The News Herald (Willoughby, OH)
‘Home for the Holidays’ displays beckon
Marian Redmond has no formal artistic training.
But the Concord Township resident has nonetheless managed to transform the Lake County History Center into a lavish winter fantasy for the past 11 years for the annual “Home for the Holidays” celebration.
Redmond, a longtime volunteer for the Lake County Historical Society and current member of the Board of Directors, became the month-long event’s de facto lead designer by the luck of the draw.
“I’m not a designer. The executive director just pointed at me and said, ‘You’re doing this,’ and I said, ‘OK,’ “Redmond recalled with a laugh.
“Home for the Holidays” opened at the Painesville Township facility at the end of November and officially ended Dec. 2.
However, the holiday displays will continue to be open six days a week this month — with free admission Dec. 3.
Redmond and her event
partner Sandy Nelson of Mentor — along with a team of a dozen volunteers — put all the decor together.
This year, the team has decorated about 60 trees in all different themes.
“Everyone always asks me what is my favorite tree, but how can I have a favorite?” asked Redmond.
All three wings of the museum — a 30,000 square foot former Country Home from 1878 — have been decked out in Victorian decor to match the style of the building. The reception/party space at Heritage Hall was also decorated to the hilt.
“We work from the beginning of October all the way to the very last minute to prepare for this,” Redmond said. “There are 12 of us, and they are all my little Christmas elves.”
Former Historical Society Board President Karen Sawitke said she is in awe of Redmond’s creativity.
“She does a beautiful job,” Sawitke said. “Every room is tastefully decorated and not overdone.”
One wing is dedicated to Lake County and its experience with 19th century medicine, including the quackery often associated with the era.
Another wing displays a Victorian dinner table with its over-the-top amount of silver and plating, as well as the Garfield Gallery, with little-before seen gems connected with Lake County’s own President James A. Garfield.
Mentor resident Jim Skrocki agreed to dress as Father Christmas at the event for the first time this year after the regular Father Christmas was unable to make it.
“I am truly enjoying it,” Skrocki said. “I have my bag of goodies for the kids, and I’ve been giving everyone taps on the back for good luck.”
The History Center has special meaning for him on several fronts.
“I was the architectural designer for it,” he said, “and I have enjoyed volunteering here for years. I met my wife, Barbara Whidden here, and we got married here last year.”
The History Center, located at 415 Riverside Dr. in Painesville Township, now has special holiday hours.
The center will be open from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Tuesday through Friday and 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays through Dec. 23.