A holiday tradition for the Sun City Sunflower Garden Club is the House Walk for charity. Each homeowner who participates in the walk chooses a charity for which a portion of the sales will be donated. This year, the event took place on December 11 and featured six homes.
Marsha Natkins, one of the committee chairs, said, “This tradition goes back fourteen years. I have two other co-chairs who have helped organize this event. Julie Shank handles publicity and Joey Begora recruits greeters for each home showcase. The greeters help with the flow of traffic and answer questions.”
An impressive four hundred tickets are sold for the walk.
Shank said, “We first offer tickets to the members of the Sunflower Garde Club, and then sell them at the Artisan Fair.”
The Sun City holiday event requires the efforts of many volunteers. On December 8, there was a preview walk, followed by a reception to thank the 60 volunteers.
Natkins said, “We are also grateful for the generous support of this event by DeFiore Funeral Services.”
This year, marking a first, the event introduces a home beautifully adorned for Hanukkah. Marsha and Burt Natkins are graciously opening their doors, inviting the community to witness their home transformed into a beacon of light and warmth for Hanukkah. The house is a visual tapestry of the Hanukkah season, featuring a curated collection of menorahs and dreidels alongside tables exquisitely appointed in shades of blue and silver. Among Marsha’s treasured holiday finds is a festive American Girl Doll, perfectly attired in a seasonal sweater proclaiming, ‘I love you a latke’ – a delightful blend of classic doll charm and Hanukkah cheer.
Marsh said, “The Shalom group members also graciously provided several meaningful heirlooms for display in our home, adding rich, personal history to our collection.”
David Regul and Fernando Directo are long-time enthusiasts of festive décor. They quickly discovered the annual Sun City House Walk shortly after establishing their new home in the community. Their shared passion for Christmas naturally led them to volunteer their own beautifully adorned residence for the event. Their holiday displays feature a captivating array of seven holiday villages, each named to reflect a cherished personal meaning.
The first Village you see has you enter their home is Sugar and Spice Lane. The buildings and adornments have the theme of sweet treats. Next, there is an elegant five-piece village named Hallmark, a set sold once by the company.
Regul said “My favorite village is our family village. We have Whoville overlooking the Family Village. I started the Family Village with six houses, which I still have. It now has over ninety buildings. Each has a memory attached to it.”
The village features a beautiful table with a blue epoxy that is used as a river that runs through the Village, along with a train. There is a water fountain that is a tribute to the Sun City water fountain.
A 40-year-old wooden Rudolph stands by a campground that bears his name. The camper also is decked out for the holidays. Of course, Charlie Brown and his friends are featured along with Charlie’s Christmas tree.
Directo explains the Palm Springs Village: “We lived in Palm Springs, and these homes are the Art Deco style that is familiar there. We have mountains in the background, and of course, instead of snow, the Village is built on material to symbolize the sand.”
Judith and Eric Bennett’s home is another stop on the walk. Upon entering the room, one’s gaze is immediately drawn to the opulent Christmas tree, adorned with some fairies. A golden ladder leans against its boughs, leading the eye to a cheerful Santa figure, who stands beside a radiant, golden holiday lamppost.
Judith said, “Mark Roberts makes the fairies. They all have wings. They are displayed throughout the house. Each one has a name. There is one that is a wine fair and there are food fairies.”
Mark Roberts’ fairies are highly-detailed, whimsical, and often mischievous collectible Christmas figurines, including fairies, elves, and Santas, known for their unique designs, wire-framed bendable bodies, and luxurious fabrics.
Judith has a passion for adding elegant pieces of ribbon, boughs, or glitter to areas of the house.
“I love taking the time to add small details,” she said. “I was on a holiday walk one year and saw the chandeliers in the home decorated. It was so beautiful, and I came home and started creating.” Judith describes herself as a woman with a passion for Christmas and a glue gun.
Judith, with careful folds and a touch of whimsy, transformed a simple napkin into a delicate angel, gracefully adorned with a halo, which has a surprising source.
“The halo is a hoop earring that I bought at Walmart,” she said.
Also among the collection, a particular Santa Claus figurine stands out as a masterpiece of craftsmanship, rendered with such intricate detail that it commands a near-lifelike presence in the family room.
Judith said, “I love seeing him while I sit and relax and watch TV. We got him on a trip to Frankenmuth, Michigan, at the world’s largest Christmas store, Bronner’s.”
Natkins and her chairs are now looking for homes for next year’s event. Please consider sharing your holiday spirit and contact her at mashanatkins@hotmail.com or 917-575-3125.
