News T.T.T. Holiday Walk features antiques, many Christmas trees, displays

Many area residents toured three unique Vinton homes on Sunday afternoon to help raise funds to send local fifth grade girls to the T.T.T. Summer Camp, where they enjoy six days of mud stomping, hiking, swimming, kayaking, crafts and camp fires. 

The Vinton T.T.T. members sponsored a Holiday House Walk Sunday at the Knoff, Smith and Gordon houses before ending up at the Ray House.

The participants admired a variety of antiques, painting and other art at the Knoff house, and saw a variety of Christmas displays at the Gordon and Smith houses. Multiple Christmas trees were on display at each house.

The event is the organization’s biggest fund-raiser; proceeds help send area girls to the T.T.T. camp at Camp Wyoming.

The Vinton T.T.T. has been meeting for more than 50 years. They are making tentative plans for another Holiday House Walk in 2013, says President Amy Salger. Since 1961, the club has sent more than 80 girls to camp. 

Knoff House

Built on A Avenue in 1903 by John M. and Myrtle Beatty, the Queen Anne style home has a wrap-around porch and three-story tower. The Knoffs have owned the home for the past decade and have continued to restore this historic house.

Smith House

Tim and Jen Smith bought the historic Queen Anne Home in 2009. Jen joined T.T.T. members in giving tours and discussing the home. She said her favorite room is the parlor, where she likes to read. Tim, however, prefers the attic, which he has converted into his man cave. A former co-captain of the Iowa Hawkeyes cheerleading squad, Tim has one corner of his cave devoted to posters and megaphone from that era of his life.

The couple’s son, Evan, age 6, inspired a Christmas tree covered with cars. The train tree, however is a tribute to Tim’s step-father, who has been involved with a major toy train company.

Gordon House

Known to local residents for decades as the Mossman House – the home of Keith and Becky Mossman and later Mark and Kathy Mossman – became the property of Anita Gordon in 2006. Anita also joined T.T.T. members at her home, discussing some of her favorite rooms and what she has done there since 2006.