at 10 a.m. Saturday. Winners of the Tiny Tim promotion will be notified by telephone on Monday.

Throughout Saturday, enter-tainment will take place every half hour at the gazebo until 3:30 p.m. On tap are bagpipers, a children's magic show, dance ensembles, presentations by Genesis Productions and FAME Performing Arts Center, singing by Madonna Catholic Regional School choirs and music by the Ringgold High School stage band.

Horse-drawn carriage rides in a Victorian wagonette will be provided by Greenfield Farm.

In a fitting tribute to America, Cypher said the Victorian holiday event will feature trimmings of patriotism.

"We're going to decorate the trees in red, white and blue, and leave the red, white and blue bunting on the city's banners," said Cypher.

Sounds of the celebration will also include a salute to America.

"We'll be opening with the singing of "America the Beautiful" and closing the celebration with "God Bless America," she said.

A model train display will be set up for train enthusiasts both days, compliments of the Mid-Mon Valley Railroad Club located at 159 Main St. in New Eagle.

Reservations for the Monongahela Historical Society's Fezziwig Ball and Tea with Charles Dickens can be made by calling (724) 258-6432.

The Monongahela Area Library will hold a book sale in front of its building at 813 West Main St. Also, Transfiguration Church will sponsor a craft show in addition to its famous pie and donut sale, and St. Anthony Church will sell Christmas wares and candles, and sponsor a parcel post booth.

"People come from all over for this event," said Cypher, who is busy this week sending press packages to sites in eastern Pennsylvania. "People are also getting the information off our web site."

Those interested in an application to showcase their items at the Olde World Bazaar can call Donna Baran at (724) 930-7021.